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Cozy up to some holiday fun in Connecticut as December 2024 brings a little joy to the Nutmeg State! Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
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Connecticut is full of happiness, joy, and free Christmas and holiday activities, like Santa at Cabela's Wonderland. Photo courtesy of Bass pro Shops
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Suit up for the top things to do this Christmas Weekend in Connecticut! Shark-Diving Santa photo courtesy of the Maritime Aquarium
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Get into the spirit of the season with holiday activities like Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Photo courtesy of XL Center
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Polar Express trains are coming to towns all over New England for Christmas 2024! Essex Steam Train Railroad photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
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Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway
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Our ultimate family bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut before kids grow up. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
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Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
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Groupon's online marketplace offers tons of discounts on activities for kids and families.
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By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
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Photo courtesy of Flamig Farm
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Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
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Find a sweet treat for the whole family at the best places for breakfast in Connecticut with kids! Photo courtesy of Hotcakes
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As classic as the roller rink or modern as a VR experience, these fun indoor places are perfect spots for teens and tweens to hang out! Photo by Ally Noel
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Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut.
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Parents can enjoy some relaxation when their kids spend time at the
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Bike the ground of Fort Trumbull. Photo courtesy Visit CT
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A double slide at Jonathan's Dream. Photo courtesy of O'Brien and Sons Landscape Structures
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Ball pit fun at Chelsea Piers.
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Flat walking trails make Wharton Brook State Park a sure bet for kid hikers. Photo by Mommy Poppins
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Take a step back in time with a visit to Mystic Seaport. Photo courtesy of Ally Noel
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From rolling hills and lakes to scenic views and summits, there's great outdoor adventure for families at Connecticut state parks. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
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Bubbles are a classic free fun activity for Connecticut kids
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Outdoor fun and healthy activity await at one of the top Connecticut playgrounds! Jonathan's Dream playground photo courtesy of O'Brien & Sons
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Run through the vineyards at Aquila's Nest. Photo courtesy of Aquila's Nest, Facebook
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Practice new skills at Calf's Pasture Beach, photo courtesy of Norwalk Skate Park, Facebook
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Create colorful storm clouds out of shaving cream and food coloring.
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Revel in nature's majesty at Webb Mountain. Photo by Ally Noel
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We’ve rounded up the best escape rooms in Connecticut for a fun family outing!
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The festivities get downright magical with Kids' Birthday Party Entertainers in CT! Photo courtesy of Dean Davids Magician
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Find family fare and great deals at these Connecticut restaurants where kids eat free! Photo courtesy of Bigstock
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'Tis the season for holiday fun and more things to do in Connecticut this weekend. Kid's Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
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Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Connecticut

Raise a hand if you're excited for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut! Magic of Lights photo courtesy of the XL Center
Raise a hand if you're excited for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut! Magic of Lights photo courtesy of the XL Center
11/24/24 - By Jennifer Coe

The best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut have arrived for 2024! Light displays, like the Holiday Wish Experience, are some of the most magical experiences during Connecticut's holiday season. Sparkling lights and imaginitive displays put the whole family in a festive mood. You won't have far to drive for one of these big, special events, like the Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mystick Village. Christmas light shows in Connecticut return again, like Glow Hartford and Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven. So Read on for our picks for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut.

There are also Spectacular Neighborhood Holiday Lights and Christmas Lights in Connecticut to enjoy this season. If you are looking for more things to do this holiday season, be sure to check out the Must-do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities for Connecticut Kids. Want even more holiday fun?  Follow our Facebook  and Instagram pages for updated events.

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There's magic in the air at these Connecticut holiday light displays! Holiday Lights photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
There's magic in the air at these Connecticut holiday light displays! Holiday Lights photo courtesy of Lake Compounce

Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows - Hartford Area

Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium

East Hartford
November 22, 2024 - January 5, 2025
Returning for a third year, the family-friendly drive-through holiday lights festival with a tremendous amount of twinkling and magical light displays to celebrate our grandest holiday of the year comes to Pratt & Whitney Stadium. READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce

Bristol
November 29 - December 29, 2024
Make Your Season Sparkle at Lake Compounce’s Holiday Lights. Bring your family and celebrate the return of New England’s Favorite Holiday Tradition. Take a stroll among hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, and marvel at the tallest Christmas tree in the state.  READ MORE

