It’s the Holiday Season- and we are are PUMPED! Here is our family’s CT Holiday to do list (It’s really more of a bucket list- not sure how much we’ll get done- bu we are going to TRY!)
It’s filled with options for hundreds of things to do around the state!
Shoutout to By Avanly for the AMAZING Winter Calendar that’s helping us plan our fun!
Stay tuned for our Holiday Fun List- due to launch soon!
Photo Credit: Carl Bozenski’s Christmas Village
Carl Bozenski’s Christmas Village
This has been a Torrington Tradition since 1947- meet Santa in his throne room, a magical space filled with toys, trees, soft music and a roaring fire. Every child is given an opportunity to share his or her wish list and receives a small toy from Santa himself to hold them over until his big visit on Christmas Eve.
From there, embrace the holiday spirit at the Village. See Mrs. Claus Mrs. Claus in her cozy cottage, the elves workshop, Santa’s sleigh (with reindeer!) Don’t forget to grab hot cocoa too!
Santa’s Village runs in three weeks before Christmas and is FREE!
Photo Credit: Glow Hartford
Glow Hartford
This is one of our FAVORITE Christmas Spots- and it’s easy to see why! Celebrate the holiday season under the twinkle of a million lights at Glow Hartford, November 29th through December 29th.
They doubled in size for this year, and have added TONS of activities for kids: Giant Light Bright, Reindeer Bounce Zone, Playground, and a TRAIN!
Plus, tons of family photo ops (get that Christmas Card Photo!), Santa, Tons of AMAZING FOOD, and plenty of places to shop local.
Photo Credit: Powder Ridge Park
Play in the Snow at Powder Ridge
Is it even the Holiday Season if there’s no snow? This year, we don’t have to worry about a Grinch Christmas- because Powder Ridge has SNOW!
We actually went and checked it out last year – and we got to make a SNOWMAN! IN NOVEMBER!
Winterfest begins Black Friday (Nov 29, 2024) and it is the ULTIMATE Winter Wonderland Experience. We’re talking tubing, snow play, Santa, Holiday Marketplace, and SO MUCH MORE!
It’s $9 for the Snow Play and Santa, and a tubing pass is $21. They have events throughout the weekends too, so definitely check them out!
Photo Credit: Dzen Tree Farm
Meet Santa
Did you know that Santa is in over 100 places around the state this season? It’s true. You can watch him rappel down the side of a building, fly an airplane, ride a boat- or just find him eating cookies in a cozy cottage.
Some of our favorites:
- Santa’s Workshop at Wickham Park, Manchester*
- Nov 29- Dec 22: Santa’s Winter Wonderland at the Connecticut Science Center
- Dec. 3: Christmas in the Village, East Haddam (Santa arrives by airplane!)*
- Dec 7: FREE Breakfast with Santa, Farmington Valley YMCA*
- Dec 8: Heights and Lights, Stamford *
- Dec. 21: Santa’s Workshop, Camp Ingersoll Portland*
Photo Credit: Hallmark Channel, Mystic Christmas
Step into a Holiday Movie
Did you know Connecticut is the setting for several Holiday movies (Hallmark, Lifetime, and Netflix are just a few that have filmed here!)
Some of our favorite settings:
- Downtown Old Wethersfield
- Essex
- Downtown Mystic
- Olde Mistick Village
- Woodstock
- West Hartford
Also, the official state Christmas trail is set to open soon! CT Visit has a great list of locations in the meantime.
Bake Cookies & Tasty Treats
It is a family tradition for us to bake hundreds of Christmas cookies- we use this recipe that has been in our family since the 1800s and they taste like childhood. I’ll share the recipe soon – I’m not much of a baker, but it is my favorite recipe!
CT also has some great holiday baking classes:
Photo Credit: Essex Steam Train
Holiday Train/Trolley Ride
We have several options for holiday trains and trolleys in Connecticut and they’re ALL super fun!
- Polar Express Aboard the Essex Steam Train
- Santa Express at Railroad Museum of New England
- Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor
- Santa Train at the Danbury Railway Museum
- Grey Granite Railroad at Cavanna’s Farm, Glastonbury
- Santa at the Shoreline Trolley Museum
Photo Credit: Stonington Lobster Trap Tree
Stonington Lobster Trap Tree
This romantic, festive spot is said to inspire several proposals a year. Visiting is totally free, and it is on display from November 23, 2024- January 5, 2025.
They ask for visitors to respect the art (it’s essentially an outdoor art instillation that several hundred people worked incredibly hard to create) and it’s a good idea to scope out the parking situation in advance- read about it here.
