The 37th annual West Hartford Holiday Stroll will return to West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.

By Ronni Newton

The holiday season is here, and there will be plenty of holiday spirit for all to enjoy at the annual Holiday Stroll in West Hartford Center and Blue Back Square on Thursday, Dec. 5.  The magic of the season will return to town with a classic family-friendly New England-style festival that includes a tree lighting, tasty treats from area restaurants, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, carolers and other live music, and ballet dancers performing scenes from The Nutcracker.

The celebration of the season will begin with the tree lighting in the courtyard area of Blue Back Square at 5 p.m., and the Holiday Stroll will continue through 8 p.m. – rain, snow, or shine.

Entertainment for people of all ages will be showcased beginning at 5 p.m. on stages at Webster Walk in Blue Back Square as well as two other stages – located at the corner of Farmington Avenue and LaSalle Road and in the PeoplesBank parking lot at 102 LaSalle Road.

Fox 61 anchor Erika Arias and meteorologist Matt Scott will emcee the activities in Blue Back Square, along with iHeartRadio DJs who will be handing out prize giveaways. Performing at Blue Back Square will be Rock This Town Band, and the area will feature other live performances as well as visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus and other activities for kids, as well as samplings of festive treats from area restaurants. Isham Road in Blue Back Square will be closed to vehicle traffic.

On the Farmington Avenue stage there will be a Hanukah celebration as well as performances by Playhouse on Park, SJK Experiment with Steven King Jr., Hall Choraliers, and Conard’s Be S#arp. American Sign Language interpreters will be available to ensure that all are able to experience the entertainment.

The PeoplesBank lot will showcase the talents of students from The School of Rock.

The Center and Blue Back Square merchants will be fully decked out in holiday style, with beautiful and creative window displays. Special promotions and other activities will take place during the Holiday Stroll event, including caricatures at the Charles Schwab offices on South Main Street and “another” Santa at Relax the Back on Farmington Avenue.

First Church, 12 South Main Street, will also be hosting the 9th annual Festival of Trees during Holiday Stroll, featuring more than 50 decorated trees that have been donated by local businesses. This indoor activity is a good chance to warm up, enjoy hot cocoa and cookies, and take a chance to win a tree and/or a gift card with all proceeds supporting to local charities. Winners will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The 37th annual Holiday Stroll is appropriate for people of all ages, and is made possible by the West Hartford Chamber of Commerce, Blue Back Square, West Hartford Center Business Association, and the Town of West Hartford.

Generous support has also been provided by the following sponsors: TD Bank, GoNetSpeed, Tea Leaf Realty, Charles Schwab, Hartford Healthcare, Mathnasium, NBT Bank, PeoplesBank, and Westfield Bank, as well as media sponsors 102.9 The Whale, 104.1 WMRQ, 2020 Media, AMP Radio, Cricket Press, and We-Ha.com.

Programs will be handed out at the event. For up-to-date information, including an event timeline, visit the West Hartford Chamber’s website and click on the “Holiday Stroll” tab.

Parking is available in the Isham, Memorial, and Town Center garages as well as in municipal lots at Town Hall, Brace Road, and Farmington Avenue. Parking rates will be in effect.

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