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Celebrate the season with the Town of Groton Parks & Recreation and the City of Groton for a two-day joint holiday weekend!
Day 1: Town of Groton’s Season of Celebrations
Our Annual One-Night Celebration of Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day!
Date: Friday, December 4, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Thrive55+ Senior Center
Cost: Free & Open to the Public
Event Highlights
Santa’s Grand Arrival: Santa arrives in style by fire truck! Capture the magic of the season with FREE photos with Santa.
Gingerbread Extravaganza: The Groton Public Library will be hosting gingerbread-themed activities for attendees of all ages! The library will be transformed into a winter wonderland filled with creative crafts, tasty treats, holiday displays, fun games for the whole family, and a special appearance by the Gingerbread Man.
Outdoor Train Rides: Hop aboard for festive train rides outside the venue!
Christmas Tree Alley: Stroll through a display of uniquely themed trees decorated by local charitable organizations.
The Famous Snowflake Drop: Watch hundreds of paper snowflakes cascade from above toward the end of the evening. Find a specially numbered snowflake to win an exciting prize!
Sensory-Friendly Chill Room: A dedicated, low-sensory space featuring quiet fun and a special sensory-friendly visit with Santa.
Festive Entertainment & Eats: Live music, holiday caroling, hot cocoa & cookies, and fun activities for youth and teens. Food trucks will be on-site with delicious bites available for purchase.
This year Seasons of Celebrations will be offering a Holiday Light Display brought to us by Keeping Spirits Bright!
A community movement in partnership with the Brian Dagle Foundation illuminating Southeastern Connecticut in remembrance, connection and hope. This holiday season, we're lighting up our homes and businesses to honor those we've lost to suicide, support survivors, and remind one another that every light matters.
Get Involved -Shine Light into Our Community
Write the name of someone you're honoring.
Sign up and decorate your home or business with holiday lights.
Display a Keeping Spirits Bright yard sign or poster
Download the Go Mystic app and follow the trail of lights across Southeastern Connecticut.
Walk the lighted trail at Groton's Seasons of Celebration December
To Sign up or learn more click HERE
Day 2: City of Groton Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting Festival
A dazzling spectacle of decorated floats, city vehicles, joyful walkers, and holiday spirit!
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Broad Street to City Municipal Building
Cost: Free & Open to the Public
Schedule of Events
5:00 PM – Holiday Lights Parade: The parade steps off from Broad Street (at Groton Heights Baptist Church), proceeds down Monument Street to Meridian Street, and concludes at the City of Groton Municipal Building.
7:05 PM – Tree Lighting Ceremony: Gather at the City Municipal Building as we light up the city tree.
Event Highlights
Dynamic light displays and festive parade floats
Hot cocoa, warm beverages, and sweet treats
Live music, community entertainment, and family activities
Celebrate the season with the Town of Groton Parks & Recreation and the City of Groton for a two-day joint holiday weekend!
Day 1: Town of Groton’s Season of Celebrations
Our Annual One-Night Celebration of Christmas, Diwali, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day!
Date: Friday, December 4, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Thrive55+ Senior Center
Cost: Free & Open to the Public
Event Highlights
Santa’s Grand Arrival: Santa arrives in style by fire truck! Capture the magic of the season with FREE photos with Santa.
Gingerbread Extravaganza: The Groton Public Library will be hosting gingerbread-themed activities for attendees of all ages! The library will be transformed into a winter wonderland filled with creative crafts, tasty treats, holiday displays, fun games for the whole family, and a special appearance by the Gingerbread Man.
Outdoor Train Rides: Hop aboard for festive train rides outside the venue!
Christmas Tree Alley: Stroll through a display of uniquely themed trees decorated by local charitable organizations.
The Famous Snowflake Drop: Watch hundreds of paper snowflakes cascade from above toward the end of the evening. Find a specially numbered snowflake to win an exciting prize!
Sensory-Friendly Chill Room: A dedicated, low-sensory space featuring quiet fun and a special sensory-friendly visit with Santa.
Festive Entertainment & Eats: Live music, holiday caroling, hot cocoa & cookies, and fun activities for youth and teens. Food trucks will be on-site with delicious bites available for purchase.
This year Seasons of Celebrations will be offering a Holiday Light Display brought to us by Keeping Spirits Bright!
A community movement in partnership with the Brian Dagle Foundation illuminating Southeastern Connecticut in remembrance, connection and hope. This holiday season, we're lighting up our homes and businesses to honor those we've lost to suicide, support survivors, and remind one another that every light matters.
Get Involved -Shine Light into Our Community
Write the name of someone you're honoring.
Sign up and decorate your home or business with holiday lights.
Display a Keeping Spirits Bright yard sign or poster
Download the Go Mystic app and follow the trail of lights across Southeastern Connecticut.
Walk the lighted trail at Groton's Seasons of Celebration December
To Sign up or learn more click HERE
Day 2: City of Groton Holiday Lights Parade & Tree Lighting Festival
A dazzling spectacle of decorated floats, city vehicles, joyful walkers, and holiday spirit!
Date: Saturday, December 5, 2026
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Broad Street to City Municipal Building
Cost: Free & Open to the Public
Schedule of Events
5:00 PM – Holiday Lights Parade: The parade steps off from Broad Street (at Groton Heights Baptist Church), proceeds down Monument Street to Meridian Street, and concludes at the City of Groton Municipal Building.
7:05 PM – Tree Lighting Ceremony: Gather at the City Municipal Building as we light up the city tree.
Event Highlights
Dynamic light displays and festive parade floats
Hot cocoa, warm beverages, and sweet treats
Live music, community entertainment, and family activities
Thank you for your interest in donating to this year's Snowflake Drop! Please complete the form below and Denisse Sanchez will follow up with you to finalize the details.
Share Snowflake Drop Donation Form on FacebookShare Snowflake Drop Donation Form on X (formerly Twitter)Share Snowflake Drop Donation Form on LinkedinEmail Snowflake Drop Donation Form link
Thank you for your interest in decorating a tree for the event! Please complete the form below and the coordinator will follow up with you with all the details.
Share Tree Decorating Entry Form on FacebookShare Tree Decorating Entry Form on X (formerly Twitter)Share Tree Decorating Entry Form on LinkedinEmail Tree Decorating Entry Form link
