Please note: All dates and times are accurate (to the best of our knowledge!) as of publication. However, we strongly encourage you to visit each destination’s website before you go to check for any updates or changes.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year and we want to be sure you and your family have an opportunity to spend time together and enjoy some of the amazing holiday activities in our area! So we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite holiday destinations to share with you.
Since 2011, we’ve been scouting out family-friendly holiday activities, and this list represents our favorites from over a decade of blogging. All of these holiday happenings are Out and About Mom approved–when available, we’ve linked to our blog post about each one in each listing! We hope you enjoy making new memories and carrying on old traditions with your family at these festive destinations as much as we have over the years.
The Christmas Village Torrington, Connecticut. December 7-24, 2025; Mondays-Fridays 1:00p.m.-8:30p.m; Saturdays & Sundays 12:00p.m.-8:30p.m.; December 24th, 9:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Visit with Santa in his home away from home! Every child is given an opportunity to share his or her wish list and receives a small toy from Santa himself to hold them over until his big visit on Christmas Eve. From the wonder of Santa’s cottage, you can wander through the Village into a time and place that is designed to help you find your holiday spirit. Be sure to stop at the elves workshop! FREE. (OAAM approved since 2013!)
150 Church Street Torrington, CT
Yankee Candle Village South Deerfield, Massachusetts. Visit with Santa at Yankee Candle Village from November 1, 2025 – December 23, 2025 from 10:30a.m.-5:30p.m. Find additional details on Santa visits and buy tickets here. Appointments with Santa are required. Each $12 ticket is good for a family up to 8 people (families of 9+ will need to book an additional ticket). Be sure to check their website for other special holiday events. (OAAM approved since 2018!)
25 Greenfield Road, South Deerfield, MA
Visit with Santa at Flamig Farm West Simsbury, Connecticut. 2025 Dates: December 6,7,13,14,20 and 21 from 9:30am to 12:30pm (your time to visit Santa will be your SCHEDULED ticket time) $15 per person. Under age 2 is FREE. TICKETS NEEDED IN ADVANCE. Buy tickets HERE. (OAAM approved since 2014!)
7 Shingle Mill Road, West Simsbury, CT
Santa’s Workshop in Wickham Park, Manchester, Connecticut. December 13 – December 23, 2025. Mondays through Fridays 4:00p.m.-7:00p.m.; Saturdays & Sundays 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Enjoy an enchanted visit with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and the elves in the beautiful Log Cabin nestled at the highest point in the park! 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, 2025. FREE 4×6 photo with Santa. Book your time slot here. (OAAM approved since 2019!)
475 East Hartford Boulevard N, East Hartford, CT
Winterfest Hartford in Bushnell Park, Hartford, Connecticut. November 28, 2025 – January 3, 2026. FREE ice skating and FREE skate rentals along with FREE learn-to-skate lessons. You can also visit with Santa Claus at Santa’s Workshop on December 13th & 14th and 20th & 21st from 12:00p.m. to 3:00p.m. and receive a FREE 5×7 photo. Check out all the Winterfest events here. Don’t forget to take a magical spin on the historic Bushnell Park carousel! (OAAM approved since 2011 & 2012! Also check out our post about the Bushnell Park playground from 2018)
FREE street parking on Elm and Jewell Streets during Winterfest Hartford
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