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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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
Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Connecticut
Get into the spirit of the season with holiday activities like Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Photo courtesy of XL Center
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Connecticut for Kids
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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Weekend Fun: Pirates, Music, and Sunflowers

Swashbuckle with pirates on Shefflied Island. Photo by Ally Noel
Swashbuckle with pirates on Shefflied Island. Photo by Ally Noel
8/7/19 - By Donald Eng

Those cool mornings the last couple of days offer a refreshing reminder to savor these last weeks of summer. Aside from our end-of-summer checklist of activities, families can enjoy summer blooms in Killingsworth or Middlefield, sample free ice cream in East Windsor, or swashbuckle with a pirate on Sheffield Island.

We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our free newsletters and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Have a fantastic weekend!

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Lavender is a beautiful backdrop for photos. Photo by Ally Noel
Lavender is a beautiful backdrop for photos. Photo by Ally Noel

Things to Do All Weekend

Mystic Outdoor Art Festival

Mystic ~ Free
Come walk and shop the 2 miles of downtown that will be showcasing over 200 artists from around the country. Arts and craft including oils, watercolors, photographs, pastels, sculpture, woodwork, comics, acrylics, and more will be on display that you won't want to miss seeing. There will also be live musical, dance, and theater performances from local and regional artists at the Mystic Seaport Museum. READ MORE

Lebanon Country Fair

Lebanon
This major agricultural fair features livestock, crafts, carnival rides, continuous entertainment, children’s games, food vendors, monster trucks, and helicopter rides.  READ MORE

Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in Goshen

Hebron
The annual bluegrass festival features local, regional, and national bluegrass, bringing together the finest in bluegrass music each year. Enjoy a day of family activities, camping, and vendors.  READ MORE

Lavender Pond Farm

Killingsworth
The 25-acre Lavender Pond Farm includes beautiful lavender fields that typically bloom beginning in late June through August. The farm offers a magical purple tram tour that explores the property or take a walk around the fields and visit the bees and chickens.  READ MORE

Sunken Garden Poetry Festival at Hill-Stead Museum

Farmington
Featuring award-winning poets and live music, the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival is held in the museum’s historic and beautiful Sunken Garden. READ MORE
23 tons of sand creates Beach in the City. Photo courtesy of Imagine Nation
23 tons of sand creates Beach in the City. Photo courtesy of Imagine Nation

Things to Do Saturday

West Indian Independence Festival

Hartford ~ Free
The West Indian Celebration Parade steps off at 11 and proceeds to Bushnell Park. At the parade's conclusion there will be Caribbean cultural festivities including dance performances, artwork, and food. READ MORE

Woofstock on the Branford Green

Branford ~ Free
The largest annual fundraiser for the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter, Woofstock features a Woofwalk and a Hippie Dog fashion show, in addition to live music, a children's area, and vendors all day long. READ MORE

Ice Cream Social

East Windsor ~ Free
Come join the East Windsor Historical Society is celebrating the Barber Hill Schoolhouse during their Annual Ice Cream Social! In addition to ice cream there will be numerous family activities like pony rides, Colonial games, tractor and engine displays, and wagon rides through the society's newly acquired 40 acres. READ MORE

Summertime Saturday Puppet Shows

Storrs
The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry at the University of Connecticut presents its final Summertime Saturday Puppet Show of the 2021 season. This week's performance is Fox Fables by WonderSpark Puppets.  READ MORE

Beach in the City at Imagine Nation

Bristol
Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center at One Pleasant Street in Bristol, CT is bringing the beach back to Bristol for the third year in a row. READ MORE

LGBTQ Yoga with Susie Buckley

Ridgefield
Whether you are a tried and true yogi or just yoga-curious, join the Aldrich Museum for an afternoon of meditation, mindfulness, and introductory yoga led by Susie Buckley. With over 10 years of experience, Susie is a certified Ashtanga yoga teacher and leads classes for youth and young adults. This Sculpture Garden-based session (weather permitting!) is for any and all individuals who want to connect with members of the community while exploring yoga in a safe and inclusive environment. READ MORE

Things to Do Sunday

Voluntown Farmers Market

Voluntown
Local farmers and artisans gather under the maple trees to sell their goods, including local crafts, produce, soaps, jewelry, and more. READ MORE

Sheffield Island Pirates Weekend

Norwalk
Pirates are invading Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Children will get a glimpse of pirate life when they take a round-trip ferry ride to the Norwalk Seaport Association's "Pirates Weekend," taking place on the island. READ MORE

Sheffield Island Pirates Weekend

Norwalk
Pirates are invading Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Children will get a glimpse of pirate life when they take a round-trip ferry ride to the Norwalk Seaport Association's "Pirates Weekend," taking place on the island. READ MORE

Yale University Art Gallery - Family Program, Stories and Art

New Haven
On the second Sunday of each month, the Gallery invite families for folktales, myths, and exciting stories from around the world that highlight unique features of objects in the collection and inspire children of all ages to view art in new ways. No registration required; please meet by the couches in the Gallery lobby. READ MORE

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