6 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in South Windsor

South Windsor is a beautiful community just outside of Hartford. With a cozy community of only 27,000, it’s not hard to feel the holiday magic build as fall turns to winter. Whether you love all things autumn with its pumpkins, apple festivals, and hay rides, or prefer the winter season’s first snowfall, holiday markets, and outdoor activities, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the holiday season. If you’re planning on investing in South Windsor real estate, take a look at these top ways to celebrate the holidays.

Nothing gets the holiday spirit bubbling quite like taking part in a fun, festive craft workshop or art piece. South Windsor and its neighboring towns host a variety of holiday-themed workshops and events during the fall and winter seasons. Hammer & Stain South Windsor holds a fun holiday pick-your-project workshop where locals get to choose from over 100 different woodworking and painting projects to create a beautiful piece of holiday decor. Connecticut Valley Brewing Company is known to put on a fun Christmas card class, inviting South Windsor residents to design and create four holiday cards at a fun, after-hours social event.

Fall festivals come alive every year in South Windsor, with pumpkin carving events, scarecrow decorating, crafts, competitions, and more. South Windsor puts on an annual Apple Festival at the Wapping Fairground that features live entertainment, balloon artists, kids' games, and face painting that make the day fun for the whole family. Locals can join in on the apple pie contest or visit more than 100 food trucks and vendors.

Fall festivals abound in Hartford, too, whether South Windsor residents decide to take in the East Hartford Fall Festival or the Hartford Harvest Festival. Both feature live music, games, local vendors, and fantastic food. Further north in Suffield, there’s the annual Fall Farm Festival featuring alpacas, craft vendors, and trick-or-treating. Fall festivals are a great way for those who have recently invested in South Windsor real estate to enjoy the changing seasons and get to know members of their community.

No winter season would be complete without a trip to the local skating rink. Public skating is available at the South Windsor Arena on Sundays throughout the season. The rink also hosts skating lessons for those who may be new to the sport and can be rented out for birthday parties and other celebrations. A number of rinks await holiday skaters in Hartford, too. The Loomis Chaffee Ice Rink in Windsor is a great option, as well as the Bolton Ice Palace.

One of the best parts of the holiday season is taking part in the many winter festivals and events that come up. One fun event in Manchester is the Holiday Pop-Up Festival, hosted by WORK_SPACE. This unique shopping experience brings local artists and vendors together to offer their wares against the backdrop of a peaceful art gallery.

For fantastic crafts, the annual Craft Fair & Wapping Good Baked Potato Sale gathers shoppers at the Wapping Community Church for a day of browsing holiday decor, handmade jewelry, and gifts perfect for getting ahead on Christmas shopping. Alongside handmade items, the craft fair provides Wapping Good baked potatoes that can be enjoyed inside or taken home.

Year-end celebrations always bring a mix of spirited events and festivals to enjoy. The Wood Memorial Library invites South Windsor locals to view a display of incredible gingerbread creations during the Gingerbread House Festival. Simple cakes and colored icing are transformed into intricately-decorated, edible homes each vying for a top prize.

Downtown Hartford hosts the annual Winterfair Holiday Market. With the streets decked out in holiday garb, the market feels truly magical. Visitors can explore booths run by over 115 artists and small businesses.

South Windsor deserve to be shown off in all their glory. With so many stunning properties throughout town, South Windsor comes to life in a whole new way during the holidays. If you’re looking for an extra way to get your whole family in the holiday mood, decorate your home. It can be as simple as putting out a few porch decorations or placing battery-operated candles in the windows. Of course, hanging lights along the roof and around the windows and doors can take your home’s decorations to the next level, and don’t forget to give some attention to the interior of your property. Bring out the holiday throw blankets and decorative pillows to make the space feel cozy and winter-ready.

Nothing makes the Christmas season feel complete quite like putting up the tree. In South Windsor, Dzen Tree Farm is a community favorite, providing 66 acres of fresh trees for families to choose from. In addition to trees, families can peruse their wreaths, ornaments, and other decorations in the Rockin’ Reindeer Cafe. A family of reindeer lives on-site, ready to welcome visitors and bring an extra bit of Christmas magic to the experience.

Humming Grove Farm is another top option, featuring a wide selection of trees, wreaths, and decor, along with fresh honey, produce, and beeswax candles. A limited number of full-sized trees are available for tagging, or families can purchase a tabletop tree. White spruce, balsam fir, and Colorado blue spruce are just a few of the many varieties available here.

South Windsor comes alive in a new way during the holidays. Anyone looking to relocate here should partner with a real estate agent who knows what makes South Windsor a great place to call home no matter the time of year. Julie Corrado is a top real estate agent serving clients throughout Connecticut. To learn more about available South Windsor, reach out to Julie Corrado today.