Happy Thanksgiving !!
In this week’s Thursday Preview, we spotlight the latest additions to our Veterans Calendar for the upcoming Saturday, 29 November 2025. These events and programs are thoughtfully curated to support and engage Connecticut’s veteran community.
For a complete list of events and more details, please refer to the full Connecticut Veterans Calendar in our upcoming publication or though our previous publication doesn’t include the events here, it has the all others.
This Thursday Preview highlights new Connecticut Veterans events added to the upcoming Saturday Calendar. Each listing has its own dedicated PDF flyer for easy viewing, sharing, or printing. All events are located in Connecticut and are curated specifically for Veterans, service members, and their families.
Thursday 27 November 2025 5:00 AM
Included in the Connecticut Veterans Calendar on ctvetsbulletin.org for Saturday, 29 November, 2025
Events are in order by date
Operation ELF with Guilford VFW 7666 Auxiliary
Operation ELF with Guilford VFW 7666 Auxiliary
Sunday November 30, 2025 11am – 3pm
2025 Operation ELF
(Embracing Lonely Families)
PLEASE HELP US CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR CONNECTICUT NATIONAL GUARD FAMILIES FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON AND BEYOND This year over 800 CT National Guardsmen are currently deployed around the globe.
CT National Guard is asking for grocery, department/home goods stores, pharmacies, and gas station gift cards.
The monetary donations will help us purchase these as well. NEW unwrapped toys OPERATION ELF ΤΟΥ DRIVE
Mail ins must be received by Saturday December 6, 2025
Monetary donations may be mailed to:
VFW 7666 Auxiliary c/o Auxiliary Treasurer 1060 Route 80, Guilford,
CT 06437
(please make checks payable to “VFW 7666 Auxiliary” (memo Operation ELF)
Questions: please email VFW7666Auxiliary@gmail.com or call Kathie (203)823-7946
Thank you Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Guilford 7666
Hosted by:
(203) 453-9252
Location: 54 Mill Rd,
Guilford, CT 06437
Wallingford Holiday Stroll Craft Fair
Wallingford Holiday Stroll Craft Fair
FRIDAY,
DECEMBER 5,2025
4:00 PM TO 9:00 PM
VISIT WITH ANNA AND ELSA FROM FROZEN 5 PM TO 8 PM
ENJOY SOME DELICIOUS HOT CHOCOLATE OR APPLE CIDER
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL CRAFTERS AND HANDMADE ARTISANS FOR YOU HOLIDAY GIFTS
Hosted by:
(203) 269-7114
Location: 23 Prince St,
Wallingford, CT 06492
The 2nd Annual Come Meet Santa Holiday Event
The 2nd Annual Come Meet Santa Holiday Event
Saturday, December 6, 2025 Time: 10 a.m. to 12 noon.
The American Legion Riders are hosting, for the Moosup Community, a FREE “Come and Meet Santa Event”.
We will be providing hot chocolate, coffee, and light refreshments. Gift bags will be provided for the children.
We are giving away 6 new bicycles (3 boys and 3 girls.) Sizes 20″-16″-12″
Please R.S.V.P by November 29th 2025, call (860) 367-6296 There is no cost to attend this event
Hosted By: American Legion Riders Moosup
Location: 66 Prospect St, Moosup, CT 06354
American Legion Kiltonic Post 72 Children’s Christmas Party
American Legion Kiltonic Post 72 Children’s Christmas Party
Dec. 6th, 2025, 12-3pm, upstairs in our hall.
Legion Family Members Only (Legion, Sons of the Legion and Auxiliary) children and grandchildren ages newborn to 9 years of age.
Sign-up sheet is located downstairs in the lounge on the board at the end of the bar.
Must be signed up by Monday, November 24th!
Children’s name, age, and wishlist. Don’t miss the fun with games, food and of course, Santa!
Hosted by:
American Legion Kiltonic Post 72 (860) 621-4243
Location: 64 Main St, Southington, CT 06489
Dance Fitness Mash-Up For Operation E.L.F.
Dance Fitness Mash-Up For Operation E.L.F.
SAT, DEC 6TH, 2025 12PM
SIMPLY FIT JUNKIES
THE SOLDIER ELF
- ZIN ™ JONATHAN
- COMMIT AMBASSADOR KAREN
Donations For Entry:
-NEW UNWRAPPED TOYS FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES DONATIONS OF GIFT CARDS FOR GROCERY AND DEPARTMENT/HOME GOODS STORES, PHARMACIES, AND GAS STATIONS
- Guest Instructors
- Raffles!
