The Thanksgiving leftovers are in the fridge. The Black Friday chaos is over. You step outside one crisp night, breathing in the fresh, cold winter air. You see them glowing on your neighbor’s fence— you may even have your own up, too. Christmas lights earmark the start of the Christmas season, which is why so many Christmas activities center around incredible displays of light-up art. Welcome the most wonderful time of year with our top five Christmas light shows here in Connecticut.
Hebron Lights in Motion
Who doesn’t love a drive-through light show? At Hebron Lions enjoy Lights in Motion, a drive-through light display for the holiday season. Set up at the Hebron Fairgrounds, you will enjoy over a million lights including “Cindy Lou Who,” the 17-foot snowflake and a 200-foot, lit tunnel. Ring in the holiday season at Hebron!
Dates: Nov. 24 – Dec. 31
More information here.
Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum
Another long-running light show, the Tunnel of Lights celebrates its 45th anniversary this year! Sing Christmas Carols as you ride the trolley car through a hall of over 15,000, plus several holiday hologram short films (courtesy of Campiti Ventures). Once the trolley ride ends, be sure to check out the Visitor Center for wonderful displays of model trains. Next stop; the North Pole!
Dates: Nov. 24 – Dec. 30
Tickets available here.
Fantasy of Lights
Christmas is the time for giving, so why not support a good cause while seeing holiday lights? All ticket sales for Fantasy of Lights support Goodwill of Southern New England, helping the organization provide employment and other opportunities to people with disabilities. Plus, it’s a drive-through light show, meaning you can stay comfortably warm in your car. It’s a win for everybody!
Dates: Nov. 17 – Dec. 31
Tickets available here.
Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce
Though it features over 300,000 lights around the park, the Holiday Lights festival at Lake Compounce has more to do than just look at lights. There are plenty of kid-friendly activities such as writing letters to Santa, making your own snow globe, and riding the North Pole Railway! It’s a great place to take energetic and active kids who don’t want to just look at lights.
Dates: Nov. 24 – Dec. 31
Tickets available here.
Glow Hartford
With a staggering one million lights, Glow Hartford is the best place to go for real Christmas light diehards! The giant, interactive light installations will have you smiling and reaching for the camera all night. This year, the exhibit features the Glow-comotive train ride, giving you a whole new experience under the lights— combine that with free Santa photos, a holiday market, great food and drink, and even a scavenger hunt, it’s clear Glow Hartford is a great pick for an all-day light show outing.
Dates: Nov. 18 – Dec. 23
Tickets available here.
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