Bright Nights
Forest Park
Springfield, Massachusetts
November 22, 2017 – January 1, 2018 (closed November 27 & 28)
Head right over the Connecticut border for one of our favorite holiday light displays. Visitors can enjoy the holiday spirit from the warmth and comfort of their car or get out for a quick visit with Santa Claus. Opening night is just $6 per car and for other nights you can use this coupon for $3 off your entrance fee.
Check out our post from 2012 for more information.
Holiday Lights
Lake Compounce
Bristol, Connecticut
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 24 – December 30, 2017
Bundle up for a walk through a beautiful holiday light display and then warm up with a visit with Santa. Not only is the park decorated with lights, but several park rides are open as well. And new this year, you can buy tickets for a special Dinner with Santa event.
Check out our post from 2013 for more details.
Festival of Silver Lights
Hubbard Park
Meriden, Connecticut
November 21, 2017 – January 1, 2018
This FREE holiday light display is a fun family experience. Go before sunset and let the kids play on the nearby playground. Then bundle up for a walk or ride through the park!
See our post from 2012 for more information.
Holiday Light Fantasia
Goodwin Park
Hartford, Connecticut
November 23, 2017 – January 1, 2018
Visit this light display at Goodwin Park and help support the Channel 3 Kids Camp! The two-mile show includes over 1 million lights for you and your family to enjoy. Cost is $15 per car but you can get $2 off by using this coupon. Santa visits every Friday and Saturday from 5-8 pm.
See our post from 2011 for more information.
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Fantasy of Lights
Lighthouse Point Park
New Haven, Connecticut
November 17 – December 31, 2017
This is another great light display supporting a great cause, Goodwill of Southern New England. We like to combine a visit here with a trip to nearby Ikea beforehand for shopping and dinner. Cost is $10 per car.
See our post from 2013 for more information.
Bees, Fleas, and Trees
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree
Litchfield, Connecticut
Opening day December 2, 2017
A cut-your-own Christmas tree location that has been in business since 1973! Its name comes from the things raised on the farm: bees, goats (with fleas!), and trees. They are opening a little later than usual this year with opening day being December 2nd. One interesting fact about this destination is that it is owned by the parents of the famous writer, Elizabeth Gilbert. Find a selection of her books for sale right inside their barn and be sure to grab a cup of hot cocoa while you are there. Bring cash too for your tree. Prices range from $19-$49. This destination will definitely get you into the holiday spirit!
See our post from 2012 for more information.
Coward Farm
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree
Southwick, Massachusetts
Opens for the holiday season on November 24, 2017
Start your own family tradition by cutting down a Christmas tree at this picturesque destination located right over the Connecticut state line. They make it easy by providing all of the tools you need.
See our post from 2015 for more information.
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Dzen Tree Farm
Cut-Your-Own Christmas Tree
South Windsor, Connecticut
This destination can be a little difficult to find because there are similarly named tree farms in the area, but look for the “live reindeer” signs and you should find it easily. Trees are just $50 each (including tax) and supplies for cutting them down and securing them to your car are available there.
See our post from 2013 for more information.
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Holiday Express Train Show
Fairfield Museum
Fairfield, Connecticut
December 1, 2017 – January 7, 2018
This fun event features multiple train displays, festive trees, and beautiful holiday decorations. It is a magical experience for any train-loving child (or adult!).
Check out our post from 2014 for more information.
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Holiday Train Show
Connecticut River Museum
Essex, Connecticut
November 16, 2017 – February 19, 2018
This fun family destination is located in the adorable town of Essex. The train display is FREE with museum admission and museum admission is FREE for children under 6 years of age. Come visit this museum to learn more about the beautiful history of the Connecticut River and see this wonderful holiday train exhibit!
Check out our post from 2015 for more information.
This Groupon offers great discounts for the holiday train show exhibit.
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Holiday Train Display
Amato’s Toy Store
Middletown, Connecticut
November 24 – December 31, 2017
Visit this old-fashioned toy store to let your kids create their holiday wish list. Then take them downstairs to visit the store’s amazing holiday train display. The exhibit is FREE but they ask that guests donate a bag of non-perishable food for the Amazing Grace food pantry.
See our post from 2013 for more information.
