Seasonal Guide, Special Event- Christmas
0December 28, 2019

This Connecticut Mom’s 2019 Guide to the Holidays!

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This Connecticut Mom’s Holiday Guide gets more and more extensive every year! We have covered a lot of territory to help you celebrate the holidays in Connecticut!

So, grab your note pad, some hot cocoa and start making some plans!

  • Allen Hill Farm: 502 Allen Hill Road, Brooklyn. All trees are $7 per foot. Farm also features Santa visits on select days, cider, cookies and crafts for sale.
  • Bees, Fleas and Trees: 551 South Plains Road, Litchfield. Trees cost: $49. Farm also offers hot chocolate and supplies for writing to Santa.
  • Dzen Tree Farm: 215 Barber Hill Road, South Windsor. Trees cost: $55. Saw provided. Farm also features reindeer, wreaths, and a snack bar.
  • Dzen’s Christmas Tree Farm: Multiple locations. Trees cost: $52. Saws provided. Farm also features a gift shop on site. 
  • Harmony Farm: 294 Bedlam Road, Chaplin. All trees are $50. Farm also features cocoa, candy canes and coloring books for the kids.
  • Hickory Ridge Tree Farm: 108 South River Road, Coventry. Hand saws provided.
  • Karabin Farms: 894 Andrews Street Southington. Trees cost $70. Saws provided.
  • Jones Family Farms, 606 Walnut Tree Hill Road, Shelton.  Trees cost $75. Handsaws provided but during busy times, you may wish to bring your own.
  • Peaceful Hill Tree Farm: 118 Clark Hill Rd, East Hampton. Hot chocolate provided to the children. There is also an operating scenic railroad display.
  • Red Hill Christmas Tree Farm: 37 South Main Street,  East Windsor
  • Syme Family Farm: 72 Windsorville Road,  Broad Brook. All trees cost $50. Enjoy cocoa and popcorn, meet the Christmas calves and more farm fun.  Saws provided. Read our Review!

For even more ideas, check this out!

In Connecticut

In Massachusetts

Sunday, December 1, 2019

  • Breakfast with Santa at the Holyoke Mall – At 9 a.m., join the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holyoke for breakfast with Santa, live entertainment, arts & crafts, raffles & giveaways, more. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Friday, December 6, 2019

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Sunday, December 15, 2019

  • Breakfast with Frosty at the Connecticut Beardsley Zoo – At 8:30 a.m., join Santa, Frosty and all their friends at special breakfast at the zoo. Tickets are $25 per person. Reservations are required. 
  • Holiday Brunch with Santa at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield–  At 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., enjoy a buffet-style brunch with Santa and Mrs. Claus in at the Homestead. Tickets include a complimentary family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Tickets are $39.95 for adults, $17.95 for ages 7-12, $6.95 for ages 3-6 and free for ages 2 and under. Pre-paid reservations are required.
  • Breakfast with Santa at Stew Leonards in Newington – At 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., families are invited to have breakfast with Santa and his friends, and then each child can decorate an ornament to take home. Seating is limited and selling fast. Adults are $16.99 and children, ages 2-11, are $14.99. Limited spaces left; please register online. 
  • Pancakes with Santa at the Sheraton Springfield – At 9 a.m., enjoy Santa’s Elves Breakfast buffet, photos with Santa, candy canes and free passes to the Festival of Trees at Tower Square! Admission is $20.95 for adults, $11.95 for ages 4 to 12, and $3 for children under 3. Reservations required.
  • Sunday Brunch with Santa at the Delaney House in Holyoke, Massachusetts – At 10 a.m., bring the kids to Sunday brunch with Santa. ! Prices are $26.95 for Adults, $14 for Children 4-12 and Children 3 and under are free. Call to make your reservations.
  • Brunch with Santa at The North House in Avon– From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., enjoy a brunch with Santa Claus before he heads back to the North Pole! Adults are $39, children are $30. Please call to make a reservation.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

