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Merry Mansfield: Festive Fun
Let's have some fun in Mansfield this holiday season!
Find details on each listing below.
Calendar at a glance:
- Week of Nov. 21: Tellebration! virtual program with Mansfield Public Library
- Friday, November 24 - Friday, December 24: Visit with Santa Claus at East Brook Mall
- Friday, Nov. 26: Family Play Day at Mansfield Community Center
- Saturday, Nov. 27: The Polar Express Book Reading at the Holiday Emporium in the East Brook Mall
- Saturday, Nov. 27: Campfire Story Hour at The Adventure Park at Storrs
- Sunday, Nov. 28: Paint Your Own Pottery at Mill Court Ceramics
- Sunday, Nov. 29: Chanukah at the Square with Chabad at UConn in Downtown Storrs
- Thursday, Dec. 2, 9, and 16: Exploring Winter Holidays with Mansfield Parkes & Recreation
- Saturday, Dec. 4, 11, and 18: Drop-in Holiday Crafts at Mansfield Public Library
- Friday, Dec. 3: Deadline to enter Tour of Holiday Lights
- Saturday, Dec. 4: Christmas Bazaar at Storrs Congregational Church
- Saturday, Dec. 4: Santa Paws at PETCO
- Saturday, Dec. 4: Winter Welcome in Downtown Storrs
- Sunday, Dec. 5: Photos with Santa at Anthony Raggi, Start Farm Agent's office
- Sunday, Dec. 5: UConn's Jacobson Barn Open to the Public - Photo op!
- Thursday, Dec. 9: Ginger Bread House Workshop at the Holiday Emporium in the East Brook Mall
- Friday, Dec. 10: DIY Wooden Ginger Bread Houses at Mansfield Community Center
- Saturday, Dec. 11: The Polar Express Book Reading at the Holiday Emporium in the East Brook Mall
- Friday, Dec. 17: Wine Tasting at Goody's Corks & Hops
- Wednesday, Dec. 22: Holiday Drive Thru Luncheon at Mansfield Senior Center
- Wednesday, Dec. 29: New Year Celebration Concert & Pickup Luncheon at Mansfield Senior Center
TELLABRATION!™ is a night of storytelling celebrated worldwide on or about the third Saturday in November. This year, the Mansfield Public Library is celebrating by offering a video from storyteller Carol Glynn entitled Connecticut Legends and Lore. It's available all week, the week of November 21. To request a link to access the video, please contact Judy at stoughtonj@mansfieldct.org.
The East Brook Mall (95 Storrs Road) invites you to Visit with Santa Claus!
Santa will visit with friends near the Mall's Customer Service Center. Photo opportunities include a family holiday photo and start at $15.
Santa Hours:
- Monday - Friday: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
On Tuesday, Dec. 7, furry friends are invited to sit with Santa during Pet Night from 5:00PM to 7:00 PM.
For more information, please call East Brook Mall: 860.456.3066
After a full day of feasting, it's time for some family fun! On Friday, November 26 head to the Mansfield Community Center for Family Play Day!
From 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM, enjoy a variety of fun activities for the whole family, from swimming to crafts to gym time!
Community Center members are invited to bring two guests (two per membership). Non-members are also welcome and can ask for a special family day pass (must register as a family): Mansfield family: $9; Ashford/Willington: $11; All other towns: $12
For more information, please call Mansfield Parks & Recreation: 860.429.3015 x0
Gather round the firepit for Campfire Story Hour on Saturday, Nov. 27 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at The Adventure Park at Storrs (2007 Storrs Road, Storrs)! Park Manager, Annika, will lead the storytime.
This is a free event but does not include a climbing or axe throwing ticket. Please purchase tickets for your adventure and then join us after for storytime. Tickets are available to purchase here.
On Saturday, November 27, WindhamARTS will host an interactive book reading of a classic holiday favorite, The Polar Express!
Every child will receive a bell to ring as we read along.
Free to all ages.
This event will take place in WindhamARTS' Holiday Emporium in the East Brook Mall (95 Storrs Road, Mansfield Center).
Looking for a unique gift for someone special? Why not make your own?
