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The holiday festivities are lighting up Connecticut with fun things to do with kids this weekend! Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins.
The holiday festivities are lighting up Connecticut with fun things to do with kids this weekend! Photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins.
12/6/23 - By Jennifer Coe

Looking for the best things to do in Connecticut this weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

December keeps gifting kids with fun things to do in Connecticut! While kids anticipate seeing Santa, Mrs. Claus, or maybe Frosty, moms and dads are also looking for events the whole family will enjoy. Seeking some one-on-one time with a child? Make cupcakes at Stew Leonard's, candles in Bristol, or squishies in South Windsor with them. You might check their teachers off the shopping list! Looking for something classy that everyone will  dress up for? A trip to the theater in Waterbury is a great idea for the Holiday season. No matter what you choose to do, make some lasting memories!

For some stay at-home Holiday ideas check out our list of Kids Holiday Movies to  Watch this Holiday Season and 25 DIY Christmas Crafts for Kids.

More Things To Do in Connecticut This Week with Kids:

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These sparkling weekend activities are worth a buck or two! Ice Carving Demonstration and Concert photo courtesy of the Shops at Yale
These sparkling weekend activities are worth a buck or two! Ice Carving Demonstration and Concert photo courtesy of the Shops at Yale

Things To Do in Connecticut this Weekend with Kids

PaleyLand Holiday Weekend: Meet Santa, Snoopy, and More!

NY, NY- December 9,2023
Step into the happy hullabaloo of PaleyLand and enter a Peanuts paradise! Capture a picture-perfect moment with Snoopy and scoop up a FREE Snoopy keepsake (while supplies last). Then cozy up for an exclusive screening of the heartwarming new Snoopy holiday special, Happiness Is Holiday Traditions, and craft Snoopy-themed masterpieces at the arts and crafts station.  READ MORE

Festival of Lights

Mystic - December 8,2023
Walk through this winter wonderland beginning at dusk when thousands of luminaries light the walkways and the surrounding area. READ MORE

Holiday Cupcake Workshop

Newington - December 8, 2023
Join Stew Leonard's as they decorate four festive cupcakes to bring in the holiday season! Each child will decorate a hot chocolate cupcake, a vanilla ornament cupcake, a Santa hat cupcake, and a vanilla snowman cupcake. In addition, each child will be able enjoy a custom hot chocolate made at our hot chocolate bar. READ MORE

Candle Making Class

Bristol - December 8, 2023
Create a candle to keep or give as a gift. Add coloring or a scent to personalize it. Please come by 5:30 in order to ensure you have time to complete your candle(s). Each ticket is good for making one soy wax candle. READ MORE

4 X'Mas/The First Night of Channukah

Suffield - December 8, 2023
Four heart-warming plays of Christmas and a monologue play, plus a story of a man stranded in a North Dakota airport who bemoans his fate as "the only Jew who's ever been in North Dakota" while a stranger asks help in lighting a menorah. Performed with a minimum of rehearsals, and a maximum of creativity. READ MORE

Holiday Pops

Storrs - December 8, 2023
Celebrate the magic of the season with “America’s orchestra.” Perfect for music lovers of all ages, this beloved annual concert is just bursting with holiday music favorites. Treat yourself to a festive Friday evening, including the traditional carol sing-along and a surprise visit by jolly old St. Nick. READ MORE

Holiday Luminaria at the Nature Center

Mystic - December 8 - 10, 2023
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the season and experience the peaceful wonder of a luminaria-lined walk in the woods this winter. Wind through the Nature Center woods on a self-guided tour of forest trails lit by the soft glow of nearly 1000 luminaria, then warm up by a festive fire with a complimentary hot apple cider or hot chocolate at our trailside Winter Cafe. READ MORE

Christmas Cookies: A Play

Milford - December 8-10, 2023
The Most Delicious Musical of the Holiday Season! “Christmas Cookies,” winner of 9 Broadway World Awards including Best Musical, is the heartwarming story of an old-fashioned bakery, a Christmas wish and a trio of gingerbread cookies who come to life singing their way to the merriest holiday ever!  READ MORE

Legally Blonde Onstage

Stamford - December 8-10, 2023
Tickets are now on sale for The Stamford All-School Musical’s production of  Legally Blonde the Musical. The Stamford All-School Musical, now in its 16th year, is an afterschool musical theater program sponsored by the Stamford Public Schools.  This year’s cast and crew features students ages 13 through 12th grade from 13 area schools. If you've seen the movie, you're going to love the musical which is so much fun, it should be illegal!  READ MORE

The Polar Express IMAX at the Maritime Aquarium

Norwalk - December 8-10, 2023
Renew (or begin) a family tradition by securing your tickets for a magical ride to the North Pole as “The Polar Express” steams back onto the giant IMAX screen for a limited holiday engagement. Tickets must  be purchased online. READ MORE

Danbury Symphony Orchestra Presents The Nutcracker

Danbury - December 8-10, 2023
A Danbury tradition since 1967, this beautiful production features over 200 dancers from the Danbury area accompanied by the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, live. READ MORE

The Nutcracker by The Hartt School

West Hartford - December 8-10, 2023
Tchaikovsky’s glorious score provides the backdrop for this full-length, family-friendly holiday production. The magical story of Clara, her Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy is beautifully staged and performed by the HCD dance department. READ MORE

Gallery of Trees

Canton - December 8-10, 2023
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

A Christmas Story

Putnam - December 8 -10, 2023
The classic holiday film has been adapted for the stage. Follow young Ralphie as he pursues his Christmas wish for a Red Rider BB gun. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2pm. READ MORE

