100 East Main Street, Waterbury, CT Phone: 203-346-2000.

3pm. Returning for a seasonal tradition, the Waterbury Chorale and Waterbury Chorale Festival Orchestra present a program of secular and religious Christmas music.

342 Main Street, Lakeville, CT 06039. Phone: 860-435-1029.

9th Annual Artful Season: A Benefit for the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council. The show opens on Friday, December 2nd and runs through January 27th, 2012, with a portion of the proceeds from each sale being donated to the arts council.   An opening artists' reception is on Sunday, December 4th from 4 - 7pm as part of the Hometown Holidays celebration in Lakeville that includes; the tree lighting, caroling, fine dining, holiday cheer and more! The White Gallery will feature hot chocolate and roasted red chestnuts!  As of this release, Victor Leger, John Funt, James Meyer, Alan McCord, Vint Lawrence, Joan Jardine, Mary Close, Robert Kipniss, Joel Schapira, Kathleen DeAngelis, Janet Andre Block, Marjory Reid, Faith Hochberg, Warren Prindle,and Teri Moore are all exhibiting. The Gallery anticipates more artists will join the celebration.  "It's an extraordinary show of the talent that we have right here in the Northwest Corner, and we're honored to be showing 'hometown' artists," said Tino Galluzzo, co-owner of The White Gallery with his wife, Susan. "An integral part of our mission is to feature emerging artists and to increase the awareness and appreciation of fine art. This show supports the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council and introduces some artists that have never before shown at the White."  The Northwest Connecticut Arts Council works to promote the arts and cultural resources of Northwestern Connecticut and integral contributors to the quality of life in the region, to assist all artists and cultural organizations in their efforts to thrive, and to inform the general public about, and give access to, the arts and culture of the region!  "We are honored to be the beneficiary of art sales from 'Artful Season,' and at the same time are excited that the event is so in-line with our mission of promoting cultural venues like The White Gallery, and also local artists and the sale of their work within our own community," said Amy Wynn executive director of the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council. "This is really a 'four-way benefit' of sorts, with the NW CT Arts Council raising needed funds, the artists selling their work, the gallery getting business, and the patrons procuring work that is valuable and meaningful to them. What a great to start the holiday season!"

Route 37 and Route 39, Sherman, CT 06784. Phone: 860-354-3622.

December 2, 2011 to January 1, 2012 The Sherman Playhouse will host an original production for the whole family, the classic fairy tale, SLEEPING BEAUTY. SLEEPING BEAUTY is being presented as a 'Panto' or Pantomime in the British style. To make it very clear: There is absolutely no miming in British Pantomimes. A Panto is like an American musical comedy with vaudeville routines. There are tuneful songs, funny jokes, and lots and lots of audience participation. It's the perfect Holiday show for children and adults alike, filled with fun, laughter, and happily ever after. The cast features some of the region's finest actors of all ages: Barbara Henley (Kent), Elizabeth Hawley (New Preston), John Taylor (Sherman), Tommy Ovitt (Gaylordsville), Katherine and David Almquist (Sharon), and Martin Rosato, Lily Johns, Abigail Heydenburg, Laura, Bill, and Sebastian Gilbert, John Vasquez, Abby Hambidge, Jack and Josephine Harding, and Mattelyn Williams (all New Milford). The production has been adapted and being directed by British-native Patricia Michael of Dover Plains, N.Y. SLEEPING BEAUTY runs December 2,3,4  9,10,11  16,17,18  30,31 and January 1. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on December 4,11,18 and January 1. Tickets for all shows are $20 for general seating for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. On Thursday, December 1, all patrons are invited to attend a "Half-Price Preview Night" at 8:00 p.m. where all tickets are only $10 for both adults and children. Students may see any performance for only $10 if they pay in cash only at the door and carry a valid student ID. Students may not make reservations in advance for a performance. On New Year's Eve, December 31, at 8:00 p.m. there will be one gala performance with hors d'oeuvres and an open bar of wine, beer, and soft drinks. Tickets for this event are $60 for both adults and children. Reservations can be made online at www.shermanplayers.org or by calling the box office at (860) 354-3622. The Sherman Playhouse now accepts credit card payments both online and at the door.

