Guide: Holiday Events in Connecticut

Looking for something fun to do this holiday season? Whether it is a tree or menorah lighting or a winter festival, here is a guide to some fun, holiday events. Check before heading out, as times and dates are subject to change.

Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce
Nov. 19-Dec. 31
Lake Compounce
185 Enterprise Drive
Bristol
Times: Dates/times vary
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Trolley Museum Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights
Nov. 25 - Dec. 30
Connecticut Trolley Museum
58 North Road
East Windsor
(860) 627-6540
Times: Check website for various times
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A Holiday Wonderland at the Mansion
Nov. 25 - Dec. 31
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum
295 West Avenue
Norwalk
Phone: (203) 838-9799
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The Santa Story
Nov. 26-Dec. 30
Downtown Cabaret Children's Theater
263 Golden Hill St.
Bridgeport
Times and dates vary
Phone: (203) 576-1636
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Gingerbread Houses
Nov. 24
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington
Time: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
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New Canaan Holiday Stroll
Dec. 2
Downtown New Canaan
91 Elm St.
New Canaan
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Festival of Trees
Dec. 2
Gunn Memorial Library
5 Wykeham Road
Washington
Time: 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
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Frosty the Snowman
Dec. 2-4
The Wilton Playshop
15 Lovers Lane
Wilton
Phone: (203) 762-7629
Times vary
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Santa Meet & Greet
Dec. 3
Houlihan Lawrence
161 Elm St.
New Canaan
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St. John’s Holiday Fete
Dec. 3
St. John’s Episcopal Church
78 Gunhill Road
Washington
Time: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
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Glitz: The Little Miss Christmas Pageant Musical
Dec. 2-11
Center Stage Shelton
54 Grove St.
Shelton
Times and dates vary
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Holiday in the Depot and Tree Lighting
Dec. 9
Bryan Memorial Town Hall
2 Bryan Hall Plaza
Washington Depot
Time: 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
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Danbury Music Centre Presents The Nutcracker
Dec. 9-11
Danbury High School
43 Clapboard Ridge Road
Danbury
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The Nutcracker Presented by the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance
Dec. 9-11
The Ridgefield Playhouse
80 E. Ridge Road
Ridgefield 
Time: Show times vary
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The Nutcracker a Tale Retold
Dec. 11
The Regina A. Quick Center
Fairfield University
(203) 384-2492
Times: TBD
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City of Torrington Christmas Village Parade
Dec. 11
Armory
153 South Main St.
Torrington
Time: Kicks off at 12:30 p.m.; Opening ceremony at 1 p.m.
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Script in Hand: Bad Jews
Dec. 12
Westport Country Playhouse
25 Powers Court
Westport
Time: 7 p.m.
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Irving Berlin’s White Christmas
Dec. 3 - Dec. 18
Thomaston Opera House
158 Main St.
Thomaston
Times and dates vary
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Free Concert
Dec. 17
Time: 7 p.m.
Noroton Presbyterian Church
2011 Post Road
Darien

A Holiday Handbell Concert
Dec. 17
Time: 7 p.m.
St. Peter's Episcopal Church
175 Old Tannery Road
Monroe

Carol Singing and Parade of Lights
Dec. 17
Time: 630 p.m.
On the Green
25 Main St.
New Milford

Holiday Tour
Dec. 17
Time: 11 a.m.
Putnam Cottage
243 E Putnam Ave.
Greenwich

Giant Menorah Lighting
Dec. 18
Latham Park
Bedford Street
Downtown Stamford
Time: 4:30 p.m.
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A Chanukah Wonderland
Dec. 18
Time: 12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Sono Collection
100 N. Water St.
Norwalk

Sounds of Christmas
Dec. 18
Time: 2:30 p.m.
St. Catherine of Siena Church
4 Riverside Ave.
Riverside

A Miracle on Wall St: Shopping Spectacular
Dec. 18
Time: 3 p.m.-8 p.m.
Wall Street Theater
71 Wall St.
Norwalk

North Pole Express
Nov. 19 - Dec. 23
The Essex Steam Train and Riverboat
1 Railroad Ave.
Essex
Times: Wednesday-Friday rides run from 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; Saturday/Sunday rides run from 2 p.m.-8 p.m.
Reservations and tickets are required.
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Reindeer Festival & Santa's Workshop
Nov. 25-Dec. 24
Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses
437 North St.
Greenwich
Time: Monday - Friday from 12 p.m. - 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Closed Sundays; Christmas Eve from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
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City of Torrington Christmas Village
Dec. 11-24
150 Church St.
Torrington
Time: 1 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; 12 p.m.-8:30 p.m.; Dec. 24 - 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
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Chanukah Menorah Car Parade
Dec. 24
Meet at Chabad of Stamford - end at Latham Park
Time: 6 p.m.
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Santa Express and Northern Lights Limited at the Naugatuck Railroad
Dec. 30
Railroad Museum of New England
242 East Main St.
Thomaston
Time: Santa Express - 12 p.m. & 2:15 p.m.; Northern Lights - 5 p.m. & 7:15 p.m.
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First Night 2023
Dec. 31
Ski Sundown
126 Ratlum Road
New Hartford
Time: Dec. 31 - 8 a.m.-11:30 p.m.
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