Santa’s Trolley Winter Wonderland 
Winterfest
Connecticut Trolley Museum
East Windsor, Connecticut
Select nights, November 24 – December 30, 2017
If trolleys and trains are a hit in your house, then this would be a great family outing for you. Ride a trolley through the tunnel of lights then head inside to warm up, visit with Santa, and check out the large variety of train displays. So many things to keep the kids entertained!
Check out our 2012 blog post for more information.
The Christmas Village
Torrington, Connecticut
December 10-24, 2017
Visit Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and live reindeer at this holiday destination. Don’t let the long line out front make you turn around, it is worth the wait! Santa takes his time visiting with each child and even gives them a gift. A visit to the Christmas Village is FREE, but donations are accepted.
Find out more details in our post from 2013!
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Winterfest
Bushnell Park
Hartford, Connecticut
November 24, 2017 – January 2, 2018
Winterfest is back this year! Enjoy FREE ice skating and FREE skate rentals along with FREE learn-to-skate lessons. You can also visit with Santa Claus on Saturdays & Sundays at the carousel and receive a FREE picture. Carousel rides will also be available for $1.
Check out our posts from 2011 and 2012 for more details.
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Image provided by the Wadsworth Atheneum.
Festival of Trees and Traditions
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Hartford, Connecticut
December 1-10, 2017 (FREE on December 9th)
For the 44th year, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art will be decked out for the holidays with unique trees and more. While the event runs for two weeks, a great time to visit is during Second Saturdays for Families, a FREE event held on December 9th from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Families can enjoy the beautifully decorated trees and also learn about holiday traditions around the world through a variety of activities.
Check out our post from 2012 for more information on the Second Saturdays program.
Gingerbread in Space: Gingerbread Competition
Springfield Museums
Springfield, Massachusetts
November 24 – December 31, 2017
Check out the amazing creativity on display at this annual holiday exhibit and vote for your favorite. While your there, visit one of the many other museums located on the Springfield Museums campus. The Gingerbread display is included with admission to the museums, but you also have a few options for free admission. If you have a membership to a museum that participates in the Association of Science-Technology Centers reciprocal program, you may get free admission (Lutz Children’s Museum members, for example). Also, see if your local library offers free admission through their museum pass program.
See our post from 2014 for more information.
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6th Annual Gingerbread House Festival
Wood Memorial Library
South Windsor, Connecticut
November 24 – December 10, 2017 (closed on Tuesday & Wednesday)
Stop by this sweet library to see their beautiful display of gingerbread houses. Enjoy musical performances, story times with special guests, and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus during the festival. See the schedule for details on what is happening each day. This event is FREE (unless, of course, you decide to bid on one of the beautiful gingerbread houses!)
Check out our post from 2013 for more information.
Santa’s Workshop
Wickham Park
Manchester, Connecticut
December 13-23, 2017
Perched on the highest hill in beautiful Wickham Park sits a not-to-be-missed holiday destination. There you will find Santa’s Workshop filled with Christmas decor, model train sets, cookies, hot cocoa, and, of course, the big man himself — Santa Claus. If it is cold outside, be sure to bundle up as the line can take a while as Santa does not rush your visit. The event is FREE but visitors are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item to donate to the local food pantry. Cash donations are also accepted for the cookies and hot cocoa provided.
See our post from 2011 for more information.
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Laser Holidays Show
Glastonbury Planetarium
Glastonbury, Connecticut
December 27 – 29, 2017
Celebrate the holiday season with this unique show at the Glastonbury Planetarium. There will be an 11:00 am and 5:30 pm showing each day. They will also be doing a Winter Solstice show on December 21st!
See our post from 2015 for more information.
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The Nutcracker
The Hartt School
Hartford, Connecticut
December 8 – 17, 2017
This show offers the perfect opportunity to introduce a child to the art of ballet. The venue is small, the costumes are stunning, the music is familiar, and the afternoon showtime is perfect (December 10 & 17). Buy your tickets early as the matinees are typically the first show to sell out.
See our post from 2014 for more information.
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The Maritime Aquarium
Norwalk, Connecticut
November 24 – December 31, 2017
The Maritime Aquarium is getting into the holiday spirit with a variety of festive events including the IMAX movie “The Polar Express” which will be showing from November 24th to December 10th. Santa will also be hanging around the aquarium. He will be doing some diving in the shark tank starting November 25th and he will be available for pictures in the new fishing village display during three December weekends. The aquarium will also be hosting a family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” event on December 31st.
See our post from 2014 for more information.
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