Shopping mall Santas have been de rigueur since store owner James Edgar donned a red suit and snowy beard to entertain children in 1890. Today the tradition is alive and well in malls across Connecticut, including Stamford Town Center, Danbury Fair, and Westfarms.

If you're looking to mix it up with a Santa outing that's a little bit different, we have rounded up our 50 favorite Santa activities across the state. Some events are free and require no preregistration, but many of those that do require advanced tickets are VERY popular and can sell out early, so you'll want to buy tickets as soon as possible. In a separate post we've also rounded up where to have a yummy breakfast with Santa. Don't forget to check our Holiday Fun Guide and events calendar often for more holiday happenings!

In my house, we like to mark big occasions with a special little treat.  Last day of school? Let’s get a donut! First day of school? How about a milkshake? But, sometimes not just any old milkshake will do. Sometimes you need to go big. Sometimes it’s a REALLY big occasion that needs  you to go so big that your milkshake needs its own zip code. Connecticut has a rich variety of ice cream parlors (check out our favorites in New Haven, Fairfield, New London, and Hartford) and over-the-top food experiences from Insane Ice Cream to a Chocolate Trail.  The latest wave of Frankenfoods to sweep the Nutmeg State seems to be Freakshakes. 
 

Known as the birthplace of American pizza, the city of New Haven lives up to its reputation as a first class foodie destination. Thanks to Market New Haven, you can experience many culinary delights in the city of pioneering restaurateurs. But New Haven is more than a foodie town. It’s a place to explore history and architecture, art and culture. It's where ideas are nurtured and celebrated. Happily, it’s also very accessible to families and is wonderfully walkable. Take the kids for a day trip or a weekend getaway and experience the city for yourselves with this list as your guide.