'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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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
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Get into the spirit of the season with holiday activities like Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. Photo courtesy of XL Center
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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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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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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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Weekend Fun: Oysters, Fairs, and All Things Apple

Photo by Eric Tetreault courtesy of The Connecticut Renaissance Faire
Photo by Eric Tetreault courtesy of The Connecticut Renaissance Faire
9/4/19 - By Donald Eng

Are you burned out on harvest fairs? Neither are we! If you want to head out for a day at the fair, we've got you covered, with rides, games, food, farm animals and more in North Haven, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Ledyard. This weekend is loaded with other fall festivals of the non-agrarian variety, too, including the annual Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival, highlighted this year by a free concert featuring former Bad Company frontman Brian Howe. Or, head to Lebanon as pirates invade the annual Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Little foodies will want to head to Morris to savor fine treats and baked goods (you can enjoy the wine and craft beers) of Litchfield County.

Of course, it's finally time for ripe, juicy apples. These Connecticut apple picking spots are our local favorites for families!

For the latest and best family-friendly goings on around the state, keep checking our frequently updated events calendar and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram. Have a great weekend!

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Slide into some fun at the Norwalk Oyster Festival. Photo by Richard Bonenfant
Slide into some fun at the Norwalk Oyster Festival. Photo by Richard Bonenfant

Things to Do in Connecticut All Weekend

The Connecticut Renaissance Faire

Lebanon
Step back to the past at The Connecticut Renaissance Faire. It's a time to play and unwind, to feast and drink, and a time to celebrate the old-fashioned way. READ MORE

Norwalk Seaport Association's Oyster Festival

Norwalk
The beloved annual Oyster Festival features live music from dozens of bands on multiple stages, as well as festival entertainment and attraction for the whole family.  READ MORE

St Peter’s Annual Apple Festival

Monroe
St Peter’s Annual Apple Festival is a community tradition held on the historical Monroe Green where craft vendors from around New England sell everything from doll clothes to jewelry to woodcrafts. There are games for kids, lots of food and baked goods, and, of course, plenty of apples. READ MORE

Septemberfeast in Simsbury

Simsbury
Septemberfeast is a two-day multicultural celebration of family fun, food, art, and togetherness Bring the kids, relax, unwind and listen to music. READ MORE

Annual North Haven Fair

North Haven
The annual North Haven Fair features lawn mower racing, kid's entertainment, a petting zooi, magic shows, and more. There will also be rides and games by Rockwell Amusements. READ MORE
Clowning around all weekend at St Peter’s Annual Apple Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Clowning around all weekend at St Peter’s Annual Apple Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Things to Do in Connecticut Saturday

St. Jude Harvest Music Festival

Middlefield
Head to the Lyman Orchard for a free, family-friendly festival brings together great music, delicious food, an amazing Corn Maze and fun activities for kids! Plenty of activities for the whole family including wagon rides, face painting and fruit picking in the orchard! READ MORE

Hartbeat Music Festival

Hartford
A free, day-long celebration of the Hartbeat's local & regional music, with three stages, 20+ bands, hands-on music, and other family-friendly activities, local food, beer & more. READ MORE

Family Fall Fun Fest

Waterbury
The United Methodist Church of Waterbury and Country Garden Daycare/Preschool at 250 Country Club Rd. in Waterbury, CT invites families with young children to the Family Fall Fun Fest READ MORE

CT Folk Festival & Green Expo

New Haven
On Saturday, September 7th, from 11 am to 10 pm the CT Folk Festival & Green Expo presents their annual festival at New Haven’s Edgerton Park. READ MORE

Keychain and Bracelet Workshop

New Haven
Add a pop of color to your personal jewelry, and learn to use it as a customized bracelet. READ MORE

Discover Putnam: River Fire

Putnam
Discover Putnam events are up and running and on July 23, along the River Trail, your family will be entertained with an Alfresco Concert. At 8:30 pm, the night light up as twinkling and glowing firepots will be set free on the Quinebaug River. Enjoy live music as the whole family watched the travelling fires. A magical experience! 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
Up close to see the magician's magic trick. Photo courtesy of Savor Litchfield
Up close to see the magician's magic trick. Photo courtesy of Savor Litchfield

Things to Do in Connecticut Sunday

Savor Litchfield

Morris
Restaurants, specialty markets, bakeries, winemakers, distilleries, craft brewers, and others will fill the white barn and 90-acre property at the magical South Farms to serve their signature cuisine, desserts, and curated cocktails to foodies and fun-loving folk in the area. READ MORE

Bruce ConsTRUCKS: A Public Celebration of the Campaign for the New Bruce

Greenwich
Visit the Bruce Museum for Bruce ConsTRUCKS, a day of free family fun to celebrate the start of the Museum’s exciting new renovation and construction project. Thre will be construction trucks to explore, children's crafts, and a live musical performance by Songs for Seeds.  READ MORE

Launch Party: "I'm Mad at the Moon"

Simsbury
On Sunday September 8, the Storyteller’s Cottage will host a free party to celebrate the launch of Mary Grace Dembeck’s new children’s book “I’m Mad at the Moon”.  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

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

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