21 Festive Things You Can Do in Connecticut this Holiday Season
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When the holiday season arrives, Connecticut transforms into a winter wonderland, brimming with festive events and holiday traditions. From beautiful light displays to family-friendly activities, there’s plenty to do during the holiday season in Connecticut. Here are some of the best things to do in Connecticut this holiday season!
Ice Skate at Foxwoods Resort Casino
The Ice Rink and Winter Terrace at Foxwoods Resort Casino is a great family-friendly thing to do this holiday season. You can rent a pair of skates or bring your own during the day or under the twinkle of holiday lights. Be sure to enjoy the other festive decorations and photo ops around the casino during your visit!
Visit The Stonington Lobster Trap Tree
The annual Lobster Trap Tree in Stonington, Connecticut is a must-visit. This is a really popular attraction that can get crowded, but I promise it’s worth the crowds. The tree features buoys that are decorated by local artists and children and you can go inside this massive tree for a photo op. A volunteer will take a picture of you and your group for you!
Hubbard Park’s Festival of Silver Lights
The Festival of Silver Lights in Hubbard Park is a stunning holiday light display to check out this holiday season. The displays are set up so you can drive through the park and enjoy a majority of them from the warmth of your car. But, I highly recommend bundling up and walking around the park for the full experience.
Holiday Lights Spectacular in Olde Mistick Village
The Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village is a great display to visit. Take a walk through the village to enjoy the unique holiday light displays outside of the businesses of the village. Be sure to grab a hot drink from Cloak and Wand to keep warm and make a stop into the Sofia’s Mystical Christmas store.
Check Out The Gingerbread House at Mohegan Sun
If you’re looking for something to do indoors, check out the Gingerbread House at Mohegan Sun. This gingerbread house is life-sized and you can walk right through it. While you’re visiting the casino, be sure to also check out the other festive decorations they have on display.
The Christmas Ride at Pumpkintown USA in East Hampton
If you’re looking for a unique holiday experience, head to Pumpkintown USA in East Hampton to do their Christmas Ride. This is a great option if you have young kids because there’s no walking involved. Enjoy a drive through the woods and check out the pumpkin people doing festive things! We ordered hot chocolates to enjoy as we drove through that came in super cute Pumpkintown travel mugs!
Fantasy of Lights in New Haven
The Fantasy of Lights holiday light display is in Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, Connecticut. This is a drive-through event that is great for all ages. This is a great way to enjoy some holiday lights from the warmth of your car.
Lavender Hill Farm Alpacas Festive Lights in Voluntown
Another unique and family-friendly activity to checkout this holiday season is the Festive Lights at Lavender Hill Farm Alpacas. I stumbled across this event on Facebook a couple years back and I’ve been going every year since! They do such a great job decorating the farm and you’ll get to visit with their alpacas.
Starry Lights Display in Pawcatuck
The Starry Lights display is in Donahue Park along the Pawcatuck River. There are plenty of photo opportunities here. This display actually is in Rhode Island as well and you can walk from the Connecticut portion of the display to the portion in Wilcox Park in Westerly, Rhode Island. It’s definitely worth seeing it all!
Buoys by the Bay in Niantic
Much like Stonington’s Lobster Trap Tree, these cute little trees in Niantic feature buoys that have been decorated by local artists. As the name suggests, they’re located right by Niantic Bay. They’re located in downtown Niantic where Route 156 and 161 meet.
Ivoryton Illuminations in Ivoryton
The Ivoryton Illuminations is a holiday light display at the Ivoryton Town Green. The light display is synched to music. To enjoy this show, tune your car radio to the station noted on the sign in the park. You’ll get to watch the lights twinkle to the beat of the music.
Magic of Lights in East Hartford
The Magic of Lights in East Hartford lets you drive through a wonderland of festive lights, dazzling displays, and seasonal music. It’s perfect for a family night, a date, or even just a fun night out with friends. Plus, it’s all from the comfort (and warmth!) of your car.
Santa Special Ride on the Essex Steam Train
The Santa Special is a unique daytime holiday experience aboard the Essex Steam Train in Essex, CT. Enjoy the spirit of the season as you relax with family and friends aboard festive railway cars adorned with vintage decorations. Santa and Mrs. Claus visit each child on the train and it makes for a memorable experience!
Holiday Magic at the Florence Griswold House in Old Lyme
If you’re into historic houses and art, check out Holiday Magic At The Florence Griswold Museum. This spot in Old Lyme is a great place to visit during the holidays! The house is decorated for the holidays and there are different themes in each room based on the artwork in the room. Additionally, there are trees decorated with paint palettes that were painted on by talented artists from across the country!
Take Your Own Christmas Photos at Samuel Smith Farmstead
This is another unique thing to do if you’re into historic homes! Samuel Smith Farmstead is a historic circa 1685 home in East Lyme, Connecticut that offers take-your-own Christmas photos on-site! There are various photo opportunities set up outside and inside the house by a decorated mantel.
Christmas at the Castle at Gillette Castle State Park
Holidays in the Park at Gillette Castle State Park is a very popular holiday event in Connecticut. It’s so popular, the tickets sell out fairly quickly, so you’ll want to get your tickets early. Tour William Gillette’s 1919 castle and explore festive activities around the grounds.
Christmas in the Colonies at the Leffingwell House
Christmas in the Colonies at the Leffingwell House in Norwich, CT is a great event to go to if you’re into history. You’ll learn about how Christmas was celebrated in the colonies and you’ll even get to taste various drinks and food they would have enjoyed. It’s really quite like stepping back in time!
Mystic Boat Parade
The Mystic Boat Parade in downtown Mystic features boats decked out in holiday lights. The boats will travel down the Mystic River from the Mystic Seaport Museum to downtown Mystic. This event gets crowded, but it’s definitely worth checking out at least once.
Holiday Open House at the Avery-Copp House in Groton
The Holiday Open House at the Avery-Copp House offers a simple, festive way to step into the season. Guests can tour the historic home, enjoy seasonal decor and refreshments, and learn about local traditions. It’s a free, one night event that’s definitely worth going to if you’re interested in historic homes.
Dino Lights Winter Festival
If you’re looking for a fun holiday experience that’s family-friendly, check out the Dino Lights Winter Festival at the Dinosaur Place in Montville, Connecticut. This event features thousands of twinkling lights and festive dinosaurs. There’s also a playscape that the kids will love and hot beverages to warm you up on colder nights.
Yuletide Celebration at the Nathan Lester House
If you love historic homes, this event is a great one to check out in Ledyard, Connecticut. This event is hosted at the Nathan Lester House, which was built in 1793. The house gets beautifully decorated for the holidays, refreshments are served, and there’s even carolers! Not only was it gorgeous inside the house, but it also smelled DELICIOUS from the food that was being served inside!
