# Christmas lights in Hartford and New Haven for little kids, 2026

> Three Christmas light displays in and around Hartford and New Haven have 2026 dates: 1 drive-thru and 2 walk-throughs. None are free. For an early bedtime, the earliest evening start is 5 p.m. at City of New Haven Tree Lighting. They’re spread over three areas, from Hartford to East Hartford.

- Last checked: 2026-10-29
- 3 listings with 2026 dates; 0 without posted dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-lights/
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## Drive-thru Christmas lights

- **Magic of Lights East Hartford** at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118. When: Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027. Time: 5–9 p.m. (Fri–Sat to 10 p.m. from Dec 18). Earliest start: 5 p.m. Price: Per car; November-only tickets $18.99 online. Drive-through LED scenes, with a reindeer rest stop. Official page: https://magicoflights.com/locations/easthartford/

## Walk-through lights and light trails

- **Glow Hartford** at Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103. When: Nov 20 – Dec 23, 2026. Time: Select dates; see the calendar. Price: Adults $34, kids 4–15 $24, 3 and under free (fees included). An indoor light festival with a trackless train and a holiday market. It takes about 2 hours, and you enter at a timed slot. Official page: https://hartford.glowgardens.com/
- **City of New Haven Tree Lighting** at New Haven Green, New Haven Green, New Haven, CT. When: Dec 3, 2026. Time: 5pm. Price: See the event page. Music, performances and amusement rides on the lower Green, then the tree lighting. Official page: https://thenewhavengreen.org/events/city-of-new-haven-tree-lighting-2/

## Christmas trains near Hartford and New Haven

- [Christmas train rides near Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-trains/index.md): Holiday lights trains, Polar Express rides and more, 8 with 2026 dates, ages, prices and booking notes.

## More holiday outings in Hartford and New Haven

- [The Nutcracker with kids in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/nutcracker/index.md): 3 shows with 2026 dates, run times, ages and sensory-friendly performances.
- [Christmas markets in Hartford and New Haven](https://littlesweekly.com/hartford-new-haven/christmas-markets/index.md): 3 markets and winter wonderlands with 2026 dates, hours and stroller notes.

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### Are there free Christmas lights in Hartford and New Haven?
None of the light shows with 2026 dates that we found are free. The lowest prices are listed in “2026 prices at a glance”.

### What’s the cheapest Christmas light show in Hartford and New Haven?
Going by the lowest posted 2026 price: Magic of Lights East Hartford (Per car; November-only tickets $18.99 online); Glow Hartford (Adults $34, kids 4–15 $24, 3 and under free (fees included)). Check whether a price is per car or per person before you compare.

### Drive-thru or walk-through: which is better with little kids?
With a baby or a sleepy toddler, a drive-thru is easiest: they stay buckled in and warm. One of the 3 displays can be driven: Magic of Lights East Hartford. Walk-throughs (two here) are better for kids who want to run around.

### What time do the Christmas lights start in Hartford and New Haven? We have an early bedtime.
The earliest evening starts: City of New Haven Tree Lighting at 5 p.m. and Magic of Lights East Hartford at 5 p.m. The first hour after opening is the easiest with an early bedtime.

### Which light shows are best for kids under 3?
Little ones get in free at Glow Hartford (3 and under free). With a baby, a drive-thru keeps everyone warm in the car.

### How do you check these Christmas lights listings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page, and links to it. We list dates, times and prices only when that page shows them for 2026; anything without posted dates goes in “Dates not posted yet” instead. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them in early November and again in early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).