Woodbury Christmas Festival: A Weekend-Long Celebration

New England towns have that Currier and Ives feel that makes holiday celebrations extra special.

The Woodbury Christmas Festival is a weekend-long event and features a Christmas concert, a wreath sale, a craft fair and a tree lighting, to name a portion of the events.

A limited edition pewter Christmas ornament will be for sale at the Christmas Craft Fair and Boutique, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, at Woodbury Middle School, 67 Washington Ave.

Ornaments from prior years are available at the craft fair. , and the will have ornaments available for sale beginning Saturday, Dec. 3.

Friday, Dec. 2

To set the stage for the season, businesses along Main Street will be aglow with coordinated holiday lighting.

Holiday greenery from the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club will adorn the town buildings.

• 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Glebe House and Gertrude Jeykll Garden's Preview Holiday Cocktail Party

The will be decorated in holiday finery for the cocktail party and weekend's festivities. Wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. A silent auction will take place and holiday gifts and decorations are for sale. Cost to attend is $25 per person.

• 7:30 p.m. - Christmas Concert at the

A musical collaboration from the Connecticut Choral Society Chamber Singers and Valley Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus will feature Christmas music and songs of the season.

The Chamber Singers are known for their a cappella program that they have presented to start the Christmas festival for more than 19 years.

The Valley Chordsmen have been active locally since 1947.

There is no cost to attend the concert. Freewill donations are accepted and a reception will follow the concert.

Saturday, Dec. 3

• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Cub Scout Pack 54 Wreath Sale

The Cub Scouts will sell fresh green wreaths with a choice of bows at the North Green gazebo on Main Street. Volume discounts are available and 100 percent of the proceeds go toward Woodbury Scout activities and trips.

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Christmas Café and Crafts

The Christmas Café at the will feature breakfast and lunch. Lunch will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the menu features homemade New England clam chowder, beef barley soup, quiche and sandwiches.

The dessert menu features a myriad of choices, including apple pie and carrot cake. A child-friendly menu of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips and a drink is available.

Craft vendors will display their handiwork, a silent auction will take place and a bake sale will offer goods to take home or to give as gifts. A children's dollar sale will offer small gifts and gently used books for sale.

• 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Poinsettias and Pets at Nonnewaug High School

Nonnewaug High School's FFA chapter will host its annual holiday plant sale in the conservatory, featuring poinsettias and wreaths, among other plants.

Animals for Life will host a pet adoption even and FFA students will be available to interview those interested in adopting an animal.

Santa will be greeting children from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

• 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Christmas Craft Fair and Boutique

The fair, presented by the Woodbury Junior Women's Club, features more than 50 exhibitors. The fair takes place at . A $1 donation benefits the Woodbury Junior Women's Scholarship Fund.

• 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Purchase with a Purchase: Benefit for Old Town Hall

Purchase with a Purpose takes place in the Woodbury Middle School cafeteria and features vendors such as Arbonne, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Discovery Toys, jewelry from lia sophia and Premier Designs, Scentsy, Pampered Chef and Tastefully Simple.

• 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christmas Around the World Fair

The Christmas Around the World Fair at will feature handmade Christmas gifts and food from other countries.

An English tea will begin at 11 a.m. A white elephant sale will take place, featuring jewelry and household items. Festive greenery will be for sale and gifts for pets are available.

At 3 p.m., a raffle drawing for a basket filled with gift certificates from local restaurants will take place.

The will be filled with Christmas decorations and gently used items for sale.

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Glebe House Museum and Gertrude Jekyll Garden Old Fashioned Christmas Preparations

The Glebe House will offer a glimpse into yesteryear by showcasing what Christmas preparations were like for the John Marshall family. They lived in the Glebe House in 1771-1786.

Guests will sip on mulled cider as they tour the house. Decorations and holiday gifts can be purchased in the Glebe House's Christmas Shoppe.

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children and Teen's Crafts

The is hosting ornament workshops for children up to grade five and teenagers in grades six and higher.

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. St. Nick visits St. Paul's

St. Nicholas will greet visitors at , decorated for the season.

A Christmas Bazaar featuring crafts, baked goods and a silent auction and raffle will take place. Complimentary cookies, coffee and hot cocoa will be served.

The silent auction and raffle features baskets perfect for holiday gift giving. Silent auction donations include  a porcelain nativity scene, pashmina shawls, jewelry, gift certificates, fine sets of china and glassware and wine baskets, among other gifts.

• 1 to 2 p.m. Author Chat and Craft with Dianne Parmalee

Dianne Parmelee, education coordinator at Flanders Nature Center, will share illustrations from her new book, "Sarah Fina Mudpie Oinker." She will also also children with a craft.

• 1 to 3 p.m. Step Into the Past at the Hurd House Museum

Docents in period costumes will provide tours of the , with its glowing open hearth fireplace. The house was built in 1680. The District 2 Schoolhouse will be open to show visitors what it was like years ago, during this time of year.

• 1 to 3 p.m. Visits with Santa at Woodbury Middle School

The Woodbury Junior Women's Club knows a secret: Santa will arrive via fire truck at Woodbury Middle School, with toys for children of all ages. Photo opportunities abound and refreshments will be served.

• 4 p.m. Woodbury's Tree Lighting on the North Green

Santa will set the town green aglow at the lighting of the Christmas tree. Woodbury Middle School and Nonnewaug High School bands will play carols and the high school chorus will lead the community in caroling.

• 8 p.m. An Evening of Cabaret at the Old Town Hall

Sue Matsuki: An Evening of Cabaret with Musical Director and Special Guest Tracy Stark will take place at the Old Town Hall, 5 Mountain Rd.

Tickets are $20 and those interested in attending may call 917-821-4342 to register. The event is presented by .

Sunday, Dec. 4

• 3 p.m. Edwin Kotchian and Juan Andreu Performance

The duo will perform a mix of holiday favorites and original music at the Woodbury Public Library.

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