Top 25 Places to Visit with Santa Claus in CT
Top 25 Santa Activities in Connecticut
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Holiday Light Shows in Hartford County
Christmas Light Displays in Hartford County, CT
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Nutcracker Ballet Performances in Fairfield County
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Holiday Train Rides With Santa in Connecticut
Holiday Train Rides With Santa in CT
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A Night Out at Lake Compounce Holiday Lights in Bristol, CT
If you haven't been to Lake Compounce, the oldest continuously-operating amusement park in North America, you are missing out. This gem has been entertaining families since 1846, mostly as a summer retreat May through September in Bristol, CT.
However Holiday Lights is a special event during select weekends in November and December. Located in Hartford County, the park is adorned with thousands of lights and decorations, and winter-themed activities abound.
Activities:
A light show set to music greets you at the Main Gate every thirty minutes. As you stroll through the park, there are several light displays on trees and lawns. It is tastefully done. Clark Griswold might not approve.
There is a moderate selection of rides open - most in the Kiddieland area. Bumper cars, carousel, kiddie roller coaster and North Pole Express train ride to name a few. I think ages 7 and up may be disappointed; it is definitely geared towards younger children. A few games such as ring toss and skee ball are also open near the rides.
You can visit with Santa at the Winter Wonderland building, but you may not take your own pictures. Prices are steep, starting at $15 per photo. In the same area, you could decorate a cookie ($5) or a small gingerbread house ($6), or write a letter to Santa ($2) and put it in a large mailbox. My son will write his letter at home for free.
Other activities we saw around the park were ice carving demonstrations, balloon animal creations, story time with Mrs. Claus and a festive sing-a-long where kids are encouraged to come on stage and play instruments.
Pros:
It is a real thrill to be in the park while festive music plays and lights surround you. It is hard not to be in a good mood. Younger children (7 and under) will be thoroughly entertained by the number of rides they can go on. Also, a few gift shops were open, so you can get some shopping done and maybe purchase a season pass, which makes a fantastic gift.
Cons:
If you aren't a season pass holder, this can turn into a costly night. I'd recommend eating at home before or after, and maybe just getting hot cocoa or a snack such as a smore or a pretzel. The other huge drawback, to no fault of Lake Compounce, is the weather. We were there on a 30-degree night, and had it not been for my four layers of clothing, I would have been pretty miserable. But if you come prepared with the correct gear it can be a very enjoyable, festive way to spend a night during this holiday season.
When:
Runs weekends through December 22nd. Fridays (5p-9p), Saturday/Sunday (4p-6p).
Price:
Adults - $14.99; children - $10.99; ages 3 and under - free. Season pass holders for 2013 or 2014 admitted free. If you buy tickets online you can save $3 per adult admission. There is also a coupon you can print on the website and save $3 off adults (Friday and Sunday) and $2 off adults (Saturday) . Parking is $8 or $15 for preferred. You can purchase a souvenir mug ($7) which gets you free refills of hot cocoa during your visit. This does not include the adult spiked hot beverages such as cider and egg nog ($6 and up). Those beverages are a welcome option on a brisk night. Free soda is not available during Holiday Lights.
Lake Compounce Family Theme Park
186 Enterprise Drive
Bristol, CT 06010
860-583-3300
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Restaurants Open on Christmas Day in Connecticut (Fairfield County)
Where to Dine out Christmas Day in Fairfield County
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Holiday Light Shows in Fairfield County
Christmas Lights in Fairfield County, CT
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Santa Pictures in Fairfield County
Pictures with Santa in Fairfield County
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Christmas Lights Around Mommy Poppins Cities: Holiday Eye Candy!
One of my favorite holiday activities when I was a kid was going for an evening ride to look at the Christmas lights - and it remains one of my Christmastime pleasures to this day. If a drive in search of neighborhood lights doesn't fit your schedule this season (or even if it does) you may enjoy an armchair peek at some of the most extravagant holiday light displays around the nation - from New York to Los Angeles (with forays into Boston, Connecticut, and Orange County as well). Read on for some Christmas eye candy, featuring the most over-the-top light displays we know!
