101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in Hartford - 2023 | Kids Out and About Hartford <

101 Ideas for Holiday Family Fun in Hartford - 2023

KidsOutAndAbout is Hartford's online guide to everything for kids, teens, and families!  The activities we've listed here are confirmed for this year, but many require reserving ahead of time, and please keep in mind that events could be canceled... so click through to make arrangements. Enjoy the holidays!

If we're missing an activity that should be on our list, please email Mindy Mangan at mindy@kidsoutandabout.com. Please make sure to include a link to the event when you email. Thank you!

Below are items that have been posted to our calendar. If you are affiliated with a business hosting a holiday event that should be on our calendar, we'd love to see it there... it's free to postClick here for instructions about how to add your organization to our list and easily post your events to our calendar!

If you don't already receive our free weekly e-newsletter for Hartford, sign up today to make sure you're in the know about free stuff, festivals, classes, camps, vacation ideas, and all the best events near you! In the meantime, enjoy the ideas below for holiday family fun in 2023! 

Santa Sightings

Multiple dates starting Nov 1, 2023

(Reservations Encouraged)

Photos With Santa - Westfarms

Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023

Santa Express — Railroad Museum of New England

Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023

Visit Santa at Shore Line Trolley Museum

Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023

Winterfest at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort

Nov 24 - Dec 23, 2023 (Closed Sundays)

15th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival - Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses

Multiple dates starting Nov 25, 2023

Visit with Santa - Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort

Nov 30, 2023

Santa & Elf Kevin visit the Library - Bristol Public Library

Dec 1, 2023

Holiday Stroll 2023 - Keeler Tavern Museum

Multiple dates starting Dec 1, 2023

Santa’s Walking Wonderland - Environmental Learning Centers of Connecticut

Dec 1 & 2, 2023

 Christmas Town Festival - Bethlehem, CT

Dec 2, 3, 16, 17, 2023

Visits With Santa - Flamig Farm

Dec 2, 2023

Events – Santa at Auerfarm

Dec 3, 2023

Photos With Santa - Westfarms - Sensory Santa

Dec 3, 2023

Breakfast with Santa - Delamar West Hartford

Dec 3, 2023

Santa Visits the Holiday Express Train Show! - Fairfield Museum and History Center

Dec 7, 2023

Polar Express @ the Library - Bristol Public Library

Dec 9-10, 16-17, 23, 2023

Breakfast with Frosty - Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Dec 10, 2023

Crafts With Santa at The Kakery

Dec 10 & 17, 2023

Brunch with Santa - Fire at the Ridge

Multiple dates starting Dec 12, 2023

Santa's Workshop at Wickham Park

Dec 17, 2023

Holiday Open House - Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed - The Bushnell

 

Chanukah Events

Dec 7-15, 2023 Chanukah - Chase Family Gallery - Mandell JCC
Dec 10, 2023 Hannukah with Mazel Puppet Show - Stepping Stones
Dec 10, 2023 Chanukah Concert - Micha Biton - JCC of Greater New Haven
Dec 10, 2023 Latkes & RELISH 2023 - Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Hartford

 

Old-Time Christmas

Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023 Christmas By Candelight - Old Sturbridge Village
Dec 1, 2023 Holiday Stroll Open House - Keeler Tavern Museum
Dec 2, 2023 Holiday Carnival at Olde Mistick Village
Dec 3, 2023 Christmas in Clinton OPEN HOUSE
Dec 16, 2023 Candy House Family Workshop - Fairfield Museum and History Center

 

Light Displays

Multiple dates starting Nov 18, 2023 Glow Hartford | Holiday Indoor Light Festival
Multiple dates starting Nov 18, 2023 Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village
Multiple dates starting Nov 19, 2023 Gallery of Trees - Canton Historical Museum
Multiple dates starting Nov 20, 2023 Worldwide Lights Celebration at Stepping Stones
Multiple dates starting Nov 22, 2023 Festival of Silver Lights - Hubbard Park
Multiple dates starting Nov 23, 2023 Magic of Lights - East Hartford
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023 Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023 Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights - CT Trolley Museum
Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023 Home for the Holidays - Mystic Aquarium
Nov 30, 2023 West Hartford Holiday Stroll
Dec 2, 2023 2023 Norwich Winterfest Light Parade
Dec 3, 2023 Holiday Block Party and Tree Lighting - The Shops at Farmington Valley
Dec 8, 2023 Festival of Lights - Olde Mistick Village
Multiple dates starting Dec 8, 2023 Lantern Light Village - At Mystic Seaport Museum
Dec 9, 2023 Niantic Light Parade - Town of East Lyme
Dec 10, 2023 Holiday Buoy Tree Lighting - Milford
Dec 30, 2023 LED Glow Show - Stepping Stones

 