Storytime with Santa and his Elf

East Windsor - December 9, 2023
A great program for our younger visitors. Visitors will enjoy a ride in a decorated vintage trolley car where Santa will visit with each child and be engaged the entire ride on the trolley. Also, while on board Santa's elf will read a holiday story and each child will complete a craft. Following the trolley ride, Museum guests will head to the Visitors Center which has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland with multiple model train layouts and lights galore. READ MORE

Build a Train @ Fairfield Museum History Center

Fairfield- December 9,2023
Choo choo! Build & paint your own wooden model train and create an immersive, wintry landscape at our Build-a-Train Family Workshop on Saturday, December 9. Available time slots: 10-11 am, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, 1-2 pm, 2:30-3:30 pm. READ MORE

Cookies and Story Time with Mrs. Claus at Madison Beach Hotel

Madison - December 9, 2023
Join us for a delightful afternoon of festive holiday fun at Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton. Get into the holiday spirit at this family friendly event with holiday story time with our friends from RJ Julia Booksellers. READ MORE

Gingerbread Houses for Kids

New Hartford - December 9, 2023
Two sessions (11am and 1pm,) each with a capacity of 14 children. Materials provided, but please be prepared to get a little messy! READ MORE

Second Saturdays @ the Atheneum/Winter Solstice

Hartford - December 9, 2023
Welcome the changing seasons with a day of winter fun! Join our friends from the Japan Society of Greater Hartford and the Mandell Jewish Community Center of Greater Hartford to learn about the customs and traditions celebrated during the winter solstice. Then create your own wintery artwork to take home or give as a gift. Enjoy a special performance by the Hartt School Community Division. READ MORE

Meet Santa!

Mystic- December 9, 2023
On December 9th and 10th, Santa Claus will greet children of all ages from 12:30 to 4pm in the Chapel Meeting House. Bring your cameras.  READ MORE

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas

Waterbury - December 9, 2023
Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis has been America's favorite holiday tradition for more than 35 years. A Grammy Award-winner, Mannheim Steamroller has sold more than 41 million albums, with over 31.5 million in the Christmas genre. Their holiday CD’s have become synonymous with Christmas and occupy top positions on Billboard’s Seasonal Chart every year.  READ MORE

Breakfast with Frosty & Friends

Bridgeport - December 9-10, 2023
Get in the holiday spirit and join Frosty and all his friends for Breakfast at the Zoo. The Zoo has a longtime family tradition returning this year after a three-year hiatus: Breakfast with Frosty! A continental​ breakfast in the Carousel Building includes a visit with with Frosty the Snowman and friends, carousel rides and lots of family fun.  READ MORE

Brunch with Santa at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield

Middlefield - December 9-10, 2023
Treat the whole family to a holly, jolly time with a full brunch buffet featuring festive holiday favorites.  Be sure to bring along your camera to capture magical memories with Santa and crew at Lyman Orchards. READ MORE

A Victorian Christmas at Roseland Cottage

Woodstock - December 9-10, 2023
Step back in time and see Roseland Cottage decorated for the holidays, as featured in Victorian Homes magazine.  Costumed interpreters will lead visitors through the first floor of the museum, decorated according to the Bowens’ written account of the family Christmas celebration of 1887. The special tours highlight the traditions, decorations, and festivities that were a part of the Bowen family’s holiday. The Roseland Cottage gift shop will also be open. READ MORE

Gingerbread Holiday Piglet's Playdate

Milford - December 10, 2023
Join Giggling Pig for a morning of gingerbread magic and creativity. Make a special gingerbread play doh, exploring gingerbread-scented sensory tables and creating holiday keepsakes. READ MORE

Santa and Donuts

Farmington - December 10, 2023
Sunday, October 10th Santa will be visiting the farm truck at Hein Farm. Rogue Coffee Truck and Dude's Donut Truck will be there with delicious coffees, smoothies and donuts. Pure Goodness Bakery will sell giant stuffed cookies and cupcakes.  Santa will be available for talking to little ones and taking pictures from 11-2. No reservations required. Santa is also filling the Farm Truck for the Farmington Food Pantry - please bring non-perishables to donate. READ MORE

Kids DIY Squishies and Ceramics

South Windsor - December 10, 2023
Join Hammer and Stain for a Kids DIY Holiday Squishies & Ceramics Event.  Each child will stuff a squishy of their choosing and paint a ceramic. READ MORE

Ice Carving Demonstration and Concert

New Haven - December 10,2023
5 professional ice carvers from all over New England will each transform 900lbs of ice into a spectacular sculpture in only 4 hours on Broadway Island (56 Broadway), across from Apple/L.L.Bean/lululemon. Great photo opportunities with the sculptures after the event. READ MORE

Chanukah Wonderland at the SoNo Collection

Norwalk- December 10, 2023
Come to the Chanukah Wonderland at the SoNo Collection. This free family-friendly event is fun for all ages. There will be music, crafts, donuts, gelt, dreidels, and a menorah lighting. READ MORE

Carl Bozenski's Christmas Village

Torrington - December 10, 2023
An annual family tradition 76 years in the making! A magical place that has decorated rooms where kids can meet both Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. See the famous Toy Shop with the Elves hard at work as well as reindeer, seasonal lights and displays. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Imagine Nation A Museum Early Learning Center
Jorgensen Center for Performing Arts
University of Hartford Millard Auditorium
Connecticut Trolley Mueum
Madison Beach Hotel, Curio Collection by Hilton