In Bethel, the northern Fairfield County town just southeast of Danbury, the day after Thanksgiving has a plan downtown. Bethel Arts is holding its Winterfest Artisan Indoor Market at the Bethel Municipal Center on Friday, November 27, from 1 to 6 p.m., and on Greenwood Avenue, the town's own movie theater, Greenwood Features, is open Thursday through Sunday with $5 tickets every Thursday.

The artisan market

Bethel Arts, a local arts organization, runs the market as part of downtown Bethel's Winterfest. Artists and makers sell their own work indoors at the Municipal Center, 1 School Street. Last year's edition, the first, was a short afternoon pop-up; this year the market runs five hours, from 1 to 6 p.m. Bethel Arts is still signing up artisans, and space is limited.

Bethel Arts lists the Connecticut Office of the Arts, part of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, as a sponsor, and it plans events, classes and workshops for residents of all ages. Its announcements list is on its website.

The theater down the street

Greenwood Features occupies the building at 269 Greenwood Avenue that was home to the Bethel Cinema. Bethel residents Jaimie and Frank reopened it in 2022, according to the theater, so the town would not lose its movie house. It shows new releases, classics, independent and foreign films on four screens.

The building is also a live venue now. Greenwood Features hosts live music, comedy, shadow casts, themed dinner-and-movie nights, school field trips and private events, and its stage room seats 146. The theater is actively booking bands, comedians and theater groups for that room.

Tickets, and the $5 day

  • Thursdays: $5 for every show, all day, for everyone.
  • Matinees from noon to 2 p.m.: $10.
  • Adults: $12.
  • Seniors 65 and older, children under 12, college students with ID and active military: $10.

Regular hours are Thursday through Sunday from noon until the last show, with special holiday openings announced by email, on social media and on the theater's website. Refunds are given in person only, before the start of the film or event.

For frequent moviegoers, the theater sells prepaid packs through its loyalty club: 12 tickets for $120 for adults or $100 for seniors, 18 visits for a couple for $288, and 16 visits for a family of up to four for $400, each good for a year. Basic membership is free and earns points on tickets and concessions. Gift cards are sold online for the holidays.

What is at the concession stand

The popcorn is organic, made with coconut oil, with real butter on request. Much of the rest comes from nearby: gelato from Newbury Gelato in Brookfield, with a nondairy option, and coffee from Redding Roasters in Bethel. There is a full bar with local craft beer, wine and cocktails, and concessions, including drinks, can be bought to go.

Getting there

Greenwood Features is at 269 Greenwood Avenue, and the theater can be reached at 475-256-1130. The Bethel Municipal Center is at 1 School Street. Bethel has its own station on Metro-North's Danbury Branch. Showtimes are posted on the theater's home page, and artisan signups for Winterfest are on the Bethel Arts website.

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