'Tis the season for holiday fun and more things to do in Connecticut this weekend. Kid's Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
Princess Tea, Carriage Rides, and More Things To Do in CT This Weekend
Cozy up to some holiday fun in Connecticut as December 2024 brings a little joy to the Nutmeg State! Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
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Connecticut is full of happiness, joy, and free Christmas and holiday activities, like Santa at Cabela's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of Bass pro Shops
20 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Connecticut for Kids
Raise a hand if you're excited for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut! Magic of Lights photo courtesy of the XL Center
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Connecticut
Polar Express trains are coming to towns all over New England for Christmas 2024! Essex Steam Train Railroad photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2024
Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway
Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens
Our ultimate family bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut before kids grow up. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
100 Things To Do in Connecticut Before Kids Grow Up
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
Groupon's online marketplace offers tons of discounts on activities for kids and families.
Save On Top-Rated Connecticut Outings and Experiences for Kids and Families
By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
Best Petting Zoos in Connecticut: Animals Up Close at Farms and Petting Zoos
New England Family Travel Guide
Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
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Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes
Best Breakfast Restaurants in Connecticut
As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel
Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors
Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut.
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Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the
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Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
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A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
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Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers
Flat walking trails make Wharton Brook State Park a sure bet for kid hikers. Photo by Mommy Poppins
A Dozen Short Hikes in Connecticut for Preschoolers and Toddlers
Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
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From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
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Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids
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Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons
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Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook
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Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook
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Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
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Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel
Best Nature Centers in Connecticut To Visit with Kids
We’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing!
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The festivities get downright magical with Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT! Photo courtesy of Dean Davids Magician
Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT That Come To You
Find family fare and great deals at these Connecticut restaurants where kids eat free! Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Connecticut for Kids

Get into the spirit of the season with holiday activities like Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Photo courtesy of XL Center
Get into the spirit of the season with holiday activities like Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Photo courtesy of XL Center
11/8/24 - By Jennifer Coe

Connecticut's Christmas season is here with a variety of holiday activities happening all over the state. There are so many Christmas events, it's hard to know where to start! Starting in November, get some reindeer snuggles at Bradley Mountain Farm. Or make the drive to see the Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium or the Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point in New Haven. Buy your tickets now for Visits on the Farm with Santa and Friends. And enjoy free events like the amazing Wood Library & Museum's Annual Gingerbread House Festival. 

For more seasonal fun in November and December, spend some time looking through our Connecticut Holiday Guide for things kids love to do. Like the top Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2024. For even more of latest and best family-friendly Christmas and holiday activities in CT, follow Mommy Poppins on Facebook and Instagram.

 

The top Christmas activities are lighting up Connecticut! Holiday Lights photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
The top Christmas activities are lighting up Connecticut! Holiday Lights photo courtesy of Lake Compounce

Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in Connecticut - Lights and Decorations

Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium

East Hartford
November 22, 2024 - January 4, 2025
Returning for a third year, the family-friendly drive-through holiday lights festival with a tremendous amount of twinkling and magical light displays to celebrate our grandest holiday of the year comes to Pratt & Whitney Stadium. READ MORE

Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven

New Haven
November 22 - December 31, 2024
The Fantasy of Lights has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families from all over Connecticut and New England. The mile-long route features over 60 displays and 100,000 lights. Many of the displays are animated and some are fitted with LED bulbs, making them more colorful and vibrant.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village

Mystic
November 29, 2024 - January 23, 2025
Olde Mistick Village has created an old fashioned Holiday Light Spectacular for you and your family. In fact, this event will be the largest holiday lights display in southern New England! READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce

Bristol
November 29 - December 29, 2024
Make Your Season Sparkle at Lake Compounce’s Holiday Lights. Bring your family and celebrate the return of New England’s Favorite Holiday Tradition. Take a stroll among hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, and marvel at the tallest Christmas tree in the state.  READ MORE

Lantern Light Village at Mystic Seaport

Mysticbr> December 6 - December 21, 2024
Take a journey through time this holiday season at Mystic Seaport Museum! What connects the festive seasons of bygone days to the present? The spirit of love that enchants us all. Love for each other, for seasonal traditions of every kind, for twinkling lights and carolers. READ MORE
All we want for Christmas are some fun things to do with the family! Santa Visits photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
All we want for Christmas are some fun things to do with the family! Santa Visits photo courtesy of Flamig Farm

Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in Connecticut - Festivals

Winter Lantern Festival at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield
November 15 - February 9, 2024
Middlefield's "must-see" lighted holiday attraction is officially back! Lyman Orchards is hosting the Winter Lantern Festival starting November 15th - February 9th.  READ MORE

The Wood Library & Museum's Annual Gingerbread House Festival

South Windsor
November 29 - December 22, 2024
One of the largest gingerbread house displays in New England features an incredible array of candy covered houses. The Festival will take place at Wood Memorial Library on Main Street in South Windsor, and rest assured that we will implement any precautionary measures to keep patrons safe. READ MORE

16th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop presented by Jenny Allen Compass

Greenwich
November 29 - December 24, 2024
Santa and his three LIVE reindeer return to Greenwich for the 16th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop. A cherished town tradition continues for the sixteenth consecutive year at this expansive nursery where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also enjoy Santa’s Workshop. READ MORE

