Our next Connecticut Buzz Dinner Club is headed to Manchester and it’s already shaping up to be one of those nights where you walk in solo and leave with five new “we should totally do this again” people.

Dinner is Thursday, January 15th at 6pm in Manchester. Here’s how it works (super simple, mildly magical):

✦︎ Take a quick quiz about your interests, food prefs, and the kind of people you actually want to meet (no forced small talk vibes).
✦︎ Get matched with five other CT Buzz folks based on your answers.
✦︎ Get your invite the morning of the dinner with the restaurant reveal in Manchester.
✦︎ Show up at 6pm and let the night do its thing. After dinner, we’ll have an optional “keep it rolling” spot nearby for anyone who wants a second round of laughs (or just can’t go home yet).

The Logistics: It’s $16 per seat to cover the matching, planning, reservations, and reminders. You’ll pay for your own meal at the end of dinner. I’ll handle everything behind the scenes. Your only job is to show up and be a decent human.

If you’ve been meaning to meet more locals, make new friends, or just get out of the house on a Wednesday night with zero awkward planning, this is your sign.

Alright HartCo Buzz crew, quick favor to close out the year: can you take one minute to fill out our 9-question end-of-year survey?

Your feedback tells me what to double down on, what to cut, and how to make HartCo Buzz even better in 2026. Appreciate you helping steer the ship.

I’ve been trying to only find non-stop flights from regional airports but if you’re open to multi-stops then I can find more deals. Just hit reply and let me know if this is something you’d like me to look into.

From Hartford to Charleston, South Carolina for 93 bucks* roundtrip, end of Jan. for an extended weekend stay. See the deal!

From Boston to Athens, Greece for 764 bucks* roundtrip, end of March for a week. See the deal!

*Prices at the time of writing subject to change

Last week’s trivia question was a little flex for Hartford, because on Christmas Eve 1912 the city hosted one of the country’s early public Christmas tree celebrations in Bushnell Park, with the tree lit at 5:00 pm and an estimated 500 people showing up to watch the park glow under hundreds of electric lights reflecting off the snow.

And if you really want to zoom out, Connecticut also has a “first Christmas tree” claim: the New England Historical Society says a captured Hessian soldier named Hendrick Roddemore put up a Christmas tree in Windsor Locks in 1777 while living in a small cabin on what’s now the Noden-Reed Farm, and that he kept the tradition going for years, with a stone marker on the spot today.

First Night Hartford on December 31st from 2PM-Midnight is downtown Hartford’s way of saying “we’re doing New Year’s together” and then actually pulling it off in epic fashion: Union Station is the HQ (Open 2-10PM) for all the button logistics and the quick “where are we going next?” regrouping, and those all-access buttons get you into the indoor afternoon and evening programming at dozens of venues hosing family friendly activities. Bushnell Park turns into the main stage with live music, food trucks, and the People’s Parade rolling in before the 6PM family fireworks, plus a midnight fireworks finale to close it out. Bonus: there’s free ice skating and even free carousel rides, which is a rare combo of wholesome and fun that doesn’t require a reservation link or a 9-step checkout flow. Grab Passes

🍚 Poke Bros is officially open in Southington at 748 Queen St in the ShopRite Plaza, serving up build-your-own Hawaiian poke bowls daily 11am-9pm (aka deconstructed sushi, but make it lunch).

Avon | Drop-in Game Day | 12-4PM - Need a break from holiday everything? Swing by Avon Free Public Library’s Community Room (281 Country Club Rd) for a low-pressure game day with light refreshments and new games to learn (ages 12+).

Canton | Wild Side of Winter (12/30 & 12/31) | 9AM-12PM $ - Winter break, but make it feral: guided hikes, hands-on activities, and cold-weather critter intel at Roaring Brook Nature Center (70 Gracey Rd). Deets

Manchester | New Years Celebration for Children | 9AM-12PM $ - The Lutz Children’s Museum (247 South Main St) is throwing a kid-sized New Year party with a scavenger hunt + crafts, aka three hours of peace for parents. More Info

Wethersfield | Qi Gong Moving Meditation | 6:30-7:15PM $ - Slow your brain down to “gentle simmer” with Tuesday evening Qi Gong at The Blackbird House (147 Main St). Space is limited, RSVP if you want a spot