5 Brookside Ave., New Milford, CT 06776. Phone: 860-350-6863.

This Holiday Season, TheatreWorks New Milford will debut Noël Coward's classic comedy of manners, PRESENT LAUGHTER.
This classic audacious comedy by the legendary Noël Coward centers on Garry Essendine, a popular, pampered actor – modeled after Coward himself – busily making preparations for an extended overseas tour with his devoted secretary Monica. His plans are complicated first by Daphne, a beautiful stage-struck ingénue, as well as an absurdly eager and aspiring playwright, Roland Maule, who insist on his attentions. When his wife, his agents, and his numerous admirers arrive, Garry is hard pressed to escape what quickly spirals into a hilarious farcical game of cat-and-mouse. Typical of Coward's sparkling dialogue and dazzling wit, Present Laughter was a smashing success in both New York and London with Broadway revivals starring George C. Scott, Frank Langella, and Victor Garber in 2010. PRESENT LAUGHTER is under the direction of Beth Bonnabeau of New Milford. The production features some of the region's finest actors: Robyn Maitland (New Fairfield), Jonathan Jacobson (Litchfield), Jacky Saulnier (Danbury), Janice Connor (Goshen), J. Scott Williams (Brookfield), Gloria Antonios (Thomaston), Glenn R.Couture (Ansonia), and Tony Saracino, Sheila Echevarria, LuAnn Leonard, and Chris Bolster (all New Milford). PRESENT LAUGHTER runs December 2,3 9,10,11  16,17,18  30,31 and January 6,7. Curtain time is 8:00 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays, with 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinees on December 11 and 18. Tickets for all shows are $20 for reserved seating. On New Year's Eve, December 31, at 8:00 p.m. there will be one gala fundraising performance with hors d'oeuvres and an open bar of wine, beer, and soft drinks. On Thursday, December 1, senior citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, December 8 at 8:00 p.m. is TheatreWorks' Pay-What-You-Want night. At this performance, you name the price for your ticket. Reservations can be made online at WWW.THEATREWORKS.US <http://WWW.THEATREWORKS.US>  or by calling the box office at (860) 350-6863.

One Pleasant Street, Bristol, CT 06010. Phone: 860-314-1400.

On Friday, December 2, 2011 embark on a magical holiday journey as the Image Nation Museum is transformed into Dr. Seuss' Whoville.  A wacky and wonderful Whoville festival complete with crafts, sing-alongs and special visitors including the Grinch, awaits you.

49 Hollow Rd, Woodbury, CT Phone: 203-263-2855.

Friday- 5:30-8:00  Saturday-10:00-3:00 Cost: Friday-Festival of Lights Gala Event-$25 per person   Saturday-free/donation Description: Friday- Festival of Lights Gala Event- A merry evening of Food & Wine.  Be the first to purchase museum holiday decorations, shop the Holiday Gift Bazaar, silent auction.  Party in the candle lit museum decorated for the holidays with wreaths, holiday lighting, garlands and more.....all for sale.    Saturday- sale continues in the museum and bazaar.  Special museum tours. free/donation.

1 Browns Forge Road, Gaylordsville, CT 06755. Phone: 860-350-4443.

Join the Merwinsville Hotel and Museum in Gaylordsville to celebrate Christmas with a holiday reception.  Open December 2-4, 2011 with a special reception on Friday, December 3rd--$10 Donation.   Once again the Merwinsville Hotel is magically tranformed into a winter wonderland.  Throughout the hotel view snow villages, Byers carolers, snow globes, nutcrackers, Santa's, music boxes, World's Fair amusement collection, model trains around the Christmas tree; and it's fun for the whole family.  Take a break in Mrs. Klaus' bakery and then work on your holiday gift list with art, crafts, jewelry, weavings, bird houses, photography and more from local artists.  A special Story Time on Saturday and Sunday at 11AM.  Free and open to the public.

One Pleasant Street, Bristol, CT 06010. Phone: 860-540-3160.

Cost: $6/person. Children under one are free!  Visit Whoville and meet characters including the Grinch!

229 E. Litchfield Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759. Phone: 860-567-3163.

Taizé prayer will form the basis for individual and group exploration of Advent themes. Presenters: Melinda and Bruce Gardiner. Fees: $185 shared room; $225 private, hall bath; $255 private or shared room with bath; $155 commuter. (Non-refundable deposit: $50) Scholarships available. For more information, call Wisdom House 860-567-3163 or visit www.wisdomhouse.org.

8 Old Barn Rd., Kent, CT Phone: 860-927-4501.

A new exhibit of works by American painter Chris Armstrong and sculptor Peter Kirkiles at The Morrison Gallery opens on December 3rd and will run through January 22, 2012 with an opening reception Saturday, December 3, from 5 – 7 PM. The Morrison Gallery is a 7,000 square foot space in Kent at 8 Old Barn Road, near the corner of Routes 341 and 7. The gallery is home to an on-going schedule of exhibitions by prominent local and national artists. Chris' dramatic waterscape paintings convey the essence of the sea – an unpredictable and changing nature, a reflective and illuminated beauty, and the ability to inspire a sense of vastness. Peter Kirkiles refers to himself as an "industrial artist" a term which aptly applies to his working method.