Please note: All dates and times are accurate (to the best of our knowledge!) as of publication. However, we strongly encourage you to visit each destination’s website before you go to check for any updates or changes.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we want to be sure you and your family have an opportunity to spend time together and enjoy some of the amazing holiday activities in our area! So we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite holiday destinations to share with you.
Since 2011, we’ve been scouting out family-friendly holiday activities, and this list represents our favorites from over a decade of blogging. All of these holiday happenings are Out and About Mom approved–when available, we’ve linked to our blog post about each one in each listing! We hope you enjoy making new memories and carrying on old traditions with your family at these festive destinations as much as we have over the years 🙂
Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Silver Lights in Hubbard Park in Meriden, Connecticut; November 27, 2024– January 2, 2025; daily from dusk to dawn; FREE. See the Santa’s elves light up the park on November 27th! (OAAM approved since 2012!)
Hubbard Park 999 West Main Street., Meriden, CT
Bright Nights in Forest Park, Springfield, Massachusetts; November 27, 2024 – January 5, 2025 (Closed December 2nd and 3rd); Monday-Thursday & Sunday from 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday & Holidays 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. Check out special events and activities here. $23/car (Opening night special: $6/car on 11/27th; tickets must be purchased in advance. Special discount on Tuesdays December 10th & 17th: Just $10/car; Must purchase tickets online in advance.). Tickets must be purchased in advance online or at Big Y, Your Family Market starting November 14, 2024. BUY TICKETS (OAAM approved since 2012!)
Forest Park, 300 Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA
Winter Lantern Festival at Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, Connecticut. November 15, 2024 to February 9, 2025; Friday – Sunday 5:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. (Last entry at 8:30p.m.) Holiday Hours: The festival will be open every day from Friday, December 20through Wednesday, January 1. Pricing starts at Adults (Ages 13-64): $26.99; Children (Ages 4-12): $16.99; Toddlers (Ages 3 & Under): Free. Tickets for this event must be purchased in advance online. Buy tickets HERE.
70 Lyman Road, Middlefield, CT
Fantasy of Lights in Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven, Connecticut; November 22, 2024 – December 31, 2024; Sunday-Thursday 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m; $10/car. BUY TICKETS (OAAM approved since 2013!)
Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven, CT
Lake Compounce Holiday Lights Bristol, Connecticut; November 29, 2024 to December 31, 2024; Fridays 5:00p.m. – 9:00p.m., Saturdays 3:00pm – 9:00pm, Sundays and 12/26 3:00pm-8:00pm. Admission starts at $19.99/person. (OAAM approved since 2013!)
185 Enterprise Drive, Bristol, CT
Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village in Mystic, Connecticut; November 22, 2024 – January 31, 2025. Stroll around the Village (leashed pets welcome!) even after stores and restaurants are closed. (Extended holiday hours will also start on Friday, November 29th–Olde Mistick Village will be open until 8:00p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, November 29th through December 23rd.) FREE. (OAAM approved since 2020!)
27 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT
Magic of Lights East Hartford, Connecticut; November 22, 2024 – January 4, 2025; Open Monday to Thursday 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m and Friday to Sunday 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.; Ticket prices start at $18.50/car (plus fees) when purchased online. Tickets may be purchased online or at the gate. BUY TICKETS (OAAM approved since 2021!)
Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT **Enter on Silver Lane at East Gate**
Glow Hartford at The Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut; November 29, 2024-December 29, 2024; See hours here; $30/adult 16+, $20/child 5-15, $85/family pack (2 adults, 3 children), kids 4 and under FREE. BUY TICKETS (OAAM approved since 2023!)
100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT
Gingerbread Houses
Gingerbread House Festival Wood Memorial Library, South Windsor, Connecticut. November 29 – December 22, 2024. Thursdays and Fridays between 10:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. or Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00a.m. and 5:00p.m. FREE but donations are gratefully accepted. (Out and About Mom approved since 2013! But you can read our most recent 2021 post here.)
783 Main Street, South Windsor, CT
Gingerbread House Workshop for Children at the Apple Barrel, Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, Connecticut. 2024 Sessions: December 14, 15, 21 & 22 @ 10:00a.m. $30/person. Space is very limited. BUY TICKETS. Also enjoy a delicious lunch at the Apple Barrel while you are there. (OAAM approved since 2016!)
32 Reeds Gap Road, Middlefield, CT
Gingerbread Exhibition at the Springfield Science Museum Springfield, Massachusetts November 29 – December 31, 2024. Sunday 11:00a.m.–5:00p.m., Tuesday–Saturday: 10:00a.m.–5:00p.m.
Monday: Closed. Admission included with museum entry. Adults: $25, Youth ages 3–17: $13, Children Under 3: Free. BUY TICKETS. Find additional holiday events on their website. (OAAM approved since 2014!)
21 Edwards Street Springfield, MA
Trains & Trolleys
Fairfield Museum’s Holiday Express Train Show Fairfield, Connecticut. December 7– December 31, 2024. Mondays – Thursdays: 10:00a.m.-1:00p.m., Saturdays – Sundays: 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. December 21-December 31: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $5/adult, $3/senior, $3/child over 5. Members and children ages 5 and under are FREE. (OAAM approved since 2014!)
