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Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 in Connecticut: Road Races, Santa Visits and Light Displays

Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 licks off the holiday season in Connecticut! Reindeer playdates photo courtesy Bradley Mountain Farm, and Lyman Orchards
Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023 licks off the holiday season in Connecticut! Reindeer playdates photo courtesy Bradley Mountain Farm, and Lyman Orchards
11/21/23 - By Jennifer Coe

Looking for the best things to do in Connecticut on Thanksgiving Day weekend 2023? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list!

There is a full roster of holiday activities this Thanksgiving weekend in Connecticut 2023. All the seasonal events are starting this weekend! First of all, run off all those mashed potatoes at one of the road races taking place on Thanksgiving Day. Stop in at one of the several light shows that kick off this weekend in Meriden, East Hartford, Bristol and New Haven. Then feel the magic of the season at the Wood Memorial Gingerbread Exhibit or at the Night of Lights Hayride. Don't worry, if you can't fit it all in this weekend, many of these events will be running for the next few weeks.

Hopefully, you will have a chance to enjoy the company of friends and family. Have safe and easy travels if you are on the road this holiday weekend. Pass the downtime by checking out our Connecticut Holiday Fun Guide, updated with all the latest Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve events for the 2023 season. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Mommy Poppins!

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Light shows are aglow across Connecticut this Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023! Photo courtesy of the Magic of Lights
Light shows are aglow across Connecticut this Thanksgiving Day Weekend 2023! Photo courtesy of the Magic of Lights

Thanksgiving Weekend 2023 in Connecticut - Things To Do with Kids

Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium

East Hartford - Opens November 23, 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

Manchester Road Race

Manchester - November 23, 2023
A CT Tradition, decades strong! The race is a 4.748 mile long hilly course through Manchester. Fans, bands, and merriment will greet you along the way. If you don't want to run, spectating is just as fun for all ages! READ MORE

Rowayton Turkey Trot

Norwalk - November 23, 2023
This brisk run through picturesque Rowayton has become a popular Thanksgiving Day tradition. There is a 5K course and a 1-mile option.  READ MORE

Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day Road Race

Southport - November 23, 2023
This scenic and fast course offers a 5-mile run or a 2.6 mile walk that goes through the Gold Coast and has some of the state's loveliest views, including Southport Harbor. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Trebuchet Launch

Wilton - November 23, 2023
Head to Ambler Farms to watch the “Pumpkin Warrior” launch pumpkins down the field! You can watch this beauty in action before heading home or to family or friends’ for the big turkey dinner. READ MORE

The Christmas Ride at Pumpkintown USA

East Hampton - Opens November 24, 2023
Beginning Thanksgiving weekend you’ll be able to drive your car through the Forest and see how the Pumpkinheads celebrate the holidays.  Enjoy a one- of-a- kind daytime holiday journey through the winter Pumpkintown Forest in the comfort of your own vehicle. Step back in time on this scenic 1-mile drive through a winter themed landscape where over 30 Pumpkinhead people celebrate an old-fashioned holiday season. READ MORE

Holiday Magic at Florence Griswold Museum

Old Lyme - Opens November 24, 2023
The Florence Griswold Museum's annual Holiday Magic celebrations return. The museum tries to make every Christmas really special because it was Miss Florence's birthday. This year there will be over 250 palettes on four stunning palette trees in the Krieble Galleries. READ MORE

The Wood Library & Museum's Annual Gingerbread House Festival

South Windsor - Opens November 24, 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

Merry Days and Jolly Nights in New London

New London - Opens November 24, 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

Santa Comes to Roaring Acres

Suffoeld- November 24, 2023
Santa Claus will be returning to Roaring Acres Alpacas for the fourth year in a row to celebrate the season with his farm friends. Families will have the opportunity to see Santa, capture the moment with photos, hangout with the alpacas, and do some shopping in our lovely Boutique! Santa will be collecting Christmas lists and checking them twice, so feel free to bring your lists with you! READ MORE

