WOODBURY — As the lights go up and the town becomes covered in powdered snow, Christmas events fill the month of December. 

On Dec. 1 and 2, Christmas Town Festival in Bethlehem starts off the holiday season as well as the Woodbury Cookie Sale and tree lighting. 

Along with the annual FFA Holiday Plant Sale happening on Dec. 2, selling poinsettias and wreaths that the Nonnewaug agricultural students made, along with many booths such as local Woodbury shops selling goods. 

“[The sale] brings the community in to learn more about the floriculture program,” Lillian McDonald, a Nonnewaug floriculture student said. “And [it] gives them a chance to enhance their gardens/houses with bright colors.” 

Other events on the first weekend of December, the Woodbury Fire 10th annual Christmas Bazaar will be at department headquarters Dec. 1 from 6-9 p.m., and again Dec. 2 from 8 a.m.-3 p.m., and it allows many of the community to connect more with their fire department. 

“Santa will be there for photos with children,” says organizer Donna Dains, who strongly denied that firefighters Lee Warner, Andy Heavens, or another volunteer memberwould dress up as a pretend Santa. “The elves are busy, and [the] real Santa Claus has the time now to sit with kids.”

Students from Nonnewaug and surrounding communities also love the festivals that bring them volunteer opportunities and personal connections to the fire department.

“Our volunteering in the fire department does so much for the community. We are an all-volunteer fire department, so we obviously put out all the fires and go on all the medical calls for Bethlehem,” Samara Thomas, a Nonnewaug senior, said. “As for the Santa Run, it gives kids the opportunity to interact with the firefighters and brings a smile to their face during the holidays. They get a chance to have Santa and the elves personally deliver them gifts.”

Breakfast with the Grinch takes place Dec. 3 at Mitchell Elementary School, allowing for kids to meet the Grinch and get their face painted. The breakfast benefits GradNite.

If community members feel like visiting one of Woodbury’s houses, the Holiday House is one of the best, that began in 1995, the offers a tour that is enjoyed by thousands of visitors from locals to from the surrounding areas of Woobury. It will be open to the public Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. held by the Women’s Center and it is offered as a staple to the Woodbury community.

“My dad and I would always drive around looking at the houses and their lights during the month of December,” Ethan Moshier, a Woodbury resident and 2023 Nonnewaug graduate, said. “It’s my favorite part about living in Woodbury. The lights completely transform the town, bringing the feeling of Christmas.