Reindeer Festival in Greenwich

It’s that magical time of year again when Santa and his LIVE reindeer, Dasher Dancer, Prancer and Blitzen, return to McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center, 48 Arch Street, in Greenwich, Conn, for the 6th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Santa’s Workshop, through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2014. Last year, over 800 photos with Santa were taken and many more are expected this year.

The  reindeer will reside at McArdle’s, for one month.  There, young and old can marvel at the reindeer and learn more about these special animals. 

Inside, McArdle’s will be transformed into Santa’s Workshop, an unforgettable holiday wonderland where families, children, corporate groups and even pets can have their photo taken with Santa.  Photo packages begin at $29.99 and include special coupons to shop at over 100 participating downtown Greenwich stores and restaurants. This year’s festival will feature a new component – Reindeer Fun Facts - educational information about the animals, the mystery of their antlers, eating and sleeping habits and more.

New this year is the chance to win a Mercedes-Benz Peddle Car when you have your photo taken with Santa. One entry per purchase of every Photo with Santa Package. Two winners will be drawn December 24, 2013, 3pm. The two (2) winners will be notified immediately Christmas Eve. Compliments of Mercedes-Benz of Greenwich.

The 6th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival and photos with Santa  will take place Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reindeer feeding times will take place daily at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The reindeer will head to the North Pole around 1 p.m. on December 23, but Santa will remain until 4 p.m. Christmas Eve before beginning his busy night.

For more information and a list of the over 100 participating retail stores and restaurants, visit www.GreenwichReindeerFestival.com.

BRING THE KIDS FOR HOLIDAY LIGHTS, DELIGHTS IN WESTERN CONNECTICUT

Imagine a park wonderland aglow with thousands of twinkling lights and a show every half hour when glittering lights dance to holiday music. 

That is the thrill awaiting families when Lake Compounce, New England’s family theme park, inaugurates its first Holiday Lights season on weekends beginning November 29. The park, located in Bristol, in Western Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills, is one of a trio of special events for families in Litchfield and Fairfield Counties.

Lights are not the only fun planned at Lake Compounce. Family rides and Kiddieland rides will be in operation, strolling carolers will fill the park with song, an ice carver will create frozen sculptures, and the park’s train will be transformed into the North Pole Railway, operated by a certain special bearded conductor dressed in red.  Indoor activities will include cookie decorating, gingerbread house making and the chance to send a letter to Santa, with a guaranteed reply to come in the mail a few days later. Santa himself will be waiting in the Starlight Theater to pose for pictures with his young fans.

Holiday Lights will be open 5 p.m. to 9 pm. on Friday, and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, November 29-December 1, and December 6-8, 13-15 and 20-22. For more information, see www.lakecompounce.com

                        See Santa’s Village, Meet Santa’s Reindeer

No need to travel to the North Pole to visit Santa this holiday season. Every year since 1947, Santa and Mrs. Claus have been at home in Torrington’s Christmas Village, greeting friends in a “living room” where a log fire crackles in the fireplace and the ceiling sparkles with tinsel and lights. After a chat with Santa and a small gift, kids can head for the toy-filled workshop where local “elves” from the Parks and Recreation Department are busy with toys destined for youngsters in the town hospital. Live reindeers are waiting in a pen outside.

It is wise to come early as families do line up for this special event, but all declare it is worth the wait. The Christmas Village is located at 150 Church Street in Torrington.  It will be open daily from December 8 to 23 from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Christmas Eve from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Entrance is free.  For information, check www.torringtonct.org

Santa and his reindeer do get around in December. Over in Fairfield County, the 5th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop will be on from November 29 to December 24 at McArdle's Florist & Garden Center, 48 Arch Street in Greenwich. Santa and his reindeer, Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, and Blitzen, arrive on November 29 at 2 p.m., riding down Greenwich Avenue to the Garden Center where refreshments are served to welcome the start of the festival. They remain for all to enjoy through Christmas eve. Feeding times for the reindeer are 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily. For more information, see www.greenwichreindeerfestival.com

For more information about holiday activities and a free copy of UNWIND, a full-color, 152-page booklet detailing what to do and see, and where to stay, shop and dine in Fairfield and Litchfield Counties in Western Connecticut, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-45606, or visit their web site at www.visitwesternct.com

4th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop Through Dec. 24

It’s that magical time of year again when Santa and his LIVE reindeer, Dasher Dancer, Prancer and Blitzen, return to McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center, 48 Arch Street, in Greenwich, Conn, for the 4th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival and Santa’s Workshop, through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2012. Last year, over 800 photos with Santa were taken and many more are expected this year.

