In this week’s Thursday Preview, we spotlight the latest additions to our Veterans Calendar for the upcoming Saturday, 20 December 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 18 December 2026 5:00 AM
Included in the Connecticut Veterans Calendar on ctvetsbulletin.org for Saturday, 18 December, 2025
Events are in order by date
Adopt A Rescue Dog In Bloomfield CT
Adopt A Rescue Dog In Bloomfield CT
Saturday 20 December 2025 12:00PM – 2:00PM
Come meet adoptable dogs at Dog Star’s Bloomfield CT headquarters, plus learn about fostering, volunteering and donating.
Before you come:
– View all adoptable dogs: https://dogstarrescue.org/adoptable-dogs-in-connecticut/
– Submit this adoption application so we can begin the screening process: https://service.sheltermanager.com/asmservice?account=dogstarrescue&method=online_form_html&formid=29
Remember to check your email spam folder if you submit an application and don’t hear back! We require your email approval to proceed with the process and will always email you within 24 hours.
Hosted By: Dog Star Rescue (860) 461-0848
Location: 12 Tobey Rd, Bloomfield, CT 06002
VFW Post 308 Family/Kids Christmas Party
VFW Post 308 Family/Kids Christmas Party
On Dec 20th, the VFW will be having their family/kids Christmas party from 2-5pm! We will also have pizza at this event. SANTA WILL BE THERE! So make sure your kids decide what they want from the North Pole. The big guy has been super busy but made time to drop by.
Hosted by:
(203) 426-9316
Location:
18 Tinkerfield Rd,
Newtown, CT 06470
Jewett City VFW Ugly Sweater Party
Jewett City VFW Ugly Sweater Party
Saturday,
December 20th 2025
6pm
- CHARCUTERIE VILLAGE
- TUSCAN BRUSCHETTA
- PIGS N’ A BLANKET
- COCKTAIL MEATBALLS
- JUMBO WINGS
- COOKIE & BROWNIE PLATTER
$1.00 OFF ANY DRINK
FREE FOOD
- UGLY SWEATER CONTEST
- RAFFLES
- $25 YANKEE SWAP
- MUSIC
Hosted by:
Jewett City VFW POST 10004 (860) 376-5226
Location: 263 Taylor Hill Rd, Jewett City, CT 06351
Latin Food at the Bunker Danbury DAV
Latin Food at the Bunker Danbury DAV
DECEMBER SATURDAY 20TH
7PM UNTIL CLOSE
LATIN FOOD $15
CHOICES OF EITHER:
Pollo Al horno (Baked chicken)
Pernil (pork shoulder)
Comes With:
- Arroz con gandules (rice with gandules)
- En salads de Patatas (potato salad)
- Tostones (fried green plantains)
Empanadas- Beef or Philly cheese steak $2.00
Mini Tres Leche cake- $4.00
Hosted by:
The Bunker Bar at Danbury DAV (203) 743-3013
Location: Danbury DAV Lee Hartell Chapter 25
25 Segar St,
Danbury, CT 06810
VFW Post 6573 Kid’s Christmas Party
VFW Post 6573 Kid’s Christmas Party
SUNDAY,
DECEMBER 21ST, 2025
2PM-4PM
JOIN US FOR A Kids christmas party
This event is for children ages 1 – 9.
RSVP your children at Post 6573
Hosted by:
VFW Post 6573 (860) 443-0442
Location: 382 Boston Post Rd, Waterford, CT 06385
VFW Post 9460 Ugly Sweater Potluck Christmas Party
VFW Post 9460 Ugly Sweater Potluck Christmas Party
Sunday December 21, 2025. 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Bring a snack or dessert* Sign up at the Post ’tis the season TO ROCK UGLY SWEATERS
Christmas Trivia, Music, Ugly Sweater Contest. Fun, Friends and Good Cheer A Donation to the Post is requested, if you can’t bring a snack or dessert.
Hosted By: Raymond T Goldbach VFW Post 9460 (203) 377-0214
Location: 100 Veterans Blvd, Stratford, CT 06615
American Legion Post 27 Members Christmas Party
American Legion Post 27 Members Christmas Party
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21ST
AT 4:00 PM.
