We found three Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Hartford and New Haven with 2026 dates: one parade and two tree lightings and lighting nights, two free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.
By date
Filter to what fits your evening, then tap one for its time, price and kid notes.
Tree lighting · 4pm28NovSatBranford Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade
Parade · Parade starts at 6:30pm3DecThuCity of New Haven Tree LightingTree lighting · 5pmNothing matches that filter yet.
Christmas parades
Start time, price and what to know with little kids, from each organizer’s own page.
Branford (route not listed) · Branford
Good to know: Floats and marchers, with Santa, Mrs. Claus and Rudolph closing out the parade. The tree lighting is the same night; if it rains, the tree lighting moves to Sunday, Nov 29.
Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check the date and add it.Suggest a parade
Tree lightings
Most lightings are short and happen at dusk, often with Santa, music or cocoa.
Lighthouse Point Park pavilion · New Haven
Good to know: A small tree lighting hosted by Goodwill of Southern New England. The Fantasy of Lights drive-through is canceled for 2026 because of storm damage in the park, so this is the one holiday gathering there this year.
New Haven Green · New Haven
Good to know: Music, performances and amusement rides on the lower Green, then the tree lighting.
Before you go
SpotGet there earlyA curb spot near the start means little ones see everything and you can leave before the end.
WarmDress for standing stillWatching is colder than walking. Bring a blanket for the stroller and an extra layer.
TimingCheck the start timeLighted parades start after dark. Daytime parades are easier for nap schedules.Keep planning
November: things to do in HartfordEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in HartfordEvery dated listing for the month, by week
Free things to do in HartfordFree days, free events and places that never charge
Indoor play in HartfordIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with prices
Library storytimes in HartfordBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branch
Ice skating in HartfordHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and prices
Thanksgiving weekend in HartfordParades, turkey trots and what’s open on Thursday
Noon Year’s Eve in HartfordKid-friendly countdowns, home by nap
Christmas trains in HartfordPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in HartfordBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flagged
Christmas markets in HartfordChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in HartfordWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1
This week in HartfordDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every ThursdayGood questions
Branford Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade: Sat, Nov 28, 2026, Parade starts at 6:30pm (Branford).
Lighthouse Point Park Tree Lighting at Lighthouse Point Park pavilion: Thu, Nov 19, 2026, 4pm. City of New Haven Tree Lighting at New Haven Green: Thu, Dec 3, 2026, 5pm.
Two of the three we list are free to watch: Lighthouse Point Park Tree Lighting and Branford Holiday Tree Lighting and Parade. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.
Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 29, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. How we choose and check.
One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Hartford that weekend, parades included.
