ConnecticutLifestyles.com

Hew Locke: Passages at Yale Center for British Art
2025-10-02 - 2026-01-11 | Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT, 06511
The Yale Center for British Art presents Hew Locke: Passages, an exhibition tracing more than three decades of work by Guyanese-British artist Hew Locke. Known for his layered, richly textured approach described as a “postcolonial baroque,” Locke employs sculpture, photography, drawing, and found objects to challenge and reimagine the visual codes of imperialism.
On view from Thursday, October 2, 2025, through Sunday, January 11, 2026, in the second-floor galleries, the exhibition spans Locke’s career from the late 1990s to today. It highlights recurring themes such as portraiture, public statuary, ships, boats, and architecture, while exploring the lasting effects of colonialism and the legacies of global capitalism, migration, and diaspora.
Locke, born in Edinburgh in 1959 and raised in Guyana before returning to Britain in 1980, draws from both his British and Guyanese heritage to create works that fuse vernacular and formal traditions. His practice reflects a dynamic engagement with history and contemporary society through innovative use of material and form.
Admission to the exhibition is free. The Yale Center for British Art is located at 1080 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06510.

Call of the Dolphins (3D) at the Connecticut Science Center
2025-11-01 - 2026-02-28 | Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT, 06103, United States
Narrated by Academy Award® winner Mary Steenburgen, Call of the Dolphins takes audiences on an inspiring underwater adventure into the captivating world of wild dolphins. This 3D documentary explores the intelligence, playfulness, and emotional depth of these remarkable creatures while showcasing the work of researchers and rescue teams dedicated to protecting them. Viewers will follow the IFAW Dolphin Rescue Center as they aid stranded dolphins and reveal the powerful connection that has long united humans and dolphins.
The film runs from November 1, 2025, through February 28, 2026, with a runtime of approximately 25 minutes, at the Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut. Tickets and showtimes are available through the Connecticut Science Center box office and website.

Holiday Enchantment at the Connecticut Science Center
2025-11-15 - 2025-12-21 | Connecticut Science Center, 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, CT, 06103, United States
The Connecticut Science Center in Hartford will sparkle with festive magic during Holiday Enchantment, taking place from November 15 through December 21, 2025. Every corner of the Science Center will be transformed into a cheerful holiday experience filled with interactive exhibits, hands-on fun, and dazzling decorations.
Guests can stroll through a snow-covered forest of twinkling trees, take photos among whimsical holiday displays, and even glide across an indoor “ice” rink—no skates required. Families can also enjoy creative crafts in the maker space, where visitors can make and take home their own holiday-inspired projects. Throughout the season, guests will be treated to lively science demonstrations that combine festive themes with exciting experiments.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will make special appearances for photos and holiday wishes on select dates, including November 28–30 from 11 am to 3 pm, December 6 from 12 pm to 2 pm, and December 7, 13–14, and 20–21 from 11 am to 3 pm.
Holiday Enchantment is included with General Admission. The Connecticut Science Center is located at 250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford, Connecticut. For tickets and additional information, visit ctsciencecenter.org.

Holiday Lights ’25 at Lake Compounce Bristol
2025-12-15, 2025-12-16 | Lake Compounce, 186 Enterprise Dr, Bristol, CT, 06010, United States
Make your season sparkle at Holiday Lights ’25 at Lake Compounce, returning for its final season from November 28 through December 28, 2025. New England’s favorite family holiday tradition invites guests to stroll through more than 500,000 twinkling lights, marvel at Connecticut’s tallest Christmas tree, and experience the festive magic that has delighted visitors for years.
Guests can enjoy classic rides, games, and family-friendly activities including Make Your Own Snow Globe, Personalized Ornaments, and Letters to Santa. Visit Santa’s Workshop, indulge in seasonal treats, and take part in special holiday events throughout the park.
This year marks the end of an era, as 2025 will be the final season of Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce. Celebrate this beloved tradition one last time and create memories that will shine for years to come.
Holiday Lights ’25 runs select weekends and holidays from November 28 through December 28, 2025. Lake Compounce is located at 185 Enterprise Drive, Bristol, Connecticut. Tickets and event details are available at lakecompounce.com.

