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Santa Shopping Stroll

Saturday, December 14th | 11AM-6PM

Downtown New London


Explore the charming streets of downtown New London as you shop for holiday gifts and take part in special offers from participating businesses! There will even be free Santa hats along the route.


How it Works:

  • Collect a map at any one of the listed participating businesses


  • Get stamps along the route when you visit each location on the map


  • Turn in your completed map at Flavours of Life for a chance to win a fabulous DNLA merchant gift basket



  • Carolers will perform from 12-4PM & live Ice Carving at 5PM


Enjoy this delightful day-long holiday shopping extravaganza with live music by multiple caroling groups and help spread holiday cheer to all ages. Finish your shopping or check out that new spot downtown you’ve been wanting to try!


LEARN MORE

Earn a BONUS stamp at Santa Shopping Stroll with TRHP!



  • Get a 25% discount on a Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruise Season Pass through December 31st when you use promo code MERRYDAYS.


  • Purchase $100 in TRHP Gift Cards and receive a complimentary 4-pack for a Happy Hour or Sunset Harbor Cruise during the 2025 summer season.


Gift Card | 2025 HOHO Season Pass | More Info

Holiday Cheer on the Move

Santa in the City

SAT, DEC 14 | 1PM

City of Groton


Santa and Mrs. Claus will depart the City of Groton Municipal Building and tour around the City of Groton in a convertible on Friday. They will make designated stops along the route for photos at the Bill Memorial Library, Eastern Point Beach, and community center at Branford Manor. Check the website and Facebook page for the official route and be prepared to see if they will pass by your home!



MORE INFO

The Eastern Connecticut Ballet

The Nutcracker

SAT, DEC 14 | 1:30PM & 7PM

SUN, DEC 15 | 1:30PM

Garde Arts Center, New London


When the curtain rises, professionally trained Eastern Connecticut Ballet dancers and guest artists Emily Kikta and Preston Chamblee of New York City Ballet share the spotlight in this nautical-themed live performance of “The Nutcracker.” Set in New London in the 1850s, the scenery celebrates southeastern Connecticut’s seafaring past and transforms the stage into a wintry day in the whaling city. Tchaikovsky’s celebrated music carries the audience through an enchanting journey. There are three opportunities to see this production!



BUY TICKETS

Historic End of Year Experience

Holiday Open House

SUN, DEC 15 | 3-5PM

Avery-Copp House Museum, Groton


Celebrate the holiday season at the Avery-Copp House Museum and experience the magic of Christmas past. Explore the museum decorated for the holidays as it might have been a century ago, including vintage toys. Festive refreshments will be served at this free community event. Voluntary donations for the Groton Food Bank will be collected at the door.



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Seasonal Concert

Lessons and Carols

SUN, DEC 15 | 5PM

Pequot Chapel, New London


An evening of singing and fellowship, this will be the last public event of the season. Goodwill offerings are gratefully accepted for this show. Folks are advised to dress warmly for the cooler temperatures of the chapel. Celebrating faith and fellowship for over 150 years, Pequot Chapel is non-sectarian where all are welcome for services and special events.



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A Night of Traditional Stories

Carols with the Callithumpians

TUE, DEC 17 | 6-7:30PM

Bill Memorial Library, Groton


Comprised of four talented musicians, the Callithumpians will entertain you with traditional dance music from Ireland, Scotland, New England, and the South just as they have been doing throughout New England for several years. To those attending, please consider bringing a donation to support the Riverfront Children’s Center Holiday Food Drive.



REGISTER TODAY

Adult Arts and Crafts

Sip & Sew

WED, DEC 18 | 6-8PM

Garde Arts Center, New London


Join Kristi Holohan from Pattagansett Art Center for a fun sewing workshop. The final installment will be creating reusable drawstring gift wrap bags. Drinks will be available to purchase from the Garde bar during the event. Kristi Holohan has been sewing for over 35 years and has taught sewing to people of all ages and abilities.


REGISTER HERE

Icelandic Book Traditions

Jolabokaflod at the Library

THU, DEC 19 thru TUE, DEC 24

Bill Memorial Library, Groton


Patrons of all ages are invited to celebrate Jolabokaflod! Also known as the Yule Book Flood, it is a beautiful Icelandic tradition of exchanging books on Christmas Eve and then spending the evening reading them and eating chocolate. The library will have wrapped books with chocolate available for pick up, while they last. Available during operating hours of the library!



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Free Film Screening

A Christmas Story

SAT, DEC 21 | 3PM

Garde Arts Center, New London


The 1983 classic movie A Christmas Story

returns to the giant screen of the Garde movie palace! In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie Parker attempts to convince his parents, teacher, and Santa Claus that a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift. Reserve your FREE SEATS today! A gift to you from our generous community sponsors.


