We’re trying something new in the CT Buzz world: small, hand-picked dinners with good food, better conversation, and zero awkward name tags. This isn’t networking. It’s not a pitch fest. It’s six people around a table talking about life.

Why we’re doing this:

The best stuff doesn’t happen on Zoom or in a crowded bar. It happens over dinner.
When the plates hit the table, people relax, stories get honest, and the advice gets real. That’s the vibe we’re going for.

How it works:

Dinners will be happening in Hartford, where we’re gathering small groups for real conversation and local connection - all around one table.

Inaugural dinner: December 10th at 7:00 PM.

If you’ve been craving conversations with some actual depth - the kind that remind you why community matters - this is for you.

I capped the number of seats to 42 people so act now, if you want in.

Can’t make this one? Sign up anyway and we’ll ping you about future CT Buzz Dinner Club nights near you.

Thanksgiving is basically knocking on the door, which means it’s officially “argue about the tree size in the parking lot” season. To make life easier, I pulled together a hit list of Hartford County spots where you can grab your Christmas tree, sip some cider, and pretend you’re in a holiday movie. Dive in and pick your tree HQ.

Let me know if I missed any you know about I didn’t cover and I’ll get a page set up on the site with the full list.

Every Thanksgiving, the Manchester Road Race basically turns Main Street into Connecticut’s cardio block party; with the race starting in front of St. James Church (869 Main St). Since 1927, people have been lining that 4.737-mile loop like it’s the town’s annual family reunion. I’m talking costumes, turkey hats, three generations deep on the sidewalk, all screaming for that 10:00AM start gun. By the time the horn blows, you’ve got 10-12,000 runners packed in shoulder to shoulder and thousands more doing the “I swear I’m running it next year” spectator shuffle.

It’s not just vibes; proceeds this year are aimed straight at fighting food insecurity through Connecticut Foodshare and MACC, so every wheezy hill and awkward turkey costume is literally putting meals on local tables. If Thanksgiving dinner is the main event, the Manchester Road Race is the opening ceremony where the whole town comes outside, freezes together, and remembers why they love this place.

Last week’s poll about featuring cheap flights was basically a landslide - 98% of you said “yes, please.” So, ask and you shall receive: I found a total no-brainer deal if you’ve got the time and a little wiggle room in your schedule.

Hartford → Montego Bay, Jamaica for $240 bucks* roundtrip, Dec. 4-7th. See the deal!

🎄 TK & Co. is popping up for the holidays this Saturday, Nov 29 from 9am–5pm at 3228 Main St in Rocky Hill with trees, wreaths, cozy décor, and a free little something while supplies last.

🍣 The Sushi Class just officially landed at Factory Square in Southington, slinging small-batch sushi for lunch and late night while doubling as a hands-on spot for date-night classes, parties, and team hangs.

Hartford | UConn Men’s Ice Hockey vs Stonehill College | 6-PM $ - Huskies men’s hockey host Stonehill downtown at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plz). Tix

Hartford | Christmas on the Rocks (11/25-12/23) | Times Vary $ - TheaterWorks Hartford (233 Pearl St) serves up boozy, grown-up versions of classic Christmas characters in a dark, hilarious anti-Hallmark holiday show. More Info & Tix

Hartford | Scavenger Hunt: Time Travelers of Hartford | Flexible start times $ -
Self-guided smartphone scavenger hunt through downtown Hartford (Bushnell Park, Wadsworth, etc.). Multiple sessions available but you can basically play anytime via Let’s Roam. More Info & Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - The Webster | Memphis May Fire | 7PM $

East Granby | Glow Music Bingo | 6:30PM - Black lights, glow sticks, and music bingo take over The Grill at Copper Hill (20 Copper Hill Rd). It’s free to play; four rounds of song-clip bingo with prizes every time, plus food, drinks, and the perfect excuse to turn your playlist brain into something useful.

East Hartford | Magic of Lights at Rentschler Field | 5-9PM $ - Opening night of the drive-through holiday light show at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Runs 11/26-1/03/26. More info & Passes

Hartford | A Christmas Carol (11/26-12/28) | 7:30PM $ - Hartford Stage’s signature A Christmas Carol (50 Church St) brings back Scrooge, ghosts, and stage snow for a feel-good haunt that still hits the feels. More Info & Passes

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Berlin - The Truck Bar | Diva & The Playboys | 8PM
⬢ Enfield - The Yarde Tavern | Out the Boxx | 8PM
⬢ Glastonbury - Hops on The Hill | Bryan Titus | 4:30PM
⬢ Hartford - The Webster | Codd Dubz - Canal St Crook Tour | 8PM $
⬢ Manchester - Murphy’s Pub | The Leftovers | 8PM
⬢ Manchester - Ryan’s Sports Bar | Shovel Head | 9:30PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | The KC Movement | 7-11PM
⬢ Southington - Kinsman Brewing Co | Stanley Street Big Band | 7-9PM

Hartford | Salvation Army Thanksgiving Holiday Meal Delivery (Volunteer) | 9-11AM - Volunteer slots delivering Thanksgiving meals from the Salvation Army Hartford Citadel (80 Coventry St). Earn karma points by a real way to give back. Info & Register to Volunteer

Manchester | Manchester Road Race | 10AM-1PM $ - Iconic 4.737-mile turkey trot starting and finishing on Main Street in front of St. James Church. Race steps off at 10:00am and draws 9-12k runners plus thousands of spectators; proceeds focus on food insecurity (MACC + CT Foodshare). Registration ends 11/25. Register

West Hartford | Webster Hill PTO Turkey Trot 5K | 8-10AM $- Family-friendly Thanksgiving 5K starting at Webster Hill Elementary (125 Webster Hill Blvd). Start time 8:00am; registration supports the school PTO. Info & Register

Bristol | Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce (11/28-12/28) | 4-9PM $ - Theme-park-scale holiday lights, select rides, shows, and seasonal snacks. More Info & Tix

Hartford | Winterfest Hartford Opening Day (Free Ice Skating) | 11AM-8PM -
Free outdoor skating, free skate rentals, and winter rink vibes in Bushnell Park (60 Elm St).