Shining Light on Truth: Black Lives at Yale & in New Haven at Yale Schwarzman Center
2025-12-15 08:30 - 18:00, 2025-12-16 08:30 - 18:00 (America/New_York) | Yale Schwarzman Center, 168 Grove Street, New Haven, 06511, United States
“Shining Light on Truth: Black Lives at Yale & in New Haven,” a new exhibition at the Yale Schwarzman Center in New Haven, will be on display from March 24, 2025, through March 8, 2026. This exhibition highlights the significant and often overlooked roles of Black individuals throughout Yale University’s and New Haven’s histories, emphasizing their contributions, resilience, and community-building. Visitors will view nearly 100 historic photographs, including images of Yale’s earliest Black students, custodians from prominent local families, and key historical events such as the 1960s establishment of Yale’s Afro-American Cultural Center.
The exhibit is free and open to the public. Yale Schwarzman Center is located at 168 Grove Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Exhibition hours are Monday–Tuesday, 8:30 am–6 pm; Wednesday–Friday, 8:30 am–11 pm; Saturday–Sunday, 10 am–6 pm. For more information, visit schwarzman.yale.edu or contact (203) 436-4000, ysc.info@yale.edu.

The View from Here: Accessing Art Through Photography at Yale Schwarzman Center
2025-12-15 08:30 - 18:00, 2025-12-16 08:30 - 18:00 | Yale Schwarzman Center, 168 Grove Street, New Haven, 06511, United States
Yale Schwarzman Center will present The View from Here: Accessing Art Through Photography from April 7, 2025, through January 4, 2026. This exhibition showcases the work of thirteen student-photographers from Greater New Haven who participated in a collaborative photography program with the Yale Center for British Art, the Lens Media Lab at the Institute for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage, and the Yale School of Art.
Now in its fourth year, the program offers students hands-on experience in the history, materials, and creative process of photography, guided by museum educators, faculty, and professionals. The exhibition reflects the unique perspectives and artistic growth of each participant, with works accompanied by personal artist statements available online.
Admission is free and open to the public. The Yale Schwarzman Center galleries are located at 168 Grove Street, New Haven, CT 06511. Hours are Monday–Tuesday from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, Wednesday–Friday from 8:30 am to 11:00 pm, and Saturday–Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. For more information, visit yaleschwarzmancenter.yale.edu or contact ysc.info@yale.edu.

Animal Kingdom 4D: The Wild Awaits at Maritime Aquarium
2025-12-15 10:00 - 10:30, 2025-12-15 11:00 - 11:30, 2025-12-15 11:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-15 12:00 - 12:30, 2025-12-15 13:00 - 13:30, 2025-12-15 13:30 - 14:00, 2025-12-15 14:00 - 14:30, 2025-12-15 15:00 - 15:30 and 5 more dates | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, 06854, United States
Step into the wild with Animal Kingdom 4D: The Wild Awaits at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk. This immersive 13-minute film takes audiences on a breathtaking journey through the wonders of the animal kingdom, from the sun-drenched African savannah to the icy polar regions and the mysterious deep ocean. Stunning 4D effects bring you face-to-face with extraordinary animals and their remarkable talents, inspiring a sense of wonder and a deeper commitment to protecting wildlife and their habitats.
Animal Kingdom 4D: The Wild Awaits runs daily from July 2 through December 31, 2025, with the exception of Thanksgiving Day, November 27. Showtimes are offered throughout the day at 10:20 am, 11:00 am, 11:40 am, 12:20 pm, 1:00 pm, 1:40 pm, 2:20 pm, 3:00 pm, 3:40 pm, and 4:20 pm.
Maritime Aquarium members are encouraged to log into their online accounts when purchasing tickets to receive applicable discounts, which will be reflected after adding items to the cart.
The Maritime Aquarium is located at 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT. For tickets and additional details, visit maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700.

Steve Cryan’s 32nd Annual Train Show at Connecticut River Museum
2025-12-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2025-12-16 10:00 - 17:00 | Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main Street, Essex, CT, 06426
The holiday season comes to life once again at the Connecticut River Museum with Steve Cryan’s 32nd Annual Train Show. Opening on Friday, November 21, 2025, and running through February 1, 2026, from 10 am to 5 pm, this beloved exhibition features a brand-new model train layout designed by artist and train enthusiast Steve Cryan.
Each year, Cryan transforms the museum’s gallery into a miniature wonderland of locomotives, landscapes, and intricate details that captivate visitors of all ages. The display has become a cherished seasonal tradition, drawing families who return annually to experience the creativity and craftsmanship behind each new design.
The Connecticut River Museum is located at 67 Main Street, Essex, Connecticut. Regular museum admission applies.