Holiday Fair or Festival:
Did you know we have over 100 fairs and festivals happening throughout the state? They are an excellent way to shop local and support small businesses- all while having some holiday fun!
Holiday Afternoon Tea
I’m a sucker for afternoon tea, and it’s even more magical around the holidays. Some of my favorites:
Do Something Kind
Giving Tuesday doesn’t have to be just one day! Donate to your favorite cause, make cards for your local senior center, or help a neighbor shovel their driveway. The holidays are a great time to make the world a kinder place. We’re working on a full round up, but here are some ideas to get you started:
Boston Pops Come to Jorgensen, UCONN STORRS
Celebrate the magic of the season with “America’s orchestra.” Perfect for music lovers of all ages, this beloved annual concert is just bursting with holiday music favorites. Treat yourself to a festive Friday evening, including the traditional carol sing-along and a surprise visit by jolly old St. Nick.
Warning: the music will cause the urge to listen to Christmas Carols on repeat.
Photo Credit: Dzen Farm, Lyman Orchards
See Reindeer- and other fun animals!
Did you know Connecticut is home to some reindeer during the holiday season? They come to visit farms, and are so sweet and fun to watch. Some of our favorite spots:
Ice Skating
Hartford Winterfest offers FREE ICE SKATING from Black Friday through January. It’s a great outing with the kids- and Santa visits select weekends in December!
Middletown Rec offers low cost ice skating all winter long at Veterans Park. Veterans Rink in West Hartford has year round skating- with DJ fun on Friday and Saturday!
Stay tuned for a full list of ice skating rinks around the state!
Photo Credit: Star Hill Family Farm
Holiday Fun on the Farm
Connecticut Farms go ALL OUT for the Holiday Season. We’re talking animals, hay rides to see Santa, pumpkins getting ready to go Caroling- the list goes on and on! Some of our favorite Farm Experiences:
Tree Lightings and Light Displays– Like Magic of Lights at East Hartford!
We have TONS of places to enjoy Holiday Lights in Connecticut- indoor, outdoor, drive through, wagon ride- you name it! Our friends at Light the Night are working hard to put together an EPIC Map of lights all over the US!
Just a few:
- Magic of Lights, East Hartford
- Lifted Spirits and Winterfest at Powder Ridge Park
- Holiday lights Spectacular, Olde Mystic Village, Mystic*
- Wonderland at Roseville in Fairfield*
- Amarante’s Winter Wonderland*
- Holiday lights at Lake Compounce in Bristol
- Dec. 1: Bethlehem Tree Lighting Festival*
- Night of Lights, Fairview Tree Farms
Gingerbread/Gingerboard Contest
Whether you’re making one at home, doing a workshop at your local library, or admiring creations that others have made, this is a New England Tradition. Some favorites:
- CT Science Center Gingerboard Contest
- St.George’s Episcopal Church Gingerbread Village
- Kent Gingerbread Fest
- Wood Memorial Library “Shiny and Bright” Gingerbread Display
We’re in the process of creating a round up with even more spots, so stay tuned!
Fireworks
Christmas, New Years, Whatever- the fact is that any holiday is cooler with professional fireworks. We’re looking at a couple great fireworks celebrations:
Photo Credit: The Bushnell
Holiday Shows
It’s one of our holiday favorites as a family! Whether you want to splurge or you’re holidaying on a budget, there is something for everyone:
- Free Holiday Concert at the Bushnell on Dec. 20 (Shoutout to Travelers for making Holiday Fun accessible to all!)
- Connecticut Ballet’s The Nutcracker Dec. 22-23
- Elf in Concert- HSO Dec 22-23
- MacMaster & Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas at Jorgensen Dec. 3
Photo Credit: Mystic Seaport
Lantern Lit Village:
There are some INCREDIBLE historical holiday villages. Lyman Orchards is putting on an Winter Lantern Festival, Mystic Seaport offers Lantern Lit Village for a true Connecticut Christmas feel. Webb Dean Stevens Museum is offering Holiday House tours, The American Clock and Watch Museum is offering holiday mantles- there are TONS OF EVENTS!
And, of course- GLOW WILD at the Beardsley Zoo!
Family Holiday Parties
Looking for even more celebrations? Check these out!
This page is still receiving lots of updates- we’ve got a number of fun round ups planned, including a round up of family holiday parties! Please come back frequently thorough the season for even more holiday inspiration.
Also, as always- do your own research, contact the event organizer before you go. I work hard, but I’m just a one person and also a stranger on the internet.