All of the light displays featured in this slideshow are free to visit...
Candy Cane Lane in El Segundo is a cul de sac not far from LAX, where residents have been doing their holiday thing for more than half a century. The display is open only to pedestrians (with plenty of parking in the neighborhood); the only person allowed to park in the street is Santa - which he does every night at 7pm.
Wonderland at Roseville shares its love of the season in grand fashion. An electric train winds all around, and it's anyone's guess how they hang the Star of Wonder. Donations are accepted for the Shriners Hospital for Children.
The Garabedians' famous Bronx Christmas House on Pelham Parkway North is a New York favorite, with its mixture of traditional Nativity scenes, corpulent angels, and nearly 200 animated figures all glammed up in old-school Hollywood-style gowns.
La Salette Shrine's Christmas lights have been shining each year since 1953. Visitors can see angels, snowflakes, the Three Kings, the Peaceable Kingdom, and more, lit up with more than 300,000 lights.
The North Kensico Christmas Light Show is the most extravagant of four decorated homes on its White Plains block, that together create a one-of-a-kind Christmas light display synchronized to a radio station playing holiday tunes.
Santa's Corner in Queens is completely wrapped in thousands of twinkling lights, with lawn figures and a glass display case filled with moving toys to complete the flamboyant neighborhood favorite.
Lindy Christmas House on Long Island is strung with 40,000 to 50,000 lights, synchronized to music, and features nightly snowfall. Visitors are asked to make a donation or bring an unwrapped gift for a child in need.
Holiday Lights Spectacular at Turtle Back Zoo illuminates the night each season with animal and holiday-themed figures, including wooden soldiers and stars to delight little ones.
Candy Cane Lane in Woodland Hills - LA's other Candy Cane Lane - actually covers at least four lanes, down which cars drive slowly in a holiday evening parade, with kids hanging out of sunroofs singing along to carols and cheering the many displays.
The Christmas House in Torrington is covered in tinsel like you can't imagine; every square inch of lawn and house is covered with a colored light, candy cane, or Santa figure - some in motion, and some not.
Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is known for its overwhelming number of decorated homes in one area: block after block of twinkling lights, illuminated inflatables, animatronic figures, giant nutcrackers, and one insanely massive Santa.
The Balian Mansion, home to Altadena's Balian Ice Cream family, has been gifting the community with opulent Christmas light displays for generations, attracting Angelenos to stare in disbelief since the 1950s.
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Things to do Over the Holiday Break with Kids in Hartford County
Christmas Break Activities for Kids in Hartford County, CT
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10 Holiday Theater Shows for NYC Kids: 5 Under $15, 5 Worth the Splurge
This post is in the process of being updated for 2014. Please check back in mid-November.'Tis the season to get the gang all dressed up to see some holiday shows. While there are certainly lots of spectacles to splurge on beyond the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, if you've got young children you may not want to blow all of your bucks on theater tickets. That's why our roundup includes five inexpensive, low-key shows, perfect for fidgety preschoolers, as well as five eye-popping extravaganzas that are worth the splurge. Bonus: We've got the scoop on how to save money to a few of those higher-priced offerings.
From A Charlie Brown Christmas live onstage to a puppet take on Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus to kid-friendly mountings of The Nutcracker and The Magic Flute, here are our top ten holiday shows for NYC families. You can find lots of other seasonal fun in our NYC Holiday Guide.
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Quirky Christmas: Some NJ Holiday Events You May Not Have Heard Of
Annual light displays, check. Breakfast with Santa, check. Annual holiday shows, double check. All good stuff, to be sure. But if you're thinking you might like to mix up your holiday adventures a bit, check out some of these, shall we say, "off the beaten path" celebratory ideas. Some are out of state; some are at your local garden center. Because sometimes parents need to throw something new into the mix to keep these kids on their toes.
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Volunteering with Kids (Fairfield County)
With all the getting that goes on this time of year, you have to be intentional to get your kids to understand the importance of giving as well. If you'd like to go beyond the family gift exchange to teach your kids about the needs in their community, there are several ways to do it here in Fairfield County -- even if they're quite young. For those in Litchfield County and Hartford County, we've listed some options for volunteering with kids there as well.
