Newtown traditionally spends the first weekend in December celebrating the holidays, and 2023 is no different. Tree lightings begin Saturday, a number of groups are hosting special fundraisers, and the Newtown Holiday Festival returns on Sunday, December 3.

The following is a listing of holiday-related activities planned for this weekend. See our Community Calendar for the listing of regular meetings and other special events.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1

Sip ‘n Shop, 5-9 pm, Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, $25 general admission, $45 VIP (early entrance, specialty cocktails, food/appetizers, door prizes), shopping with vendors, wine and beer tastings, food, music, and more; 203-270-4349.

Sandy Hook Christmas Tree (& More) Sales, 6-9 pm, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue main station, 18-20 Riverside Road, Christmas trees, wreaths, pine roping, cemetery boxes and more available for purchase, presented by and a benefit for fire company, Thursdays-Sundays to December 24 or while supplies last; 203-270-4392, SandyHookFire.com.

(Read more here: SHVFR Planning Tree Sales, Sleigh Rides)

POSTPONED: Ram Pasture Tree Lighting, 6:30 pm, Ram Pasture, due to expected inclement weather this event has been postponed to December 8.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2

63rd Annual Newtown Rotary Pancake Breakfast, 8 am-noon, Edmond Town Hall (Alexandria Room), 45 Main Street, $10 adults, $5 children, all-you-can-eat breakfast includes pancakes cooked by Rotary members, also Butcher’s Best sausage, Maple Craft Foods syrup, BD Provisions coffee, and milk, juice and hot chocolate; newtownCTrotary.org.

(Read more here: Rotary Pancake Breakfast Returning, December 2 At Edmond Town Hall)

Greens & Gift Sale, 9 am-noon, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West Street, annual holiday sale by The Garden Club of Newtown will again offer fresh wreaths decorated by hand, boxwood trees, centerpieces and more.

Sandy Hook Christmas Tree (& More) Sales, 9 am-9 pm, see additional December 1 details.

Friends of C.H. Booth Library Holiday Sale, 9:30 am-5 pm, C.H. Booth Library (meeting room), 25 Main Street, gift-quality books for all ages, jewelry, stocking stuffers, toys, jigsaw puzzles, media, and other gift items, proceeds benefit C.H. Booth Library, event continues December 3; boothbooksale.org.

Newtown’s Family Scavenger Hunt, 2 pm start, Newtown Youth & Family Services, $25/team, teams of up to six people will travel around town to find clues and complete tasks while competing for a prize, fundraiser presented by and to benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services; 203-270-4335, newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org/Special-Events.

A Christmas Celebration: The Singing Principal and Carol Sing, 3:30-6:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, children’s program by The Singing Principal (3:30-4:20, reservations required), then caroling in the sanctuary (4:30-5:30, all ages, no reservations needed), all will then be invited to bundle up and walk down the hill to Sandy Hook Center for 6 pm tree lighting; 203-426-9998, churchoffice@newtown-umc.org, numc.us.

(Read more here: New At NUMC: Christmas Celebration For All Ages)

2023 Sandy Hook Center Tree Lighting, 4-6:30 pm, Sandy Hook Center, business district centered around intersection of Church Hill Road, Washington Avenue, Riverside Road and Glen Road, activities begin at 4, Santa visits and karaoke begin at 5, tree on corner of Washington Avenue and Riverside Road will be lit at 6, caroling to continue, nonperishable donations requested for FAITH Food Pantry (each donor will be entered into raffle to light the tree), hosted by Sandy Hook Organization for Prosperity; SandyHookVillage.com.

(Read more here: Tree Lightings Will Illuminate The Holiday Season)

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3

Sandy Hook Christmas Tree (& More) Sales, 9 am-6 pm, see additional December 1 details.

Drop-In Holiday Buttons, 11 am-1 pm, C.H. Booth Library (chbMakers’ Corner), 25 Main Street, all ages invited to learn how to press a button with a holiday theme during ongoing event; 203-426-4533.

38th Newtown Holiday Festival, 11 am-4 pm, along Main Street, annual holiday event with offerings for all ages including Festival of Trees, Historic House Tours & Holiday Tea, Nutcracker Suite performances, Outdoor Holiday Market, Cookies with Mrs Claus, Family Magic Shows, Historic Trolley Tours, and more, presented by and a fundraiser for Newtown Youth & Family Services; 203-270-4335, newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org.

(Read more here: NYFS Holiday Festival To Be Merry & Bright On December 3; Multiple Events Also Planned December 2-15)

Friends of C.H. Booth Library Holiday Sale, 11 am-5 pm, see additional December 2 details.

The Nutcracker Suite by Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice, performances at noon and 2 pm, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, tickets $15/door for performance only, or $15-$20 for full Newtown Holiday Festival ticket (see details in separate listing), special holiday performance by NCCB students suitable for all ages; 203-270-4335, newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org.

(Read more here: NCCB To Present Two Performances Of 'Nutcracker Suite' On Edmond Town Hall Stage)

Newtown Historical Society Holiday Open House, 12-4 pm, The Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main Street, free, historical society’s headquarters will be decorated in traditional style, with warm cider served by the fireplace, donations welcomed for historical society; 203-426-5937, newtownhistory.org.

(Read more here: Holiday Open House & Member Party At Matthew Curtiss House)

Drop-In Beaded Wreath Ornaments, 2-4 pm, C.H. Booth Library (chbMakers’ Corner), all ages invited to learn how to create a wreath ornament, all materials provided; 203-426-4533.

“Songs for the Holiday Season,” 4 pm, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, $10 adults, $8 seniors and students, holiday concert by Newtown Choral Society will include songs from Africa, Denmark and Ireland, also traditional songs of the season, jazz interpretation of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” with bassist Amber Harris, also guest percussionists Howard Schuster and Jason Voegeli; 203-313-3064.

(Read more here: Choral Society To Perform 'Songs Of The Holiday Season')