GIVING
I hate Giving Tuesday. It goes: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday. What? So, only after you have shelled out money everywhere else should you consider charitable giving? False. For this reason, we list giving first.
- BiCi Co. — community bike space on Park Street that includes job training and safety classes.
- Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz — it’s free to attend, but not free to organize this weekend of music every year.
- HartBeat Ensemble — professional theater.
- Hartford Animal Shelter — finds homes for animals.
- Hartford Food System — Hartford Mobile Market, North End Farmers’ Market, and more.
- ImmaCare — emergency shelter, permanent supportive housing, outreach, education and employment.
- KNOX — community gardens, public trees and flowers,
Connecticut Historical Society, Elizabeth Street and Hartford Blooms.
- WWUH — public alternative radio
EXPERIENCES
See the Real Hartford calendar for mostly free and low-cost options. This gives you a chance to support local businesses and artists without generating a lot of things likely destined for the landfill.
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY
Yelp Shops Local: Shop Small Bus Crawl 11/28 — Meet up at Hartford Prints! on Pratt Street. There will be pop-up shops here, along with refreshments. Get on a bus to check out locally-owned businesses in Middletown and New Haven, and eat some more.
BAZAARS
- Reanimate: 2nd Annual Pop-Up Art Bazaar & Marketplace 12/6 — ArtSpace Gallery (555 Asylum St.)
Connecticut Science Center will be hosting this art bazaar.
- Old State House Holiday Shopping Fair 12/8-12/10 — Connecticut Vendors
- Hartford Holiday Bazaar 12/11 & 12/12 — One day at Hartford Prints!, the next at 30 Bartholomew Avenue. Local vendors.
SHOP THE GIFT SHOP
Tony C
Thanks for the BiCi Co. shout out. Agreed that as a civil society, would be best to consider giving and community organizations first. Thanks for making that important statement. Happy Thanksgiving!