The Mansfield Downtown Partnership invites residents and visitors to celebrate the new season at its 8th Annual Winter Welcome! This year’s event will be a drive-through experience and will take place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Downtown Storrs. Winter Welcome is free and open to everyone.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season from a safe, social distance while driving the Winter Welcome route through Downtown Storrs. The route will be marked and closed to through traffic; it begins near Educational Playcare on Wilbur Cross Way.

Mansfield businesses and community organizations will have creative seasonal displays along the route, with lights, decorations, and even live performances.

Look for delightfully decorated trees created by local residents, businesses, and community organizations along the route. After the event, head to the Downtown Storrs Facebook page (@DowntownStorrs) to vote for your favorite tree. “Like” the image of your favorite tree; prizes will be awarded to the trees whose images receive the most likes.

Ice sculptures by the talented staff from UConn Dining Services will also be featured along the route along with a video display featuring submissions from local performing arts groups. And, keep an eye out for a certain jolly visitor!

To accommodate the event, the following downtown streets will be closed beginning at 4:00 PM:

Wilbur Cross Way from Elsie Marsh Way to Royce Circle
Royce Circle from Wilbur Cross Way to Dog Lane
One lane traffic on Dog Lane (no access to Storrs Road)
Bolton Road Ext.

There will be no on-street parking from noon until 8:00 PM on the above-listed streets.

The Downtown Storrs Parking Garage will be open as usual. To access the garage, follow Charles Smith Way to Wilbur Cross Way. Turn right onto Elsie Marsh Way and follow Elsie Marsh Way to Royce Circle.

For more information, please visit downtownstorrs.org/winterwelcome.