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D at The Maritime Aquarium
2025-12-15 10:30 - 17:00, 2025-12-16 10:30 - 17:00 | The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, 06854, United States
Celebrate the holiday season with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 4D at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. This immersive 10-minute film uses the same beloved stop-motion animation style as the classic television special, bringing Rudolph, Hermey the Elf, and their friends to life like never before. Audiences can relive the timeless adventure in a visually stunning 4D experience that combines sights, sounds, and sensory effects.
Showtimes are available daily at 10:45 am, 11:45 am, 12:45 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:45 pm, and 3:45 pm from November 9, 2025, through January 4, 2026, excluding November 27 and December 25.
Members can log in to their online accounts to activate discounted rates. Tickets can be purchased through the Aquarium’s website.
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is located at 10 North Water Street, Norwalk, Connecticut. For more information and tickets, visit maritimeaquarium.org.

Writers’ Workshop with Joseph Reynolds at the Mark Twain House & Museum
2025-12-15 18:00 - 20:00 | United States
Writers of all levels can refine their craft during this six-week Writers’ Workshop with Joseph Reynolds at the Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford. The in-person course runs Monday evenings from November 17 through December 22, 2025, from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Led by novelist and essayist Joseph Reynolds, founder and director of The Sancho Panza Literary Society, the workshop provides participants with detailed feedback on their original work while fostering open discussion and constructive critique. Each week, two pieces are reviewed by the cohort, encouraging analytical reading and collaborative engagement. Prose submissions are limited to twenty pages, and poetry submissions to ten pages.
Participants will receive workshop materials several days prior to each session to allow time for review. The class emphasizes both creative expression and critical discussion, offering a dynamic environment for growth in writing and storytelling.
Joseph Reynolds is the author of Make Dust Our Paper and the forthcoming novel Run It Once. He has been praised as “a major new talent” by Washington Post Best Book Award winner Da Chen.
The Mark Twain House & Museum is located at 351 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, Connecticut. For registration details, visit marktwainhouse.org.

Christmas Sing-A-Long Night with DJ Heartbeat at 1741 Pub & Grill
2025-12-15 18:00 - 21:00 | 1741 Pub & Grill, 32 Reeds Gap Rd, Middlefield, CT, 06455, United States
Christmas Sing-A-Long Night brings festive cheer to 1741 Pub & Grill with two evenings of holiday music led by DJ Heartbeat. Guests can sing along to classic Christmas favorites as well as modern hits, creating a lively and spirited atmosphere surrounded by the restaurant’s seasonal décor. Festive drinks, seasonal brews, themed cocktails, cozy hot cocoa, and special menu offerings add to the holiday experience. The event takes place on Monday, December 15 and Monday, December 22 from 6 pm to 9 pm.
1741 Pub & Grill is located at Lyman Orchards, 70 Lyman Road, Middlefield, Connecticut. Reservations can be made by calling 860-349-6033.

Downtown Mystic Ghost Tours
2025-12-15 19:00 - 21:00 | Downtown Mystic, Main Street, Mystic, CT
Downtown Mystic Ghost Tours will run daily from March 1 through November 30, 2025, offering a chilling walk through centuries of haunted history in one of New England’s most storied seafaring villages. Guests will explore the darker side of Mystic’s past, from colonial conflicts and lost sailors to unexplained murders and supernatural sightings. This 1 hour and 45-minute walking tour covers about one mile and departs from Liberty Pole Square, at the corner of East Main and Holmes Street.
Tours are offered daily at 4 pm, with evening tours at 8 pm from March through August, and at 7 pm from September through November. Admission is $30 from March through September and $35 in October. Tours are recommended for ages 13 and up. Guests are advised to dress appropriately for weather and walking conditions.
For more details or to book tickets, visit seasideshadows.com or contact info@seasideshadows.com.

Engelbert Humperdinck – A Winter World of Love at Shubert Theatre
2025-12-15 19:00 - 22:00 | United States
Engelbert Humperdinck brings his signature warmth and timeless voice to the stage in A Winter World of Love, an evening filled with holiday classics and beloved hits. Fans can look forward to a blend of festive favorites and the iconic songs that have made Humperdinck a cherished performer across generations. This seasonal concert offers a memorable night of music in one of New Haven’s historic theaters.
The performance will be held on December 15, 2025, at 7:00 pm at the Shubert Theatre, located at 247 College Street, New Haven, CT. For tickets and additional details, visit the theater’s website or contact the box office.
