What to do with kids this weekend in and around Hartford

Weekend Highlights for Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 8 for the Hartford area:

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Friday, December 6

Lake Compounce Festival of Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce. Lake Compounce is covered in thousands of lights producing a spectacular light show set to music. A selection of fun children’s and family rides are open during the Festival of Lights and kids can meet Santa!

Firelight Festival at the Henry Whitfield State Museum at Henry Whitfield State Museum. Festive luminaries, bonfires, popcorn, marshmallows, s’mores, hot cider, hot chocolate, after dark tours of the oldest house in CT, natural holiday ornaments, crafts, and a reading of the classic holiday story The Night Before Christmas.

Munchkin Morning With Santa at Mystic Aquarium! at Mystic Aquarium. Grab your kids and camera and join us for a fantastic holiday tradition. Your child will have a fun morning enjoying fun seasonal and animal-themed crafts and activities, light refreshments, as well as a visit from the man in red himself, Santa!

Winterfest Hartford Ice Skating in Bushnell Park at The iQuilt Plan. Skate for free 7-days a week at the Winterfest Hartford rink on the east side of Bushnell Park near the Pump House. Don’t have your own skates? There’s free skate rentals, too. Talk about some great family fun in our own backyards!

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights at Connecticut Trolley Museum. Join us for a trolley ride during the holiday season.

Saturday, December 7

Breakfast with Santa at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts. Gather your family and friends for an unforgettable morning at The Bushnell. Take a photo with Santa and visit with Santa’s elves and Mrs. Claus. Enjoy breakfast, carolers, crafts and more. Christmas lists accepted!

The Santa Special at Essex Steam Train and Riverboat. All aboard the Santa Special for a one-of-a-kind holiday experience.

"Festival of Lighthouses" at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. The annual Festival of Lighthouses Contest features large model lighthouses, all made by local artists, students and hobbyists! Aquarium visitors can vote for their favorite. Your kids will love the creativity!!

Winterfest Hartford Carousel Rides in Bushnell Park at The iQuilt Plan. If you thought the carousel’s lights and beautifully painted horses were breathtaking before, just imagine how great they look beside the fluffy white snow and Winterfest decorations. Bring your kids down to Bushnell Park for some winter fun!

The Grinch & Friends Family Breakfast at Imagine Nation Museum. Join us in our Whoville inspired Soda Fountain area for a breakfast feast!

Family Sleigh Ride at Mill Pond Park in Newington at Newington Parks and Rec. Take the family on a fun ride around Mill Pond Park in Newington on a horse-drawn sleigh/wagon. This is a free community event. For more information, please call 860-665-8666. Your kids will love this!

Sunday, December 8

Sunday Morning LaLa at the Bean and Leaf in New London at Bean and Leaf Artisanal Roasters. Bring your kids to the Bean and Leaf for a fun, musical morning! Families will be able to start the day with delicious food and singing and dancing in the shop each Sunday!

The Nutmeg Conservatory Presents The Nutcracker at The Bushnell! at Nutmeg Conservatory for the Arts. Delighting audiences young and old, this holiday favorite brings to life toy soldiers and dueling mice, princesses and sugarplums – a delicious treat for the child in all of us performed by the Nutmeg Conservatory at The Bushnell in Hartford.

LEGO KidsFest at the Hartford Convention Center! at LIFE Marketing and Events. The LEGO KidsFest is a nationally-traveling giant LEGO expo held over 3 days and filled with interactive, creative and educational activities for the whole family: construction zones, meet LEGO Master Builders, group builds, LEGO Games, and MORE!

Santa Visits Stew Leonards! at Stew Leonard's Newington. Your kids can visit with Santa at Stew Leonard's in Newington every day through Christmas Eve!

Family Holiday Brunch at the Lyman Homestead!  at Lyman Orchards. Santa and Mrs. Claus invite families to visit them in the festively decorated Lyman Homestead and enjoy a delicious family-style brunch! You'll also have a personal meeting with Santa and Mrs. Claus in the Homestead's Library!

Breakfast with Santa at the Westfield Meriden Mall at Westfield Meriden Shopping Mall. Join us for Westfield Meriden’s Breakfast With Santa! Kids will enjoy holiday entertainment and a visit from Santa and his North Pole friends, as well as complimentary breakfast from McDonalds!

For a full list of events visit our website.