City Lifestyle

City Lifestyle

Want to start a publication?

Learn More
Winterfair in Hartford includes dozens of local vendors.

Featured Article

Winter Revels

Local Holiday Happenings, Light Shows and Celebrations This Year

 

  1. Jingle & Mingle Holiday Luncheon

    • Date: December 17, 2024, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

    • Location: Riverfront Community Center and Fairgrounds, 300 Welles St.

    • Details: Enjoy holiday tunes from Smith Middle School’s Chamber Ensemble, a delicious gluten-free meal, and dancing to Jukebox 45. Visit Glastonburyct.gov.

  2. Trees of Giving

    • Dates: December 6-7, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

    • Location: Glen Lochen, 39 New London Turnpike

    • Details: Open to the public with no entry fee. Admire beautiful holiday displays, enter to win a gift tree, and visit Santa. All funds raised benefit local families in need. On Facebook: @treesofgiving.

  3. Santa's Run

    • Date: December 8 (Snow Date: December 15) at 8 a.m.

    • Details: Road race with Santa. Fees: $15 (Pre-registration), $25 (Day-of-Race). The start line is located on Hubbard Street near Glastonbury High School, and the finish line is in the school parking lot adjacent to the gymnasium. Registration is near the high school gymnasium. Visit Glastonburyct.gov.

  4. North Pole Express at Gray Granite Railroad

    • Dates: Various days, November 23 - December 22

    • Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

    • Details: The Gray Granite Railroad on Cavanna Farms becomes a magical train ride to Santa’s cabin, with optional horse-drawn wagon rides. Tickets: $10 (Children 2 and under free). Visit Graygraniterailroad.com.

  5. Lighting the Center

    • Date: December 6, 2024

    • Location: Fountain Green on Main Street, Glastonbury

    • Details: A family-friendly annual tree-lighting event sponsored by the Glastonbury Town Center Initiative featuring Santa's arrival. On Facebook: @glastonburytowncenterinitiative.

  6. Lights on Eastbury Pond

    • Dates: Starting late November

    • Details: Drive by to see a festive light display created by local volunteers. On Facebook: @lightsoneastburypond.

  7. Nutcracker Ballet

    • Location: The Bushnell, Hartford

    • Dates: December 14-22

    • Details: A classic holiday performance by local ballet companies. Visit Bushnell.com.

  8. Fire on Ice Hanukkah Celebration

    • Location: TBD

    • Date: December 29

    • Details: An annual Hanukkah celebration sponsored by the Chabad House of Greater Hartford. Includes a community menorah lighting, music, kids' activities, and food. On Facebook: @ChabadHartford.

  9. Hartford Winterfair

    • Location: Union Station, Hartford

    • Dates: November 30 - December 22, Saturdays and Sundays, noon-5 p.m.

    • Details: A holiday market featuring over 30 vendors inside Union Station’s Great Hall. Visit Winterfarehartford.com.

  10. Annual Holiday Stroll

    • Location: Blue Back Square, West Hartford

    • Date: December 5, 5 p.m.

    • Details: Get into the holiday spirit with West Hartford’s Holiday Stroll at Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center. On Facebook: @Whartfordcenter.

  11. GLOW Hartford

    • Location: Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford

    • Dates: November 29 - December 29

    • Details: Enjoy an annual indoor holiday light display with over a million lights. Tickets start at $15. Visit Hartford.glowgardens.com.

  12. First Night Hartford

    • Date: December 31, 2 p.m. - midnight

    • Details: A New Year's Eve tradition featuring art, music, food, and community, with two fireworks shows at 6 p.m. and midnight in Bushnell Park. Visit Ezevent.com for information and tickets.