Winter in Connecticut is a magical time of year, filled with twinkling lights, festive cheer, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season with family and friends.
Whether you’re looking for a dazzling Christmas lights display, a cozy craft fair, or outdoor fun in the snow, the state offers an array of winter festivals that are sure to spark your holiday spirit.
From historic town celebrations to larger-than-life lantern festivals, these winter festivals in Connecticut provide the perfect backdrop for making memories and embracing the best of the season.
Explore our guide to the top winter festivals happening across the state, and get ready to enjoy everything from festive parades to heartwarming traditions that make this time of year so special.
The Top Winter Festivals in Connecticut
Lyman Orchards Winter Lantern Festival
Dates: November 15, 2024 – February 9, 2025
Location: Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, CT
This mesmerizing winter lantern festival features over 1,000 hand-crafted Chinese lanterns in stunning designs like dragons, holiday scenes, and mythical creatures. Lyman Orchards transforms into a glowing wonderland, offering an unforgettable experience. Stroll through the illuminated paths and marvel at the intricate artwork that fills the night with light.
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Glow Wild Lantern Festival
Dates: Now – December 15, 2024
Location: Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport, CT
The Glow Wild Lantern Festival brings the Zoo to life with over 35 large-scale illuminated sculptures inspired by wildlife and Chinese folklore. The event is family-friendly, and tickets are timed to ensure a more intimate experience. With glowing animals and mythical creatures, this immersive lantern festival is a must-see during the holiday season.
46th Annual Holly Berry Festival
Dates: November 22-23, 2024
Location: Sacred Heart Academy, Hamden, CT
The Holly Berry Festival is a cherished annual craft fair offering over 45 talented crafters from Connecticut. With a wide range of holiday gifts, décor, jewelry, and food, it’s a perfect destination for holiday shopping. Enjoy festive activities like photos with Santa, face painting, kids’ crafts, and a delicious food court. Admission and parking are free, making it a fantastic family outing.
22nd Annual Festival of Trees
Dates: November 22-24, 2024
Location: The Summit, Danbury, CT
A holiday favorite, the Festival of Trees transforms The Summit into a winter wonderland, featuring beautifully decorated trees symbolizing hope and resilience. Guests can enjoy live performances, raffles, crafts, and a Sip, Stroll & Shop event, plus a wine tasting experience. This heartwarming event supports Ann’s Place and is a wonderful way to kick off the season.
First Church of Christ, Farmington Holiday Fair
Dates: November 23, 2024, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: First Church of Christ, Farmington, CT
The First Church of Christ in Farmington hosts a charming holiday fair with handmade gifts, jewelry, wreaths, baked goods, and a variety of vendors. A special visit with Santa for the kids adds to the festive atmosphere, and the popular cookie table sells out fast, so be sure to get there early!
Holiday Stroll (Stamford)
Dates: November 24 – December 24, 2024
Location: Mill River Park, Stamford, CT
Experience the magic of the season at the Holiday Stroll, a dazzling light display at Mill River Park. This illuminated trail of lights offers a festive stroll through holiday-themed displays, with food vendors and a Christmas tree adding to the ambiance. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season in one of Stamford’s most popular winter events.
Glow Hartford 2024
Dates: November 29 – December 20, 2024
Location: Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT
Glow Hartford is Connecticut’s only indoor holiday light festival. This year’s “Around the World” theme showcases iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and Taj Mahal, all lit up with over a million twinkling lights. Families can enjoy interactive light gardens, a ride on the “Glow-comotive” train, and holiday activities for kids, including a passport scavenger hunt and a free photo with Santa. Plus, there’s a licensed bar for the adults to enjoy festive drinks.
16th Annual Greenwich Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Workshop
Dates: November 29 – December 24, 2024
Location: Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, Greenwich, CT
The Greenwich Reindeer Festival offers an immersive North Pole experience with photos with Santa, live reindeer, and festive activities for the entire family. Special “We’re Back Party Days” will include live music, balloon artists, and Rising Starr Horse Rescue. Santa will be available for photos, and pet-friendly photo ops are available during weekdays.
Powder Ridge Winterfest
Dates: November 29 – December 22, 2024 (Weekends)
Location: Powder Ridge Mountain Park, Middlefield, CT
Winterfest at Powder Ridge is the ultimate family holiday celebration with exciting activities like day and night tubing, snow play areas, a kids’ ski and snowboard zone, and live entertainment. Enjoy a variety of food trucks, visit Santa, and even warm up at the ice bar with seasonal drinks. It’s a fun and action-packed event for all ages.
Winterfest at the Connecticut Trolley Museum
Dates: November 29 – December 22, 2024
Location: Connecticut Trolley Museum, East Windsor, CT
The Connecticut Trolley Museum’s Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights are back for the season, offering visitors a magical trolley ride through thousands of holiday lights. Inside, the museum is transformed into a Winter Wonderland with model trains and holiday décor. This festive event runs weekends in December, with extended hours from December 26-30.
Home for the Holidays – Mystic Aquarium
Dates: November 29 – December 31, 2024, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT
The 2nd Annual “Home for the Holidays – Lights Extravaganza” at Mystic Aquarium is a dazzling holiday light show throughout the aquarium’s exhibits. Featuring festive lights, character meet-and-greets, and holiday-themed performances, this event is perfect for families looking to celebrate the holidays while enjoying the magic of the sea.
