It’s a holiday miracle! Eight outings so fabulous and festive you won’t even believe they are completely FREE!
The holiday season may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most pricey. From decorations to gifts to holiday hosting, it’s easy to blow the budget big-time. That’s why we love having a solid set of FREE family-friendly holiday outings in our back pocket. These amazing activities won’t even budge your budget, so you can focus on the things that are truly important this holiday season–like spending time with the people you love most 
2024 FREE Holiday Outings for Families in Connecticut:
Festival of Silver Lights in Hubbard Park in Meriden, Connecticut; November 27, 2024– January 2, 2025; daily from dusk to dawn; FREE. (OAAM approved since 2012!)
Hubbard Park 999 West Main Street., Meriden, CT
Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village in Mystic, Connecticut; November 22, 2024 – January 31, 2025. Stroll around the Village (leashed pets welcome!) even after stores and restaurants are closed. (Extended holiday hours will also start on Friday, November 29th–Olde Mistick Village will be open until 8:00p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, November 29th through December 23rd.) FREE. (OAAM approved since 2020!)
27 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT
Gingerbread House Festival Wood Memorial Library, South Windsor, Connecticut. November 29 – December 22, 2024. Thursdays and Fridays between 10:00a.m. and 7:00p.m. or Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00a.m. and 5:00p.m. FREE but donations are gratefully accepted. (Out and About Mom approved since 2013! But you can read our most recent 2021 post here.)
783 Main Street, South Windsor, CT
The Christmas Village Torrington, Connecticut. December 8 to December 23, Mondays-Fridays 1:00p.m.-8:00p.m; Saturdays & Sundays 12:00p.m.-8:00p.m.; December 24th, 9:00AM-12:00p.m. FREE but donations are gratefully accepted. (OAAM approved since 2013!)
150 Church Street Torrington, CT
Santa’s Workshop in Wickham Park, Manchester, Connecticut. December 12 – December 23, 2024. Mondays through Fridays 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. FREE but please bring a non-perishable food item for the local food pantries. Event takes place in the log cabin. OAAM approved since 2011!)
1329 West Middle Turnpike, Manchester, CT; See park map here.
Santa’s Wonderland at Cabella’s, East Hartford, Connecticut. Now through December 24, 2024. FREE 4×6 photo with Santa. Book your time slot here. (OAAM approved since 2019!)
475 East Hartford Boulevard N, East Hartford, CT
37th Annual Holiday Stroll West Hartford, Connecticut. December 5, 2024, 5:00-8:00p.m. FREE.
Blue Back Square and West Hartford Center, West Hartford, CT
Chanukah Fire on Ice West Hartford, Connecticut. December 29, 2024 @ 3:00p.m. FREE but donations accepted. Register HERE.
West Hartford Town Hall, 50 South Main Street, West Hartford, CT
Got one to add to our list of FREE holiday activities in (and around) Connecticut? Let us know in the comments section below!
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