Stamford Downtown is excited to announce the return of the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular. The holiday season will officially kick off in Stamford Downtown on November 23 with the 32nd annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular . The parade is one of the largest of its kind in the country, with giant helium balloons drawing approximately 100,000 spectators annually. This parade is produced and funded by Stamford Downtown Special Services District with generous support from local property owners and businesses. Planned highlights of the parade include 15 giant balloons including favorites Bumble the Abominable Snowman, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Elmo, Mistletoe the Snowman, Mr. Potato Head, Oscar the Grouch, Peppa Pig, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Shrek, Super Grover, and more to be announced. In addition to the procession's signature balloons, the streets will be filled with music from the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, Fairfield County Pipes & Drums and high school marching bands from Westhill, Brentwood, Uniondale and Wyandanch. New to the parade this year are the Pride of Port Chester High School Marching Band, Ballet Folklórico de las Américas (BFAmericas) and the Ballet School of Stamford. Additional fabulous groups include Center Stage Dance Studio, City Center Dance Performing Company, Dance on the DL, Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford and The Pulse Performing Arts Studio's nova jazz., fabulous Floats, the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, Santa and more! Colin Cosell, Public Address Announcer for the New York Mets and New York Riptide, will return as the parade’s Master of Ceremonies. The parade is scheduled to begin at noon on Sunday, November 23 at the intersection of Summer Street and Hoyt Street and conclude on Atlantic Street and Federal Street, just a short block from the Stamford Transportation Center served by Metro-North Railroad, Amtrak, and CTtransit. On the eve of the parade, the Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party will be held on Saturday, November 22 from 3-6 p.m. at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Summer Street. This pre-parade event has been hosted by Stamford-based Point72 Asset Management since 2014 and allows spectators a behind-the-scenes look at the balloons as they come to life. Music, parade talent, cartoon characters, and Santa will greet and delight spectators. For more information or to see what’s happening in Stamford Downtown, please visit https://stamford-downtown.com/event/stamford-downtown-parade-spectacular/ or follow us @stamforddowntown . About Stamford Downtown Special Services District: Stamford Downtown Special Services District is responsible for creating, managing and promoting a quality environment for people, which enhances the economic vitality of Stamford Downtown. www.stamford-downtown.com

The Avon Theatre Film Center celebrated an extraordinary night of music, film, and legacy at its 2025 Lifetime Achievement Gala honoring Clive Davis, the legendary record producer and five-time GRAMMY® Award winner whose influence has shaped generations of artists. The sold-out event on October 14th featured live performances, heartfelt tributes, and a star-studded celebration of Davis’s almost six-decade music career. Highlights included: Musical performances by Ryan Shaw (“Bridge Over Troubled Water”), Mandy Gonzalez (“Don’t Cry Out Loud”), Paul Shaffer (“Piano Man”), and Capathia Jenkins (“I Will Always Love You”), with Todd Ellison serving as music director. Video tributes from Barbra Streisand, Martha Stewart, Melissa Manchester, and Stevie Wonder honored Davis’s unmatched contributions to the industry. Presentation of the award by Pat Houston, who delivered an emotional tribute recognizing Davis’s enduring mentorship and his pivotal role in shaping Whitney Houston’s career.  The evening concluded with all performers joining together for a moving rendition of “That’s What Friends Are For,” bringing the audience to its feet in celebration of friendship, artistry, and shared history. Proceeds from the gala support the Avon Theatre’s nonprofit mission to present independent, foreign, and documentary films, and to expand its educational and cultural programming in the heart of downtown Stamford. In addition to the live event, the Avon’s online auction remains open through October 28, offering exclusive items, experiences, and collectibles to benefit the theatre. Bidding details can be found here .