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24 Best Things To Do in Connecticut December 2023 with Kids

Let those holiday spirits soar with the best things to do with kids in Connecticut for December 2023 with kids. Nutcracker photo by Luke Haughwout, courtesy of the Warner Theater
Let those holiday spirits soar with the best things to do with kids in Connecticut for December 2023 with kids. Nutcracker photo by Luke Haughwout, courtesy of the Warner Theater
12/1/23 - By Jennifer Coe

Christmas lights and holiday activities are back this December, and that's just the beginning of all the top things do in Connecticut with kids this month.

The lights are in full-sparkle mode, and holiday activities (even FREE ones!) are happening all across Connecticut for families to put in their festive calendars. Take an evening and drive through one of the great light displays happening all over the state. If you are looking for a daytime activity, your kids might enjoy a visit with Santa Claus or a visit to Powder Ridge for their Lifted Spirits Festival. Light the Menorah in New London and other towns and don't forget to get your reindeer snuggles in.

Let us help you with 50 Fun Elf on the Shelf Ideas and our list of Best Holiday Light Drive Thrus. If you are looking for more holiday fun, our Complete Guide to Holiday Events in Connecticut will brighten your day!

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently. Get our picks for every weekend in your inbox—sign up for our newsletters.

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Check out all the sparkling, twinkling, shiny December fun for Connecticut families! Ice Carving Demonstrations, photo courtesy of the Shops at Yale
Check out all the sparkling, twinkling, shiny December fun for Connecticut families! Ice Carving Demonstrations, photo courtesy of the Shops at Yale

Top Things To Do in Connecticut With Kids This December

Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival

Bethlehem - December 1-2, 2023
Highlights of the festival include vendors selling handcrafted items just in time for holiday shopping, a hayride, a free scavenger hunt, free musical entertainment, a 5K Road Race on Saturday morning sponsored by the First Mile Race Management Company, and a Christmas Tractor Exhibition and Decorating Contest in the afternoon.  Plus. a multitude of delicious food choices to make everyone’s visit complete. READ MORE

Annual Santa's Farm at Indian Rock

Bristol - December 1-10, 2023
Celebrate the holiday season with s’mores, caroling, cookies & hot cocoa, crafts, and of course, visiting with the farm animals. READ MORE

Farmer's Christmas Hay Rides

Broad Brook - December 1-23, 2023
Join the farm on a festive journey at Farmer's Hay Ride, opening on November 23rd, Thanksgiving night. Experience a magical hayride, special moments feeding the cows, a delightful walk adorned with lights, and capture the joy with photos alongside Santa and his barnyard friends. Admission includes time with santa and his barnyard friends, hayride, Christmas light walk, petting zoo and feeding the cows. READ MORE

Glow Hartford - Indoor Holiday Light Festival & Market

Hartford - December 1-23, 2023
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

Holiday Stroll at Mill River Park

Stamford — December 1-24, 2023
Holiday Stroll is a new holiday tradition located at Mill River Park in Downtown Stamford, CT. A stroll through a festive, dazzling word of larger than life holiday light displays. After strolling enjoy our Holiday Village featuring a state-of-the-art Christmas Tree, holiday music, and tasty food vendors. READ MORE

A Charles Dickens' Christmas at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield - December 1-24,2023
Bah Humbug! It's the most wonderful time of the year. Take a delightful stroll through a classic Dickens' Christmas experience this holiday season, at Lyman Orchards. Grab a cup of hot apple cider and freshly baked donuts as you stroll the grounds of the historical Lyman Homestead, viewing light displays and meeting familiar Dickens' characters. READ MORE

Merry Days and Jolly Nights in New London

New London - December 1, 2023 - January 8, 2023
The City of New London is proud to announce the commencement of its holiday season with a calendar of events celebrating the diverse array of faiths and culture in New London.  READ MORE

Ice Carving Demonstrations

New Haven - Saturdays, December 2-23,2023
Saturdays during the holiday season, come down to the Yale Shoppes and see live ice carving demonstrations. A professional ice carver will be transforming two 300-pound blocks of ice into holiday-themed works of art in the Chapel Street Historic District on the following days. READ MORE

