‘Tis the season! We’re nearing the end of the year in Connecticut which means, yes….colder weather. BUT, the good news is that is also means special moments shared with friends and family and loads of holiday themed activities! As your local guide, we couldn’t let the year end without sharing some of our favorite ways to enjoy the many holiday lights displays!

Here are some fantastic light displays to check out this holiday season!

Magic of Lights: Pratt & Whitney Stadium, E. Hartford

The Magic of Lights is a mesmerizing 1-mile (1.6-km) drive-through holiday lights experience to celebrate the season. The route features holiday-themed light displays. Countless LED lights and digital animations like drive-through Blizzard Tunnel, 12 Days of Christmas, and The Night Before Christmas are worth attending. There will also be a photo op with Santa in the Xfinity Room on the nights from Thursday to Sunday.

GATE PRICING:

Nov 23 - Dec 7
Weekday (Mon-Thur): $25
Weekend (Fri - Sun): $30

Dec 8 - Dec 31
Weekday (Mon-Thur): $30
Weekend (Fri - Sun): $35

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights: CT Trolley Museum, E. Windsor

A festive trolley ride during the holiday season is a must-have experience in Connecticut. Hop on "electric sleigh" and join the motormen in singing traditional Christmas carols. Enjoy the festive illumination as the trolley makes its way through the Tunnel of Lights. Trolley Museum Visitors Center transforms into a Winter Wonderland with model trains, decorations galore, hot cocoa, and Christmas entertainment.

Tickets: Starting at $8.00 for members, $16 for non-members

Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce: Bristol

Lake Compounce Family Theme Park in Bristol transforms into a fairytale land when covered by over a million spectacular, shimmering lights. The holiday season in the park offers excellent entertainment for all ages. There is a spectacular light show every half hour, accompanied by your favorite holiday music. Kids and adults can decorate cookies, build a gingerbread house, and write a letter to Santa. Ride the North Pole Railway or sing along to classic Christmas carols. Kiddie Land gathers children to listen to stories told by Mrs. Claus, and finally, you can visit the Winter Wonderland Starlight Theatre to tell Santa your Christmas wish.

Admission: Tickets starting at $19.99

Select Dates, November 24-December 31


Glow Hartford - Holiday Light Festival & Market: Connecticut Convention Center

Celebrate the holiday season under the twinkle of a million lights at Glow Hartford! Glow Hartford returns to the Connecticut Convention Center, November 18th through December 23rd. Back by popular demand, this dazzling one-of-a-kind indoor holiday light festival is twice the size as last year!


Enjoy interactive light gardens, illuminated structures, seasonal food and drinks, family-friendly activities, a festive holiday market and daily live entertainment.


Don’t miss a FREE photo with Santa and ride on our trackless “Glow-comotive” train.


Tickets $23.50 for Children (ages 5-15); $29 for Adults; $19 for Seniors

Dates: Select dates - November 18th through December 23rd


Lantern Light Village at Mystic Seaport

Lantern Light Village is an outdoor, self-guided experience for the whole family, designed to exemplify the differences between the modern and 19th century holiday seasons. Take a journey through time as you seamlessly transition between the holidays you experience today and the holidays of the past. Enjoy festive lighting displays, live music, horse and carriage rides, crackling fires, a visit to St. Nicholas, and more, including holiday themed stories, crafts, and games!

 

Experience an original theatrical event, “Holiday Heirlooms,” by traveling through the generations of one 19th-century family’s Christmas traditions- old and new. See how Christmas and the traditions surrounding it have changed over time, and how the Christmas we know today has transformed. As you explore our historic village, you will partake in a 19th-century dance, hear songs of Christmases past, and share a family’s Christmas holiday.

 

Be sure to join us for Lantern Light Village as we bring to life New England holiday seasons of old in what’s certain to become your next favorite holiday tradition!


Tickets: $29 for Adults; $24 for Children

Dates: December 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23

Location: Mystic, CT


Bright Nights at Forest Park: Springfield, MA

Since 1995, Bright Nights has been a unique public/private collaboration between the City of Springfield’s Department of Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management and the Spirit of Springfield, a private non-profit organization. Together they have welcomed more than 67million visitors. It has been calculated that if every bus that had visited were lined bumper to bumper, they would go from Springfield to Cape Cod. The cars would go as far as California.

Expansions since the first season has include the Winter Garden, Jurassic World, Kwanzaa, Everett Barney Mansion, Happy Holidays, Springfield, as well as the additions to Toy Land featuring Milton Bradley Company and Hasbro iconic toys and games, and the Springfield Thunderbirds display.  Bright Nights has also been making the transformation to LED (light emitting diode) bulbs in many of the displays.  These include the American Flag, Spirit of the Season, Never, Never Land, Seuss Land, Garden of Peace, Jurassic World, Victorian Village, Blizzard Tunnel, Toy Land, Happy Holidays Springfield, the Giant Poinsettia Candles and more.

$23 per car

Tickets available online at brightnights.org

November 22 - Opening Night Special - $6 per car
December 5 and 12 Only - $10 Tuesday

Tickets must be purchased in advance.