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Hold on tight, because summer festivals and fairs are gearing up for Connecticut families! Photo courtesy of Vernon's Annual Summer Carnival
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Costumed interpreters share stories of colonial life along the historic Mystic seaport. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
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Indoor spots offer plenty of adventure in Connecticut. Photo courtesy of Urban Air.
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Best of November: Top Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids

This November, Connecticut kids can celebrate Native Americans and their wonderful culture at the Nowashe Village. Photo courtesy of the village
This November, Connecticut kids can celebrate Native Americans and their wonderful culture at the Nowashe Village. Photo courtesy of the village
10/30/22 - By Jennifer Coe

The Best of November brings so many fun things to do in Connecticut with kids! The leaves are red, gold and orange, and it's beginning to feel like the holiday season has started. We've rounded up the best fall and festive events for Connecticut kids this month. High on our list is The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular, a re-envisioned parade-like event, complete with a marching band and giant helium balloons. There's also great several on-stage productions from Aladdin to 42nd Street to Christmas in Connecticut and more! The fall weather also brings lots of opportunities for time in nature. So visit a Connecticut state park with the whole family or maybe check out New Canaan Nature Center's Awesome Autumn Day. 

If you are already feeling the Christmas vibes, see Santa arrive on a boat, stroll the Festival of Trees or be amazed by the Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce.

We’re adding more events to our family activity calendar every day, so don’t forget to check it frequently.  

 
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Big fun comes to Connecticut this November! Photo courtesy of the Stamford Downtown Parade
Big fun comes to Connecticut this November! Photo courtesy of the Stamford Downtown Parade

Best of November:Top Things To Do in Connecticut with Kids

42nd Street

East Haddam—Tuesday, November 1 -4, 2022
42nd Street—the big, bright tap-dancing extravaganza—is coming to Goodspeed in a fresh, newly imagined production. This love letter to Broadway is the ultimate show biz fairy tale of the chorus kid who becomes an overnight star. A 1930s backstage musical packed with plenty of pizazz, it will set your heart pounding with its rhythmically tapping feet and a hit parade of songs, including "Lullaby of Broadway," "We’re In The Money," "Shuffle Off To Buffalo," and of course, "42nd Street." It’s tap dance heaven! READ MORE

Celebrate Native American Heritage at the Nowashe Village

South Windsor—Saturday, November 5, 2022
Celebrate our second successful season of programming and events at Nowashe Village. Join us both in Nowashe Village and inside Wood Memorial Library for a variety of educational and eye-opening activities, FREE fun for the whole family in celebration of Native American Heritage Month. Outside in Nowashe Village, Join Taylor Stasis as she explores the traditional foodways of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribal Nation, including hunting, gathering and agricultural practices. Taylor will discus which wild plants, seeds, nuts and fruits were gathered and the major fish and fauna... READ MORE

CT Historical Society Inventor's Lab

Hartford—Saturday, November 5, 2022
Did you know CHS used to be the home of Connecticut inventor Curtis Veeder? Traveling from station to station in the auditorium, families will try out different experiments and science projects! This program is FREE and great for children of all ages. READ MORE

Awesome Autumn Day

Aladdin the Musical

Hartford—Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Disney's Aladdin : The Broadway Musical is coming to Hartford. From the producer of The Lion King comes the timeless story of Aladdin, a thrilling new production filled with unforgettable beauty, magic, comedy and breathtaking spectacle. It’s an extraordinary theatrical event where one lamp and three wishes make the possibilities infinite.  Tickets on sale now. READ MORE

Festival of Trees

Danbury—Friday, November 18-20, 2022
Join in the excitement of the Annual Festival of Trees to benefit Ann’s Place, live at The Summit in Danbury. There are so many fun things to do for the whole family at the Festival of Trees!  Walk down a winter wonderland of beautifully decorated trees and then try your luck with awesome raffle prizes and an online auction. In addition to the joy of viewing the decorated trees, there is also a ton of fun for the whole family.  READ MORE

Christmas in Connecticut

East Haddam—Friday, November 18 - December 30, 2022
Goodspeed invites you to spend a very merry Christmas in Connecticut! Smart Housekeeping columnist Liz Lane, a famous expert on marriage, cooking and homemaking, is asked by her publisher to host a war hero for Christmas dinner at her renowned Connecticut farmhouse. The only problem? She can’t cook, she isn’t married and she lives in a tiny New York apartment. Based on the classic 1945 Warner Bros. film, this World Premiere musical comedy is a delightfully cheerful way to celebrate the holiday season! READ MORE

Greenwich Ballet Academy's The Nutcracker

Greenwich—Saturday, November 19 - Sunday, November 20
Greenwich Ballet Academy’s family-friendly, breathtaking, full-length production of The Nutcracker is back on stage.  Immerse yourself in the magical tale of Clara and her adventures with the Nutcracker as they battle the Mouse King and celebrate in the Land of Sweets. Greenwich Ballet Academy’s The Nutcracker features beautiful, colorful scenery and breathtaking costumes, which make this age-old tradition sparkle to life.  READ MORE

Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce

Bristol—Saturday, November 19 - Saturday, December 31, 2022
Holiday Lights provides unique festive entertainment for all ages. Enjoy Connecticut's Tallest Christmas Tree, spectacular light shows around the park set to your favorite holiday music, take a festive train ride around the lake, decorate cookies, and write a letter to Santa. READ MORE

Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular

Stamford—Sunday, November 20, 2022
FREE
The holiday season will officially kick off in Stamford Downtown with the annual Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular, one of the largest of its kind in the country.  READ MORE

Pequot Runners Thanksgiving Day Road Race

Southport—Thursday, November 24, 2022
This scenic and fast course offers a 5-mile run or a 2.6 mile walk that goes through the Gold Coast and has some of the state's loveliest views, including Southport Harbor. READ MORE

Manchester Road Race

Manchester—Thursday, November 24, 2022
A CT Tradition, 78 years strong! The race is a 4.748 mile long hilly course through Manchester. Fans, bands, and merriment will greet you along the way. If you don't want to run, spectating is just as fun for all ages! Race will be closed after 15,000 runners or walkers. Race starts at 10 a.m. sharp. A very popular race! READ MORE

Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop

Greenwich—Friday, November 25 - Friday, December 24, 2022
FREE
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

Mystic Tree Lighting & Lighted Boat Parade

Mystic—Saturday, November 26, 2022
FREE
Santa Claus is coming to Mystic with the Holiday Lighted Boat Parade in Historic Downtown Mystic. Thousands gather at the Mystic River Park to watch Santa arrive!  Come in a sailboat or other floating craft to join the parade. Your entry fee is a new or like new coat or toy donated to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center. We will be accepting donations in advance at the Mystic Chamber office, 22 East Main st., and before the start of the parade at the Mystic Seaport Museum. Please plan to catch the 3:40pm Drawbridge opening to rendezvous at Mystic Seaport prior to the... READ MORE

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