Holiday Fun continues this week with a variety of events throughout the state! Here is a roundup of Weekend activities with kids in Connecticut:
Fri
day Dec 13, 7 PM-9 PM: Elf on the Shelf Christmas Musical at Oakdale Theatre (Wallingford, CT)
Oakdale Theater presents: Holiday Fun with The Elf On The Shelf Christmas Musical! For the first time, The Elf on the Shelf Scout Elves will take center stage in anew live musical debuting this holiday season. Inspired by the beloved box set The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition, this touring stage production will give families an exclusive glimpse into the magical world of Santa’s North Pole through indelible song and dance numbers and a heartwarming tale about Christmas spirit.
More info here
Fri, Dec 13 (4 PM-9 PM), Sat, Dec 14 (2 PM-9 PM) and Sun, Dec 15 (12 PM-5 PM) Power Ridge Winter Carnival (Middlefield, CT)
This event is sponsored by your very own www.kidtivity.com!!! Head over to Power Ridge Mountain Park and Resort this weekend for amazing winter fun with family! Free Activities include: visit to Santa and his friends in his workshop, Kids craft activity center, Story time, snow zone with sledding, touch the Mountain Machines, Live Music with Ct’s top bands, local school choirs, and ugly sweater contest! Tickets available for: Rides & Games, Food, Face Painting and more!
More info here
Fri, Dec13 and Sat, Dec14 (5PM-9PM) Polar Pajama Party (Hartford, CT)
Put on your PJs and head over to Connecticut Science Centre for a wintery themed evening of entertainment for the whole family in celebration of the Season of Science! There will be games, prizes, holiday crafts, cookie decorating for the kids, and special appearances by the Gingerbread Man, Rudolph, Anna, Elsa, and Olaf. Visitors can also join Jack Frost for the annual “Elf Drop.” Plus, don’t forget your tickets to see the Polar Express in 3D – showing at two different times during the party
More info here
Friday Dec 13, 7 PM- 8:45 PM: DJ Skate Nights (Veteran Memorial Skating Rink, West Hartford, CT)
Go Ice skating for all ages at DJ Skate Nights with the hottest tunes playing! Veterans Memorial Skating Rink is a friendly, clean, safe, and comfortable environment for everyone and currently offers the most public skating sessions in the area.
Rental skates available at an additional charge of $4.00
More info here
Friday Dec 13, 7:30 PM- 8:30 PM: Elm City Girls’ Choir Holiday Classics Concert (Woodbridge, CT)
First Church of Christ of Woodbridge will host the holiday concert of traditional carols, along with many contemporary holiday favorites. The angelic voices of this premier treble ensemble are not to be missed! The nationally-renowned Elm City Girls’ Choir is New England’s premier girls’ choral ensemble, and its members represent over 250 schools and 50 towns throughout Connecticut.
More info here
Fri, Dec 13 (6 PM-7:30 PM), Sat Dec 15 and Sun Dec 16 (12 PM-4 PM), Annual Santa Land (Bristol, CT)
The Rockwell Park in Bristol will transport you to the North Pole! Board the Polar Express for the 34th Annual Santa Land Village! This free family event is open to all ages. Santa will be on hand daily for photographs (please bring your own camera). Children are encouraged to grab a free candy cane, work on a Christmas craft in the Elf Workshop, sponsored by the Bristol Chamber of Commerce, and view the incredible display! NEW THIS YEAR: a Children’s Holiday Market with local businesses on Saturday, December 14th, who will be giving free goodies away to children in attendance.
Please help us Stuff the Sleigh by bringing new unwrapped toys and gifts for local families in need.
More info here
Fri, Dec 13, Sat, Dec 14 and Sun, Dec 15, 5 PM-9PM (Recurring event): Winterfest (East Windsor, CT)
The Connecticut Trolley Museum presents Winterfest 2019 and the “Tunnel of Lights”. Halls are decked both inside and outside with over 15,000 light bulbs. Outside, closed trolley cars transport jolly guests down a tunnel of lights as they sing traditional Christmas Carols with their trolley car operators. For an open air view of the “Tunnel of Lights,” one open sleigh car is lit up entirely with holiday lights. Be sure to dress warm and bring blankets.
Inside the Visitor Center is a Winter Wonderland where Santa meets and greets children inside a historic caboose. Multiple model train layouts, both large and small are located in the main hall.
Admission prices are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors (62+), $11 for children (ages 4-12), $4 for children (3 & under).
More info here
Winterfest Hartford (Bushnell Park, Hartford)
Winterfest Hartford returns to Bushnell Park for its 10th year of free ice skating, free skate rentals, free learn to skate classes and more.
The rink is open daily from 11 am – 8 pm, through January 20, 2020, with the following exceptions:
December 24: 12 – 4 pm
December 25: 12 – 4 pm
December 31: 11 am – 12 pm
The rink may be closed for inclement weather; cancellations will be posted on social media and on winterfesthartford.com. The rink will be closed when there is a parking ban in effect for the city.
More Info here
Fridays, Dec 6-Aug 14, 9:30 AM-11 AM: Playful Learners Playgroup at Imagine Nation (Bristol, CT)
Families with children ages 36 months and under are invited to the weekly Playful Learners Playgroup at Imagine Nation!
