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!
Light Up Old Lyme is produced by
the Old Lyme Arts District and the Lyme Artisans Guild.
* Programming subject to change.
The Arts District's "Saturday Enchantment" takes place on December 7th. See the day's full line-up here.
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 Magic
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. Through January 5th. Check the Museum's Events Calendar for special programming and activities.
Special Sales
Throughout the holiday season, you'll find special offerings and pop up shops in Old Lyme. 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. Homeward Collective hosts its 12 Days of Christmas with specials, giveaways, and festive treats as well as a Julie Voss Jewelry Trunk Sale the weekend of Dec 6-8. 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! The bespoke Artemisia will present on December 7th a Curated Accents Trunk Show featuring their handmade textiles and objects from India: including throws, bedcovers, giftable scarves and ornaments. You'll find the Old Lyme Historical Society Saturdays at the Post Office selling their tea towels, calendars, and books, including the newly released children's book, Letters to Papa. 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 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. An Open House at the Old Lyme Children's Learning Center on December 7th will include the chance for little ones to make a fun craft. During the December 7th Tree Lighting, at the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, you'll find a children's craft activities hosted by the Lyme Art Association.
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. The Old Lyme Town Band will present a Winter Concert on Sunday, December 8th at 2pm. 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.
Please support the generous corporate sponsors of the Old Lyme Arts District!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Platinum Media Sponsor
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.