STAFFORD CONNECTICUT

Celebrate the season in Downtown Stafford!

 

Stafford WinterFest

The brightest night in Stafford returns to ring in the holiday season on Saturday, December 9, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (weather date December 10). A festive hometown tradition, WinterFest features live performances, visits with Santa, a community bonfire, the Parade of Lights, hundreds of luminaries throughout Main Street, and more!

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Special Events Schedule

 

Museum  Open House - 3:00pm - 7:00pm

Explore two-floors of Stafford’s rich heritage and connect to our local history! The Museum’s little gift shop will be open, give the gift of history this season! 

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Live Nativity  - 3:00pm 

Live Nativity Performance with real actors and animals will take place on the lawn of the First United Methodist Church at 8 Church Street. 

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Hyde Park Wagon Rides - 3:00pm - 4:45pm & 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Bundle up and take a festive wagon ride! Truly a charming and memorable experience, passengers should meet near the Historical Society (5 Spring Street). Rides will be offered before and after the parade, and on a first come, first serve basis and may vary based on road closure schedule.

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Parade of Lights - 5:00pm

Step-off at 5:00pm from Olympic Circle, down Main Street to Town Hall, with entrants lighted for evening viewing. In Haymarket Common, enjoy a simultaneous performance from the SHS Band & Color Guard. Intended to promote positivity and togetherness, all businesses, clubs, civic groups, and residents are welcome to register and join the lighted convoy! Viewing is everywhere between Olympic Circle and Town Hall!

 

Want to join the procession? Please register for the parade here or by using the link below. 

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WinterFest Marketplace

In addition to favorite bricks-and-mortars, browse a selection pop-up merchants in Haymarket Common, starting at 3:00pm.

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Caroling, Mix + Mingle

Community carol sing with the SHS Choir, community bonfire, visits with Santa In Haymarket Common (31 Main Street), and more immediately following the parade, approximately 5:30pm.

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Letters to Santa

We’ve made special arrangements with the North Pole! Children may drop their letters to Santa in the big red mailbox located outside the Police Station. Make sure to include the senders first/last name and return mailing address on each letter so Santa can mail a response!

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Parking, Detours, Closures & Traffic Info​

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Parking Ban – 12:00pm – 7:00pm

At noon, Crews will start distributing cones along Main Street (from Holt Fountain to the Route 140/190 merge) and Stafford Police will begin requesting vehicles be moved to an off-Main parking area.

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Road Closure – 4:30pm – 6:30pm

• West Main Street will experience temporary road closures as the parade makes its way from Olympic Circle (step off at 5:00pm) to Town Hall.

• A Main Street road closure will be in place from Holt Fountain to the Route 140/190 merge from 4:30pm – 6:30pm to accommodate the Parade of Lights and WinterFest activities. 

• The parking ban will remain until 7:00pm.

• Hyde Park Road will be closed for the entirety of the event for scheduled tractor rides, which convenes behind this historical society, travels up Highland Terrace, and back down Hyde Park Road.

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Traffic Detour During Road Closure

Traffic headed Route 32 North/Route 190 West (Downtown Roundabout) detoured traffic will head north on Furnace Avenue, then East on Orcuttville Road to Route 190.

 

Traffic from Route 32 South/Route 190 headed East, detoured traffic will take West Street, left on Route 140 East, to Route 190 via Highland Terrace.

 

Local PD, Highway/Parks Depts., and Stafford C.E.R.T. are positioned at intersections, crosswalks, and along parade route for safety.

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