Light Up Old Lyme
Tis the season for holiday enchantment, as well as artisanal shops, remarkable musical performances, elegant teas, special exhibitions, and
long-lasting family memories.
Join us in Old Lyme where the holiday season awaits you!
Check back often for updates
to our six weeks of holiday delight!
* Programming subject to change.
Light Up Old Lyme is produced by
the Old Lyme Arts District and the Lyme Artisans Guild.
Tree Lighting & Holiday Enchantment
The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts presents the Fourth Annual Holiday Enchantment and Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Adults and children are invited to gather on the campus of the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts on Lyme Street from 3-5 pm for an afternoon of festive outdoor and indoor activities. These will include art demonstrations, music by the Old Lyme Town Band and the Lyme-Old Lyme High School Select Singers, a visit and selfies with Santa, s'mores and hot chocolate by the fire, and holiday craft-making. Join Children’s Librarian Miss Meg from Old Lyme Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library for a selection of holiday stories beginning at 3:15 pm and repeating at 3:45 pm. Young artists are invited to make their own festive ornaments to “Deck the Walls” for the holidays, with help from the Lyme Art Association. At 4:30 pm, a tree lighting will be led by the Town of Old Lyme’s First Selectwoman, Martha Shoemaker, followed by caroling around the tree.
Holiday Exhibitions
Holiday traditions often include a visit to the FloGris Museum and its Holiday Magic exhibition. Here you will find the Artists Trees, festooned with over 250 uniquely painted palettes by artists across the country. Miss Florence Griswold's Boardinghouse will be decorated for the season and provide specially decorated mantels and more. Check the Museum's Events Calendar for special programming and activities.
Special Sales
Throughout the season, you'll find special offerings and pop up shops in Old Lyme. You'll find the Old Lyme Historical Society on certain Saturdays at the Post Office selling their tea towels, calendars, and books, including the newly released children's book, Letters to Papa. The Lyme Artisans Guild holds its second annual Winter Market on December 7th at the OL Historical Society and at Lilywork Artisan Tile. Ten artisans will be on hand to market their unique goods, perfect for holiday gift giving. MarnaRoons will hold special retail hours Saturday mornings in November and December and the Friday after Thanksgiving. On December 7th, a special 20% discount on orders of $40 or more will make Marna's macaroons an extra sweet purchase! Patricia Spratt for the Home (60 Lyme Street) will hold its popular holiday Warehouse Sale December 6 & 7, 10am-3pm (cash or check only). You'll find Love, Lilly resortwear and Ellen Raines Martin accessories during the warehouse sale as well. Phoebe's BookCellar will have its annual holiday sale Friday, December 6 (4-7pm) and December 7 (9:30am-1:30pm). Phoebe's will have gift quality books in the Community Room, credit cards are now taken. Be sure to pick up something for the artist in your life at de Gerenday’s Fine Art Materials and Curiosities, which will be hosting jewelry by artist Ann Lightfoot. Ann Lightfoot Jewelry makes a perfect holiday gift to treasure forever. The FloGris Shop has holiday decor, gifts, jewelry and more in their "decked for the holidays" museum store. In addition, you'll find more gifts and home decor at the various bespoke shops in Old Lyme!
Craft Making
Memories are made when creating something new together. Craft time during this season includes wreath making at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center on December 7th and gingerbread house making at LYSB on December 8th. You'll find children's arts and crafts at the Phoebe Griffith Noyes-Old Lyme Library and at the FloGris Museum Joy in the Making programs throughout the season. During the December 7th Tree Lighting, at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, you'll find children's craft activities as well.
Musical Performances
The arts in Old Lyme include special musical performances to suit every taste. Musical Masterworks' December 7 and 8 concerts will culminate in a transcendent performance of Beethoven, Trio in E-flat Major, Op. 70 No.2. Feel the energy of the holidays when enjoying the Con Brio Chorale Society's Christmas Concerts December 13 and 14. Most every Friday and Saturday night through the season, the Side Door Jazz Club brings to its stage the best jazz to be found. The Blues can be found right on Lyme Street at Nightingale's Acoustic Cafe, an intimate venue for concerts and open mics. And meet up with friends and enjoy live music Thursdays through Saturdays at The Stumble Inne.
Holiday Teas
A chance to slow down and enjoy special friends, a Holiday Tea is just right during the holidays. Reservations are required for the highly popular teas in Old Lyme, including those by Cafe Flo and by the Old Lyme Inn. A special tea with Santa takes place at the Old Lyme Inn on Saturday, November 30th.
Art Sales
The perfect gift is often an enchanting piece of art. You will find works for sale by local artists at the Lyme Art Association's Deck the Walls and Bon Appetit shows, and works both historic and contemporary at The Cooley Gallery's All Paintings Great and Small show (opening November 21st. Local artist Deborah Quinn-Munson transports viewers to our beloved landscape with her spectacular works. Paintings hold special memories wherever they are hung.
Welcome to Old Lyme
Welcome to Old Lyme, a small, historic town on the Connecticut coastline. We are known for our art galleries and beaches, and have so much more. Whether you are thinking about relocating your home or business here, or just looking to visit for the afternoon, welcome! We are glad to have you.