Mill Court Ceramics (2 Old Mill Court, Storrs) will host Paint Your Own Pottery sessions on Sunday, Nov. 26 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
For more information, please see Mill Court Ceramics' Facebook page: @MillCourtCeramics.
Join Chabad at UConn on Sunday, Nov. 28 to mark the first night of Chanukah and to light the first candle on the Menorah at Chanukah at the Square in Downtown Storrs!
Enjoy hot latkes, donuts, chocolate gelt, and dreidels at 7:00 PM on Betsy Paterson Square (2 Dog Lane, Storrs).
Chanukah at the Square is free and open to everyone.
Mansfield Parks & Recreation has a new class for students in grades 1 through 5: Exploring Winter Holidays!
Each Thursday from December 2 through December 16, participants will read stories and make decorations to go along with learning about some of the special holidays from around the world.
The cost is $22 for residents and $32 for non-residents.
To register, please visit mansfieldcc.com.
Please call 860.429.3015 with questions.
Take a break from the hustle and bustle and enjoy some hands-on crafts at the Mansfield Public Library. Their Drop-In Crafts will be available from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, Dec. 4, 11, and 18.
Materials will be available in the program room along with the coloring table. All ages welcome!
- Dec. 4: Easy jar luminary and a folding dreidel
- Dec. 11: Craft stick holiday tree
- Dec. 18: Hanging bird ornament
For more information, please call the Library: 860.423.2501
Love to decorate for the holidays? Love a little competition? If you answered yes, then Mansfield Parks & Recreation has just the thing for you! Sign up to be a stop on the Tour of Holiday Lights!
Mansfield Parks & Recreation is hosting this program with their peers from Ashford, Coventry, and Tolland to make this holiday season a little more special for our community.
To participate, sign up by Friday, December 3. A picture/video of your house display (front of home and yard only) must be submitted with your application. The registration form is available here.
Judging will begin on December 10 for "Best Traditional," "Best Animated," and "Best Overall." Winners will be announced December 20 and will receive a gift certificate to a local business in their area.
All registered homes will be included on a map for viewers to enjoy.
Please direct questions about the Tour of Holiday Lights to Mansfield Parks & Recreation: 860.429.2740 x0.
On Saturday, December 4, you can get some holiday shopping done while supporting a good cause at the Christmas Bazaar at Storrs Congregational Church (2 North Eagleville Road)! This safe, masked, and distanced public event is a fundraiser to benefit the Windham Region No Freeze Project’s services to those homeless or experiencing housing insecurity this winter.
From 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, you can find:
- Lunch - Soups-to-Go
- Quilted & Fabric Gifts
- SERRV/Homemade Global Gifts
- Seasonal Holiday Tag and Gifts
- Holiday Plants
- Bake Sale
- Silent Auction
- Centerpieces with Fresh Greens; Pecans; Bulk Fresh Greens and Berries
- Pre-ordered and day-of wreaths and Handmade Sprays
- And more vendors!
If you cannot make it on Saturday, there will be a chance to peruse the "Best of the Rest" on Sunday, Dec. 5 from 8:30 AM to noon.
On Saturday, December 4, Petco (86 Storrs Road) will host Santa Paws at their store from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Bring your furry (or scaly or feathery) friend for a photo with Santa - all pets are welcome! A donation of $9.95 towards the Petco Foundation will be used to help pets in need. Oh, and Petco sells matching pajamas for you and your pet, if you would like to be in the photo, too!
Please call the Mansfield Petco with any questions: 860.456.4422
The Mansfield Downtown Partnership will host its 9th Annual Winter Welcome in Downtown Storrs on Saturday, December 4.
From 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM, enjoy seasonal treats and specials at participating downtown businesses, strolling musicians, creative community displays, our Trim-a-Tree contest, a visit with "The Snow Sisters," a chance to meet Santa Claus, and more!
The frosty fun kicks off at 4:00 PM with a Community Sing-Along led by E. O. Smith Choirs on Betsy Paterson Square.
For the full schedule and details, please visit downtownstorrs.org/winterwelcome.
Winter Welcome is free, open to everyone, and will take place rain or shine.