At McArdle's where reindeers will reside for a month, young and old can marvel at the reindeer and learn more about these special animals. The Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop officially opens and Photos with Santa begin at approximately 3 p.m. Holiday refreshments will be provided for all at McArdle’s by Avenue Café, which recently opened on Greenwich Avenue.

Inside, McArdle’s will be transformed into Santa’s Workshop, an unforgettable holiday wonderland where families, children, corporate groups and even pets can have their photo taken with Santa.  Photo packages begin at $29.99 and include special coupons to shop at over 100 participating downtown Greenwich stores and restaurants. This year’s festival will feature a new component – Reindeer Fun Facts - educational information about the animals, the mystery of their antlers, eating and sleeping habits and more.

The 4th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop will take place Monday through Friday, noon to 5:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reindeer feeding times will take place daily at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. The reindeer will head to the North Pole around 1 p.m. on December 23, but Santa will remain until 4 p.m. Christmas Eve before beginning his busy night.

For more information and a list of the over 100 participating retail stores and restaurants, visit www.GreenwichReindeerFestival.com.  For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Rudolph and the Reindeer Games through Dec. 30

Just in time for the coming holidays it is Rudolph and the Reindeer Games presented by Bridgeport's Downtown Cabaret Children's Theatre.

Family-friendly performances on Saturdays and Sundays continue through December 30 (2012) at the Downtown Cabaret Theatre, located at 263 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The 73rd annual Reindeer Games feature familiar names, characters and the well known basic story, but with just enough added twists and turns along with lots of music and dance to make this a memorable holiday event.

Santa's North Pole Team is hoping the odds are in their favor for the Games. Rudy, the young, new contestant who's a "chip off the old buck," looks like he may "sleigh" the competition, but five-time Champion Donner isn't giving up his title without a fight!

Spunky Rudy has everything going for him – but then he's disqualified because of his bright red nose! Even worse, it appears he's betrayed Dancer, the doe who "lights up his life." Humiliated, he runs off just as the worst blizzard to ever hit the North Pole is about to strike.

Now, not only is the North Pole Team in jeopardy of losing the Games, but it appears that due to the pending blizzard Santa may have to cancel Christmas for the first time in history! The storm's knocked out his GPS, and the Reindeer can't see a paw in front of their faces to guide his sleigh. So it's up to Rudloph...can he find the courage to win the games, get the doe of his dreams, and save Christmas?

Don't miss this all-new, modern, funny, heartwarming holiday take on the story of Santa's reindeer. It's a rollicking adventure highlighted by a montage of unique winter sports never before seen at the Olympics with a score of pop songs that will make everyone in the audience want to get out of their seats to sing and dance along!

Reserved tickets are: $18 & $24
Reserved tickets can be reserved:
By Phone: Box Office: 203.576.1636
In Person: at box office located 263 Golden Hill Street, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Online at downtowncabaret.org (24/7)
By US Mail:
Rudolph and the Reindeer Games
c/o Downtown Cabaret Children'sTheatre
263 Golden Hill Street
Bridgeport, Ct. 06604
Box Office Hours: 10:30am to 5pm – Sundays thru Saturdays
Box Office opens 90 minutes prior to scheduled performance times
Theatre seating begins 30 minutes prior to performance times
Closed Mondays

The Downtown Cabaret Theatre is wheelchair accessible. Please inform the box office of any special needs when ordering tickets.

For more information and up-to-date news about the Cabaret, upcoming performances, the performers, seating chart, parking and reserving tickets visit downtowncabaret.org