As the crisp New England air settles over the Nutmeg State, soon enough a dusting of early snow and the scent of pine will make the arrival of the holiday season official. The winter months see Connecticut’s historic towns and lively cities trade in pumpkin spice for sparkling lights and yuletide charm.
The magic is already palpable, and there is no better time to embark on an adventure that will fill your season with cheer. For University of Connecticut students, our state has a holiday outing for every type of merrymaker.
Twinkling Lights
What’s the holiday season without an over-the-top light display? Connecticut certainly doesn’t disappoint. In addition to many enthusiastic homeowners’ lawns, larger-scale setups ensure you can enjoy the glow from the cozy comfort of your car.
Just down the road from UConn is the Hebron Lions Lights in Motion drive-through spectacle, boasting over 1 million lights all synchronized to music. The route is about a mile long with 350 animated displays covering the Hebron Fairgrounds property. It’s best to take it all in; the drive takes about 20 minutes.
Admission covers all legally-seated occupants per car. At the gate, a ticket costs $40, but you can save by pre-purchasing online; the price is $29.95 until Thanksgiving and $34.95 after. The proceeds benefit various local charities, including Make-A-Wish Connecticut, Camp Rising Sun and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.
The Magic of Lights in East Hartford also offers a stunning display utilizing LEDs. It’s part of a national tour with themed elements such as “Prehistoric Christmas” and “Enchanting Tunnel of Lights” plus a new “Reindeer Rest Stop” — an out-of-car attraction with photo opportunities.
The drive-through light show spans a square mile of Rentschler Field, wrapping around Pratt and Whitney Stadium.
The event’s “any day” ticket price until the start of December for one car costs $30 online, with a weekday ticket at $26. After then, an “any day” ticket costs $35 online and $43 at the gate, and a weekday ticket costs $30 online and $37 at the gate.
If you’re looking for a fantastic free display, visit the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park in Meriden. Over 300,000 sparkling lights illuminate the park with displays of illuminated trees, animals, icons and holiday scenes.
Photo courtesy of Grzegorz Dawidowicz on Facebook.
You can drive through the park roads to see the lights, or bundle up for a stroll. It’s an incredibly popular annual event and (worth mentioning again) free, so I’d recommend planning for traffic.
Some of my favorite childhood holiday memories are marveling at these lights!
All Aboard!
For those seeking a classic escapade, taking a festive ride on Connecticut’s historic railroads is a must-do. The Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston runs two holiday trains: the “Santa Express” during the day and “Northern Lights Limited” at night, where passengers can share in the magic as they wind through the Litchfield Hills on restored vintage coaches traveling on the Naugatuck Railroad’s storied tracks.
Reservations are required. Tickets are approximately $70 for two passengers.
These experiences are truly a throwback to a simpler time and offer a heartwarming way to create lasting holiday memories, and perfect for all ages too. Be sure to bring a cup of hot cocoa!
P.S. — the Railroad Museum of New England runs excursion trains all year round. It’s a great idea no matter the season.
Small Town Charm
Don’t overlook the allure of Connecticut’s quintessential small-town celebrations.
The Ridgefield Holiday Stroll is a beloved weekend event, featuring carolers, horse and carriage rides and great local shopping. It’s a free event sponsored by the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce, and is happening on Friday, Dec. 5 and Saturday, Dec. 6.
For an immersive experience, the Lantern Light Village at the Mystic Seaport Museum takes you on a journey through time, exploring historic traditions and seasonal spirit in a breathtaking waterfront setting. You’ll be transported to historic Greenmanville, with an immersive experience inspired by Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” as the three ghosts of Christmas inspire Scrooge to “bring the joy of the season to all of Mystic.”
This fun outing runs weekends in December.
Ticket prices vary with prices ranging from $25 to $40, with promotional pricing on Fridays. The event has staggered entry times every 15 minutes, beginning at 5 p.m. with additional entry time on Saturdays.
Urban Festivities
Meanwhile, Connecticut’s major cities will be buzzing with urban holiday flair. The Hartford for the Holidays hub brings together festivities in our capital city, with free things to do like the Bushnell Park’s tree lighting on November 30 and ongoing Winterfest events — and an online calendar of performances, shopping events and other great downtown holiday activities.
New Haven also has premiere holiday charm. You can explore the festive markets at the Shops at Yale, with events and promotions like ice carving demonstrations, caroling and local musicians. Downtown New Haven’s Holiday Happenings resource also has an easy-to-read calendar of fun things to do, many of which are free.
Just over the border in Springfield, MA, you can enjoy the holiday magic too. The town’s We Love Springfield webpage is your key to the fun, with events like Grinchmas at the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, Bright Nights at Forest Park and promotions from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Thunderbirds, MGM Springfield and Mass Mutual Center among others.
Happy Holidays
The Christmas season in Connecticut offers a rich tapestry of adventures. Don’t let these joyous moments pass you by — grab your mittens and make this holiday season an adventure to remember.
Which of these festive Connecticut holiday destinations are you planning to visit first?