Head to Hartford for New Year's Eve 2024 celebrations fit for families! First Night Hartford photo by Andy Hart courtesy of the event.
New Year's Eve Weekend 2024 in CT: Noon Year's Eve, Harlem Globetrotters, and More
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
19 Best Things To Do in Connecticut December 2024 with Kids
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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
20 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Connecticut for Kids
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.
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2024
Grab some friends for some birthday laps around the track. Photo courtesy of RPM Raceway
Fun Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Tweens and Teens
Our ultimate family bucket list has all the things to do in Connecticut before kids grow up. Photo courtesy of Lake Compounce
100 Things To Do in Connecticut Before Kids Grow Up
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
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
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
Best Museums for Kids in Connecticut: Children’s Museums and Family-Friendly Museums
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
Fun Places in Connecticut Where Tweens and Teens Can Hang Out Indoors
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.
Great Birthday Party Places in Connecticut for Preschoolers
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: Porch Jams, Butterflies, and Wing Dings; June 8-9

Milford Pirates Day. Photo courtesy of Downtown Milford Business Association
Milford Pirates Day. Photo courtesy of Downtown Milford Business Association
6/5/19 - By Ally Noel

Can you feel the excitement in the air? Summer vacation—and with it, loads of options for family fun—is almost here. It’s the last weekend of the school year and Connecticut is getting ready to party! Summer movies are starting, strawberry patches are ripening, and Summer Festival season has already kicked off. There is music in the air this weekend in Norwalk and Mystic, while Wing Dings are on parade in Bridgeport. Make sure to check out Connecticut Open House Day and take advantage of free or discounted admission to museums, parks, and galleries all across the state.

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 newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Enjoy the sunny weekend!

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

All Weekend

Sea Music Festival

Mystic
Mystic Seaport is hosting its annual Sea Music Festival, one of the world’s premier sea music events. Fans of traditional sea music gather each year to hear national and international performers, along with the Museum’s chantey staff, perform music from the history of sailing. READ MORE

DOGS: More Than Pets

Norwalk
Bone up on man’s best friend with an inside look at the science, history, DNA, folklore and pop culture of dogs. DOGS: More Than Pets is interactive, hands-on and filled with photo opportunities and hundreds of fascinating facts. READ MORE

Sharks!

Greenwich
Dive in with Sharks! at the Bruce Museum and watch live sharks develop in eggs, see life-sized models of sharks, and compare and contrast jaws and teeth from almost 20 different species! READ MORE

Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed - CANCELED

Hartford
More than 230 Maya artifacts and two dozen hands-on activities will highlight the CT Science Center's Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed traveling exhibit opening March 7. READ MORE

The Music Man

East Haddam
You got trouble in River City! Professor Harold Hill and Marian the Librarian march into the Goodspeed in this rousing performance of the classic American musical.  READ MORE
Fun at the Heckscher Farm Festival Weekend. Photo courtesy of Heckscher Farm
Fun at the Heckscher Farm Festival Weekend. Photo courtesy of Heckscher Farm

Saturday

Porch Jam

Norwalk
Twenty-five Rowayton homes have generously donated their porches for 22 bands whose performance times are staggered over the course of the afternoon. Walk, bike, and scoot to multiple homes throughout the day and soak up the music to benefit a great cause. READ MORE

Connecticut Family Festival

New London
The annual festival returns to Waterfront Park for a free celebration that is filled with activities, storytelling and appearances by recognized children's authors; performances by Steve Elci and Friends and Nathan Hale Arts Magnet School students; and food and retail vendors. READ MORE

Wing Ding Parade at the Beardsley Zoo

New London
Come one, come all to the annual Wing Ding parade! Bring the whole family for a day filled with excitement and entertainment. Get creative as you dress up for the kid’s parade through Beardsley Zoo. READ MORE

Catherine's Butterfly Party

Newtown
This tribute to the life and legacy of a first-grader lost at Sandy Hook is a free community festival that honors Catherine Hubbard’s life and her pursuit of compassion and kindness for animals and all beings. READ MORE

Cheshire Strawberry Festival

Cheshire
Enjoy mouth-watering fresh strawberry shortcake, hot dogs, hamburgers, cotton candy, and other treats at the annual celebration of this traditional New England festival. Activities will include: vendors, food, arts and crafts, games, inflatables and more. READ MORE

Walking Tour: Litchfield 1819

Litchfield
Learn what life was like 200 years ago in the country's original co-ed college town. Hear about the activities, social events, and even the romance between students at the Litchfield Female Academy and the Litchfield Law School. READ MORE

Mythical Creature Food Workshop

Easton
Join British Baker, Alison Luciana, for a food-based ‘mythical creatures’ workshop. Each participant will be creating a large 10” cake cookie unicorn, a mermaid cupcake, a dragon cookie and learning all about these amazing creatures and more. Kids go home with all of their food creations and a good knowledge of these fascinating legends.  READ MORE

Reel Nostalgia at the Drive In

Southington
Discover "reel" nostalgia at the Southington Drive-In. The theater will show 14 movies on Saturdays through the summer including Jaws, The Little Mermaid, and Weekend at Bernies. Gates open at 6pm, movies begin at sunset. Each week a different civic group will staff the drive-in.  READ MORE

Heckscher Farm Festival

Stamford
Join the Stamford Nature Center for this fun weekend on the farm and meet the newest additions to the Heckscher Farm family! Discover the sights, sounds, and smells that evoke memories of our pastoral heritage. There are lots of little lambs to ooh and ahh over, baby goats to watch prance precociously about their pens, and dozens of ducklings and chicks waddling with their mothers around the 10-acre oasis of rural life in North Stamford. READ MORE

Connecticut Open House Day

Various Locations Around The State
A day-long, statewide celebration of everything that makes Connecticut great. Attractions, museums, galleries, parks and more across the state will open their doors to welcome visitors with free or discounted admission. READ MORE
Photo courtesy of International Festival of Arts & Ideas
Photo courtesy of International Festival of Arts & Ideas

Sunday

Milford Pirates Day

Milford
The Pirates Are Coming! Come to downtown Milford Sunday, June 9, for a family-friendly day of adventure, treasure, and more at this festive event.  READ MORE

The Adventures of Flat Stanley

West Hartford
Based on the best-selling book series, Stanley folds his way around the world with his flat-tastic hijinks. Stanley Lambchop is your ordinary, everyday, run-of-the-mill, ten-year-old: normal mom and dad, normal little brother, normal life. READ MORE

International Festival of Arts and Ideas

New Haven
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas is an extravaganza of performing arts, lectures, storytelling, music, and conversations that take over theaters, town green, and open spaces in New Haven. The 2024 schedule runs from June 14 through June 29, and most events are free. READ MORE

Annual Pirates Day Treasure Hunt

Milford
For over 300 years, people of all ages have searched for Captain Kidd's treasure. Kidd and his crew will sail into Milford Harbor and "take over" downtown Milford. Come dressed as a pirate and hunt for treasure. READ MORE

Opening Day at Greenwich Polo Club

Greenwich
The whole family can enjoy watching a match as the Greenwich Polo Club.welcome players, fans, and guests alike back for another incredible season of polo. Greenwich Polo Club's season features 11 Sunday matches open to the public, with four exciting tournaments and a one-of-a-kind polo experience that offers something special for absolutely everyone. READ MORE

Harbor Point Car Show

Stamford
Hit the streets for a good cause at Harbor Point's 5th Annual Car Show. Take a look at Hot Rods, Vintage Cars, Ferraris, Corvettes and Monster Trucks to benefit the Stamford Boys and Girls Club. READ MORE

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