Holiday Theatre

Nov 28, 2023 A Magical Cirque Christmas - Palace Theater - Waterbury
Multiple dates starting Nov 29, 2023 A Christmas Carol at The Legacy Theatre
Nov 30, 2023 Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet - Toyota Oakdale Theatre
Dec 1-3, 2023 Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker at The Bushnell Center
Dec 3, 2023 Woodbury Ballet Presents The Nutcracker - Palace Theater - Waterbury
Dec 3, 2023 SENSORY FRIENDLY - Ballet Theatre's Nutcracker at The Bushnell Center
Dec 8 & 9, 2023 Cirque Dreams Holidaze at Oakdale Theatre
Dec 10, 2023 Peppa Pig: Sing-Along Party - Palace Theater - Waterbury
Dec 10, 2023 Hannukah with Mazel Puppet Show - Stepping Stones
Dec 15-17, 2023 A Christmas Carol Puppet Show - Stepping Stones
Dec 16, 2023 HSO POPS! SERIES: Holiday Cirque! - The Bushnell
Dec 16, 2023 Holiday Cirque! – Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Dec 17, 2023 Holiday Open House - Sensory-Friendly/Relaxed - The Bushnell
Dec 22 & 23, 2023 Connecticut Ballet presents 'The Nutcracker' at The Bushnell
Dec 30, 2023 The Hip Hop Nutcracker - Palace Theater - Waterbury

 

Holiday Concerts

Dec 2, 2023

"Home Alone" in Concert with the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra at Palace Theater- Waterbury

Dec 9, 2023

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas at Palace Theater - Waterbury

Dec 17, 2023

Community Carol Sing - Mystic Seaport Museum

Dec 20, 2023

Travelers Chorale: 2023 Holiday Show - The Bushnell

Dec 22 & 23, 2023

HSO Presents Elf in Concert - William H. Mortensen Hall

 

Christmas Tree Experience

Multiple dates starting Nov 18, 2023  Dzen Tree Farm
Multiple dates starting Nov 18, 2023 Jones Family Farm
Opening Nov 24, 2023  Cedar Ledge Tree Farm 
Opening Nov 24, 2023 Pell Family Farm 

 

Active Holidays

Dec 2, 2023 Santa Made Me Do IT 5K - Bethlehem, CT
Dec 3, 2023 Blue Back Mitten Run

 

Ice Skating

Starting Nov 24, 2023 Winterfest Hartford 
  Veteran's Memorial Ice Rink
  Norwich RoseGarden Ice Arena
  South Windsor Arena

 

Shopping & Craft Fairs

Multiple dates starting Nov 11, 2023

Flanders Artisan Marketplace

Nov 16 - Dec 17, 2023 (Thur - Sun)

Holiday Boutique In The Barn - Keeler Tavern Museum

Nov 18, 2023

Indigenous Craft Fair - Mystic Seaport Museum

Nov 18 & 19, 2023

Pop Up Market - Fairfield Museum and History Center

Nov 19, 2023

Holiday Craft Fair - Roaring Brook

Nov 19, 2023

Frosty's Christmas Craft Festival - Middlebury CT

Multiple dates starting Nov 25, 2023

Annual Holiday Market - The Institute for American Indian Studies

Dec 2, 2023

2023 Continuum Holiday Bazaar - New Haven, CT

Dec 3, 2023

Holiday Celebration & Makers’ Market - NBMAA

Dec 3, 2023

Craft and Gift Fair at JCC of Greater New Haven

Multiple dates starting Nov 24, 2023

Winterfest at Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort

 

New Year's Eve

Dec 29, 30 & 31, 2023 New Year's Crafts and FUN @ the Library! - Bristol Public Library
Dec 31, 2023 Noon Year's Eve Party with DJ Lou - Stepping Stones
Dec 31, 2023 Kids countdown to New Years with the BenAnna Band - At Mystic Seaport!

 

Miscellaneous

Nov 18, 2023

Jingle Bell Trolley 2023

Nov 18, 2023

Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services: Stuff-A-Cruiser

Nov 21 - Feb 18, 2024

30th Annual Holiday Train Show - the CT River Museum

Nov 22, 2023

Hubbard Park Festival of Silver Lights Ceremony

Nov 24 - Dec 30, 2023

Home For The Holidays - Mystic Aquarium

Nov 24 - Dec 17, 2023

Gingerbread House Festival – Friends of Wood Memorial Library and Museum

Nov 26, 2023

Trees In The Rigging Boat Parade - CT River Museum

Nov 30, 2023

Meet Santa's Special Friend SATURDAY! - Bristol Public Library

Dec 1, 2023

Henry Whitfield State Museum, Guilford - Firelight Festival

Dec 2, 2023

Holiday Express Train Show Grand Opening Celebration - Fairfield Museum and History Center

Dec 3, 2023

Holiday Block Party and Tree Lighting - The Shops at Farmington Valley

Dec 3, 2023

Holidays & Horses at Farmington Polo Club

Dec 9, 2023

Build-a-Train Family Workshop - Fairfield Museum and History Center

Gifts should be provided for distribution by Monday, December 11, 2023 Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services: Holiday Gift Giving Program 
Dec 17 & 23, 2023

Oh Fudge Ginger Bread House Workshops - Powder Ridge Mountain Park & Resort

Multiple dates starting Dec 26, 2023

Drop-in: Paint-a-Train - Fairfield Museum and History Center

 


The following are items that have been added to our calendar, both virtual and in-person. If your business has upcoming events for the holidays, please click here for information about how to post it to our calendar.


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