Sunday, December 22, 2019

  • Santa’s Railyard at Danbury Rail Road Museum  – December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22. See website for hours. Enjoy a vintage train ride to Santa’s Toyland! Admission is $12 per person for ages 2 and up (under 24 months – free) and includes a train ride, free gift for each child, a visit with Santa and more! Tickets are available online for purchase; reservations suggested.
  • Santa’s Trolley Winter Wonderland at The Shore Line Trolley Museum in East Haven – November 29 through December 22. Please see website for dates and times. Take a ride into the past and visit with Santa! Enjoy complimentary cookies and hot chocolate! All children will receive a small gift from Santa. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online. General Admission is $10; Children 2 and under are free.
  • Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor  – November 29 through December 29. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Ride an open or closed car through the Tunnel of Lights, and then enjoy cocoa and listen to music afterwards in the visitor center. Tickets are $15 for adults, $14 for seniors, $11 for ages 2-12 and $4 for children under 2.
  • Holiday Train Show at Connecticut River Museum in Essex –  November 26 through February 23, 2020. The magic returns with this annual holiday train show. Enjoy a 26 foot model train layout, exhibits in the gallery, a scavenger hunt and more. There is also toddler size viewing at the American & Lionel Train layout. Free with museum admission. Read our Review!
  • Holiday Express Train Show at Fairfield Museum and History Center – December 6 through January 5, 2020. See website for hours. Model trains will be displayed around elaborate holiday scenery. Admission $5 Adults, $ 3 for ages 6-22, age 5 and under are free.
  • Northern Lights and Santa Express at The Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston– November 29 through December 22. Please see website for dates and times. Enjoy a train ride with Santa, carol sing-alongs and more. Limited tickets are still available online for purchase.  Prices vary depending on seating.
  • Santa’s Trains at Look Park in Northampton, Massachusetts– December 13 through December 23, open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Come visit Santa and spend some time watching the holiday inspired model trains make their way through village settings. Free.

  • Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce – November 22 through December 23. See their website for days and times. The park will be covered in lights and spectacular light shows every half hour set to music. A selection of rides will be open. Tickets are available online and start at $16.99 for adults and $12.99 for children (3 and under are free). There are discounts for advanced purchases.
  • Holiday in the Park at Six Flags New England – November 23 through January 1. See website for days and hours.  Six Flags is celebrating the holidays! Enjoy the usual rides along with special events at Coaster Alley and Candy Cane Crossing, along with shows and entertainment! Daily Admission starts at $52.99.
  • Christmas Festival of Lights at Edaville Family Theme Park in Carver, Massachusetts – Now through January 1, 2020. See their website for hours and dates. Enjoy thousands of lights as they twinkle throughout the park! All rides (including Thomasland) are open during the winter hours, and of course, you can take as many rides as you’d like aboard Thomas the train! A must visit for your little ones, especially those that love Thomas the Train! Admission starts at $37.  Read our Review!

  • Holiday Light Fantasia at Goodwin Park in Hartford–  Now through January 1. Open Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $15 per car.
  • Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park in Meriden– November 26, 2019 through January 1, 2020.  Open daily at 5 p.m. Enjoy this amazing display with over 350,000 twinkling white lights adorning 200 figures and buildings.  
  • Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park, New Haven  – November 15 through December 31. Open Sunday –Thursday from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Over 100,000 lights brighten the sky, while you enjoy a scenic drive through this winter wonderland! Admission is $10 per car load. 
  • Bright Nights at Forest Park  – November 27 through January 5 (closed December 2-3, see website for times, as they vary by date). Drive around Forest Park and enjoy the many different light displays and light shows.  Make sure to stop along the way for the carousel, Santa’s Train, photo ops, horse-drawn carriage rides, and other special attractions. Admission for vehicles is $20 during the week, and $25 for Friday through Sunday and holidays. See website for discount coupons. 

