Need a Respite from Holiday Shopping? There's Plenty To Do in Greenwich This Weekend

It's the weekend and if you're looking for diversions from frenetic holiday shopping, we've got just the ticket. 

Here are some highlights from Greenwich Patch's extensive events calendar with events for young and older.

Happy Anniversary!
Get a jumpstart on your holiday exercise resolution by dropping by Pure Barre that is celebrating its first anniversary on Friday, Dec. 13 with an open house, free classes, complimentary refreshments, and trunks shows will be available.

A 'Grinchy' Dance for Sixth-Graders
It's the "The Grinch Who Stole Arch Street" at The Arch Street Teen Center that's hosting a night of fun games, food, music and more featuring the Team Leggoo Dance Group for sixth-grade students on Friday, Dec. 13.

Celebrate the holidays on a small scale
It wouldn't be the holidays if The Bruce Museum didn't keep its exhibition tradition. A holiday exhibition of structures constructed in “small scale” that began in 1981. The exhibition, Inside the Artists’ Studios: Small-Scale Views, featuring artists’ studios created by four living artists – Joe Fig, Richard Haas, Lori Nix and Jimmy Sanders, can be seen this weekend.

Toys for Tots & Cookie Decorating
Decorate holiday cookies and drop off an unwrapped gift Saturday, Dec. 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Banksville Community House. There will be a contingent of U.S. Marines and Santa at noon. There also will be a Toys for Tots drop-off at the Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Department from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday where Santa will visit at 11 a.m.

The Glory of Christmas concert
Celebrate The Glory of Christmas by enjoying the works by Bach, Handel, Rutter, Wilcocks, and seasonal favorites. Dr. Sean Jackson, director of music and organist at Stanwich Congregational Church, will lead the Stanwich orchestra and choir at 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14.
 
47th Annual Messiah
The First Congregational Church of Greenwich continues their holiday tradition begun in 1966 with performances of the Messiah by the First Church Festival Chorus and Chamber Orchestra and soloists Hanna Golodinskii, soprano; Sarah Bleasdale, mezzo soprano; Blake Friedman, tenor; Samuel Hepler, bass; all under the direction of Dr. Craig Scott Symons, at the church meetinghouse Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 14 and 15. 

A Christmas Village in the heart of Greenwich
Get into the holiday spirit when Second Congregational Church is transformed into a “Christmas Village” in a free program for people of all ages Sunday, Dec. 15, at 4:30 p.m. Activities include a horse-drawn carriage ride, caroling, crafts, an inflatable snow village, decorated Main Street store windows, a chance to meet Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus, and a piano performance by church Music Director Alexander Constantine.
 
Live Nativity and caroling
The First United Methodist Church of Greenwich will re-create an outdoor Christmas nativity, in front of the church at 59 E. Putnam Ave., at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 15, along with a brass ensemble will accompany Christmas carol singing.