FREE ADMISSION

A Wally Lamb Holiday Classic

Wishin' and Hopin'

SUN, DEC 22 | 3PM

Garde Arts Center, New London


The anniversary screening of the film, shot on location in Norwich, the Norwich Free Academy, Jewett City and Willimantic will be hosted by author Wally Lamb and the film’s producer Andrew Gernhard. A vivid slice of 1960s life, Lamb’s Christmas tale is the poignant and hilarious story of a feisty parochial school fifth grader named Felix Funicello—a distant cousin of the famous Mouseketeer and teen movie queen Annette.



BUY TICKETS

Tradition of Hanukkah

Menorah Lighting

WED, DEC 25 | 5-6PM

Parade Plaza, New London


Celebrate the season of light and community at the Parade Plaza Menorah Lighting! Bring your family and friends to this beautiful event and come together to honor the tradition of Hanukkah. Enjoy festive cheer as the lights of the menorah, symbolizing hope and togetherness, are lit. All are welcome to light up the night and celebrate the miracles of the season.



MORE INFO

Community Kwanzaa Celebration

Lighting of the Kinara

THU, DEC 26 | 5-6PM

Parade Plaza, New London


The City of New London and the New London NAACP invite you to join them to light the Kinara for the first night of Kwanzaa. The word kinara is a Swahili word that means candle holder. The seven candles represent the Seven Principles (or Nguzo Saba) of Kwanzaa. All are welcome to this community event.


MORE INFO

All Talents Welcome

Open Mic at the Museum

SUN, DEC 29 | 6-9PM

Custom House Museum, New London


Co-hosted by Kenny "Doc" Frazier and Christina Corcoran, the monthly open mic welcomes music, poetry, prose, stand-up or just say what is on your mind. Open to all ages and abilities for fun and camaraderie! You can even Live Stream the event.


MORE INFO

Blissworks Yoga

Garde Arts Center, New London


Yoga Basics

Mondays | 5:30PM

Tuesdays | 9AM


Intermediate Yoga

Saturdays | 8:30AM


CLASS CALENDAR

NLMS Lighthouse Tours

Pequot Light, New London


Saturdays & Sundays | 12PM


Climb 116 steps up into the lighthouse lantern for spectacular views of the Sound in the oldest and tallest lighthouse in the country. New London residents may visit with a $5 ticket through December 2024! Private tours also available outside of schedule.


MORE INFO

Yoga with Kim

Hygienic Art, New London


Every Sunday | 9AM


Start your Sunday with Kim for a yoga experience at Hygienic Art sponsored by Yale New Haven Health. Best of all, it's FREE! Don’t miss out on this unique experience to practice and unwind in downtown New London.


MORE INFO

Bill Memorial Library

December Programs


The library has programs for all ages and is a warm gathering space filled with family fun. Check out the library's calendar and events page for program details and registration requirements.


EVENTS CALENDAR | 860-445-0392

Your Shopping Guide with Thames River Heritage Park


Give the Gift of Summer


Save on Holiday Deals by shopping before December 31st!

Gift Cards


  • Spend $100 and receive a FREE 4-pack of tickets for Happy Hour or Sunset Cruise of your choice in 2025.
  • Gift cards may be used for history-themed boat tours; hop-on, hop-off harbor, full moon, sunset and fireworks cruises, Stories of the Thames Lecture Series, Docent Academy registration and merchandise.
PURCHASE TODAY

2025 Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruise Season Pass


  • Receive a 25% discount when you use the code MERRYDAYS.
  • Season Pass holders enjoy unlimited boat rides for our hop-on hop-off Harbor Cruise / Water Taxi service connecting New London's City Pier, Fort Trumbull and Thames Landing in Groton.
LEARN MORE

Become a Member


  • "Friend" membership starts as low as a $35 donation.
  • TRHP Members receive a variety of special benefits, discounts and premiums from recognition on our website to discounted merchandise to harbor cruise tickets and season passes.
JOIN TODAY

There's so much to enjoy in

Thames River Heritage Park.

Visit our Website

Visit the Park's Heritage Sites

Thames River Heritage Park Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to connecting, preserving, supporting and promoting the history and heritage sites along the Thames River estuary today and for generations to come.

Institutional Partners

Thames River Heritage Park Institutional Partners are organizations committed to preserving and promoting our culture and history but may not have a site to welcome visitors. They are historic or cultural associations, “friends” organizations, and educational institutions. 

  • Connecticut Maritime Heritage Fest
  • Connecticut Sea Grant
  • Downtown New London Assoc.
  • Friends of Fort Griswold
  • Friends of Fort Trumbull
  • Groton Bank Historical Assoc.
  • Ledge Light Foundation
  • National Coast Guard Museum
  • New London County Historical Society
  • New London Landmarks
  • New London Maritime Society
  • Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition
  • Southeastern CT Enterprise Region
  • UCONN Avery Point Maritime Studies

Thank you to our Sponsors and Grantors


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