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DreamWorks North Pole Adventure at Westchester's Ridge Hill: Find Santa with Shrek's Help in this Immersive Holiday Experience
I have a confession to make: I have three kids (ages 11, 7 and 5) and I've never taken them to see Santa. Its not that my family doesn't enjoy Christmas. We love looking at decked-out houses and decorating our own tree, all that good stuff. It just so happens that my kids have never been keen on characters—from Elmo to Mickey, they turn away from all of them, and whenever we pass Santa in the mall or at a holiday event, they never want to meet him.
However, when I heard about DreamWorks' brand-new North Pole Adventure at Westchester's Ridge Hill in Yonkers, I was intrigued. I figured even my character-shunning kids might enjoy going on an immersive journey to find Santa, with Shrek and his pals leading the way. And, since everybody hates lines, I was thrilled to hear that, unlike Macy's Santaland and other Kris Kringle spots, you book your North Pole Adventure time slot in advance online, so no wait! Plus it's FREE (though purchasing photo packages is, of course, encouraged but not required).
As you can see from our pics, my kids and I really enjoyed our North Pole Adventure experience but there are some important things to know before you go, especially if you're making the trip from NYC or upstate.
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What's New at the New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show 2014
The New York Botanical Garden’s Holiday Train Show celebrates its 23rd anniversary this year, and as always it's one of New York City's top seasonal attractions for families. Little electric trains go whizzing by more than 150 NYC landmarks made out of acorns, twigs, bark, berries and leaves. My family and I make it a point to go every year—it's truly a quintessential New York holiday experience. There's a reason it's No. 52 on our list of the top 100 things to do with kids in NYC.
For this edition of the annual spectacle, visitors will find more trains than ever before (nearly a quarter-mile of track!), a new slate of kids' activities and other enhancements. We've got great pics, important tips and the overall scoop on everything there is to see and do at the 2014 Holiday Train Show, which opens Saturday, November 15, plus info on other seasonal train exhibits in NYC. You can find even more fun in our Holiday Fun Guide.
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Weekend Fun for Philly Kids Nov 15/16: Scouts, Sales and Holiday Spirit
The holidays are upon us. Grocery stores have clearanced out fall goodies to make way for winter holiday treats. Malls are playing Christmas carols and setting up Santa's chair for young visitors. And our Mommy Poppins calendar is no different. This weekend, we notice some holiday events creeping onto our pages with many more to come!
However, there are some non-holiday events to embrace before we are immersed in the season. There are Boy Scout or Girl Scout events to help scouts earn badges. If you are looking for a bargain, check out this weekend's consignment sales. Or, channel your artsy side and make a mosaic cookie plate... just in time to leave cookies for St. Nick on Christmas Eve.
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Holiday Baking Classes for Long Island Kids
Long Island Places where kids can learn to bake.
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Turkey Trots and Other Holiday Fun Runs: Festive Foot Races for Boston Families
kids' races, holiday fun runs, family-friendly holiday themed foot races
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Top 25 Santa Activities in Connecticut
Top 25 Places to Visit with Santa Claus in CT
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Macy's Santaland NYC: Big Changes for 2014, Plus the Best Times to Go & How to Skip the Line Entirely
While there are plenty of places to see Santa in New York City, none compares to Macy's Santaland. I realize a lot of natives dismiss it as just for tourists but my family and I think it's a magical experience so we go every holiday season.
Macy's Santaland is a 13,000-square-foot North Pole village complete with live elves, an enchanted forest featuring animatronic toys and a large train display. Yes, the line is often long but at least there's a lot to look at while you wait. Plus there are great photo ops along the way.
In the past, Macy's Santaland has been pretty much the same year after year, but for 2014, the company has made some significant changes to the display and the experience overall. We've got the scoop on what's new and different, plus the best times to go to avoid the crowds, photos of some of the fantastical things you'll see and important tips that will help you make the most of your trip. You can find more seasonal fun in our NYC Holiday Guide.
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