Manchester | Comic: Ian Lara (11/28 & 11/29) | Times Vary $ - Stand-up from one of comedy’s fastest-rising killers at The Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr). Two-night run, 21+ only, and the kind of “I saw him before he blew up” bragging rights you can’t buy on TikTok. Info & Tix

Manchester | Black Friday Glow Yoga | 7-8:30PM $ - Post-shopping decompression at Samadhi Yoga Studio (283 E Center St). Flow under blacklights with glow sticks and body paint while Maria DaPra leads class. Swap retail chaos for a sweaty, neon reset. Info & Passes

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Berlin - The Truck Bar | Soul Sound Review | 8PM
⬢ East Hartford - Carmine’s Bar & Grill | Out to Lunch | 8:30PM
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Theater | The English Beat | 8PM $
⬢ Manchester - The Main Pub | Neybas | 9PM
⬢ Manchester - Ryan’s Sports Bar | Cliffside Push | 9PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Theresa Wright | 5:30PM
⬢ Simsbury - Old Well Tavern | Diamondback | 7:30-11PM
⬢ Simsbury - Talcott Mountain Collective | The Wilcox Brothers w/ Maddie Kovanda & Hally Jaeggi | 7-10PM
⬢ West Hartford - WeHa Brewing & Roasting Co | Hatfield & Christine Bile | 6:30PM

Enfield | Small Business Craft Fair | 10AM-4PM $ - Small Business Saturday Holiday Craft Fair at Mt. Carmel Church (93 Park Ave). 30+ local artists, artisans, and bakers, with admission as a non-perishable food item or $1 to benefit Enfield Food Shelf. Shop small and fill the pantry.

Hartford | Small State BIG Saturday | 11AM-4PM - Small Business takeover in the Pratt Street Historic District (99 Pratt St). Holiday market with local vendors, small-batch gifts, and free photos with Santa instead of mall-line misery.

Hartford | The Nutmeg Ballet's The Nutcracker | 4:30-6:30PM $ - Full-length holiday classic at Belding Theater at The Bushnell (166 Capitol Ave). Clara, the Rat King, and sugar-plum dreams in a family-friendly run time with big-theater production value. Gain Entry

Simsbury | Simsbury Celebrates | 5-8:30PM - Free community holiday blowout along Hopmeadow Street (Hopmeadow St, Simsbury Center). Street performers, food vendors, a firetruck parade, and fireworks wrapping the night like an overachieving Christmas tree. Details

Southington | Rock This Town Orchestra Christmas Spectacular | 6-10PM $ - Dinner-and-a-show in the BellaVista Ballroom at Hawks Landing Country Club (201 Pattonwood Dr). Cocktail hour, buffet, then a Stray Cats–style big band ripping through rockabilly Christmas tunes. Secure Entry

Wethersfield | Few of Our Favorite Things Holiday Market | 11AM-3PM - Small Business Saturday holiday market at Soulshine Yoga / The Great Elm (163 Main St). Local makers, cozy gifts, and historic Old Wethersfield charm in one stop. Details

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | Adrenalize (Def Leppard Tribute) | 8PM $
⬢ Collinsville - Bridge St Live | Zepdrix (Led Zepplin & Jimmy Hendrix Tribute) | 8-11PM
⬢ Glastonbury - Hops on The Hill | ArleneWow! | 2-5PM
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | Max Creek | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Webster | RUSKO - 1 Man Army Tour | 8PM $
⬢ Manchester - The Main Pub | Preacher Dogs | 9PM
⬢ Manchester - Elicit Brewing Co | After Glow | 9PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Linda Ransom | 5:30PM
⬢ West Hartford - New Park Brewing | Jazz Night & Open Jam w/ Matt Dwonszyk & Band | 7-11PM
⬢ Windsor Locks - Polish National Home | Mystic Dead ft. King Saison | 5-11PM $

Hartford | Choir! Choir! Choir! - Un-Silent Night: Epic Holiday Singalong | 7PM $ - Fully interactive holiday singalong at The Webster Underground (31 Webster St) where they teach the parts, you belt the hits, and the whole crowd turns into one giant, slightly chaotic choir. All ages, ugly sweaters, and zero actual singing experience required. Details & Tix

Hartford | Pratt St Winter Village | 11AM-4PM - Pratt Street turns into an open-air winter village (57 Pratt St) with local makers, festive pop-up stalls, and enough food and drink to justify “just browsing” for five hours. It’s basically a cozy holiday market dropped right into downtown.

Plantsville | Aqua Turf Craft Fair | 9AM-5PM $ - All-day indoor craft fair at Aqua Turf Club (556 Mulberry St) with 200+ vendors, rows of handmade goods, holiday decor, and giftable stuff you won’t find at the big-box spots. Come for “a few ideas,” leave wondering where you’re putting the extra wreath and three new signs.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Theater | Preservation Hall Jazz Band | 8PM $

Marlborough | Holiday Wreath Workshop | 4-5:30PM $ - Build a lush evergreen wreath at Jessica's Garden & Lobster Shack (198 East Hampton Rd, Route 66). All materials are provided, two sessions to pick from, and it’s 21+ BYOB & snacks. Register