By: Kiersten Sipe

On December 4th, West Hartford center transformed into a winter wonderland pulled straight from a Hallmark film. Under the stars of a newly dawning winter, fairy lights transported that glow, while Christmas trees and garland filled the streets with lushness. Lining the sidewalks were folding tables evolved into vessels of holiday joy, laden with food, drink, and activities. Thousands of people filled the streets of West Hartford center with holiday cheer, marking the 38th anniversary of the beloved event–and possibly the coldest; frigid temperatures in the 20s and a wind that licked skin into seasonal shivers painted the night as a true celebration of winter.

 

On the streets of the center during the stroll, the air was filled with caroling, children’s laughter, and pleasant conversation, and you didn’t have to try to smell hot chocolate through the crowd. The classic winter beverage could be found at Bar Taco, also boasting fresh churros; inside of Kimberly Boutique, a refuge from the cold; and, most notably, The Place 2 Be, whose queue wraps around sidewalk corners, whose hot cocoas float tiny rubber duckies on their steaming surfaces, and whose tent blew multiple feet off the ground in the wind while people were being served.

 

Hot chocolate was not the only treat being served at the stroll: Boqueria ladled hot apple cider into cups; Chip City, Playa Bowls, and Bridgewater offered delicious samples; Cafe Sofia baked crepes at their storefront, drawing long lines; Ace Hardware handed out popcorn; and Treva served roasted chestnuts, delectable and appropriate for the season.

 

If the 2025 Holiday Stroll was rich in food, it had an equal plethora of exciting activities. The Next Chapter hosted arts and crafts, the store crowded and lively for the whole run of the stroll. Lil Hope offered kids a chance to write a letter to Santa. Organizations such as Friends of Feiney and Westmore 4-H set up tables offering candy canes and bracelets. Lottery prizes of mini Christmas trees were drawn inside the church, an annual tradition.

 

However, the star of the Holiday Stroll remains the Kaod Rugs petting zoo. Every year, the store opens up its doors to its animal friends of the Connecticut Children’s Museum. On December 4th, guests entered the store and were greeted by a possum, a lizard, a bunny, and a snake among the landscape of rugs piled up like sand dunes. The animals were friendly and allowed visitors of all ages to pet them, bringing joy to children and adults alike. 

 

The 38th anniversary of the Holiday Stroll will go down in West Hartford history as a cold and wintery night that brought holiday cheer to thousands.