While your Newtown Bee has already featured a few early holiday activities, our editorial staff and a few key contributors have been and will continue to be all over Newtown capturing photos and re-capping the wealth of holiday season happenings through year’s end.

Throughout today’s and next week’s print edition, and over the next few weeks at newtownbee.com, readers will discover images and/or reporting on Newtown’s holiday tree lighting events, Waterbury Symphony Orchestra's "Salute to Solstice" concert at Trinity Episcopal Church, Newtown Police Department’s annual toy collection drive, and the 61st Anniversary Rotary Pancake Breakfast.

Also peruse our coverage of the Garden Club of Newtown’s Holiday Greens Sale, the Community Menorah Lighting event at Congregation Adath Israel, Faith at Newtown’s living nativity, and most of the activities tied to the Newtown Holiday Festival including Cultural Entertainment & Confections, Festival of Trees, Main Street Trolley Rides, an Outdoor Holiday Market & Stroll, The Nutcracker Suite, and the festival’s Superhero Academy, and an update on local Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign bell ringing being supported by State Rep Mitch Bolinsky.

In addition, dive into details about 2nd Annual Newtown Holiday Laser & Lights Show, the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard and Newtown Bridle Lands Association “Jingle Bell Ride,” and the NewArts production of A Christmas Carol at Edmond Town Hall — even our weekly question highlights holiday activities in Newtown.

Then, do not miss our December 24 paper featuring a gorgeous full-page cover illustration by local artist Paul Meisel, and the tradition begun by the late Newtown Bee Editor Paul Smith many years ago, of printing the Christmas story according to St Luke.

Finally, as readers are relaxing and preparing for New Year’s celebrations, peruse our “Year In Review” selections that will populate our December 31 edition.