- Multiple Formats
OPERATION E.L.F.
Operation Embracing Lonely Families (E.L.F.) was established in 2001, provides support to military families enduring the hardship of separation due to deployment and helps lessen the financial stresses these families face resulting from their call to active duty.
Hosted by:
(203) 527-5566
Location:
1650 Watertown Ave
Suite 10A,
Waterbury, CT 06708
American Legion Post 68 Wreath Laying Ceremony
American Legion Post 68 Wreath Laying Ceremony
December 6, 2025, 1:00 p.m.
Please join us for a wreath laying ceremony where we honor all those who gave their lives over the past 250 years to secure and protect our freedom.
Following the ceremony coffee, hot cocoa and pastries will be served at American Legion Post 68, 154 Porters Pass, Berlin, CT
For Questions contact Sandy,
(203) 522-3989
Wreaths donated by Scotts Flower Shop Berlin and Brierley Johnson Florist
Hosted by:
American Legion Post 68 Berlin CT
(860) 828-9102
Location:
154 Porters Pass,
Kensington, CT 06037
CTNG Foundation & Operation E.L.F Social Fundraiser
CTNG Foundation & Operation E.L.F Social Fundraiser
11 Dec 2025
3:30 to 6:30 PM
SUPPORTING CT NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE MEMBERS
Admission: $25 per person Includes light refreshments and complimentary drink.
Please bring a Gift Card donation Your gift card will directly support CTNG Members and Families
Please RSVP
through the link below https://forms.gle/wU7yRjeZsvCdayqF8
PRE-PAY via CTNGFI.org or Venmo at CTNGFI
Join us for a meaningful evening as we raise funds and collect gift cards to support our CTNG. With over 800 Service Members deployed, your contributions help provide vital assistance during emergencies through the year! We hope you can join us!
Hosted by:
(860) 241-1550
Location: Officers Club
360 Broad St #107,
Hartford, CT 06105
Breakfast With Santa at American Legion Post 68
Breakfast With Santa at American Legion Post 68
Saturday, December 13, 2025
9 am 11 am
Pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon OR sausage, assorted pastries, juice or coffee/tea
$10
Children under 2 – FREE
Reservations are a must! Prepay to have reserved spaces – or an entire table – for your group! Email your name and the total number of people attending, including children who are free, to colreb1231@yahoo.com.
Payments can be made by CASH on any Tuesday Pasta Night, American Legion Post 68, 154 Porters Pass, Berlin, CT 06037
By CHECK, made payable American Legion Auxiliary and sent to American Legion Auxiliary at the same address as above.
By VENMO by contacting colreb1231@yahoo.com to get the QR code.
Hosted by:
(860) 828-9102
Location:
154 Porters Pass,
Kensington, CT 06037
Wreaths Across America Day at Fairview Cemetery
Wreaths Across America Day at Fairview Cemetery
Saturday,
December 13, 2025
11 Α.Μ.
Join us as the Greater New Britain Community gathers to celebrate service, sacrifice and the placement of more than 1,400 holiday wreaths on veteran gravesites at historic Fairview Cemetery
- COLOR GUARDS
- STUDENT PERFORMERS
- PUBLIC INVITED TO PLACE WREATHS
SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKERS
- Lesbia “Leslie” Nieves Brigadier General (Ret), Connecticut National Guard
- The Honorable Bobby Sanchez Mayor, City of New Britain
In the event of inclement weather, a ceremony will be held at St. Francis Church, 1755 Stanley Street, New Britain. Follow us for updates: facebook.com/wreathsfornewbritain. Public placement of wreaths following the ceremony to take place regardless of weather.
Hosted by:
Dennis Buden & Dennis Taricani
Location: Fairview Cemetery
120 Smalley Street
New Britain, CT 06050
Take Your Own Pictures of The Grinch and Cindy Loo
Take Your Own Pictures of The Grinch and Cindy Loo
SAT, DEC 13, 2025
12-4PM
BRING YOUR OWN CAMERA!
ТАКЕ PICTURES WITH GRINCH AND CINDY LOO
$5 DONATION PER FAMILY
SNACKS, COOKIES, COCOA, JUICE ARE INCLUDED!
