Holiday Spirit
Danbury Hosts Light the Lights - Winter Festival
On Saturday, December 5, 2026, downtown Danbury will transform into Winter Wonderland. From 4:00pm to 7:00pm, CityCenter Danbury, in partnership with the City of Danbury will host their annual “Light the Lights - Winter Festival” on the Green, located at 1 Ives Street.
The event, which is free for all to attend, will feature a 40’ tree that will be lit by Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves. Once the tree is lit, the fire truck parade will commence. Up to a dozen firehouse in the Danbury area will decorate a fire truck with lights. This is a beloved tradition of the Light the Lights Festival. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive on one of the trucks and be on hand for children to visit and parents to take photos.
Additionally, there will be vendors for holiday shopping and musical entertainment featuring a DJ and community performers. The Salvation Army will be on-hand with hot chocolate and soup for attendees to enjoy while they shop and take in the lights. Easy-access parking is available at the Patriot Garage, 21 Delay Street.
“We hope people will come and appreciate the beauty and holiday spirt of downtown Danbury,” says Lazaro Chaves, Executive Director CityCenter Danbury. “The event is free for all to attend thanks to the generosity of our sponsor Union Savings Bank.”
For more information, visit www.citycenterdanbury.com. To support the local Salvation Army, please go to salvationarmyusa.org/ct/Danbury/foster-street-corps/
Offering a Helping Hand
Family & Children’s Aid (FCA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the lives of children, families, and individuals throughout Connecticut. For more than a century, FCA has helped people overcome challenges, build resilience, and create brighter futures through a wide range of programs and services. From behavioral and mental health treatment and therapeutic foster care to community-based services, home-based support, afterschool programming, shelter for families experiencing homelessness, and many other programs, FCA provides critical resources that help individuals and families thrive.
Every day, FCA works to improve the well-being of the communities it serves by providing hope, healing, and support to those facing emotional and mental health challenges, family hardship, homelessness, and other life challenges. Its services empower children, families, and individuals to achieve stability, strengthen relationships, and build healthier futures.
The impact of FCA’s services is felt throughout the community. Says one former Harmony House resident, “FCA Harmony House provided a roof over our heads, food to eat, clothes for myself and my child, and resources that empowered me to leave spiritually, mentally, and physically better than when I entered.”
As the holiday season approaches, FCA is inviting the community to support its mission through year-end giving initiatives. Financial contributions help sustain critical programs and services that impact thousands of individuals each year, while donations of new, unused toys help bring joy to children and families during the holiday season. Together, these contributions directly benefit those in FCA’s care and help ensure that vital services remain available to those who need them most.
For more information about giving opportunities, visit