Windsor | 80s Music Bingo Night | 7PM - Bring your best “I still know every lyric” energy for 80s Music Bingo at Beer Garden At Bart’s (55 Palisado Ave). If you hear the first 2 seconds of a song and scream the answer, you’re among friends.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | Adam Ezra Group w/ Jeff Kazee | 8PM $

Bristol | Mad Hatter’s NYE Tea Party for Children | 10AM-12PM $ - Tea, snacks, crafts, and a very important noon bell-chime moment at the American Clock & Watch Museum (100 Maple St). Call (860) 583-6070 to reserve a spot.

Hartford | First & Last Ball | 9PM-1AM $ - Dress up, dance it out, and snag the fireworks-view flex at Bond Ballroom (338 Asylum St). More Info & Passes

Hartford | First Night Hartford 2026 | 2PM-Midnight $ - Downtown Hartford goes full festival mode at Bushnell Park (1 Jewell St) and other various locations with indoor and outdoor entertainment, a 6PM family fireworks set, and a midnight grand finale. Deets

Hartford | Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Bridgeport Islanders | 3:30PM $ - Hockey then happy cheers at PeoplesBank Arena (One Civic Center Plaza). Secure Entry

New Britain | New Year’s Salsa | 8PM-1AM - Start with a warm-up salsa class at 8:45PM then dance into 2026 at The Assembly Room (222 Main St).

Southington | NYE Celebration | 6PM-1AM $ - Show off your karaoke skills, dominate in the game room, and dance the night away at The Cadillac Ranch (45 Jude Ln).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Enfield - The Yarde Tavern | BJ Korona | 7-10PM
⬢ Hartford - Arch St Tavern | Shakedown w/ Dylan Leszek | 9PM-1AM $
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | Hartford Jazz Society’s Jazz Wednesday | 7-10PM
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | Lespecial w/ Leon Trout + Animonic | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Webster Theater | NYE Hungama w/ DJ Rahuljha | 9PM $
⬢ Manchester - The Main Pub | The 860 | 9PM-1AM
⬢ Simsbury - Talcott Mountain Collective | The Dead Show | 6-10PM
⬢ Southington - Kinsman Brewing Co. | Heavy Hitters Band | 8PM-12AM

Broad Brook | First Day Hike | 1-3PM - Start 2026 the wholesome way with a 2.5 mile hike: boots on, lungs working, engulfed in nature at Scantic River State Park (100 Melrose Rd). It’s the East Windsor American Heritage River Commission’s annual First Day tradition where food donations will be collected for the local Five Corner Cupboard (human & pet food accepted).

Manchester | New Year’s Day Fun Run | 8AM - Shake off the “I’ll start Monday” energy with a big group run/walk at Manchester Community College (60 Bidwell St). Routes and paces for all levels.

Berlin | Movie Matinee: Loving Vincent | 1-3PM - Catch the Van Gogh mystery told through oil-painted animation at Berlin-Peck Memorial Library (234 Kensington Rd). It’s literally art watching art.

Manchester | Wild N’ Out Comedy Tour (1/02 &1/03) | 7PM $ - The “We Ain’t Done Yet” Wild ’N Out crew hits The Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr) for a 21+ night of standup and chaos. Saturday Times 6:30PM & 9PM . Gain Access

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Arch St. Tavern | Keila Myles & Moose Knuckles | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | The Caster Blasters | 8PM
⬢ Manchester - The Hungry Tiger | The PPT’s | 8:30PM
⬢ Newington - AngryHair | NEKROPOLIS | 8PM-1AM $
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Keith Cooper & Evelyn Dillon | 5:30-10PM

Enfield | Mountain Reflection Paint Party | 7-9PM $ - Paint, sip, and pretend you’ve always been “artistic” at Tipsy Paint Brush (610 Enfield St). Lock it in

Hartford | Learn to Skate | 10-11AM - Glide, wobble, repeat at Bushnell Park Skating Rink (60 Elm St). No one will be permitted to enter the rink for this activity after 10AM. Participants may arrive as early as 9:30AM to complete a waiver and get their skates.

