It’s the weekend before Christmas!! Make most of it as Connecticut continues to host so many holiday events for the family! Here is a roundup of Weekend activities with kids in Connecticut:
Fri, Dec 20 (4 PM-8 PM), Sat, Dec 21 (2 PM-9 PM) and Sun, Dec 22 (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
Friday Dec 20, 3 PM- 5 PM: Arts and Crafts for kids-Snowman Edition (West Hartford, CT)
Head over to Hartford Baking Co., for a holiday themed arts and crafts pop up at HBC! NO cost to attend and FREE cookie samples for the kids. No need to RSVP either – just come on buy.
Activity: Making paper plate snowman – makes a great gift for the grandparents on your list!
More info here
Friday Dec 20, 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
Fri, Dec 20, Sat, Dec 21 and Sun, Dec 21, 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
Fri, Dec 20, Sat Dec 21, (5 PM-10 PM), Sun, Dec 22 (5 PM-9 PM) (Recurring event):Holiday Light Fantasia (Hartford, CT)
Holiday Light Fantasia is a much loved Greater Hartford tradition and this season’s destination. The 2-mile show transforms Goodwin Park into a drive-through wonderland of holiday spirit with a beautiful collection of over 1 million lights.
Whimsical holiday scenes, familiar characters and local tributes shine bright in larger-than-life lighted scenes and 200 individual displays. Lighted animations celebrate not only Christmas, but Hanukkah, New Years and Three Kings Day.
More info here
Fri, Dec 20 (10:45 AM-12 PM), PJ Family Shabbat Club (West Hartford, CT)
Come celebrate Hanukkah and Shabbat at the PJ Library Greater Hartford! Bring your little one to play in the Family Room at 10:45 am. At 11:15 aml gather for Shabbat songs and stories, followed by blessings and challah. Free and open to all.
More info here
Fri, Dec 20, Sat Dec 21, (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
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 20-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
Saturday, Dec 21 (10 AM-1 PM): Breakfast with Santa and Mrs Claus (Hartford, CT)
Ebony Horsewomen, Inc. is bringing back Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their helper elves for another delicious breakfast! Join us on Saturday, December 21st, 10 am – 1 pm at the Keney Park Pond House at 383 Edgewood Street in Hartford to a brekky of pancakes and sausage, hot cocoa, candy canes, story-time, and holiday cheer! Admission is $5.00 per person and includes a gift for children under 12.
More info here
Saturdays, Dec 21-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 21, (4:30 PM, 6:30 PM) , Sunday (6:30 PM): 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 21, (4 PM-7 PM) (Recurring event): Elf bootcamp (Bristol, CT)
There is an Elf Boot Camp at Lake Compounce, Bristol! The Elves-in-Training will earn their official Elf Hat & Certification by participating in festive workshops, reindeer games, and team building activities. Please arrive by 4:15pm to allow for Head Elves to break you up into teams. Event recommended for children 4-9 years old.
$24.99 admission ticket includes junior admission for one Elf.
$14.99 for Silver, Gold & Gold Deluxe Season Pass Holders.
Limited space available
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.
Sat, Dec 21 and Sun, Dec 22, 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
Saturday, Dec 21 (2 PM-3:30 PM), Family Paint Time “Rudolph” (Southington, CT)
Bring your family in to participate in a fun and easy step-by-step session led by a talented instructor from Art Studio of Connecticut. You will be provided all of the supplies you’ll need to create your work of art! UPGRADE YOUR CANVAS SIZE TO A 16X20 FOR JUST $10 MORE…BYOB studio, bring whatever you would like to eat or drink!
Please arrive 5 mins early to grab a drink and find a seat. Instruction begins promptly at 2pm.
More info here
Sunday, Dec 22 (1 PM-4 PM), Winter Solstice celebration (Canton, CT)
Join Roaring Brook Nature Center, in Canton on December 22 to learn how people have celebrated this special day and season over the millennia. We will then take a hike and celebrate the upcoming lengthening of the days. Crafts and hot chocolate provided. Talk at 1:00pm and guided hike at 2:00pm. Pre-registration required – call 860-693-0263. Cost: Members – $5 each / $18 family of four; Nonmembers – $7 each / $25 family of four
More info here