Glow Hartford - Indoor Holiday Light Festival & Market

Hartford
November 29 - December 29, 2024
This winter, the Connecticut Convention Center will transform into a dazzling Christmas wonderland. Glow invites you to celebrate the magic of the season at a one-of-a-kind Holiday Light Festival and Market. READ MORE

Night of Lights

Newington—FREE
Friday, December 6, 2024
A great holiday tradition! Enjoy free hot coco and official welcome from our Mayor.  And of course a tree lighting with Santa's big arrival at 6:20p. READ MORE

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum

East Windsor
November 29, 2024 - December 30, 2024
Halls are decked inside and outside at the Connecticut Trolley Museum with more than 15,000 lights for this annual event. Guests board enclosed trolley cars for a ride down a tunnel of lights as they sing traditional Christmas carols with their trolley car operators. READ MORE
Give the gift of holiday magic with a visit to these light shows in CT! Photo courtesy of The Holiday Wish Experience
Give the gift of holiday magic with a visit to these light shows in CT! Photo courtesy of The Holiday Wish Experience

Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows - Fairfield area

The Holiday Wish Experience

Stamford
November 23 - December 24, 2024
The Holiday Wish is an interactive, light-filled experience that will entertain and inspire every member of the family. This unique light journey puts children on a quest to rekindle their love of the holidays by doing one thing: believing. READ MORE

Night of Lights: Hayrides with Santa at Fairview Tree Farm

Shelton
November 30 - December 22, 2024
Join the farm for a magical night of holiday lights on the family favorite annual Christmas nighttime hayride. A 30-minute tractor pulled wagon will take you through our decorated and lit tree fields and holiday scenes. Visit with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, and more!  READ MORE

Festival of Lights at Hope River Farm

Fairfield
December 6 - 21, 2024
Hope River Farms annual Festival of Lights started in December. Come with the family and enjoy our holiday lights show. Stroll around the farm and enjoy holiday light show, characters and sit by the fire and sip a chocolate while making a delicious smore. READ MORE

Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows - New Haven Area

Winter Lantern Festival at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield
November 15, 2024 - February 9, 2025
Middlefield's "must-see" lighted holiday attraction is officially back! Lyman Orchards is hosting the Winter Lantern Festival starting November 15th - February 9th.  READ MORE

Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven

New Haven
November 22 - December 31, 2024
The Fantasy of Lights has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families from all over Connecticut and New England. The mile-long route features over 60 displays and 100,000 lights. Many of the displays are animated and some are fitted with LED bulbs, making them more colorful and vibrant.  READ MORE

Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park in Meriden

Meriden—FREE
November 27, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Witness the illumination of more than 350,000 twinkling white lights. Enjoy more than 200 figures and buildings decorated with lights in this spectacular display.  READ MORE
Mistic lights up with Christmas light shows every year! Photo courtesy of Olde Mistick Village
Mistic lights up with Christmas light shows every year! Photo courtesy of Olde Mistick Village

Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows - Eastern Connecticut

Hebron Lions Lights in Motion

Hebron
November 22 - December 31, 2024
Hebron Lions hosts Lights in Motion, a drive-through light display for the holiday season. Set up at the Hebron Fairgrounds, visitors will enjoy over a million lights synchronized with music. READ MORE

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village

Mystic—FREE
November 27, 2024 - January 2, 2025
Olde Mistick Village has created an old fashioned Holiday Light Spectacular for you and your family. In fact, this event will be the largest holiday lights display in southern New England! READ MORE

Downtown Mystic Holiday Stroll & Lantern Luminary

Mystic—FREE
December 3, 2024
Stroll the illuminated streets of downtown Mystic during this joyful community-oriented event marked by Christmas carolling and light displays. READ MORE

Holiday Luminaria at the Nature Center

Mystic
December 13 - 15, 2024
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season to experience the peace and wonder of a winter walk in the woods. Wind through the forest on a self-guided tour of trails lit by the soft glow of nearly 1,000 luminaria. After your walk, gather by the warmth of a festive fire at our Winter Café to enjoy complimentary hot cider or cocoa. READ MORE

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