Annual Santa's Farm at Indian Rock

Bristol
December 6 - December 22, 2024
Celebrate the holiday season with s’mores, caroling, cookies & hot cocoa, crafts, and of course, visiting with the farm animals. READ MORE

Holiday Carnival at Olde Mistick Village

Mystic
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Stroll around the Olde Mistick Village to view custom decorated wreaths, enjoy live music, visit with Santa, find great gifts, and more.  READ MORE

Visits on the Farm With Santa and Friends

Simsbury
Weekends in December 2024
Visit with Santa, Mrs Claus and the Grinch (great picture opportunities!), enjoy a trolley ride with Frosty out to Reindeer land and visit our outdoor petting zoo and have a free cup of grain to feed the animals. READ MORE
All aboard for Christmas fun in Connecticut in 2024! Photo courtesy of The Shore Line Trolley Museum
All aboard for Christmas fun in Connecticut in 2024! Photo courtesy of The Shore Line Trolley Museum

Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in Connecticut - Holiday Happenings

"Reindeer" Goat Snuggles at Lyman Farms

Southington
November 16 - December 22, 2024
Start a new holiday tradition and come snuggle with Bradley Mountain Farm's Reindeer Goats! Relax, spread some cheer, and create wonderful holiday memories. Dress up the goats in their festive costumes, give them a brush, and take some selfies. READ MORE

Santa Express and Northern Lights Limited at the Naugatuck Railroad

Thomaston
November 23 - December 23, 2024
The Naugatuck Railroad offers two different Christmas train experiences: the daytime Santa Express and the evening Northern Lights Limited.  READ MORE

Visit Santa At The Shore Line Trolley Museum

East Haven
November 29 - December 22, 2024
Come and take a ride to visit Santa and grab your holiday photos!  Take a stroll through the decorated trolley barns and take a ride on a real antique trolley car.  The station and trolley yard will be decorated for the holidays so there are plenty of photo ops.   Dress for cool temps! READ MORE

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum

East Windsor
November 29 - December 30, 2024
Halls are decked inside and outside at the Connecticut Trolley Museum with more than 15,000 lights for this annual event. Guests board enclosed trolley cars for a ride down a tunnel of lights as they sing traditional Christmas carols with their trolley car operators. READ MORE

Holiday Express Train Show

Fairfield
December 7 - December 31, 2024
Young and old alike delight in the large and small scale model trains winding around spectacular winter villages and beautiful holiday scenery.  READ MORE
Holiday shows hit the stage all over Connecticut for 2024. A Christmas Carol at the Legacy Theatre. Production photo by Sam Bibbins.
Holiday shows hit the stage all over Connecticut for 2024. A Christmas Carol at the Legacy Theatre. Production photo by Sam Bibbins.

Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in Connecticut - Shows and Performances

The Christmas Story Onstage at the Goodspeed

East Haddam
November 1 - December 27, 2024
Goodspeed unwraps a glittering musical version of the beloved movie classic just in time for the holidays. The only thing little Ralphie wants for Christmas is a BB gun. But to get it, he must navigate all the obstacles of the yuletide season. READ MORE

World Ballet Company Nutcracker in Stamford

Stamford
Friday, November 29, 2024
The most favorite Christmas classic of all is coming to the Palace Theatre this Holiday Season and you are invited to the show! A part of the World Ballet Series, the Nutcracker is performed live by a multinational cast of 50 professional ballet dancers gathered to bring the most beloved holiday tradition to life. READ MORE

Santa Story 2 at the Cabaret Theater

Bridgeport
November 30 - December 29, 2024
At the North Pole, Jolly and Joy, two enthusiastic elves, are left in charge while Santa and Mrs. Kringle are away. Everything seems under control until disaster strikes—the workshop falls into chaos, when an evil gingerbread man launches a plot to destroy Christmas and ruin Santa’s reputation. READ MORE

A Christmas Carol at the Legacy Theatre

Branford
December 4 -December 15, 2024
A Christmas Carol returns to the Legacy Theatre.This classic tale by Charles Dickens has been reimagined for the Legacy stage as a festive musical with light, life, and joy. Adapted and directed by Artistic Director and Legacy co-founder, Keely Baisden Knudsen, and with music by David Bell, this story illuminates the journey of one Ebeneezer Scrooge and his guided self-reflection amidst the Christmas season in 1800s England. READ MORE

The Fantastic Toyshop in Hartford

Hartford
December 7 & 8, 2024
It’s 1943, and it's Christmas Eve in Hartford. Virginia and her mother are preparing for the holiday. With Virginia’s father away at war, the season does not feel the same, but Virginia is still determined to make this Christmas special. The G.Fox & Co. Toyshop is the most fantastic place during Christmastime in the city.  READ MORE

Sleeping Beauty in Waterbury

Waterbury
Saturday, December 14, 2024
Witness the captivating performance by the State Ballet Theatre of Ukraine as they tell the story of Princess Aurora, cursed to a century-long slumber by the evil fairy Carabosse. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Fairfield Museum and Historical Society