American Legion
16 York Ave. Niantic
DONATIONS BENEFIT THE SAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AMERICAN LEGION
Hosted by:
American Legion Post 128 Niantic (860) 739-9360
Location: 16 York Ave, Niantic, CT 06357
Wreaths Across America Day at State Veterans Cemetery
Wreaths Across America Day at State Veterans Cemetery
Ceremony On: December 13, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Wreath Placement: Immediately Following Ceremony
Wreaths Across America will be at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, to honor veterans by placing remembrance wreaths and speaking each name aloud. Support the effort by sponsoring wreaths or volunteering for the ceremony, and consider inviting others to join. Thank you for supporting the State Veterans Cemetery and Wreaths Across America.
Wreath Clean Up: January 17, 2026 at 09:00 AM
Hosted by:
John Carragher & Jessica Junior
Location:
317 Bow Ln
Middletown, CT 06457
Wreaths Across America Day In Somers
Wreaths Across America Day In Somers
Saturday 13 December 2025 12:00PM
Somers urgently needs support to ensure all 2,200 veterans’ graves receive remembrance wreaths this year. Only 4.8% of the wreath goal has been sponsored, leaving more than 2,094 wreaths still needed. Sponsoring a wreath is the only way to guarantee a veteran is honored, and every service member’s name will be spoken aloud by volunteers to Remember, Honor, and Teach. Each wreath costs $17 and can be dedicated to a specific veteran. Sponsorships must be submitted online by December 1, 2025. To sponsor or volunteer, visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/CT0131PHosted by:
Somers Department of Veterans Affairs
(860) 272-4207
Location:
81 Battle Street, Somers, CT 0607
Wreaths Across America At Sherman Cemetery
Wreaths Across America At Sherman Cemetery
Saturday 13 December 2025 12:00PJoin US for National Wreaths Across America Day at the Sherman North Cemetery.
https://wreathsacrossamerica.org/pages/44849
Help us honor our heroes with Live for TJ this December. 🇺🇸
Sponsor a wreath, say their name, and honor their legacy.
Remember. Honor. Teach. #LiveforTJ
Hosted by:
Location:
Sherman, CT 06784
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 196 Informal Christmas Party
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 196 Informal Christmas Party
American Legion
December 13th
6:00PM- 10:00PM
NO CHARGE
Bring snacks for your table!!
Wear your Favorite Ugly Christmas Sweater Come sing your Favorite Christmas Song or Rock around the Christmas tree!
Hosted by:
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 196 (203) 874-9822
Location:
25 Merwin Ave,
Milford, CT 06460
American Legion Auxiliary Hand Made Patriotic Quilt Raffle
American Legion Auxiliary Hand Made Patriotic Quilt Raffle
Buy your tickets prior to December 13 2025
Handmade
(Handcrafted by Unit 196 Auxiliary member)
Patriotic Quilt Raffle
$5.00 a ticket
(See an auxiliary member)
Ticket will be drawn at the Dec. 13 Ugly Sweater Party
Hosted by:
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 196
(203) 874-9822
Location: 25 Merwin Ave, Milford, CT 06460
VFW Post 10004 Jewett City Holiday Party
VFW Post 10004 Jewett City Holiday Party
Saturday,
December 13th 6pm
PRIME RIB CARVING STATION
CHARCUTERIE VILLAGE
LIGHTHOUSE INN POTATOES
ROASTED VEGETABLE MEDLEY
GARDEN OR CAESAR SALAD
$40.00
- UGLY SWEATER CONTEST
- RAFFLES
- GAMES
- MUSIC
- YANKEE SWAP
TICKETS AVAILABLE AT POST
Hosted by:
VFW Post 10004 Jewett City (860) 376-5226
Location: 263 Taylor Hill Rd, Jewett City, CT 06351
Flapjacks and Flannel Party
Flapjacks and Flannel Party
Saturday Dec. 20th, 2025
FOOD SERVED AT 5:30
PROCEEDS BENEFIT LEGION POST 68 CANTEEN
WEAR FLANNEL
CHRISTMAS CAROL KARAOKE
$10 per plate
154 PORTERS PASS KENSINGTON, CT
CANTEEN
Hosted by:
American Legion Post 68 Berlin
(860) 828-9102
Location:
154 Porters Pass, Kensington, CT 06037
