The holidays are here and throughout Connecticut, people are celebrating with different festivals, events, or decorations to help put residents and visitors in the holiday spirit! Check out this list of things to experience in Connecticut during the holiday season.
December 4 – Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Walk Elm Street and enjoy festivities including singing carols and musical performances. Spot holiday characters like Frosty the Snowman, the Grinch, and Rudolph roaming around. See the arrival of Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus who will light the tree in New Canaan’s shopping district.
Time: 5pm – 9pm
Address:
91 Elm Street
New Canaan, CT
Admission: Free
December 4 – Firelight Festival
Enjoy outdoor fires, popcorn, roasted marshmallows, s'mores, hot cider, and hot chocolate while visiting Connecticut's oldest house after dark. See the exhibit Holidaze: The Real Story of Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas, a reading of The Night Before Christmas and holiday ornament crafts.
Time: 4pm – 8pm
Address:
248 Old Whitfield St
Guilford, CT
Admission: $8 Adults; $6 Seniors & Students; $5 Children; under 6 Free
December 5 – Holiday Stroll & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Have your picture taken with Santa at Ralph Lauren Children's Store. See a magician, many holiday characters, and a brass ensemble bringing live music to the streets. An ice sculptor will be on hand at three different locations where you can see several characters being created from a block of ice.
Time: 10am – 4pm
Address:
115 Elm Street
New Canaan, CT
Admission: Free
December 5 – Winter Stroll
Enjoy an evening of music and chorus singers, a visit with Santa, activities for kids and more. There will be free samples of holiday treat and drinks as well as entertainment. At the Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center (300 Main St.) at 5:30pm - there will be a lighting of the "Heroes Tree" where those gathered around the tree will pay tribute to the deceased, the injured, and currently active members of our armed forces from Connecticut
Time: 5pm – 8pm
Address:
310 Main St.
Old Saybrook, CT
Admission: Free
November 27 – December 12 - Gingerbread House Festival
The library will be transformed into a winter wonderland as local artisans and bakers show off their talents with an incredible array of candy covered houses. Many creations will be for sale along with other holiday themed gifts and treats in the Gingerbread Shoppe. Musical performances and decorating demonstrations will be scattered throughout the festival providing patrons with an uplifting and creative break during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
Time: Monday, Thursday, Friday - 10am - 8pm; Saturday & Sunday - 10am - 6pm
Address:
Wood Memorial Library and Museum
783 Main St.
South Windsor, CT
Admission: Free
November 27 – December 20 – Holiday Lights
Witness a spectacular light show every half hour at the main gate with tens of thousands of dancing lights set to holiday music. Have fun on Kiddieland rides and family themed rides, including a train that is transformed into the North Pole Railway. Find strolling carolers, ice carvings, and festive entertainment along the grounds. Some indoor activities include cookie decorating, gingerbread house making, writing a letter to Santa and children listening to story time with Mrs. Claus.
Time: Friday - 4pm - 9pm; Saturday & Sunday - 5pm - 9pm
Address:
Lake Compounce Theme Park
186 Enterprise Drive
Bristol, CT 06010
Admission: Adult $14; Seniors & Children - $12. Children under 3 FREE
November 27 – December 20 – Santa’s Trolley Winter Wonderland
Take a ride into the past and enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate. Children can visit with Santa and will receive a small gift from him. The museum transforms itself into a wonderland of festive holiday lights.
Time: 10:30am - 7pm
Address:
Shore Line Trolley Museum
17 River St
East Haven, CT
Admission: Adults - $10; Seniors - $8; Children (2-15) $6
November 27 – December 20 – Santa Express
Take a train ride aboard the daytime Santa Express with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and friendly elves, along the Naugatuck River in the warm and comfortable 1920s vintage coaches. Each child on the train will receive a gift. Santa will spend time with each family during the ride.
Time: Depart at 2pm
Address:
Railroad Museum of New England
242 East Main St
Thomaston, CT
Admission: Free Parking; Adults $18; Seniors and Children (3-12) $16
November 27 – December 22 - Northern Lights Limited
Enjoy an evening train ride with a festival of lights both inside and outside the train. Journey to Santa's Train Workshop where Santa will board and greet everyone during the 80-minute train ride. Santa will spend time with each family. Elves on the train will lead you in sing-alongs, while there is live music at the station and holiday decorations everywhere. Kids will receive a gift from Santa
Time: Depart at 5pm & 7pm
Address:
Railroad Museum of New England
242 East Main St
Thomaston, CT
Admission: Free Parking; Everyone - $25. Under 3 – Free
December 5-6; 12-13; 19-20; 23; 26-27 – Santa Special
All aboard the Santa Special for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Little ones can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the 1-hour journey. Relax with family and friends aboard the decorated railway cars. Rudolph and Pablo the Penguin will spread some holiday cheer. Each child will receive a small holiday gift from Santa's elves.
Time: Depart at 11:30am; 1:00pm; 2:30pm
Address:
Essex Steam Train
1 Railroad Ave.
Essex, CT
Admission: Parlor Car - $40; Coach - $20
December 1-6; 8-13; 15-23; 26-29 – North Pole Express
Board the sleigh for a magical nighttime journey to the North Pole. Every coach becomes a stage for a life music performance of The Night Before Christmas. Celebrate with Santa and Mrs. Claus, sing-a-longs, hot chocolate, and sugar cookies. Take a trip to the North Pole to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus and witness trackside displays. Children will receive a small gift from Santa. Children are invited to wear their favorite pajamas.
Time: Depart at 5pm; 5:30pm; 7pm; 7:30pm
Address:
Essex Steam Train
1 Railroad Ave.
Essex, CT
Admission: Parlor Car - $65; Coach - $32
November 27 – December 30 – Winter Fest & The Tunnel of Lights
Dress warm and bring blankets so you can enjoy a trolley ride on the open "electric" sleigh. Sing traditional Christmas carols as you travel down the track. Inside the Visitors Center, there are model trains, hundreds of decorations, and entertainment. Santa will be there until December 20th and will give a gift to each child. Enjoy the holidays with warm cocoa and music.
Time: 5pm - 9pm; December 26 - 30 - 6pm - 9pm
Address:
Connecticut Trolley Museum
58 North Rd
East Windsor, CT
Admission: Adults - $12; Seniors $10; Children (2-12) - $8; under 2 - $3
November 26 – January 1 – Holiday Light Fantasia
Enjoy a two-mile light show that transforms Goodwin Park into a drive through wonderland of holiday spirit with a beautiful collection of more than 1 million lights. There will be holiday scenes with familiar characters and local tributes that shine bright in over 200 individual displays. The lights celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years and Three Kings Day.
Time: Sunday - Thursday - 5pm - 9pm; Friday & Saturday - 5pm - 10pm
Address:
Goodwin Park
1130 Maple Ave
Hartford, CT
Admission: $15 per car
November 10 – January 6 – Fantasy of Lights
Drive through more than 60 attractions including animated and LED light displays. See over 100,000 lights and show it off on social media using #fantasyoflights.
Time: Sunday - Thursday - 5pm - 9pm; Friday & Saturday - 5pm - 10pm
Address:
Lighthouse Point Park
2 Lighthouse Road
New Haven, CT
Admission: Vehicles $10; Minibus - $25; Bus $50
November 24 – January 6 – Festival of Silver Lights
Illumination of more than 350,000 twinkling white lights with over 200 figures and building that are decorated.
Time: 5pm - Midnight
Address:
Hubbard Park
1000 West Main St.
Meriden, CT
Admission: Free
