Newtown traditionally spends the first weekend in December celebrating the holidays, and 2016 is no different. Three separate tree lightings are planned, a number of groups are hosting special fundraisers, and the 31st Annual Newtown Holiday Festival returns on Sunday, December 4. The following is a listing of holiday-related activities planned for this weekend.Friday, December 2Fire Company Christmas Tree Sale, 6-9 pm (and earlier by chance), Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company main station, 18-20 Riverside Road, Christmas trees (5 ft to cathedral height, balsam and Fraser), also wreaths, kissing balls, pine roping, and cemetery boxes available for purchase, sale continues daily (extended hours on weekends) until Christmas Eve or supplies run out, proceeds benefit fire company; 203-270-4392. Newtown Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6:30 pm, Ram Pasture, Elm Drive at Hawley Lane, live music and other performances begin at 6:30, tree lighting at 7, followed by caroling, refreshments, and visits with Santa and Mrs Claus.Saturday, December 3Newtown Rotary Club Pancake Day, 8 am-1 pm, Edmond Town Hall (Alexandria Room), $7 adults, $3 ages 10 and under, fresh cooked pancakes and sausage, also apple sauce and beverages.Breakfast With Santa, 9-11 am, Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, free, all ages invited to celebrate Christmas with Santa, breakfast offerings including bagels and donuts, and hot and cold drinks, also children's crafts, donations requested for FAITH Food Pantry; 203-270-4340.Garden Club of Newtown Holiday Greens Sale, 9 am-noon, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, public invited to purchase decorated wreaths, tabletop centerpieces, wooden stars, and kissing balls, special guest Sydney Eddison will have copies of her latest books available for purchase (and autographs).Fire Company Christmas Tree Sale, 9 am-9 pm, see additional December 2 details.Booth Library Annual Holiday Sale, 9:30 am-5 pm, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, new and gently used items including books in multiple categories including adult coloring books, CDs, DVDs, games, ornaments, and more, continues December 4; 203-270-4537. Sandy Hook Tree Lighting, 4-7 pm, Sandy Hook Center, area of Church Hill Road, Washington Avenue, Riverside Road and Glen Road, all ages invited for visits with Santa (5-6 pm, mailbox available for letters to Santa), caroling, tree lighting (6 pm), caroling and more, guests asked to bring nonperishable food donation for FAITH Food Pantry (each donating family will be given chance to enter raffle to help light the tree), local shops and businesses open, sponsored by Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity; SandyHookVillage.com.Holiday Festival Kick-Off Beer & Wine Tasting, 6:30-9:30 pm, Rock Ridge Country Club, 214 Sugar Street, $40/person, $75/couple, beer and wine tastings, sounds of the season, light food and hors d'oeuvres, and holiday shopping, proceeds to benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services; 203-270-4335.Sunday, December 4Fire Company Christmas Tree Sale, 9 am-9 pm, see additional December 2 details.Holiday Festival & House Tour, 11 am-4 pm, along Main Street, tickets $12/adults, $25/family (two adults and two children; $5 each additional child), annual event with ongoing children's train rides (departing from Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, and concluding at Booth Library, 25 Main Street), Festival of Trees, Holiday Tea, Kids Corner (children's arts and crafts, letters to Santa, and more), guided tours of three private homes, trolley tours, tours and lunch at Trinity Episcopal Church (36 Main Street), performances of Nutcracker Ballet (noon and 2 pm, included with festival ticket or $8 for performance only), and more, proceeds to benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services; 203-270-4335. Booth Library Annual Holiday Sale, 11 am-5 pm, see additional December 3 details.Fun with The Grinch, 1-3 pm, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, drop by the children's story hour room to make a Grinch inspired tree ornament, take a photo with the Grinch, or read to "Max" (aka Rex the therapy dog), for ages 3-9, no registration necessary.Gingerbread House Contest, houses on display at Booth Library, judging at 4 pm.Newtown Historical Society Holiday Open House, noon-4 pm, The Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main Street, donations accepted, circa 1750 saltbox that serves as historical society's headquarters will be decorated for holidays, guided tours available (public also welcome to explore building on their own), live music by Grant Ossendryver; 203-426-5937.Hawleyville Tree Lighting, 5:30-6:30 pm, Hawleyville Plaza, 23 Barnabas Road, Santa & Mrs Claus arrive on Hawleyville fire truck, tree lighting, refreshments and songs of the season, donations (gift/toy) requested for The Newtown Fund, presented by Stony Hill Four Corners Business Association; 203-270-4389.

32nd Annual

56th Annual

Friends of C.H.

16th Annual

Friends of C.H.

7th Annual