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Thanksgiving Weekend Best Things To Do in Connecticut: Silver Lights, Reindeer Festival, Holiday Trains

It's the first weekend for the Festival of Silver Lights in Meriden. Photo by Clementina Verge
It's the first weekend for the Festival of Silver Lights in Meriden. Photo by Clementina Verge
11/24/20 - By Ally Noel

Thanksgiving week is finally here, and Connecticut families will be looking for things to do close to home. Kids can find turkeys on scavenger hunts and strolls, or turn their attention to all things reindeer: There's the annual Reindeer Festival in Greenwich and reindeer-themed train rides starting up in Essex. Holiday trains are leaving the station in East Windsor and East Haven, too. Christmas lights are turning on across the Nutmeg State; we'll be at Hubbard Park, which is all decked out for the fabulous Festival of Silver Lights.

Looking for even more seasonal fun to have with kids? It's time to plan that family ski trip at a local mountain or take advantage of the gorgeous crisp weather on a family-friendly hike. Get ahead on holiday plans by booking a holiday train ride with Santa or making a reservation to see a drive-thru Christmas light display. Just remember to bring your masks and practice social distancing whenever out and about with your family. If your snuggling in at home, make sure to check out our free November online events and classes to stream virtually. As always, keep tabs on our Connecticut events calendar for daily updates on local events and virtual opportunities to make memories with your kids.

While we are trying to promote safer activities that occur outdoors or with social distancing guidelines in place, please keep your family and others safe by always wearing a mask and maintaining appropriate distance. If you arrive at an event that appears too crowded, try using the “nearby” search feature on our events calendar to find something else to do.

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Hill-Stead Museum presents an exhibit of costumes from Hartford's Ballet Theatre Company. Photo courtesy of the museum
Hill-Stead Museum presents an exhibit of costumes from Hartford's Ballet Theatre Company. Photo courtesy of the museum

Best Things To Do in Connecticut this Week with Kids

Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park in Meriden

November 25 — Meriden
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

Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village

November 25-December 31 —Mystic
Olde Mistick Village has created an old fashioned Holiday Light Spectacular for you and your family. In fact, this event will be the largest holiday lights display in southern New England!  READ MORE

IMAX Movies: Final Screenings at the Maritime Aquarium

November 27 -January 17 —Norwalk
The Maritime's IMAX theater is slated for demolition in 2021 to make way for a federal railroad bridge replacement project. Sending it out in glory by watching a screening of as many as 22 fan-favorite movies from the past three decades! READ MORE

Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop

November 27 - December 22 — Greenwich
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

Annual Gingerbread House Festival: “Land of Sweets”

November 27 - Jan 3 —South Windsor
The Annual Gingerbread House Festival is returning for its 12th year, showcasing sugary artistic creations set among sparkling lights and colorful décor that patrons can enjoy. READ MORE

Turkey Daze & Trail Stroll

November 27 - November 29 —North Canton
Enjoy learning more about turkeys at the Roaring Brook Nature Center. Take a self-guided turkey scavenger hunt or register for a guided hike at 1:30 pm. READ MORE

North Pole Express

November 27 - December 23 —Essex
Board the locomotive-powered sleigh for a magical nighttime journey to the North Pole. Every coach becomes a stage for a LIVE musical performance of “The Night Before Christmas.” Celebrate the spirit of the season with Santa and Mrs. Claus, festive sing-a-longs, and sugar cookies. The North Pole Express Tickets are currently sold out for 2022. Check out some of the other great Polar Express and Holiday Trains in Connecticut. READ MORE

Holiday Express Train Show

November 27 - January 3 —Fairfield
Young and old alike delight in the large and small scale model trains winding around spectacular winter villages and beautiful holiday scenery. Members of the Fairfield-based Housatonic Model Railroad Club, the Connecticut G-Scalers Club, and the Central Connecticut G-Gaugers Club will be on hand to answer questions and point out details of the collectibles, classic trains, modular dioramas, and antique trains in this eye-popping holiday display. READ MORE

Thanksgiving Weekend Waddle

Visit Santa At The Shore Line Trolley Museum

November 27 - December 20—East Haven
Come and take a ride to visit Santa!  Say “Hi” and grab your holiday photos!  Santa’s elves will be standing by to make sure every child gets their free gift.  Walk through our decorated trolley barns and take a ride on a real antique trolley car.   Our station and trolley yard will be decorated for the holidays so there are plenty of photo ops.    READ MORE

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights

November 27 - December 27—East Windsor
 Halls are decked both inside and outside with over 15,000 lights. Outside, closed trolley cars transport jolly guests down a tunnel of lights as they sing traditional Christmas carols with their trolley car operators. For an open air view of the Tunnel of Lights, one open sleigh car is lit up entirely with holiday lights. Be sure to dress warm and bring blankets! Inside, the Visitor Center is decorated like a Winter Wonderland with multiple model train layouts and lights galore. A food vendor will be on-site serving hot cocoa, coffee, donuts and cookies up until December 19th. READ MORE

