Polar Express Pajama Party @ Maritime Aquarium Norwalk

Make a special holiday family memory on the weekend before Christmas with tasty treats and a giant-screen thrill ride to the North Pole during The Maritime Aquarium’s “‘Polar Express’ Pajama Parties.”

–  Share a gourmet hot chocolate and other delicious treats with the train conductor during “ ‘Polar Express’ Pajama Parties” for families on Sat., Dec. 19 and Sun., Dec. 20 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.  Activities begin both days at 9 a.m., followed by the feature-length holiday IMAX^® movie “The Polar Express” at 10 a.m. For prices, reservations or more details, go to www.maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

The  “‘Polar Express’ Pajama Parties” on Sat., Dec. 19 and Sun., Dec. 20 begin at 9 a.m. with a hot chocolate bar courtesy of South Norwalk’s renowned Chocopologie Cafe & Bistro. Guests can decorate their handmade artisan hot chocolate with whipped cream and a selection of exotic toppings provided by The Village Market in Wilton. Plus, choose from a delicious spread of holiday cookies by J&L Bakery in Norwalk. 

“Pajama Party” partiers also can pose for photos with the Aquarium’s train conductor and visit with Aquarium educators whose hands-on displays will explore strategies that animals use to keep warm in winter – all before the feature-length movie starts at 10 a.m.

“The Polar Express” movie expands on the 1986 Caldecott Award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg. The story follows a young boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus.  On Christmas Eve, a locomotive magically arrives to take him and other doubtful children to Santa's North Pole headquarters. Tom Hanks provides the voices of five characters, including the train conductor and Santa Claus.

“‘Polar Express’ Pajama Party” tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for kids 3-12 ($15 and $13 for Aquarium members). Each show is limited to 310 seats, so advance purchase is strongly recommended. Buy online at www.maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

Can’t make it that weekend but still want to see “The Polar Express?”  The animated film plays on the Aquarium’s six-story screen at 4 & 7:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays and at 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20.  (Note that it will play only at 4 p.m. on Dec. 4.)  From Dec. 26-Jan. 3, “The Polar Express” will show at 4 & 7:30 p.m. daily.

Because “The Polar Express” is an hour and 40 minutes long, tickets are specially priced at: $11.50 for adults; $10.50 for youths (ages 13-17) & seniors (65+); and $9.50 for children 3-12.  Maritime Aquarium members save $1.

To include a visit to the Aquarium with “The Polar Express,” tickets are $31.45 for adults, $28.45 for youths & seniors, and $22.45 for children.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Gregory James Gallery Holiday Selection

If you are looking for an "artful holiday" check out the holiday selection at the Gregory James Gallery -- Fine Art & the Art of Framing, located on Rte 202 in New Milford, has been offering custom picture framing and fine art exhibitions for prominent regional artists for nearly twenty years. The gallery will be exhibiting select works by gallery artists through the end of the year. The prices for original works range from $200 to $10,000.

Thomas Adkins

The Gallery artists offer a wide range of artistic styles. A few artists represented include: The late Woldemar Neufeld (1908-2002), New Preston, CT, Christopher Magadini, Croton-On-Hudson, NY, James Coe, Hannacroix, NY, Bill Rice, Warren, CT, Sheila Tintera, Jackson, WY, Thomas Adkins, Southbury, CT, Scott Zuckerman, Cornwall Bridge, CT, Ralph Della-Volpe, Millbrook, NY, Meg Lindsay, Irvington, NY, and Robert Ferrucci, Brewster, NY. 

Christopher Magadini

For more information about the Gallery artists or the Gallery’s custom picture-framing service, please call 860-354-3436 and visit GregoryJamesGallery.com. Gregory James Gallery is located at 93 Park Lane Road (Rte 202), New Milford, CT 06776.

For more information and holiday event information taking place in Litchfield Hills visit www.litchfieldhills.com.

Holiday Backstage Tour of the Palace Theatre in Waterbury

This month's backstage tour of the Palace Theatre offers patrons that have signed up a special treat...seeing the Palace decorated for the holidays.  The tour will take place Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11:00a.m. to 12:30p.m. and will explore nine decades of on stage history and backstage mystique. 

Built in 1920 and recorded in the National Register of Historic Places, the Palace Theater is known for its grand architectural design. Designed in a Renaissance Revival style, the building features an eclectic mix of Greek, Roman, Arabic and Federal motifs along with marble staircases, gilded domed ceilings, cut glass chandeliers and intricate plaster relief details that make the Palace one of the most striking performing arts spaces in the state.

Patrons attending the December tour will see the onstage winter wonderland where families participating in the Palace's "Family Fun Day" will be skating on the stage. For an additional $12, attendees can stay after the tour and take part in the afternoon's family friendly activities, which include holiday crafts, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, cupcake decorating, story time, live entertainment, and the day's main event of skating on the stage.

Each Palace Theater tour is approximately 90 minutes, kid-friendly, and led by a team of engaging volunteers well-versed in the theater's rich history, architectural design and entertaining anecdotal information. In addition to exploring the theater, Poli Club and lobby spaces, patrons will also have the opportunity to visit the star dressing rooms and view the venue's backstage murals that were painted and signed by past performers and Broadway touring companies.

