December 2026Hartford and New Haven · The Insurance Capital

December in Hartford and New Haven with little kids.

14 things to do with kids up to age 6 in and around Hartford and New Haven in December 2026, sorted by week. Each listing links to its own page and to the organizer’s page, and we add more as new dates are posted.

14 listings · 5 free

Last checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

4 listings

Dec 1 to Dec 6

1 listing

Dec 7 to Dec 13

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

5 listings

Dec 28 to Dec 31

Know one we missed?Send us the organizer’s page and we’ll check it.Suggest an event

4 listings

Open for weeks at a time

Light displays, exhibits and other runs that last longer than a week. Check each page for the nights or days they’re closed.

Dec1to 23

Glow Hartford

Connecticut Convention Center · 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT 06103

Holiday lights
When
Nov 20 to Dec 23
Time
Select dates; see the calendar
Price
Adults $34, kids 4–15 $24, 3 and under free (fees included)
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked
Dec1to 31

Magic of Lights East Hartford

Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field · 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford, CT 06118

Holiday lights
When
Nov 27 to Jan 2
Time
5–9 p.m. (Fri–Sat to 10 p.m. from Dec 18)
Price
Per car; November-only tickets $18.99 online
Event pageOfficial page ↗Checked

Guides

More December guides for Hartford

Santa visits in HartfordBreakfasts, photos and Santa trainsChristmas lights in HartfordDrive-thru and walk-through displays

Keep planning

More for little kids in Hartford

November: things to do in HartfordEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in HartfordFree days, free events and places that never chargeIndoor play in HartfordIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in HartfordBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in HartfordHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in HartfordParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in HartfordKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in HartfordParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesChristmas trains in HartfordPolar Express, Santa and lights trains with datesThe Nutcracker in HartfordBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in HartfordChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursChristmas break in HartfordWhat’s open on Dec 24, Dec 25 and Jan 1This week in HartfordDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

December in Hartford: the FAQ

14 dated listings so far, including City of New Haven Tree Lighting (Dec 3), Pancake Breakfast with Santa at the Shore Line Trolley Museum (Dec 5, Dec 12 and Dec 19), Santa’s Workshop at Winterfest Hartford (Dec 5) and Santa Breakfast at Madison Beach Hotel (Dec 6 and Dec 20). The rest are below, by week. We add more as organizers post their dates.

Yes, at the same address. After Dec 31, 2026 it switches to December 2027, starting with the events that come back every year.

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 30, 2026, and we recheck them every Monday and Thursday. How we choose and check.

The checked list, every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in Hartford that weekend.

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