All Month Long

  • Lantern Light Tours at Mystic Seaport  – November 23 to December 22 (Friday through Sunday). See website for dates. Tours begin at 5 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes. Enjoy a performance of The Nutcracker Sweets. This is a 70 minute progressive performance that covers a half mile of uneven terrain and will require walking or standing for the majority of the performance. Performances are appropriate for all ages, but not recommended for children under 4. Tickets are $33 for adults, $28 for ages 5 to 17 and free for under 3. Tickets can be purchased online.
  • Melha Shrine Feztival of Trees at Melha Shriners in Springfield  – November 29 – December 8. Open Friday through Sunday (see their website for hours). Enjoy a feztival of trees and even enter a raffle to win one! There will also be a craft fair, food and entertainment! Admission is only $2 (children 12 and under are free).
  • A Treemendous Holiday Celebration at Enfield Square Mall– November 29 to December 15.  Open Thursdays and Fridays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Enjoy beautifully decorated trees donated by sponsors. Try your luck at winning a tree with all the gifts and trimmings. Children can also enjoy a special holiday craft. Free Admission. Read our Review!
  • Festival of Trees at MassMutual Center in Springfield  – November 29 through December 15. Open Wednesday through Sunday (see website as times vary by day). Come visit this amazing display of decorated Christmas trees, sponsored by the Boys & Girls Club of Springfield. Trees have been donated by local sponsors and are available for you to win by raffle (includes all the trimmings and gifts beneath). Admission is $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free. Raffle tickets are 25 for $10.
  • Holiday Events in Downtown New Haven at The Shops at Yale – November 29 through December 24. Celebrate the holiday season with ice carving competitions and demonstrations, free horse and carriage rides, story time with Santa and Dreidel Man, Yuletide Carolers, and more! All events are free to the public.
  • 46th Annual Festival of Trees & Traditions at the Wadsworth in Hartford– November 29 to December 8. Public viewing hours of the trees is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Community members, artists and organizations decorate holiday trees and wreaths to be displayed in the galleries throughout the week. All items are for sale, and profits help fund the museum’s special exhibitions, educational programs, and operating expenses. Admission is $3 for members and Hartford residents; $18 for adults; $15 for seniors; $8 for students and $3 for children under 17.
  • A Christmas Carol at Hartford Stage – November 29 through December 29. See website for dates and times. Enjoy a classic on stage. Recommended for ages 8 and up. Tickets start at $25 and available online.
  • Gingerbread House Festival at Wood Memorial Library & Museum – November 29-December 21. Open Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come see the different gingerbread creations; and on certain days, you may even find musical performances, local author and story time events, even visits from Santa, Mrs. Claus and other storybook characters! Free and Open to the Public. Read our Review!
  • Winterfest Hartford at Bushnell Park– Open November 29 through January 20, 2020. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., and New Years Eve: 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.). Enjoy free ice skating, free learn to skate classes and skate rentals. On select days, the Bushnell Park will also offer $1 Carousel rides.
  • A North Pole Experience at Sonny’s Place in Somers – November 29 through December 30 (see link for specific dates and hours). Explore a Christmas tree forest of fun at the mini-golf course, take a selfie with an elf, ride the Christmas carousel, enjoy a light show, visit Mrs. Claus and of course, Santa. Admission is $20 for ages 10 and up; $17 for ages 4 to 9; and free for under 4. Save by buying your tickets online.
  • Shark-Diving Santa at Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk– November 30 – December 22, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Santa will join the dive team in the shark tank! All dives are free with admission.
  • Christmas Village in Torrington – From December 8 to December 23. Hours are 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily, with shorter hours from 9 a.m. until noon on Christmas Eve. Come out and enjoy this holiday tradition!

Friday, November 29, 2019

Saturday, November 30, 2019

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Thursday, December 5, 2019

Friday, December 6, 2019

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Sunday, December 8, 2019

Monday, December 9, 2019

  • Holiday Fest in East Hartford – Starting at 10 a.m., enjoy a full day of holiday fun with a library book sale, lighting of the tree, and musical fest. 

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Friday, December 13, 2019

Saturday, December 14, 2019

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Thursday, December 19, 2019

  • Northern Lights at Mystic Aquarium – From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a sea of lights will lead the way through a mesmerizing journey along the Aquarium’s outdoor pathways. See Arctic animals in a whole new light, see fun characters, enjoy music and more. Tickets on sale now.