Heights and Lights

Stamford — Sunday, December 3, 2023
From 22 stories high above Stamford Downtown, watch and cheer for Santa Claus, Rudolph, Grinch and friends as they make their descent, twisting and flying from the top of one of Stamford’s tallest buildings, Landmark Square followed by a festive fireworks show. READ MORE

Holiday Luminaria at the Nature Center

Mystic -— December 8-10, 2023
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

The Nutcracker at the Warner Theater Center for Arts

Waterbury - December 8-17, 2023
The Nutmeg Ballet's beloved Nutcracker returns this winter, sure to ignite the imagination of children and adults alike! The Nutmeg Ballet Conservatory, an internationally recognized professional ballet training institution in downtown Torrington, proudly presents two weekends of this timeless classic on the Warner Theatre Main Stage perfectly timed to enrich the holiday season. READ MORE

Menorah Lightings 2023: Wilton, Weston, Westport

Various - Sunday, December 10, 2023
Watch the menorahs light up from town to town in Wilton, Weston and Westport. READ MORE

Annual Santa's Workshop at Wickham Park

Manchester -— December 12-23, 2023
Enjoy an enchanted visit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves in the beautiful log cabin nestled at the highest point in the park. This is a traditional, family friendly event. There are no sponsorships or commercialization of the event and it is free for everyone.  READ MORE

The Wood Library & Museum's Annual Gingerbread House Festival

South Windsor - Daily through Sunday, December 17, 2023
One of the largest gingerbread house displays in New England features an incredible array of candy covered houses. The Festival will take place at Wood Memorial Library on Main Street in South Windsor, and rest assured that we will implement any precautionary measures to keep patrons safe. READ MORE

Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven

New Haven — Daily through Saturday, December 31, 2023
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

Winterfest at Bushnell Park in Hartford

Hartford — Daily through Sunday, January 7, 2024
Free skating 7-days a week at Winterfest on the east side of Bushnell Park over by the Pump House. Don’t have your own skates? Winterfest has free skate rentals too. READ MORE

Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park in Meriden

Meriden — Daily through Monday, January 1, 2024
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

Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium

East Hartford — Daily through December 31, 2023
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

Santa Flight Experience at Westfarms

New Britain— Through December 24, 2023
Santa is at Westfarms Mall. Beat the rush and lock in the day and time of your visit, because you don't want to miss this memorable Christmas tradition.  READ MORE

Lantern Light Village at Mystic Seaport

Mystic — Fridays and Saturdays until December 23, 2023
Take a journey through time this holiday season at Mystic Seaport Museum! What connects the festive seasons of bygone days to the present? The spirit of love that enchants us all. Love for each other, for seasonal traditions of every kind, for twinkling lights and carolers. READ MORE

Reindeer Snuggles at Bradley Mountain Farm

Southington — Saturdays and Sundays until December 23, 2023
Snuggle through the Holidays with Reindeer Goats! Spend time with Bradley Farm's "reindeer" goats. Get to know these gentle creatures and make  fun holiday memories. READ MORE

2023 Lifted Spirits Winter Festival

Middletown - Weekends until December 31, 2023
Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort is proud to announce the 2023 Lifted Spirits - Winter Festival. The mountain will come alive with winter magic and guaranteed snow tubing in December. Meet Santa and see his crafts in his workshop, frolic in the Snow play area and shop the artisan market. DJ's & Live Bands perform every Friday and Saturday nights. READ MORE

Visits on the Farm With Santa and Friends

West Simsbury - Weekends, December 2 -17, 2023
Visit with Santa, Mrs Claus and the Grinch (great picture opportunities!), enjoy a trolley ride with Frosty out to Reindeer land and visit our outdoor petting zoo and have a free cup of grain to feed the animals. READ MORE

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village

Mystic — Daily through January 31, 2024
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

Places featured in this article:

Connecticut Convention Center
Uni-Home Life @ Yale Shoppes