Hartford | UConn Women’s Basketball vs. Seton Hall | 12PM $ - Catch the Lady Huskies for some Noon hoops at PeoplesBank Arena (One Civic Center Plaza). Tix

Manchester | Barcelona Bites Cooking Class | 5PM $ - Learn how to make Spanish-style bites with chef-level confidence at Hidden Kitchen (642 Hilliard St). Deets

Manchester | New Year Bingo (High Stakes Payouts) | 6PM $ - Bigger payouts, bigger vibes, and a $5,500 guarantee at Saturday night Army & Navy bingo (1090 Main St). Early bird game at 6PM, Regular Games start at 6:30PM. Bingo ends by 8:45PM More Info

South Windsor | New Year New You: Artisan Market | 10AM-4PM - Coffee + local vendors + “I’m totally turning over a new leaf” browsing at Birdhouse Coffee (765 Sullivan Ave). Expect a bright, energizing atmosphere with vendors offering goods that inspire clarity, productivity, health, and creativity.

Windsor | January Starlab & Full Moon Hike | 4PM $ - Start 2026 inside an inflatable planetarium that feels like a mini space mission at Northwest Park (145 Lang Rd). You’ll get the scoop on the Wolf Moon and winter constellations, then bundle up for a short, crisp hike under the real sky. Deets & Passes

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Berlin - Casa Mia at The Hawthorn | Mass-Conn-Fusion | 7PM
⬢ Collinsville - The Grindstone | The Gist | 10PM
⬢ Hartford - Arch St. Tavern | Club Sol | 9PM $
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | The Mighty Soul Drivers | 8-9:15PM
⬢ Manchester - Cheney Hall | Bad Medicine (Bon Jovi Tribute) | 7-8:30PM $
⬢ Manchester - The Hungry Tiger | Improv Trio - Provst, Andrews, Spignesi | 9PM
⬢ Manchester - Ryan’s Sports Bar | Patchwork Band | 9PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | The Alvin Carter Project | 5:30-10PM
⬢ Plantsville - Mount Southington | The Shed Rats | 6-9PM
⬢ Rocky Hill - Arch 2 Sports Bar | Mystic Dead | 8-11PM
⬢ Simsbury - Talcott Mountain Collective | Sinan Bakir Jazz Trio | 6-9PM

Bristol | Winter Trout Fishing Seminar | 12PM $ - If you've ever looked at a frozen river and thought “yep, I should still be fishing,” this one’s for you: a winter trout seminar hosted by CT Fish Guides at The Local Fly Co. (139 Center St). Secure a Spot

Enfield | Pilates & Prosecco | 10-11:30AM $ - Earn your bubbles the honest way: a Pilates class followed by prosecco at Elemental Studio LLC (2 Pearson Way). Core shakes first, clinks second. Tix

Hartford | Herbal Harmony Flow Yoga | 12-1:30PM $ - A consumption-friendly, all-levels yoga flow inside Dead Language Beer Project (1429 Park St). Stretch it out, then hang for chill Sunday brewery vibes. Gain Entry

Hartford | Three Kings Celebration w/ Reyes Magos | 2-5PM $ - Bring the kids to Parkville Market (1400 Park St) for a Three Kings Day party with story time, crafts, and some wholesome “grab grass for the camels” energy. Deets

Manchester | Winter Hike at Case Mountain | 11AM-1PM - This one’s the postponed hike date: bundle up and hit up Case Mountain with the crew, meeting at the Line St lot (Line St). Fresh air and exercise now, couch later. Open to all ages and experience levels on this 5-6 mile hike.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bristol - The New Cambridge Project | Alex Rencurrel | 2PM
⬢ Hartford - Arch St. Tavern | Dre Island - Reggae on the Rise | 7PM $
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Stoltz & Co Blues | 5:30-8PM
⬢ South Windsor - CT Valley Brewing Co. | Lone Fox | 2-5PM

New Britain | Line Dance Classes | 6:30-9:30PM $ - Start the week doing something wildly responsible like learning line dances at The Garage Dance & Coffee Lounge (1385 East St). It’s a drop-in, no-partner-needed kind of night, aka perfect for anyone who’s ever danced in the kitchen and thought “yeah, I’ve got this.”