It’s our annual POST 27 MEMBERS CHRISTMAS PARTY
JOIN US FOR A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT OF CHEER AND FUN
POTLUCK SIGN UP SHEET AT THE BAR
Hosted by:
American Legion Post 27 Litchfield
(860) 567-9930
Location:
418 Bantam Rd,
Litchfield, CT 06759
Friendly Hands Food Bank’s 1st Annual Veterans Christmas Food Party
Friendly Hands Food Bank’s 1st Annual Veterans Christmas Food Party
Monday
December 22nd, 2025
12 noon-2 pm
Free to all VETERANS
- FOOD
- GIFTS
- SANTA
- MUSIC
- & more to honor all VETS
Call to Reserve Your Spot (860)482-3338
Hosted by:
Friendly Hands Food Bank (860) 482-3338
Location:
789 Winsted Rd,
Torrington, CT 06790
Christmas Eve Breakfast at Port 5
Christmas Eve Breakfast at Port 5
Wednesday,
December 24th 2025
at 10:00am
Advanced sign up required Seating is limited
A $15.00 no show fee will apply
Hosted by:
Port 5 National Association of Naval Veterans
(203) 576-9366
Location:
69 Brewster St,
Bridgeport, CT 06605
Holiday Horsemanship Camp (Veteran Opened Business)
Holiday Horsemanship Camp (Veteran Opened Business)
Looking for something fun for the kids or the whole family during Christmas break? Bring them to the barn for our Holiday Horsemanship Camp — now open to ALL AGES! The more the merrier!
📅 Dates: December 29–30
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
📍 Operation Hold Your Horses / JLS Mission Equine
302 South Rd, Harwinton, CT
We slashed the price to just $45 per day to make this easier on everyone’s holiday budget. ❤️
This is a great way to spend the break, make memories, and enjoy hands-on time at the barn (no riding).
✨ Sign up now before this fills up!
Message the page or text Jennifer Smith at 860-329-5811 to reserve your spot.
Let’s wrap up the year with barn fun and holiday cheer! 🎅🐴🌟
Hosted by: JLS Mission Equine, Operation Hold Your Horses & Jennifer Louise Smith (860) 329-5811
Location: 302 S Rd,
Harwinton, CT 06791
Port 5 New Year’s Party
Port 5 New Year’s Party
12/31/2025
THE FUN STARTS AT 7:00 PM
ENTERTAINMENT BY DJ JEFF
$50.00 PER PERSON NON-REFUNDABLE includes champagne toast and party favors appetizers, dinner & dessert
Dinner menu includes:
- Baked stuffed sole with crab meat
- Eggplant rollatini
- Sirloin tips w/gorgonzola
- Chicken francese
- Twice baked potatoes
- Green bean almondine
- Garden Salad w/rolls.
Advanced payment & sign up by 12/26 -See the Bartender for details.
Hosted by:
Port 5 National Association of Naval Veterans
(203) 576-9366
Location:
69 Brewster St,
Bridgeport, CT 06605
The Bunker at Danbury DAV New Year’s Party
The Bunker at Danbury DAV New Year’s Party
Wednesday,
DECEMBER 31, 2025
7PM
MIDNIGHT CHAMPAGNE TOAST
RON/STU
SUPER BOWL POOL
NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION
Join Ronnie and Stu for a New Year’s celebration. Enjoy a free champagne toast at midnight, dollar wings, and a food menu available all night.
Hosted by: Stuart Anderson & The Bunker at Danbury DAV Lee Hartell Chapter 25
(203) 743-3013
Location:
25 Segar St,
Danbury, CT 06810
2026 Frozen Jiblets Ride
2026 Frozen Jiblets Ride
It’s that time of year, time to get those nut warmers out 🔩🧊
On New Year’s Day, American Infidels VMC Connecticut Chapter is hosting our annual Frozen Jiblets Ride. Unless you’re just one of those folks who ride 2 months a year…
Registration is at 1100, at the Brown Derby Lodge
$20 per bike, $10 per passenger
KSU is noon (route dependant on weather; will decide day of)
End point is The Social in New London
This year’s proceeds are going to Army Sgt. Jon Harmon of the 82nd Airborne Sgt. Harmon is joining WBS Charity Foundation in “The Leap to Charity” jump into Normandy, June of 2026
Show up, ride bikes, eat food, and enjoy a veteran. 🇺🇸1️⃣9️⃣
Hosted by:
Location: Brown Derby Lounge, 158 Norwich-New London Turnpike,
Uncasville, CT 06382
All You Can Eat Steak Dinner @ Plainfield VFW
All You Can Eat Steak Dinner @ Plainfield VFW
2nd Friday each month, Sept-May,
530 pm meal
All you can eat.
Steak dinner with
- potato
- veggies
- salad
- & rolls.
Draft Beer & Soda.
ONLY $30 per person!!!
For tix or info, call the Post @ 860-564-5446
Hosted by:
WILLIAM L. MERCIER VFW POST 5446 (860) 564-5446
Location: 7 Winsor Ave, Plainfield, CT 06374
Behind Citizens Bank
AMERICAN LEGION POST 17 MILITARY MONDAY
AMERICAN LEGION POST 17 MILITARY MONDAY
Monday, February 9th, 2026
3:00pm – Close
Puerto Vallarta Restaurant, Newington
2385 Berlin Turnpike, Newington
Plan to dine at
20% of Food & Beverage sales will be donated to Post 117
Hosted by:
(860) 706-9367
Location:
2385 Berlin Tpke,
Newington, CT 06111