Madison Holiday Events: Santa Visit, Tree Lighting, Fireside Stories

MADISON, CT — There is no shortage of things to do in Madison to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Here are just some of the events slated:

• The Madison Beach and Recreation Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, Friday, Dec. 9 beginning at 6 p.m. by the Town Green. Lighting of the tree, music by Larry Stevens, hot cocoa from Scout Troop 490 in Madison, and a visit from Santa and Rudolph.
• Holiday Celebration, starting at 12 p.m. Nov. 26, Downtown Madison, Santa arrival, hayrides, cookie decorating, and more.
• Fireside Stories, Meigs Point Nature Center, at Hammonasset Beach State Park, Dec. 17
• Legacy Theatre's Holiday Hat and Mitten Drive to benefit the Community Dining Room
• BEKI Hanukkah Candle Lighting Dec. 19
• A Christmas Carol at Legacy Theatre
• Holiday Happenings at Madison Beach Hotel
• 'Perfect Cookie' Holiday Exchange At Scranton Library

Add your holiday event in the comments below, or email ellyn.santiago@patch.com.