370 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT
Connecticut River Museum’s Holiday Train Show Essex, Connecticut. November 22, 2024 – February 15, 2025. Tuesday – Sunday 10:00a.m.– 5:00p.m. The train display is included with museum admission: Adults – $15.00, Children (6-12) – $5.00, Under age 5 – FREE. (OAAM approved since 2015!)
67 Main Street, Essex, CT
Santa’s Trolley Winter Wonderland at The Shoreline Trolley Museum in East Haven, Connecticut. November 29, 2024 – December 22, 2024. Weekends 11:00a.m. – 2:00p.m. $14/ticket for adults; $10/ticket children ages 2+; Children under 2/FREE. Also check out Breakfast with Santa on select dates! BUY TICKETS. (OAAM approved since 2016!)
17 River Street, East Haven, CT
Connecticut Trolley Museum’s Winterfest East Windsor, Connecticut. November 29 – December 30, 2024. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night from November 29 through December 22, and daily from December 26 to December 30. 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All ages closed cars $16/person, All ages open cars $21/person. (OAAM approved since 2012!)
58 North Road, East Windsor, CT
Visits with Santa
The Christmas Village Torrington, Connecticut. December 8 to December 23, Mondays-Fridays 1:00p.m.-8:00p.m; Saturdays & Sundays 12:00p.m.-8:00p.m.; December 24th, 9:00AM-12:00p.m. FREE but donations are gratefully accepted. (OAAM approved since 2013!)
150 Church Street Torrington, CT
Yankee Candle Village South Deerfield, Massachusetts. Visit with Santa at Yankee Candle Village from November 1, 2024 – December 23, 2024 from 10:30a.m.-5:30p.m. Find additional details on Santa visits and buy tickets here. Appointments with Santa are required. Each $12 ticket is good for a family up to 8 people (families of 9+ will need to book an additional ticket). Be sure to check their website for other special holiday events. (OAAM approved since 2018!)
25 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield, MA
Breakfast with Santa at Flamig Farm West Simsbury, Connecticut. 2024 Dates: December 7, 8,14,15,21 and 22 from 9:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. $15 per person. Under age 2 is FREE. TICKETS NEEDED IN ADVANCE. Buy tickets HERE. (OAAM approved since 2014!)
7 Shingle Mill Road, West Simsbury, CT
Santa’s Workshop in Wickham Park, Manchester, Connecticut. December 12 – December 23, 2024. Mondays through Fridays 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. FREE but please bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantries. Event takes place in the log cabin. OAAM approved since 2011!)
1329 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT; See park map here.
Santa’s Wonderland at Cabella’s, East Hartford, Connecticut. Now through December 24, 2024. FREE 4×6 photo with Santa. Book your time slot here. (OAAM approved since 2019!)
475 East Hartford Boulevard N, East Hartford, CT
Please also see Winterfest Hartford (In “General Holiday Fun”) and Glow Hartford (in “Holiday Light Displays”) for additional opportunities to visit with Santa!
General Holiday Fun
Winterfest Hartford in Bushnell Park, Hartford, Connecticut. November 29, 2024 – January 6, 2025. FREE ice skating and FREE skate rentals along with FREE learn-to-skate lessons. You can also visit with Santa Claus at Santa’s Workshop on December 7th, 8th, 14th & 15th from 12:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. and receive a FREE 5×7 photo. Please note that the carousel is currently closed for winter maintenance and is expected to reopen on March 4, 2024. (OAAM approved since 2011 & 2012! Also check out our post about the Bushnell Park playground from 2018)
FREE street parking on Elm and Jewell Streets during Winterfest Hartford
Festival of Trees and Traditions at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, Connecticut. December 5-December 15, 2024. Noon–5:00p.m., daily (closed Monday–Wednesday) Open until 7:00p.m. on Thursday, December 12. Members & Hartford Residents: $5, adults: $25, youth (age 17 & under): $5. Museum admission is FREE for families on the second Saturday of each month when you arrive between noon and 2:00p.m.! Check out the December family program: Winter Wonderland. Please note that a fundraising surcharge fee will still apply during the Festival of Trees & Traditions. BUY TICKETS (OAAM approved since 2012!)
600 Main Street, Hartford, CT
37th Annual Holiday Stroll West Hartford, Connecticut. December 5, 2024, 5:00-8:00p.m. FREE.
Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center, West Hartford, CT
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular in NYC. The show runs daily (with multiple shows most days) from November 23, 2024 through January 5, 2025. Show run time is 90 minutes, no intermission. See dates and times, and purchase tickets here. (OAAM approved since 2018!)
Radio City Music Hall 1260 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY
Chanukah Celebrations
Chanukah Fire on Ice West Hartford, Connecticut. December 29, 2024 @ 3:00p.m. FREE but donations accepted. Register HERE.
West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT
Home Depot Chanukah Craft Building Workshop Waterbury, Connecticut. December 15, 2024 10:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. FREE but RSVP required. Register HERE.
Home Depot Waterbury, 575 Bank St, Waterbury, CT
River Bend Bookshop’s Hanukkah Storytime & Party Glastonbury & West Hartford, Connecticut. Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 10:30a.m. to 12:00p.m. FREE but please RSVP HERE.
2400 Main Street Glastonbury, CT & 161 Park Rd, West Hartford, CT
See something in this list that’s not quite right? Updates and changes happen all the time and we need your help. Let us know in the comments section below. It takes a village!
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