Downtown Shelton has set the date for the start of its holiday season. The 13th annual Community Tree Lighting and Holiday Market takes over the Rotary Pavilion at Veterans Memorial Park on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5 to 9 p.m., and the tree is lit at 6:30 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive shortly after, riding in on the Echo Hose Hook & Ladder fire truck.

The next morning, the Friends of the Shelton Libraries open their Winter Book Sale at Plumb Memorial Library. Together the two fill the first weekend of December for anyone who lives in Shelton, Huntington or the neighborhoods in between.

Friday: the tree, the market and Santa

The tree lighting is organized by Celebrate Shelton, and it is held rain or shine. It is an outdoor evening in December, and the organizers ask guests to dress warmly.

Here is what the evening includes, according to Celebrate Shelton:

  • The holiday market. Local artisans sell handmade goods through the evening. The 2026 vendor list has not been posted yet, and the organizers are still signing up vendors through a form on their website.
  • Hot cocoa and cookies, free.
  • Holiday performances by family-friendly acts still to be announced.
  • Santa and Mrs. Claus, arriving by fire truck after the lighting. Children can bring a letter for Santa and have a photo taken with him.

The event also collects for Toys 4 Kids, a TEAM Inc. program. Guests are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy for a child from newborn to age 12. Celebrate Shelton has even posted a Community Tree Lighting playlist on Spotify for anyone who wants to get in the mood on the drive down.

Saturday: the Winter Book Sale

On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Friends of the Shelton Libraries hold their Winter Book Sale in the Book Nook at Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale is cash only, and the money goes to the Shelton Library System, which runs both of the city's public libraries.

The library's children's department is running a small fundraiser alongside it: a Holiday Tonies fundraiser, with tickets at six for $5, cash only. Tickets are available from Plumb's children's librarian and at the book sale itself.

Plan the weekend

  • Tree lighting and holiday market: Friday, Dec. 4, 5 to 9 p.m., tree lit at 6:30 p.m. Rotary Pavilion, Veterans Memorial Park, downtown Shelton. Cocoa and cookies are free. Bring a new, unwrapped toy if you can.
  • Winter Book Sale: Saturday, Dec. 5, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Plumb Memorial Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton. Cash only.

Questions about the tree lighting go to Celebrate Shelton at celebrateshelton@gmail.com or 203-520-0387, and the vendor list will be posted on its website once it is set. Library hours and the rest of the December calendar are on the Shelton Library System's site. Note that both Shelton libraries close at 3 p.m. on Nov. 25 and stay closed on Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after.

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