Here’s your curated mostly-Hartford event calendar for December 2024.

What makes this list? Events that I would either attend or recommend to a good friend.
Review events with the host/venue to confirm that details have not changed since publication. 

ADD TO CALENDAR

  • WOJNAROWICZ: To mark World AIDS Day, with Out Films CT, the Wadsworth Atheneum will be screening Wojnarowicz: F**k You F*ggot F**ker, a documentary about activist-writer-artist David Wojnarowicz. This free movie is shown at the Wadsworth Atheneum on December 1, 2024 at 2 PM.
  • HOLIDAY SHOPPING FAIR: Connecticut artists and crafters will be selling their creations at the Old State House from 11 AM – 4 PM on December 5-7, 2024.
  • KRAMPUS DON’T CARE: If you’re looking for a different kind of holiday bazaar, get ready to go over the river and through the woods to the Steam Boiler Room of Hillard Mills (642 Hilliard Street) in Manchester on December 13, 2024 from 3-9 PM. Get your picture taken with Krampus! Enjoy live Q&A with a mortician! Listen to haunted storytelling! Get a tattoo! There is a $5 entry fee; $1 of that gets you a raffle ticket and another buck goes towards Kamora’s Cultural Corner.
  •  PRATT STREET WINTER VILLAGE:  Shop from local artisans and enjoy live music at this open-air market on pedestrianized Pratt Street in Hartford. On Friday, December 6 and December 13, this is from 4-7 PM; on Saturday, December 7 and December 14, this is from 1-6 PM.
  • GREENHOUSE TRAIN SHOW: Thrilled to see Elizabeth Park trying something different that may encourage people to visit the park outside of June. The greenhouse will be open daily from 11 AM to 4 PM during December 7-19, 2024. Admission is free to see the model train and poinsettia display. Not into trains or poinsettias? The rest of Elizabeth Park — like most parks — is open year-round.
  • IMPROV HALLMARK/LIFETIME CHRISTMAS: Sea Tea Improv takes audience suggestions to create a live Hallmark-style romance; then, they reshape that into a dramatic Lifetime-style production. This show begins at 7 PM on December 7, 2024. Tickets are $10.
  • YULE HOLIDAY MARKET: This holiday market with local vendors is dog-friendly and has Santa photo opportunities. Free admission. December 8, 2024, from 12-4 PM at 1 Sequassen Street in Hartford.
  • LESSONS & CAROLS:  This annual festival at Trinity College is now in its 65th year. Tickets are free and there are two chances to attend on December 8, 2024: 4 PM or 7 PM in the Trinity College Chapel.
  • NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION: This screens at Cinestudio from December 12-15, 2024 at various times; tickets are $10.
  • SHOP LOCAL HOLIDAY MARKETS: Local small businesses will be at this pop-up event on December 14-15, 2024 from 11 AM – 6 PM at Parkville Market.
  • SAINT LUCIA AT SCANDI SHOPPE: The Scandinavian Shoppe (149 Rockville Road) in Broad Brook will be having a St. Lucia procession at 10 AM, with fika following. This is on December 14, 2024.
  • LATKE VODKA PARTY: If you read/watch enough rom-coms, you’ll eventually find yourself asking why you aren’t hearing about Jewish singles events constantly happening in Greater Hartford. And, if that’s where you’re coming from and you’re in the 21-39 age range, then you should know that this is one. Or, just come for the potato pancakes and to meet new friends. Tickets are $35 for the December 14, 2024 event at the Bridge Healing Arts Center in Farmington. Chanukah party is from 7:30-9:30 PM.

  • GUIDED SOUND MEDITATION: Crystal singing bowls will be used in this guided sound meditation at the JCC Fitness Center at St. Francis (95 Woodland Street — not inside the main hospital building) on December 17, 2024 at 6:15 PM. It’s $20 if tickets are purchased in advance.
  • HIBERNAL SOLSTICE COMMUNAL DRUM: The Spiritual Life Center on Sherman Street is holding its monthly community drum circle indoors from 3-5 PM on December 21, 2024 — weather permitting, there will be time outside at the labyrinth. There’s a suggested donation of $10.
  • WINTERFAIR: The holiday market inside Hartford’s Union Station runs every Saturday and Sunday this month through December 22, 2024. Hours: 12-5 PM. No admission fee.
  • KWANZAA CELEBRATION: Community fair and celebration of Kujichagulia (self-determination) on December 27, 2024 from 1-5 PM at the Keney Park Pond House. Free, but register.
  • IMPROV OFF: This year’s edition of the GBBO has ended, and before you rewatch the season so you can ask once again why the hell anyone would think lemon curd as the dominant flavor in tiramisu was a good idea, watch The Great Connecticut Improv Off: Holiday Edition, Sea Tea Improv‘s fake competition show. This is December 28, 2024 at 9 PM — $10.
  • VEGAN BOOK CLUB: The pick for December is The Midnight Library. There will be coffee and tea, and whatever vegan snacks participants bring. Doors open at 2:45 PM with discussion starting at 3 PM on December 29, 2024 at the Quaker Meeting House in West Hartford. Free.
  • NISSIM BLACK:  Rapper Nissim Black will be performing at this year’s public Chanukah celebration in West Hartford Center. The event includes a menorah lighting. It all begins at 3 PM on December 29, 2024. Free.

CULTURAL ASSETS

For ongoing free education, entertainment, public art, and resources — like 24/7 food pantries and libraries — in Hartford, check out this map. Zoom in and click on the icons for more information. This was last updated in November 2024: