Christmas Lights in CT: Top Spots to Enjoy an Evening

Once the holidays arrive, we don’t know about you, but we love a good light show.

There’s something magical about grabbing your family, heating up some hot cocoa, and taking a drive to see all the holiday lights.

Christmas lights have a way of lighting children’s eyes up and making adults feel like kids again.

And Christmas lights in CT especially add to the elegant charm that’s characteristic of our state.

Where to See the Most Beautiful Christmas Lights in CT

So! If you want to create new memories with your family or that special someone, check out these light shows across the state.

Hebron Lions Lights in Motion

Head over to 347 Gilead St, Hebron, CT, for a magical light show all from the comfort of your car. Pack up your family, settle into your vehicle, and drive through winding roads to see layers upon layers of holiday lights. 

You and your family can see the lights most nights through January 1st. The price of admission is $32 per car, so fill up your seats with friends and family and celebrate the season. 

Festival of the Silver Lights

Head over to Meriden to check out their Festival of the Silver Lights at Hubbard Park. The lights will be up until January 2nd, so if you’ll be out of town for Christmas, you can still catch them when you get back. 

The lights can be visited at 5:30 PM, so grab some dinner and then head out to see the twinkling colors. 

Magic of Lights

In East Hartford at the Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium, Magic of Lights will engulf your car in a tunnel of shining lights. The light show features a 200-foot light tunnel and over 40 light displays. 

You’ll drive through 2 miles of Christmas lights through the help of guiding staff to see animated snowmen, elves, poinsettias, candy canes, and more! The lights will be up until New Year’s Day (January 1), so swing by to see them while they’re still up.

Each car costs up to $27, so fill it up and get ready to feel like a kid again.

The Holiday Wish

The Holiday Wish is an interactive, light-filled event that allows guests to walk around and become part of the magic. 

You can see the holiday exhibit on the 5th floor of the Stamford Town Center Mall in Downtown Stamford, CT. The lights will be available until December 24th, and the price of admission is $29.50 for adults, $19.50 for children, and free for kids under the age of 2. 

You and your family can also get a photo with Santa for $25. 

Lake Compounce Holiday Lights

Grab your family and enjoy thousands of spectacular, glimmering lights. Holiday Lights will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday until December 24th, plus Monday through Saturday, December 26th to 31st to get a final enjoyment out of the holiday season.

There are multiple types of passes available for unlimited admission to Holiday Lights so you don’t need to just enjoy the festivities for one night only!

Fantasy of Lights

Fantasy of Lights in New Haven is celebrating its 27th year of displaying their light show. Proceeds from the dazzling nighttime event goes to enhancing employment, educational, social, and recreational opportunities for people with disabilities and other challenges.

Presented by Goodwill of Southern New England, Fantasy of lights has become a holiday tradition for families across the United States at Lighthouse Point Park. 

Family cars and vans cost just $10, and the displays are available for your viewing until December 31st. 

Lantern Light Village

Lantern Light Village is an outdoor, free-roaming experience, allowing you and your family to get up close and personal to the Christmas magic. While you’re walking around, you can enjoy lighting displays, live music, horse and carriage rides, fire pits, a visit from Santa, and more! There are even holiday-themed stories, crafts, and games for the little ones.

At Mystic Seaport Museum, you’ll be able to enjoy Christmas classics, including a theatrical event, “Yuletide Spirits,” and learn how ghost stories like “A Christmas Carol” became a staple of winter festivities.

And don’t let the cold scare you off. There will be hot chocolate to warm you up! 

Here are the price breakdowns:

• Adult (Ages 13 and up) $29, Members $24
• Youth (Ages 4-12) $24, Members $19
• Ages 1-3 are free

Map design by Stanton House Inn with elements from Flaticon

Dazzling L.I.F.F.E. Lantern Festival

With a Connecticut Christmas lights display up until January 31st, Middlefield’s Lyman Orchards will host its Dazzling L.I.F.F.E. Lantern Festival from dusk to 10 PM daily. 

You and your family can enjoy the sights of over 400 illuminated lantern displays on a half-mile walking path. Guests will be able to enjoy an array of animals, insects, reptiles, plant life, and more inspired by the 2000-year-old Asian art of lantern making. 

Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase if all the walking and excitement make you hungry or thirsty. And tickets must be purchased in advance at on their website.

Here are the ticket breakdowns:

• Children 3 and younger: Free
• Children ages 4-12: $20.00 per person
• Ages 13 and up: $25.00 per person
• Groups of 10+: 10% off; use code GROUP

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights

After 43 years, Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights is back again to deck their halls with over 15,000 lights. 

Outside, closed trolley cars transport jolly guests down a tunnel of lights for 20-30 minutes as they sing traditional Christmas carols with their trolley car operators. For an open-air view of the Tunnel of Lights, one open sleigh car is lit up entirely with holiday lights. Be sure to dress warm and bring blankets! 

Inside, the Visitor Center is decorated like a Winter Wonderland with multiple model train layouts and lights galore.

For a closed-car ride, tickets cost $15 per person, or $7.50 for members. For an open-car ride, tickets cost $20 per person, or $10 for members. And if you have a little infant, they can ride on your lap for free.

The lights will be up until December 31st at the Connecticut Trolley Museum, so be sure to light up your night with them before they come down for the evening.

Glow Hartford

The Connecticut Convention Center is presenting Glow Hartford, a family-friendly indoor festival of lights. Guests will be amazed by the dazzling light gardens, glowing activities, delectable seasonal treats, and live entertainment. 

The event is open until January 1st, with tickets starting at $16.99 for kids and $22.99 for adults. There are also family packages for all the members to check out the Enchanted Forest, Santa’s Playground, Arctic Circle, Northern Lights, and more.

Holiday Stroll

Holiday Stroll is a new light display at Mill River Park in Downtown Stamford, CT. You and your loved ones can check out larger-than-life holiday light displays, a Holiday Village featuring a state-of-the-art Christmas Tree, holiday music, tasty food vendors, and the Blind Rhino winter beer garden.

The display is available until December 24th from 4 PM to 9 PM, with designated time slots. Tickets cost $20 for adults, and kids are pay-what-you-wish, so if you’re enjoying the holiday spirit, you can get into the spirit of giving. 

We hope you enjoy as many of these Christmas lights in CT shows as you can, and feel the festivities of the holiday season.

And for even more exciting attractions, and activities to enjoy across the state this holiday season, be sure to check out:

• The Greenwich Reindeer Festival, another fantastic holiday attraction
• Winter Festivals across CT
• Top things to do in Connecticut in December
• Our full guide to Winter in Connecticut

And if you’re tired after an evening of Christmas lights fun, come by Stanton House Inn for much-needed rest and relaxation.