Winter Wonderland Walk at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

November 28 - December 6 —Bridgeport
This winter the Beardsley Zoo will transform the Zoo Grounds into a Winter Wonderland. Visit during regular Zoo hours to see and walk through 10 festive vignettes at the Zoo. Santa will make an appearance on Sundays for a socially distant "hello!"  READ MORE

Socially-Distant Santa Photos in Downtown NHV

November 28 - December 20 —New Haven
Get your (socially-distanced) photo taken with Santa in downtown New Haven. Bring your masks, cameras, and family, friends, and (leashed) pets to The Shubert Theatre plaza for free photos, giveaways, and raffles. READ MORE

Mini Holiday Petting Zoo and Reindeer Train

November 28 —Bristol
Visit with the baby goats & ride the reindeer train. Enjoy free popcorn to take home, wander through an amazing Christmas shop filled with beautiful gifts, decor, and a Christmas village & train set.  READ MORE

Holiday Cheer Glow in the Park

November 28 — Bridgeport
Zip, zip hooray… it’s the holidays!  Get into the holiday spirit with the Adventure Park's Holiday Cheer Glow in the Park.  This will be the last  Glow in the Park event of the season. READ MORE

Essex Clipper Holiday Dinner Train

November 28 - December 20 —Essex
Celebrate the holidays with family and friends aboard the elegant Essex Clipper Holiday Dinner Train. Feast on a  4-course holiday meal served in beautifully decorated 1920s Pullman dining cars pulled by a vintage diesel locomotive.  READ MORE

Goat Snuggles

November 28 - November 29 —Southington
Come relax and enjoy some snuggles on the green grass with Bradley Farm’s goats. Learn about the farm's goat and take some adorable pictures.  READ MORE

Holiday Through the Tulle Exhibition Tours

November 28 - December 20 —Farmington
Delight in the magic of the season with costumes from BTC’s Through the Tulle costume exhibition, all carefully paired to highlight each period room’s Impressionist art, aesthetic, color palette, and mood. Inside the Carriage Porch, dancers will perform excerpts of The Nutcracker, complete with twirling, leaping, and pirouetting in their very own snow globe. READ MORE
The reindeer are available for visits. Photo courtesy of Greenwich Reindeer Festival
The reindeer are available for visits. Photo courtesy of Greenwich Reindeer Festival

Best Things To Do in Connecticut in November and December with Kids

Holiday Wonderland at the Mansion

Select Dates through January 3 — Norwalk
From 1868 to 1938, children played on the third floor of the Mansion, which was filled with toys and dolls and even featured a theater where they may have performed. The mansion is once again decorated for the holidays with festive  READ MORE

World Peace: Fall Exhibition at MOCA Westport

Select Dates through January 17 —Westport
The works in World Peace reflect the culture of identity, and the divided and fractured political climate of America’s past and present. This timely multi-media exhibition contains photography, sculpture, video, site-specific installations, works on paper & protest art. READ MORE

Frank Stella’s Stars, A Survey

Through May 9, 2021 —Ridgefield
Frank Stella’s Stars, A Survey will be presented both in the galleries and the Museum's Sculpture Garden. READ MORE

Fantasy of Lights at Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven

Through December 31 —New Haven
The Fantasy of Lights has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families from all over Connecticut and New England. The mile-long route features over 60 displays and 100,000 lights. Many of the displays are animated and some are fitted with LED bulbs, making them more colorful and vibrant.  READ MORE

Magic of Lights at Pratt & Whitney Stadium

Through January 2 —Wallingford
The Magic of Lights is a spectacular drive-through holiday lights display using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Enjoy the all-new drive-through Blizzard Tunnel as well as returning favorites including 12 Days of Christmas, Winter Wonderland, and The Night Before Christmas.  READ MORE

Gallery of Trees

Through December 13 — Collinsville
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
All aboard the Santa Express! Photo courtesy of Connecticut Office of Tourism
All aboard the Santa Express! Photo courtesy of Connecticut Office of Tourism

More Things To Do in Connecticut in November and December

Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2022

Polar Express trains and trolleys are ready for Christmas magic in 2022! READ MORE

Connecticut's Best Holiday Drive-Thrus and Christmas Lights

25 Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in New England for Kids

Experience seasonal fun with Christmas activities throughout New England. READ MORE

The 15 Best Holiday and Christmas Events and Activities for Connecticut Kids

Mystic, Connecticut with Kids: Top Things to Do on a Weekend Getaway

With its charming seaport and renowned aquarium, Mystic, CT offers year-round family fun. READ MORE

25 Things to Do With Kids in Litchfield County, CT

Nature and history make beautiful Litchfield day-trip heaven. READ MORE

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows near NYC in 2022

Cue the holiday music, pack a thermos of hot cocoa, and hit the road for a holiday lights show. READ MORE

Northeast Ski Mountains for Families

Nearby ski areas are welcoming families for safe winter adventures. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses
Fairfield Museum and Historical Society