These Are The Best Christmas Light Displays In Connecticut

It's getting down to crunch time with Christmas just days away. This is the last weekend before the big day next Tuesday and if you haven't gotten into the holiday spirit just quite yet, there's nothing like a dazzling holiday lights display to remedy that quickly.

The good folks over at ChrismasLightFinder.com have built an easy way to see the best Christmas light displays near you. Simply enter your zip code and choose which nearby ones you would like to check out.

Of course you can take a road trip to Hartford, which was named the single best Christmas light display in Connecticut last year by the Daily Meal. Here’s what the report had to say about the display:

"Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's Eve are all well represented at Goodwin Park’s Holiday Light Fantasia in Hartford. The two-mile show features over 1 million spectacular lights and its very own 'Where’s Waldo.' Try to find the hidden puppy Flurry among the displays; he’ll be the dog in a Santa hat!"

Last year, Patch also highlighted a house in Fairfield that has been dazzling residents from all over the state for nearly two decades. "Wonderland At Roseville" is filled with lights, extensive displays and friendly faces who make a point to say "Merry Christmas" to everyone they meet.

This is the last year you will be able to see a famous light display both inside and outside of a Torrington home called The Christmas House. Ron Merriman, homeowner of at 285 Main St. in Torrington, had his home foreclosed on and auctioned off in November. He must vacate his home, which features a dazzling lights display by Jan. 1.

Merriman's display started in 1982 and features a "spectacular display of Christmas lights, Christmas scenes, animated figures, angels, snowmen/snowwomen, dolls, stuffed animals, and just about every cartoon character that ever had a Christmas Special on TV or in the movies. If you had, or still have, a favorite character, from Frosty to Snoopy, chances are you will see it on display at the Torrington Christmas House," according to the state's website.

There is no admission to see the lights. You can view the display after 6 p.m. each night and inside tours are available to up until 9 p.m.

Here are some other famous holiday light displays in Connecticut.

Fantasy of Lights, presented by Goodwill of Southern New England, has become a holiday tradition for thousands of families. Held at New Haven’s Lighthouse Point Park November 16th through December 31st. You can view the lights from 5 to 10 p.m.

Silver Lights Festival Annual Free Silver Lights Display at Hubbard Park in Meriden

A spectacular display with 200,000 white lights and more than 300 lighted characters throughout the Park. Displays in trees, on the ponds and nestled in the natural habitat. Join us for the Festival of Silver Lights. The holiday lights will be on until January 1, 2019. Hubbard Park, West Main St., Meriden, 06450. Free admission

The Mommy Poppins website put together its own list of the best Christmas lights in Connecticut.

Here are some of their suggestions.

That House in Milford located at 75 Meadows End Road

According to their website, "Voted as the "Best Decorated House in Milford (2011 & 2012 )" by Patch Milford Community & 2nd Place New Haven Register 2012 Holiday Decorating Contest!

If you go, donations to the Connecticut Food Bank are encouraged.

Tony's HOUSE of Lights located at 68 Lewelyn Rd in Stamford, CT.

"I am not good at FB pages but I wanted to let everyone know that my display is up and will be lit every day from 5pm to 1am to Jan 7th! This is my 33rd year and I hope everyone enjoys it. Merry Christmas!!!!" Tony's display was featured on national television.

Winterfest at Bushnell Park in Hartford

Winterfest continues until January 6. Free skating, free skate rentals, free lessons and more! Open daily 11a-8p, except Christmas Eve & Day (11a-4p). Click on link to the left for the full schedule.

Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce

November 23 through December 23 Friday 5pm-9pm | Saturday & Sunday 4pm-9pm It's not the Holiday's until you visit Holiday Lights! The park will be covered in hundreds of thousands spectacular glimmering lights. The most magical light shows every half hour set to your favorite holiday music. Enjoy a selection of children's and family rides, variety of delicious foods, and don't miss your chance to see Santa himself!

Winterfest and the Tunnel of Lights, 53 North Road in East Windsor

Friday, Saturday & Sunday • December 21-23
Friday, Saturday & Sunday • December 28-30

Join hundreds of others and start a family tradition of coming for a trolley ride during the holiday season. Whether you ride a closed car or brave the cold to ride the open "electric sleigh", we promise you a good time and one that you'll remember for years. Join your motormen in singing traditional Christmas carols as the trolley makes its way through the "Tunnel of Lights". When you return, head inside the Visitors Center which has been transformed into a Winter Wonderland complete with model trains, decorations galore, and you can even buy a delicious cup of hot cocoa to sip as you enjoy the entertainment....Plan ahead - Santa's last day at the trolley museum is Sunday, December 23rd, which then he'll be heading back to the North Pole to prepare for his travels around the world.

Lincoln Lights Display in Orange on Lincoln Road

Quiet Corner Christmas - Christmas Lights in Brooklyn, CT located at 251 Wauregan Rd in Brooklyn, CT

Updated hours for the next week or so:- Thursday December 20th: 4:30 to 10:00- Friday December 21st: 4:30 to 11:00- Saturday December 22nd: 4:30 to midnight- Sunday December 23rd: 4:30 to midnight
- Monday December 24th: 4:30 to midnight
- Tuesday December 25th: 4:30 to midnight
- Wednesday December 26th & Thursday
- December 27th: 4:30 to 10:00

The Companik Family Light Show located at 104 Tracey Avenue in Waterbury.

Sanders Lights on Windmill Hill in Wethersfield

Stepping Stones Museum for Children, 303 West Avenue, Norwalk

Each night from November 20th through December 31st , the museum is transformed into a dazzling holiday light extravaganza from 5:00pm-12:00am! Every surface of the museum’s exterior becomes a canvas for animated projections, glowing LEDs and an explosion of color.

Have we forgotten to include some great ones? Let us know in the comments section below.

Do you have Christmas lights? If so, send us a picture of your display. Please include your name, address and a little about what makes your display so special. You can email photos and information to brian.mccready@patch.com

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>>>Read more about Christmas Tree light displays at Mommy Poppins website.

Photo credit: Renee Schiavone/Patch