Participants receive half-price admission and may enjoy access to all museum studios.
Playful Learners Playgroup begins with gross motor free play in Imagine Nation’s Kinetic Studio from 9:30-10:30am. An age-appropriate staff-facilitated workshop is held at 10:30am
Admission for Playful Learners Playgroup is $5.00 per person, Imagine Nation Members and children under one are FREE!
Check www.imaginenation.org/calendar for the full Playful Learners schedule
Fri, Dec 13 (5PM-9:30 PM) Festival of lights at Olde Mistick Village (Mystick, CT)
On December 13, experience the magic of the holiday season at the Olde Mistick Village. Come stroll through walkways brilliantly lit by thousands of luminaries. With live entertainment and complimentary treats in the Meeting House, there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. All shops will be open!
More info here
Saturday, Dec 14 (9 AM-10 PM), Breakfast with Santa (Windsor Locks, CT)
The New England Air Museum has just received word from the North Pole that Santa and his aviation crew will be headed to the Museum for a very exclusive breakfast for children of all ages.
Breakfast with Santa is an exclusive opportunity to meet Santa and his elves prior to the daily opening of the Museum on Saturday, December 14th. The Breakfast will begin promptly at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 10:00 a.m. when Santa will invite his guests to join him inside the Museum on board his transportation – a Sikorsky Seaguard Helicopter! Santa will be available to greet his guests until 12:00 p.m.
More info here
Saturdays, Dec 14-Jan 18, 10 AM-11 AM (Recurring event): Learn to skate (Hartford, CT)
Want to learn how to skate this winter? Head to the Winterfest Hartford rink in Bushnell Park for Free Learn To Skate Every Saturday from Champions Skating Centers instructors. Lessons are open to future skaters of all ages, and the skates are free too.
Skating lessons will be held on Saturdays beginning December 7, and be offered every weekend through the close of Winterfest Hartford (December 7, 14, 21, 28, January 4, 11 & 18).
Arrive early to get your free skate rentals. All skaters must fill out a waiver before their lesson.
More info here
Saturday, Dec 14, (4 PM, 5:30 PM) (Recurring event): Polar Express Pajama Storytime (Simsbury, CT)
Wear your holiday jammies and head to the The Storyteller’s Cottage, Simsbury, for a festive evening! Santa’s elves will read the Polar Express in the library, followed by cookie decorating in the kitchen and dining room, then a chance to visit with Santa by the fireplace. Every child takes home a wrapped book 🙂
Cost: $15 per child
More info here
Sat Dec 13, Sun Dec 14 (6 PM-9 PM) (Recurring event): Northern Lights (Mystic, CT)
This December, Mystic Aquarium lights up during Northern Light! A sea of lights leads the way through a mesmerizing journey along the Aquarium’s outdoor pathways. See Arctic animals in a whole new light – quite literally – as you stroll to theatric music in search of hand-crafted lanterns that bring Arctic animals to life!
Snap selfies and meet the Snow Sisters every Thursday, Father Christmas on Fridays and Petey the Penguin each Saturday. Pulling inspiration from the most spectacular natural light display there is – the aurora borealis – Northern Lights is sure to be just as magical and inspiring.
Tickets now on sale!
More info here
Saturday, Dec 14 (5 PM-8 PM), Winter Trail of Lights Walk (Plainfield, CT)
Come meet the horses and walk the lighted trail. This is a dirt trail the horses use. We are going to decorate it with Christmas lights so people can walk the trail and see the lights. The horses will be at the barn where you can enjoy meeting them while you have some Hot Coco. These are older/injured/retired horses that were either owner surrenders or rescued from the kill pen, they are not riding horses. They are so wonderful. They love attention. You can read about our rescues here https://www.hayburrinn.org/horse-profiles/ (nonprofit)
*No Smoking, No alcohol and no pets allowed.
Sunday, Dec 15, 9 AM-2:45 PM (Recurring Event): Brunch with Mr. AND Mrs. Claus at Lyman Orchards (Middlefield, CT)
Santa & Mrs. Claus invite children and their families to visit them in the festively decorated Lyman Homestead. You’ll enjoy a delicious buffet-style brunch prepared in the Homestead kitchen by the Apple Barrel chefs. And you’ll delight in a very private meeting with Santa & Mrs. Claus in the Homestead’s Library!
Get complimentary family photos clicked by professional photographer with Santa & Mrs. Claus!
Pre-paid reservations are required (call 860.349.6043)
More info here
Sunday, Dec 15 (9 AM-11 AM), Breakfast with Santa at YMCA (Plainville, CT)
Enjoy a special morning with your Y family and favorite old elf! Families will enjoy a hot breakfast (pancakes, sausage, fruit), a holiday craft, and time to share your holiday wishes and a picture with Santa! The Y is adding new activities this year, a picture with Santa will be provided AND an open jump at the BOUNCE HOUSE! Make sure you bring your friends for a great time!
Admission is a NEW hat, scarf, mittens, gloves or coat to be
donated to people in need. This event is open to the community.
More info here