The office of Anthony Raggi, State Farm Agent (483 Storrs Road) invites everyone to stop by on Sunday, December 5 from noon to 3:00 PM to Visit with Santa Claus! Visiting with Santa is free and open to everyone (every furry friends!). Complimentary photos will be available and mailed to you following the event.
For more information, please contact Anthony Raggi (860.429.6941).
UConn's annual holiday video featured Jacobson Barn, all decked out for winter. You can see the video here, and now you can see the barn in person!
On Sunday, Dec. 5, the Jacobson Barn will be open to the public from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Stop by for a photo and a cup of coffee or hot chocolate!
Click here for a map with the barn's location.
WindhamARTS Collaborative invites you to enjoy family bonding and gingerbread fun with a Gingerbread House Workshop on Thursday, Dec. 9. The workshop will take place from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Holiday Arts Emporium in the East Brook Mall.
Create lasting memories in their festive winter wonderland gingerbread house workshop. Design and decorate the family’s own gingerbread house in our gingerbread house decorating workshop.
$50 per house includes candy, chocolates, gingerbread house, drinks, and snacks. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. No walk-ups are allowed.
To purchase your ticket, click here.
Mansfield Parks & Recreation will host a DIY Wooden Gingerbread House class on Friday, Dec. 10.
Build, paint, and decorate your own gingerbread house to take home when you are done!
The class is from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Registration is required. Register at mansfieldcc.com.
This class will take place at the Community Center (10 S. Eagleville Road, Storrs).
On Saturday, December 11, WindhamARTS will host another interactive book reading of a classic holiday favorite, The Polar Express!
Every child will receive a bell to ring as we read along.
Free to all ages.
This event will take place in WindhamARTS' Holiday Emporium in the East Brook Mall (95 Storrs Road, Mansfield Center).
Learn about new wines and select varieties for your upcoming celebrations at the Mary Taylor Wine Tasting at Goody's Corks & Hops (1019 Stafford Road) on Friday, December 17.
From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, guests can taste wines from Mary Taylor Wine. While you are there, be sure to check out Goody's "Holiday Corner" and custom gift baskets!
For more information, please call Goody's Corks & Hops: 860.477.0699
The Mansfield Senior Center will hold a Holiday Drive Thru Luncheon on Wednesday, Dec. 22 from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM.
On the menu:
- Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Cream Sauce
- Roasted Potatoes
- Glazed Carrots
- Dinner Roll
- and Black Forest Cake for Dessert!
The cost is $10 per person. Please register with payment by December 15. To register, see page 10 of the Senior Center's December newsletter (available here). Please call 860.429.0262 with questions.
The Mansfield Senior Center is located at 303 Maple Road, Storrs.
Say "Goodbye, 2021" and "Hello, 2022!" on Wednesday, Dec. 29 at 10:30 AM at the Mansfield Senior Center's New Year Celebration: Willie Nininger Concert and Pickup Luncheon!
A mainstay of the Greenwich Village Folk scene in the 70’s and 80’s, Willie has developed a reputation as a great folk humorist and gained notoriety as a top flatpick guitarist with his solo acoustic bluegrass version of the William Tell Overture. With his musical talents and quick wit, there’s no better way to usher in the new year!
After the concert, a delicious salmon meal will be ready for you to pick up and enjoy at home!
On the menu:
- Salmon
- Rice
- Creamy Dill Cucumber Salad
- and Lemon Meringue Pie for Dessert!
The cost is $7 per person. Please register with payment by December 17. To register, see page 10 of the Senior Center's December newsletter (available here). Please call 860.429.0262 with questions.
We want to hear from you!
If your Mansfield-located business or community organization has plans for a celebration, special event, charitable campaign, sale, seasonal offering, or promotion occurring between November 20 and New Year's Day, let us know!
We will include only events, etc. that are open to the public (e.g. no members' only events) and that will take place in Mansfield, CT.
There is no fee to be included in "Merry Mansfield" - we just need your info!
Please click here to submit your information.
If you have any questions, please contact the Mansfield Downtown Partnership (please call 860.429.2740 or email us).