The guided walking tour covers five floors of history and architecture, including grand staircases from the 1920's. While elevator access is available, guests with walking disabilities or health concerns are asked to inform the Box Office ahead of time, so that the tour guides can make the proper accommodations, or offer a modified program featuring a 30-minute tour of the main floor and a 60-minute visual presentation.

Due to the tours' increasing popularity, reservations are required in advance. Each tour is $5.00 per person and single tickets for individuals or groups of 10 or less can be purchased online at www.palacetheaterct.org. Larger groups are asked to contact the Box Office at 203-346-2000 to book their reservations.

For more holiday information on Litchfield Hills www.litchifieldhills.com

Palace Theater Hosts “Rock the Rink” Event with Skating on the Stage & Dueling Pianos

Get your “holly jollies” on this winter with dueling pianos, skating on the stage, and naughty-but-nice holiday spirits during the Palace Theater’s fun and festive ROCK THE RINK holiday party on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 6p.m. to 9p.m. Tickets to the event are $25 in advance ($30 at the door) and can be purchased online at www.palacetheaterct.org, by phone at 203-346-2000, or in person at the Box Office, 100 East Main St. in Waterbury.

Party goers that purchase tickets to the holiday-themed event will be transported to an indoor winter wonderland decorated with white lights, pine trees, snowfall and the magical opportunity to skate on the Palace Theater stage. Attendees can bring their own skates or receive a complimentary rental pair, and will take turns gliding across a 20ft by 40ft indoor rink, while stopping to pose for selfies with Santa and enjoy sweet treats, snacks, and a free signature holiday spirit.

For those who prefer to skip the skates, guests can choose to spend the night singing and sipping along to their favorite pop and holiday hits performed by Keys to the City’s dueling piano players in the theater’s orchestra lounge. Attendees are also encouraged to don their busiest and brightest holiday sweaters for a chance to win theater tickets during the night’s fun and festive Ugly Sweater Contest.

The adult only event is for guests ages 21 and older, and will take place in the evening following the theater’s “Winter Wonderland Family Fun Day,” which offers families an affordable afternoon of holiday entertainment including skating on the stage, photos with Santa, cupcake decorating, craft stations and more from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ROCK THE RINK is presented in collaboration with the Waterbury Regional Chamber and Young Professionals of Greater Waterbury Region (Y.P.O.W.R.) and is sponsored in part by MacDermid and Powerstation Events. For tickets and event updates, visit www.palacetheaterct.org.

For more area holiday event information www.litchfieldhills.com

Holiday Express: Opening Night! at Fairfield Museum and History Center

A long awaited tradition in Fairfield County, the Holiday Express is opening tonight at the Fairfield Museum and History Center located on 370 Beach Road in Fairfield from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A Fairfield Museum holiday tradition! Kids and adults alike will delight in the magic of this wondrous display of model trains winding around a spectacularly decorated tree and through beautiful holiday scenery. Holiday Express Schedule is Weekends: Saturday, December 5 – Sunday, January 3: 10am - 4pm and Weekdays: Monday, December 7 – 23: 11am - 1pm, Holiday Vacation Hours: Thursday, December 24 – Friday, January 1: 10am - 4pm (including Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve). Closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day

On December 4, visit the museum  before or after the Fairfield Tree Lighting and be one of the first to see this year's 10th Annual Holiday Express Train Show! Refreshments and a craft activity are included. This year the Museum has been beautifully decorated by Luxevents and Co.

For more holiday information visit www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

Wine and Chocolate Party at White Silo Farm Winery

The White Silo Farm Winery  is located on 32 Rte. 137 in the bucolic village of Sherman is hosting a Wine and Chocolate Party on December 19 to celebrate the end of the year holidays.

What better way to celebrate the holidays than with a wine and chocolate pairing featuring Guittard chocolate selections imported from all parts of the world!  A friend of the folks at White Silo,  Laura. a real chocolate expert, from Guittard will be on hand to help guide guests through the chocolate pairings and answer all your chocolate questions. They will also be serving cheese, fruit, and White Silo mustards.and jams, and other finger foods.

This year they will have 2 separate tastings at 1 PM and 3:30 PM. Spots are limited at each session to 40 guests so reserve your spot early!

Candle Light Tour of the Historic Putnum Cottage

The Putnam Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring a Candlelight Open House at Putnam Cottage located on 243 East Putnam Road in Greenwich on December 7, 2014 from 4 to 7 PM.

There will be Revolutionary soldiers, colonial music, children's crafts, holiday snacks and tours of the Cottage with costumed docents. Putnam Cottage is located at 243 East Putnam Avenue in Greenwich. For this event parking is available next door at the Junior League of Greenwich, YWCA, and across the street at Christ Church. There is also parking behind the cottage at First Church of Christ Scientist, 11 Park Place, there is a gate leading to the cottage. Admission is $5 per person and is used to assist in the preservation of the Cottage.

This bright red house on the Boston Post Road has had a long and colorful history. It was originally built in the 17th century and has grown over the years into its current size and shape. The house has long been associated with General Israel Putnam and his heroic escape from the British during the Revolutionary War. By the middle of the 19th century, the link was firmly established in the community. The house was opened to the public on the centennial of Putnam's ride and filled with relics from the colonial era. The house was opened as a museum in 1906 under the name Putnam Cottage. Generations of visitors have come to know the building by this name.

For more holiday event information www.visitfairfieldountyct.com