Jennifer Coe

Latest posts by Jennifer Coe

20 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Connecticut for Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 12/04/2022 - 10:00pm

Communities celebrate the season with free holiday and Christmas events for families! Winterfest Hartford photo by Andy Hart, courtesy of the IQuilt Partnership

'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.

Best Holiday Lights Drive-Thrus and Christmas Light Shows in Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 11/27/2022 - 7:50pm

Holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows make a triumphant return to Connecticut for 2022! Photo courtesy of the Magic of Lights

The best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut have arrived for 2022! Light displays are one of the most magical experiences that Connecticut offers during the holiday season. There is nothing like sparkling lights and imaginitive displays to put a whole family in a festive mood. You won't hve far to drive for one of these big, special events, from Stamford to Mystic. Christmas light shows return again to Hartford and New Haven. So Read on for our picks for the best holiday lights drive-thrus and Christmas light shows in Connecticut.

There are also Spectacular Neighborhood Holiday Lights and Christmas Lights in Connecticut to enjoy this season. If you are looking for more things to do this holiday season, be sure to check out the Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events for Connecticut Kids. Want even more holiday fun? Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for updated events.

Holiday Volunteering Opportunities for Kids and Families in Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 11/20/2022 - 12:47pm

Volunteering in the community can help Connecticut families make the holidays special. Soup kitchen photo courtesy of the Cornerstone Foundation

Connecticut families have holiday volunteering opportunities, where they can brighten the holidays for others. Connecticut kids have a lot of love to give, but finding the right place for them to show it can sometimes be challenging. The holiday season is a great time to give to the community and teach kids priceless life lessons. Get them involved at every stage (from shopping to delivering) so that they can get the most out of it.

Of course, don't forget to check local activities in your town for other opportunities! Local charities are often most flexible in offering space to young volunteers.

Looking for fun and festive holiday events to attend with the family too? Take a peek at these 25 Holiday Activities and Christmas Events in New England and around Connecticut.

Top Holiday Activities and Christmas Events for Connecticut Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sat, 11/19/2022 - 7:59pm

Santa Claus, and lots of holiday events and Christmas activities, are coming to town! Photo courtesy of Carl Bozenski Christmas Village

The top holiday activities and Christmas events for Connecticut kids are on their way! Since time is so precious, Connecticut families want to make the most of the 2022 holiday season. With such a variety of festive activities to choose from, it's hard to know which one's are best. See one of the amazing light show that are put on annually, or local shows done for faithful visitors. If you are a train lover, this is the time of year to see amazing train displays.

Breakfast with Santa and Pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 11/13/2022 - 7:00pm

The 2022 holiday season is here, and with it are great opportunities for breakfast with Santa and pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut. So how does Santa do it? He gets all the presents ready in time for Christmas and still make time for Connecticut kids too! If your kids have a secret request to whisper in Santa's ear, there are plenty of places to go and see him, such as Santa's arrival in Mystic him. Best of all, come home with a photo and maybe a little treat. Some Christmas encounters, like breakfast on the farm or brunch and a visit to Santa's workshop, combine time with Santa with enough bacon, pancakes and hot cocoa to inspire a long winter's nap. The photo opportunities, like Luminaria at the Nature Center, will provide the family with a cherished keepsake of a moment in time. Read on for our top picks for breakfast with Santa and pictures with Santa Claus in Connecticut.

Tip: Book seats for your little elves now, because some of these events with Santa fill up fast! Check to see if photo opportunities require pre-registration, as many of them do. For other Santa sightings around Connecticut, check out our favorite New England holiday activities. And start a new tradition with 20 Fun Christmas Games for the Whole Family.

Free in November: 15 Top Things To Do in Connecticut With Kids

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 11/04/2022 - 3:18pm

Lyman Allyn's Free First Saturday is just one of the best things to do with Connecticut kids that is free in November. Photo courtesy of the event

Autumn is in full swing, and parents are looking for fun and FREE things to do in Connecticut with kids. We've rounded up November activities that won't force them to bust open the piggy banks. There is a lot of variety this month to choose from, including a huge parade, a celebration of Veteran's Day and a l eadership class for girls. Families can take advantage of the changing seasons to make crafts at the New Canaan Nature Center.

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

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Sun, 10/30/2022 - 9:00pm

This November, Connecticut kids can celebrate Native Americans and their wonderful culture at the Nowashe Village. Photo courtesy of the village

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.

Restaurants Open on Thanksgiving in Connecticut

Submitted by Jennifer Coe on Fri, 10/28/2022 - 11:00pm

Locals are lucky to have so many amazing restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Connecticut. Thanksgiving 2022 will bring families together again as everyone is looking forward to relaxing with some good food and stimulating conversation. If you aren't looking forward to actually cooking that meal (or maybe you all can't agree on the menu), there are many restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Connecticut serving up delicious and creative, farm-inspired holiday meals.

Read on for our guide to restaurants open on Thanksgiving in Connecticut. Many of these restaurants open on Thanksgiving offer special pricing for kids. We recommend making reservations ASAP, as limited seating can fill up quickly. And if you're looking for a few extra laughs over the long Thanksgiving weekend, check out 25 Thanksgiving Jokes for Kids They'll Gobble Up. And have fun throughout the season with 50 Thanksgiving Crafts, Games, and Activities for Kids and Families.