Visit Santa At The Shore Line Trolley Museum

East Haven - November 24 and 25, 2023
Come and take a ride to visit Santa and grab your holiday photos!  Take a stroll through the decorated trolley barns and take a ride on a real antique trolley car.  The station and trolley yard will be decorated for the holidays so there are plenty of photo ops.   Dress for cool temps! READ MORE

Turkey Daze & Trail Stroll

Canton - November 24-November 25, 2023
How well do you really know Meleagris gallopavo, the wild turkey, a cousin of the domesticated turkey? What is a turkey’s snood? What is a Jake? Do turkeys have beards? Take a self-guided turkey scavenger hunt or register for a guided hike at 1:30 pm. Crafts, quiz and more.  Free with admission to the Nature Center. READ MORE

Hebron Lions Lights in Motion

Hebron - November 24 and 26, 2023
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

A Christmas Carol, Ghost Story of Christmas

Hartford - November 24-26, 2023
Back after a three-year hiatus! The magic of Charles Dickens' returns. Spend some time with Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim, Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future. READ MORE

Lobster Trap Tree Lighting Ceremony

Stonington - November 25, 2023
Celebrate the talents of more than 100 local artists and families who created beautiful hand-painted buoys that make up this giant Lobster Trap Tree. Together with thousands of colorful lights, this display will be the ideal family photo location this holiday season. READ MORE

Mystic Tree Lighting & Lighted Boat Parade

Mystic - November 25, 2023
Santa Claus is coming to Mystic with the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in Historic Downtown Mystic. Thousands gather at the Mystic River Park to watch Santa arrive!  The tree lighting is scheduled for 6pm. READ MORE

New Canaan Nature Center's Thanksgiving Weekend Waddle

New Canaan - November 25, 2023
Grab the entire family (and any lingering holiday visitors too) and head on down to the New Canaan Nature Center! You won’t want to miss this awesome annual event, a long-time favorite for both members & guests. Join the NCNC Naturalists for a healthy, invigorating Trail Trek to work off that holiday meal. READ MORE

Niantic Holiday Stroll

Niantic - November 25, 2023
Come celebrate Small Business Saturday and the holiday season in Niantic at the 20th Annual Niantic Holiday Stroll. This family-friendly day features shop and restaurant specials, trolley rides, Snoppy's Dog House, Mermaid Elf Scavenger Hunt, hands-on children's activities and crafts, Shop Small Snowflake Contest, and last, but not least, the arrival of Santa at the Liberty Green just in time for a tree lighting ceremony.  READ MORE

Reindeer Goat Photos

Middlefield - November 25, 2023
Get a little Goaty this Holiday Season! Bradley Mountain Farm is offering Reindeer Goat Photos at Lyman Orchards during their Holiday Pop-Up Shop from 10am-3pm. READ MORE

Glow Hartford - Indoor Holiday Light Festival & Market

Hartford - November 25 and 26, 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

Night of Lights: Hayrides with Santa at Fairview Tree Farm

Shelton- November 25 and 26, 2023
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

Reindeer Snuggles at Bradley Mountain Farm

Southington - November 25 and 26, 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

PaleyLand Opening Weekend

New York City, NY - November 25 and 26, 2023
PaleyLand returns with the arrival of Santa Claus and a packed schedule of weekend meet and greets, photo ops with beloved holiday characters, including Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, Hermey the Elf, Blizz the Snowman, and a Toy Soldier. READ MORE

Holiday Dazzle Light Parade

Putnam - November 26 , 2023
Enjoy this fun holiday tradition through downtown Putnam with floats, music and lights galore to kick-off the holiday season in brilliant style. READ MORE

A Magical Cirque Christmas

New London - November 26, 2023
The world’s greatest entertainers unite for a spell-binding and incredible holiday production. Experience the enchantment of Christmas with an evening of dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists, accompanied by your favorite holiday music performed live. Embrace the holiday spirit with a variety show full of nostalgia, charm, and awe-inspiring performances for all ages.  READ MORE
In every part of Connecticut, you can find holiday lights and family fun!
In every part of Connecticut, you can find holiday lights and family fun!

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Places featured in this article:

Stonington Town Dock
Niantic Town Green
Connecticut Convention Center
Steven & Alexandra Cohen Skating Center