14th Annual Gingerbread House Festival “Snowed Inn”
Dates: November 29 – December 22, 2024
Location: Wood Memorial Library & Museum, South Windsor, CT
Marvel at one of New England’s largest gingerbread house festivals as you stroll through fairy tale houses and fantasy trains made of candy. Enjoy the “Ye Olde Gingerbread Shoppe” for holiday-themed gifts and treats, and take in the colorful displays created by local artisans, bakers, and students.
Bushnell Park Winterfest
Dates: Late November – Early January
Location: Bushnell Park, Hartford, CT
Enjoy free outdoor ice skating at the Bushnell Park Winterfest! With free skate rentals and lessons, it’s the perfect family outing for winter fun. Skate under the stars with the park’s beautiful holiday lights in the background, creating a magical experience for visitors of all ages.
Common Ground’s Annual Winter Festival
Dates: December 2, 2024, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Common Ground High School, New Haven, CT
Common Ground’s Winter Festival celebrates the season with a variety of local artisan booths, wreath making, and holiday crafts. Kids can enjoy fun activities, while visitors shop for unique holiday gifts and enjoy homemade treats from the bake sale. The event is free to attend, with wreath-making sessions available for just $10 each.
Festival of Trees and Traditions (Wadsworth Atheneum)
Dates: December 5-15, 2024
Location: Hartford, CT
View beautifully decorated trees and support the museum’s special programs during this annual holiday fundraiser. The Wadsworth Atheneum’s iconic Festival of Trees & Traditions transforms the galleries into a holiday wonderland, showcasing trees decorated by community members and local artists. All proceeds benefit the museum’s special exhibitions and educational programs.
Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival
Dates: December 6-7, 2024
Location: Town Green, Bethlehem, CT
Bethlehem’s Christmas Town Festival is a festive celebration featuring handcrafted vendor items, a 5K race, a hayride, free scavenger hunts, a Christmas Tractor Exhibition, and more. The festival kicks off with the lighting of a giant Christmas tree and a fire truck procession. A fun, family-friendly event in the heart of Bethlehem.
Light the Lights – Winter Festival
Dates: December 7, 2024, 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Downtown Danbury, CT
The annual Light the Lights Winter Festival kicks off with the lighting of Danbury’s 40-foot holiday tree and a fire truck parade. Visitors can enjoy holiday shopping, free cookies and hot chocolate, and live entertainment. Santa will arrive by fire truck for a perfect photo op, and the event is a highlight for families in the area.
Dr. Helen Baldwin Winter Festival
Dates: December 7, 2024, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location: Dr. Helen Baldwin Middle School, Canterbury, CT
This popular winter festival features over 50 local artisans, a bake sale, and a raffle to benefit the local food pantry. The event also includes a food truck and plenty of family-friendly activities, making it a perfect way to support the community while getting into the holiday spirit.
Winter Festival on The Farm
Dates: December 7, 2024, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Cold Spring Farm, Colchester, CT
Cold Spring Farm’s Winter Festival offers a fun-filled afternoon with holiday-themed photo ops, music, hayrides, and visits with Santa. Local vendors will be selling unique gifts, and there will be plenty of delicious food to enjoy. This event is perfect for families looking to get outside and enjoy some winter magic.
NYFS 39th Annual Holiday Festival
Dates: December 8, 2024, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Main Street, Newtown, CT
Celebrate the season with Newtown’s 39th Annual Holiday Festival! This festive event features a holiday market with local artisans, tree displays, house tours, live performances, kids’ crafts, and a gingerbread house competition. It’s a fun-filled day for families, with a variety of activities to spread holiday cheer.
Heights & Lights (Stamford)
Dates: December 8, 2024, 5:00 PM
Location: Landmark Square, Stamford, CT
A unique holiday tradition in Stamford, Heights & Lights features Santa Claus rappelling from the top of Landmark Square, followed by a fireworks show and the lighting of the city’s holiday tree. This exciting spectacle is followed by music and festivities for the whole family.
2024 Woodstock Winter Festival
Dates: December 14, 2024, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Woodstock, CT
The Woodstock Winter Festival is a fun-filled day of family-friendly activities, including shopping, free kids’ activities, prizes, and refreshments. Featuring some of Woodstock’s best local businesses, this event celebrates the spirit of the season with community fun and holiday cheer.
Winterfest at Ski Sundown
Dates: January 25, 2025
Location: Ski Sundown, New Hartford, CT
Celebrate the winter season at Winterfest with exciting activities for all ages! Enjoy live ice sculpting demonstrations, face painting, a penguin coloring contest, and live music. The event is free for those with a Ski Sundown lift ticket or pass and offers a festive atmosphere to kick off the New Year.
Know of any other winter festivals in Connecticut that we overlooked? Share them with us by dropping a comment below!
More Things to Do in Connecticut This Winter
Looking for even more things to do this winter?
Check out some of our most popular guides for ideas:
- Things to Do in the Winter in Connecticut
- The Best Places to See Christmas Lights in Connecticut
- Christmas Tree Farms in Connecticut
- The Ultimate Guide to Christmas Trains in Connecticut
- Where to Get Photos with Santa in Connecticut
- Magic of Lights Connecticut
- Glow Hartford Guide
- Holiday Lights Lake Compounce
- Carl Bozenski’s Christmas Village Guide
- Ghosts of Christmas Past Walking Tour
- The Best Places to Go Ice Skating in Connecticut
- Lyman Orchards’ Winter Lantern Festival
- The Best Hidden Gems in Connecticut
- The Best Things to Do in Connecticut with Kids
