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20 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Connecticut for Kids

Communities celebrate the season with free holiday and Christmas events for families! Winterfest Hartford photo by Andy Hart, courtesy of the IQuilt Partnership
Communities celebrate the season with free holiday and Christmas events for families! Winterfest Hartford photo by Andy Hart, courtesy of the IQuilt Partnership
12/4/22 - By Jennifer Coe

'Tis the season for free holiday and Christmas events in Connecticut for kids. Are you a fan of sparkling lights, sweet gingerbread treats, or decorated trees? With so much holiday fun, December in Connecticut offers it all! Families will love attending a community tree lighting or Santa parade. You can spy the intricate details on dozens of gingerbread houses and visit Santa's workshop with several locations in Connecticut. Maybe singing carols together or making seasonal crafts is more your style. Chilly nights are perfect to drive through a magical light display. Connecticut's free holiday activities offer something for everyone this December.

If you can't get enough of the sparkle of holiday lights, consult our list of Connecticut's Best Holiday Drive-Thrus and Christmas Lights. For more holiday adventures, consult our Holiday Fun Guide and region's 25 Top Holiday and Christmas Activities. 

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The 75th Annual Community Carol Sing brings families together in holiday song. Photo by Joe Michael, courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
The 75th Annual Community Carol Sing brings families together in holiday song. Photo by Joe Michael, courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum

Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Connecticut for Kids

Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park in Meriden

Meriden — December 1, 2022 - January 1, 2023
Witness the illumination of more than 350,000 twinkling white lights. Enjoy more than 200 figures and buildings decorated with lights in this spectacular display.  READ MORE

The Wood Library & Museum's Annual Gingerbread House Festival

South Windsor — December 1-18, 2022
One of the largest gingerbread house displays in New England features an incredible array of candy covered houses. The Festival will take place at Wood Memorial Library on Main Street in South Windsor, and rest assured that we will implement any precautionary measures to keep patrons safe. READ MORE

Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop

Greenwich — December 1-24, 2022
Santa and his three LIVE reindeer are returning to Greenwich for the 14th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop. The cherished town tradition continues where visitors can have their photo taken with Santa, meet the reindeer and also enjoy the new Santa's Workshop, which provides more space for families while they wait in line for their photo with Santa. READ MORE

Winterfest at Bushnell Park in Hartford

Hartford— December 1, 2022 to January 8, 2023
Free skating 7-days a week at Winterfest on the east side of Bushnell Park over by the Pump House. Don’t have your own skates? Winterfest has free skate rentals too. READ MORE

Gallery of Trees

Canton — December 1-11, 2022
Join us at the Canton Historical Museum to celebrate the holiday season during the Annual Gallery of Trees. This holiday tradition features beautifully decorated trees generously donated by area businesses, community organizations, churches, families and individuals. READ MORE

Lisbon Santa Parade

Lisbon — Friday, December 2, 2022
Sponsored by the Lisbon Fire Department, the Santa Parade will be lighting the way for Santa to visit! Santa is coming to town and will be escorted around town by the department on Dec. 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. READ MORE

New Canaan Holiday Stroll

New Canaan — Friday, December 2, 2022
This highly anticipated kick-off to the holiday season in New Canaan is back! Please check back for more details.  READ MORE

Holiday Tree Lighting at Wakeman Town Farm

Westport — Friday, December 2, 2022
It’s a festive, fun, and free event for the whole family. In addition to the bonfire, roasting marshmallows, and hot cocoa, there will also be a variety of local school musicians playing some Christmas and Chanukkah favorites. READ MORE

Milford Lamplight Stroll

Milford — Friday, December 2, 2022
Come make merry at a Classic New England Tradition in Milford. The nostalgic Lamplight Stroll in Downtown Milford is a charming Christmas event and unique shopping experience for the whole family. Enjoy horse and carriage rides around the twinkling Green, yuletide carolers, and of course, a visit from Santa himself! READ MORE

A Christmas Town Festival

Bethlehem — December 2 - 3, 2022
The beautiful 85’ tall Norway Spruce tree on the Bethlehem town green is the largest in the area and will be lit during Friday evening's opening ceremony. Enjoy live musical entertainment, children's crafts, a scavanger hunt, train ride (Friday only), hayride, photos with Santa, and craft and food vendors. READ MORE

Santa Celebration

Somers — Saturday, December 3, 2022
  Santa will be visiting the Somers Public Library on Saturday, December 3. Online registration will begin on Saturday, November 19.  Families can sign up for one of three sessions: 9:00 a.m., 9:45 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. Each program will feature the reading of a Christmas story, time to talk with Santa, a snack and a free book at the end of the program. Parents are invited to... READ MORE

Christmas in Collinsville

Collinsville — Saturday, December 3, 2022
A family-friendly day of Christmas festivities in the charming New England Village of Collinsville.  ​Visit the shops and businesses in historic downtown Collinsville. READ MORE

Heights and Lights

Stamford — Sunday, December 4, 2022
Brian Cashman, General Manager of the New York Yankees and friends are scheduled once again for Reckson’s Rappelling Santa. They will make their daredevil descent down the 22 stories of the Landmark Building then zip-line to the Ferguson Library followed by Fireworks. After the rappel, Santa’s busy holiday schedule will take him straight up Bedford Street to Latham Park where he will join the Stamford Community for holiday music with the Candy Cane Carolers and the lighting of the Holiday Tree. READ MORE

Christmas in the Village

Plantsville — Thursday, December 8, 2022
A town-wide holiday celebration. Christmas in the Village has so much to do for everyone. Starting with the town tree lighting at 5:30. enjoy hot cocoa, a mini Polar Express, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, face painting, a bonfire and so much more!  READ MORE

Meriden Yulefest

Meriden — Friday, December 9, 2022
Santa comes to Meriden to help kick start the Holiday season. There will be vendors, food trucks, and entertainment and so much more.  Don't miss Santa coming to town via train. READ MORE

Annual Santa's Workshop at Wickham Park

Manchester — December 10 to December 15, 2022
A free event sponsored by Wickham Park. Children of all ages enjoy visits with Santa and his elves and refreshments with Mrs. Claus. Santa's Workshop provides a chance for children to enjoy an uncommercialized Christmas experience. READ MORE

Santa Con

Norwich — Saturday, December 17, 2022
Calling all Santas! Santa Con is a place for Santas of all kinds to come together just for fun. Come in costume and share your Santa secrets. READ MORE

75th Annual Community Carol Sing

Mystic — Sunday, December 18, 2022
Enjoy free admission to Mystic Seaport from 10am to 4 pm with the donation of a canned food item. READ MORE

Nature Creation Station

Mystic — Sunday, December 18, 2022
Stop by the JX Barn at Coogan Farm for an inclusive, naturalist-led open art studio for families with children of all ages and abilities. The naturalists/artists will be on hand to provide project inspiration and materials for kids to create their own masterpiece.  READ MORE

Chanukah Fire On Ice

West Hartford — Sunday, December 18, 2022
A family event! Fire On Ice includes live music from 8TH DAY, a Hassidic Rock Band. See a live carving of an 8 foot tall ice Menorah, a grand Chanukah gift drop with the West Hartford Fire Dept. Kids will enjoy a trackless train, arts and crafts and Mad Science with Inventor Mentor. READ MORE

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