Friday, December 20, 2019

  • Christmas by Candlelight at Sturbridge Village  – From 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. , enjoy roasted chestnuts, music, dance, a sleigh ride and a visit from Santa Claus! Ticket prices are $14 for ages 4-17 (children 3 and under are free) and $28 for adults, and can be purchased online. 
  • Northern Lights at Mystic Aquarium – From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a sea of lights will lead the way through a mesmerizing journey along the Aquarium’s outdoor pathways. See Arctic animals in a whole new light, see fun characters, enjoy music and more. Tickets on sale now.

Saturday, December 21, 2019

  • Gingerbread House Workshop for Children at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield – At 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., turn up the holiday magic for your young ones with a fun-filled session of confectionary creativity. The Apple Barrel Bakery team will lead budding gingerbread architects and candy lovers in crafting the edible holiday homes of their dreams in this seasonal Lyman Orchards favorite. Pre-paid reservations are required.
  • The Polar Express at Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk – At 9:30 a.m., renew a family tradition by securing your tickets for a magical ride to the North Pole as “The Polar Express” returns to the giant IMAX screen for a limited holiday engagement.
  • Drop & Shop  at the Enfield Public Library – From 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., drop the kids off for three hours of games and crafts for the children while parents can run holiday errands! Ages 5 to 12 only. Space is limited. Registration starts December 2.
  • Visit with Santa at Flamig Farm in Simsbury– From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., visit with Santa and take photos, enjoy a trolley ride with Frosty out toe Reindeer land, visit the outdoor petting zoo, and enjoy apple cider donuts and hot drinks available for sale. Admission is $10 per person (free for 2 and under). Read our Review!
  • Meet Jingles at the Granby Public Library –   At 10:30 a.m., Santa’s favorite elf, Jingles will be visiting the kids to take some last-minute requests for Santa! Have your picture taken with Jingles, listen to a Christmas story, sing a holiday song or two, and take home a special treat. Drop in.
  • A Visit with Santa at Holyoke Merry-Go-Round – From 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., bring in mittens, hats or scarves for the giving tree, and receive a free ticket to ride. Plus, make sure to visit with Santa!  Read our Review!
  • Christmas by Candlelight at Sturbridge Village  – From 3 p.m. – 8 p.m. , enjoy roasted chestnuts, music, dance, a sleigh ride and a visit from Santa Claus! Ticket prices are $14 for ages 4-17 (children 3 and under are free) and $28 for adults, and can be purchased online. 
  • The Polar Express in 3D at The Connecticut Science Center –At 3 p.m., enjoy a 3D presentation of this beloved holiday movie.
  • Polar Express Pajama Storytime at The Storyteller’s Cottage in Simsbury – At 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., wear your holiday jammies and enjoy a festive evening with a storytime by Santa’s elves, cookie decorating and a visit with Santa. The cost is $15 per child. Register online now.
  • Torchlight Parade and Carol Sing in East Windsor– From 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., enjoy the sights and sounds of the holiday season with this annual event. The parade will kick off at Main Street. Enjoy hay rides, carols, arts & crafts, and even a visit with Santa. Please bring a non-perishable food item for donation.
  • Winter Wonderland at Ray of Light Farm in East Haddam– From 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., enjoy tractor drawn wagon rides, caroling at the campfire, hot chocolate and more! Santa will also be stopping in! $10 per person (children under 2 and adults over 80 are free). This event can sell out –pre-purchase of tickets is highly recommended.
  • Northern Lights at Mystic Aquarium – From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., a sea of lights will lead the way through a mesmerizing journey along the Aquarium’s outdoor pathways. See Arctic animals in a whole new light, see fun characters, enjoy music and more. Tickets on sale now.

Sunday, December 22, 2019

Have a Wonderful Holiday Season everyone!  

*Did we miss something in This Connecticut Mom’s Holiday Guide? Some events that were already sold out at the time I created this list were purposely left off.  But if you know a great event that should be included, let me know! 

 

keyword: holidays in Connecticut

 

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ThisConnecticutMom

Mom, wife, blogger

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