In Connecticut, as well as other places around the world, holiday light displays are a great way to spend time with friends and family. This is just one of the ways to celebrate the holidays this time of year.

There's nothing really better than bringing hot chocolate and some snacks to munch on, and taking a ride with the family to some of the various parks and public places to see spectacular lighting and decorations. It's stunning to see how some places transform this time of year and the joy they can bring to people's lives.

Whether it's an everyday public hiking spot decorated with bright, holiday cartoon characters, an amusement park majestically morphed into a winter wonderland, or a local hotel completely transformed into the arctic yet warming North Pole home of everyone's favorite jolly, old elf, there is just so much cheer being spread around our very own back yard.

With that, I give you five Connecticut holiday light displays to enjoy this season:

Hubbard Park - Meriden, CT

Hubbard Park transforms as Festival of Silver Lights with 350,000 lights on their property until January 1st.

Address: 1000 West Main Street, Meriden CT 06451

 

Railroad museum of New England - Thomaston, CT

All aboard lit up Northern Lights Limited/Santa Express trains, with North Pole guests serving you refreshments.

Address: 242 East Main Street, Thomaston CT 06787

 

Lighthouse Point Park - New Haven, CT

With 3D glasses, over 100,000 lights, and proceeds to Easter Seals Goodwills, drive along Fantasy of Lights until December 31st.

Address: 2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven CT 06512

 

Bristol, CT

See the largest Christmas tree in Connecticut, light shows, and amusement rides at Lake Compunce's Holiday Lights until December 22.

Address: 822 Lake Avenue, Bristol CT 06010

 

Goodwin Park, Hartford, CT

Drive through a two-mile light show at Goodwin Park's Holiday Light Fantasia until January 1st.

Address: 1130 Maple Avenue Hartford, CT 06114

 

 

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