Come Rain, Snow, or Shine. Celebration of Lights & Song around the World is still on!

This year's annual Celebration of Lights & Song on Saturday, December 5, from 2:00-5:30pm will feature a theme of holiday traditions from around the world, representing New London's multi-cultural population.

The event kicks off at the New London Public Library with the third annual Pooch Parade, which is growing in popularity. Last year, over 100 dogs in their holiday finest marched down State Street with their proud owners. The parade will end at the Hygienic Art Park where children's choral groups will welcome Santa, who will listen to children's wishes all afternoon.

Don't miss the popular gingerbread cookie decorating, sponsored by the New London Public Library, or the entertainment of song and dance, celebrating many different cultures from around the world.

The event will culminate in a holiday tree lighting ceremony led by a choral procession from the First Congregational Church to arrive at the Hygienic Art Park in time for the tree lighting and community carol sing-along. New London Landmarks has arranged for all of the churches in The District to simultaneously ring their bells during this time.

The magic of the Nutcracker ballet is a time-honored tradition for the holiday season, and the Eastern Connecticut Ballet has arranged a unique preview of its performance. Follow the caroling procession down the street and witness ballerinas bringing characters to life in storefront windows.

The annual Festival of Trees auction will again be brought to you by the Downtown New London Association. All proceeds benefit the New London Food Center. Trees are donated and then beautifully decorated in themes. Often, the winning bidder donates the tree to a family in need to be delivered the next morning.

Celebration of Lights and Song is a true demonstration of the holiday spirit of giving and coming together as a community, and it is free to the public. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukah or the holiday season in general...your family will enjoy Lights & Song.

Sponsors for this event are WXLM ,Liberty Bank, Coca-Cola, The Day, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, Q105 and MetroCast.

Schedule of Activities

2:00 pm
Pooch Parade, New London Public Library
2:30-430 pm
Visit with Santa, Hygienic Art Gallery
1:30-3:30 pm
Gingerbread cookie decorating and story time,
The Atrium at 165 State Street
2:30-4:45 pm
Entertainment of song and dance from around the world,
Hygienic Art Park
5:00 pm
Tree lighting and community carol sing-along,
Hygienic Art Park
5:15 pm
Ballerinas perform in storefront windows along Bank Street, immediately following the tree lighting
5:30 pm
DNLA's Festival of Trees, 13 Golden Street
(former Peacock Feathers)

Call or email Tracy Tremblay with any questions at 860.444.2489 or promo@newlondonmainstreet.org.

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