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Things To Do in Connecticut this Weekend: Colonial Thanksgiving, Science, Fantasy of Lights

Learn about Thanksgiving food science this weekend! Photo courtesy of the Bruce Museum
Learn about Thanksgiving food science this weekend! Photo courtesy of the Bruce Museum
11/13/19 - By Donald Eng

It's time to start gearing up for Thanksgiving! This weekend, there are plenty of ways to celebrate this season of thankfulness and traditions, with a little history and science thrown in. Take the kids to a Colonial Thanksgiving at the Welles Shipman Ward House, complete with hearth-cooked chicken pie and Marlborough pudding. Or, learn about the fascinating (and tasty) science behind Thanksgiving food at the Bruce Museum. 

If you just can't wait to get into the Christmas spirit, try the first performance of The Nutcracker this season, or visit the opening weekend of the annual Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point in New Haven.

To make sure that you don't miss any of the fun, subscribe to our free weekly newsletters and follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Read on for our highlights of events happening this weekend, and check our frequently updated daily events calendar for even more ideas.

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Native American education combines with play at Wigwam Escape. Photo courtesy of The Institute for American Indian Studies
Native American education combines with play at Wigwam Escape. Photo courtesy of The Institute for American Indian Studies

Things To Do All Weekend

Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven

New Haven
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

Cider Making Demonstrations

Old Mystick
Take a break from the ordinary and come visit a National Historic Landmark and see the 6th generation of Clyde family making cider just like B.F. Clyde did in 1881. READ MORE

A Christmas Carol at the Cabaret Theater

Bridgeport
It’s the perfect holiday treat for the whole family: a brand new twist on the timeless story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Join Tiny Tim, Bob Cratchit, Jacob Marley, Mr. Fezziwig, and many more as past, present, and future collide to teach Scrooge about kindness and generosity in the season of giving. READ MORE

Wigwam Escape

Washington
Wigwam Escape is an immersive, hands-on learning experience through the Institute for American Indian Studies. Visitors will experience the daily live of native people in 1518.  READ MORE

Big Adventures: Dinosaurs

Norwalk
Jump into a time machine and travel back 190 million years to see a full size “living” Dilophosaurus, Connecticut’s State Dinosaur. Then zoom back to 2019 to a paleontologist’s laboratory and discover the clues dinosaurs left behind. READ MORE
Cheer on the big trucks with the kids. Photo courtesy of Monster Jam
Cheer on the big trucks with the kids. Photo courtesy of Monster Jam

Things To Do Saturday

Turtle Dance Music

Hamden
Get ready to dance and have fun at Bergen PAC. Turtle Dance Music aims to spark children’s curiosity and imaginations through interactive, inclusive musical performances that use a wide range of instruments, stuffed animals, games and technology. READ MORE

Bizarre Bazaar

Bristol
It's a holiday craft show at the New England Carousel Museum. Kids ride free all day while parents shop. The museum's arts and crafts room also will be open. READ MORE

24th Annual Holiday Open House

Warren - Free
For 24 years, Angevine Farm has opened up their barns for children to create holiday crafts at no charge. READ MORE

Monster Jam at Webster Bank Arena

Bridgeport
Monster Jam® is adrenaline-charged family entertainment providing jaw-dropping displays and gravity-defying feats that promises to always leave fans entertained. Monster Jam events feature some of the most recognizable trucks in the world including Grave Digger®, Max-D, El Toro Loco® and many more. World-class drivers push these perfectly engineered Monster Jam trucks to their limits in Freestyle, 2-Wheel Skills and Racing competitions that will put families on the edge of their seats and leave them craving more of this unexpected, unscripted and unforgettable event. ​ READ MORE

The Magic of Lyn

Cheshire
Premier Illusionist Lyn Dillies infuses all the spectacle and flash of Vegas into an enchanting, family-friendly stage show. READ MORE

Saturdays at Earthplace

Westport
On Saturday afternoons, join the naturalists of Earthplace for a fun and educational nature class. Each Saturday will feature a different topic so visitors are encouraged to come to one or come to all. READ MORE
Learn about Colonial holiday food traditions. Photo courtesy of the Welles Shipman Ward House
Learn about Colonial holiday food traditions. Photo courtesy of the Welles Shipman Ward House

Things To Do Sunday

Bruce Explorers. Thanksgiving Food Science Lab

Greenwich
The Bruce Explorers will get to learn about a wide variety of science topics, like what’s often found on the holiday table. This drop-off program is designed for children ages 7 to 16 who are ready to take a deep dive into science.   READ MORE

Thanksgiving is Here! at Welles Shipman Ward House in South Glastonbury

South Glastonbury
In Colonial New England, Thanksgiving was the most exciting time of the year. Families gave thanks for the harvest and renewed family ties and friendships. Just like today, families traveled to get together and a special meal was the focal point. READ MORE

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

New Haven
The critically acclaimed stage production of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show features a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets and faithfully adapts four stories by author/illustrator Eric Carle READ MORE

Splash'N Boots

Ridgefield
Put your dancing boots on – Universal Kids’, Splash’N Boots are coming to The Ridgefield Playhouse with the biggest Yellow and Blue Family concert ever.  READ MORE

Guided Nature Hike: CANCELED

Ansonia
Take a guided hike on 2.5 miles of trails at the 150-acre Ansonia Nature Center property. The center's forest, fields and pond change with the seasons so each hike is unique. READ MORE

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