Darien To Host Spirit Of The Season Holiday Weekend

DARIEN, CT — Darien Parks and Recreation announced this week plans to host a "Spirit of the Season Weekend," a collaborative approach to kicking off the 2021 holiday season.

According to a news release, the department is partnering with the Darien Sport Shop and the Darien Chamber of Commerce to host a celebratory weekend of shopping, dining and two festive family events.

Weekend festivities will begin the day after Thanksgiving with the Shop Local Stroll. The community is invited to stroll through town and appreciate the decorative lamp posts adorned with holiday lights that are generously funded by community donations while touring local shops and enjoying some of the town's dining options.

"The 'Spirit' weekend, to take place Friday, Nov. 26, through Sunday, Nov. 28, came from a desire to make sure we support our local businesses that make our town so unique and special," Chamber Executive Director Kesti Aysseh said in a news release. "We want everyone to enjoy this weekend and everything our town has to offer together."

The Shop Local Stroll will continue on Saturday and into Sunday.

On Sunday, Parks and Recreation will host “An Old-Fashioned Holiday” family fun afternoon at Tilley Pond Park from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. An Old-Fashioned Holiday will host festive refreshments, arts and crafts, a wood-burning fire and live music from the A Cappella group, Beachside Express.

The festive weekend will be capped off just down the road at the Darien Sport Shop for their 43rd annual tree lighting. After last year’s tree lighting was held virtually, the excitement is already building to welcome the community back to gather outside the Darien Sport Shop for this local tradition. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. with hot cocoa provided by the Darien Boy Scouts and a performance by local organization "Dance on the DL."

Children are also welcomed to drop off their letters to Santa at the event, so they can personally witness him taking them back to the North Pole. A letter-writing station will also be available at the event. Santa letters will be accepted at the Darien Sport Shop until Monday, Dec. 13. Parents, make sure you help with the return address and name on the letter as Santa’s crazy, jolly ole self usually tries to write all his treasured children back.

Santa Claus himself will arrive by fire truck at approximately 5 p.m. to light the Darien Sport Shop’s Christmas tree and pick-up the letters.

"The tree lighting is an extremely important tradition to our family, and really kicks off the holiday season for our business," Greg Reilly, Darien Sport Shop Marketing Manager, said in a news release. "Partnering with Parks and Recreation the last few years has only helped elevate this tradition and it will be great to have everyone back this year after holding the event virtually in 2020."

Darien Sport Shop has hosted their tree lighting every year since 1978 and is celebrating their 75th anniversary this year.

"We were thrilled for the opportunity 3 years ago to join hands with such a beloved town tradition," Parks and Recreation Program Supervisor Jami Gore said in a news release. "Also, adding the Old-Fashioned Holiday event three years ago at Tilley Pond Park helped the community embrace the long history Darien enjoys. And, now having the Chamber of Commerce joining us in the holiday celebrations suggests we have truly accomplished a community-wide kick-off for the holiday season, causing Darien to feel yet even more special."

For more information on the Spirit of the Season Weekend, visit the Darien Parks and Recreation, the Darien Sport Shop or the Darien Chamber of Commerce websites.