Celebrate the holidays in Stonington Borough
Our New England coastal town is dripping with charm during the holidays. There’s a reason it’s been a location for many movies, including Holiday for Heroes, shot for the Hallmark Channel. The Borough’s storefronts and houses are decked out with greenery, and there’s plenty to do to celebrate the season.
Holiday Kick-off: November 22, 2025
LOBSTER TRAP TREE LIGHTING
Brought to you by the Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce, don’t miss the Stonington Lobster Trap Tree, made of real lobster traps and buoys hand-painted by local families and artists. The architectural masterpiece will be situated at the town dock, paying homage to Stonington’s renowned fishing industry. The Stonington Lobster Trap Tree will be on display beginning November 22, 2025, until Sunday, January 4, 2026. The Stonington Lobster Trap Tree opens at dawn. The tree will be lit every night between 4:30 - 9:30 PM until January 3, 2026, and lit from 4:30 - 6 PM on January 4, 2026.
FIND THE BUOY HOLIDAY SCAVENGER HUNT kICKOFF
Kids and adults are welcome to participate in the Find the Buoy Holiday Scavenger Hunt. Pick up a postcard, find the buoys at select locations, and you could be entered to win one of FIVE amazing prizes including a Stonington Free Library tote filled with gift cards from participating Borough shops and restaurants worth $1,290 from Breakwater Stonington Harbor, Carolyn Estate Jewelry & Stonington Antiques, Etc., COMO Thrift, Cove Ledge Beer, Wine & Spirits, Dog Watch Café, Driscoll Design Shop + Studio, Grand & Water Antiques, Mountain Hollow, Noah’s Restaurant, Sally Vail at Home, Stonington Consign to Design, Stonington Jewelry at Cannon Square, Water Street Café, Yali Stonington and Zest Fresh Pastry; a week of half-day camp or two sailing lessons at New England Science and Sailing (NESS) worth $380; a sterling silver buoy charm and chain designed and created by Maggie Lee Designs worth $270; four tickets to a La Grua Center concert worth $100; and two art lessons with Nina, courtesy of Repertoire Atelier worth $175. The contest ends on New Year's Eve, and winners will be drawn from submitted postcards and announced in January 2026.
Other Holiday Events
Velvet Christmas at the Mill
On Saturday, November 29 and Sunday, November 30, the Velvet Mill (22 Bayview Avenue) hosts Velvet Christmas at the Mill, a holiday market and a visit from Santa Claus with raffles, live music, and face painting.
Deck the Walls
Each year, Historic Stonington partners with the Stonington Garden Club for their annual fundraiser, Deck the Walls. The event kicks off on Thursday, December 4, with a ticketed preview party where you’ll get first dibs on the auction items, followed by a Holiday Auction and Open House at the Captain Nathaniel B. Palmer House (40 Palmer Street) on Friday, December 5 and Saturday, December 6.
TRADITIONAL TREE LIGHTING ON WADAWANUCK SQUARE - DECEMBER 5, 2025, at 5:30 pm
Every year, on the first Friday evening in December, the Stonington Village Improvement Association (SVIA) sponsors a tree lighting ceremony in Wadawanuck Square that includes community carol singing and a special visit by Santa. Everyone is welcome to join in! Immediately following the lighting of the tree is the annual holiday stroll down Water Street, which will be closed from High Street to Cannon Square. Merchants keep their shops open late and welcome visitors. The shops compete for the title of “Best Dressed Holiday Window” in the annual Borough A-Glow contest.
The Yale Whiffenpoofs at La Grua Center
On Saturday, December 13 at 4 pm, The Yale Whiffenpoofs, America's oldest a cappella group, will perform at La Grua Center (32 Water Street). Don’t wait to purchase your tickets — this event always sells out FAST!
