Holiday Stroll 2020

Stroll Your Own Way 2020

Stroll Your Own Way – A Town Wide Holiday Celebration –

While we won’t be encouraging large crowds to our Center this year for our traditional Holiday Stroll, the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce in partnership with The Town of West Hartford, Blue Back Square and our business and neighborhood associations invite you to “Stroll Your Own Way”.

Below are a series of activities and physically distanced events that will allow you to spread the spirit of the season while supporting our local businesses and attractions.

Visit our Events Calendar to keep up to date on holiday themed activities and events and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season

Stroll Your Own Way - Selfie Contest

November 27th- December 31st

While our holiday celebrations may look a bit different this year, we still have the ability to spread the cheer and support our local businesses in a fun and safe way.

The West Hartford Chamber of Commerce & Town of West Hartford are running a #StrollYourOwnWay selfie challenge. You earn points for a chance to win a prize based on your activities.

Here’s how it works:

1. Take a selfie at your favorite West Hartford business or attraction
2. Post the picture to Facebook.  Make sure you tag the business and West Hartford Chamber. Use the hashtag #StrollYourOwnWay (1 point)
3. Post the picture to Instagram.  Make sure you tag the business and @WHChamber & @westhartford_econdev. Use the hashtag #StrollYourOwnWay (1 point)
4. Wear a MASK! (2 points)
5. Bonus if the Business is a West Hartford Chamber Member (1 point)

There will be a random drawing for one person to wiThere will be a random drawing for one person to win our top prize, a bundle of gift cards for local businesses and attractions worth $500!

n our top prize, a bundle of gift cards for local businesses and attractions worth $500!

Now all you have to do is #StrollYourOwnWay!

West Hartford Holiday Decorating Contest – November 27 – December 31

West Hartford Businesses are encouraged to get creative in decking the halls…well, windows!

If you are a West Hartford based business and would like to submit a picture of your holiday themed decorations, you can do so by emailing a photo with the name of our business/establishment to Chris Conway cconway@whchamber.com

If you would like to see the gallery of West Hartford Holiday Themed Displays and vote on your favorite –

visit this link to cast your vote – (VOTE)

The business or organization who receives the most votes will be named best of the season!

Holiday favorites from the New Old School of Music

As a musical gift for our listeners, students from the New Old School of Music play holiday favorites including "Jingle Bells," "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing," "The British Grenadiers," Vivaldi and "Stars and Stripes Forever."  These talented youngsters are the next generation of classical music in our community. 

Travel through West Hartford’s local shops and restaurants for a Nutcracker-inspired holiday shopping experience and for a chance to win a sweet prize!

Ballet Theatre Company (BTC) of West Hartford is keeping the spirit of The Nutcracker alive this holiday season through its first annual Nutcracker Passport. The Nutcracker Passport is the ultimate holiday shopper’s guide connecting many of your favorite local West Hartford businesses.

Learn more here: https://www.dancebtc.org/the-nutcracker-passport

Holiday Themed Performances

We will feature a series of music and other performances in Blue Back Square and other locations around town.  Check the Events Calendar for the latest updates Event Calendar link

Other On-going Events:

All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1918 (December 16 - January 3)

by Peter Rothstein
with musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C. Takach
Directed by Sasha Brätt
Music Direction by Benjamin Rauch

This is a film of the play. This play was originally scheduled to be produced by Playhouse Theatre Group, Inc. live at Playhouse on Park. As a result of guidelines put forth by Governor Ned Lamont and out of concern for the safety of our staff, cast, and crew, the play was filmed outdoors without the presence of a live audience. All involved in the making of the film of this play were required to adhere to an extensive safety plan.

A remarkable true story from the Western Front. All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914 relives an astounding moment in history; in a silence amid the combat, a soldier steps into no man’s land singing “Silent Night.” Thus begins an extraordinary night of camaraderie between the Allied troops and German soldiers. They lay down their arms to celebrate the holiday, share food and drink, play soccer, and sing carols. This dramatic retelling weaves together firsthand accounts of World War I soldiers with patriotic tunes, trench songs, and Christmas carols.

https://www.playhouseonpark.org/web2/Season12/mainstage_AllIsCalm.html

Holiday through the Tulle (November 28- December 20 Saturdays & Sundays): Delight in the magic of the season with the Ballet Theatre Company’s costume exhibition and performance excerpts of The Nutcracker at Hill-Stead Museum. Tickets must be purchased in advance. $20 members & children, $25 non-members

https://www.dancebtc.org/the-nutcracker-reimagined

Art Stroll (November 27- December 31) Check out the beautiful paintings created by West Hartford Art League members that are available for viewing in the windows in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square. Items are for sale.

Magic Mailbox (November 30- December 18 ) Kids can place their letters to Santa in the magic mailbox at Elmwood Community Center and receive a message back from the North Pole!

Elmwood Lights: Drive along New Britain Avenue and enjoy the festive lights of Elmwood.

EVENTS CALENDAR

For a Printable PDF list click HERE