HARTFORD, Conn. — Thanksgiving is just days away, and we're gearing up for the holiday season. From parades to festivals to light displays, here's what's happening around Connecticut this weekend.
The Northern Lights Limited train starts service this Saturday from the Railroad Museum of New England in Thomaston to The North Pole. The train is adorned with lights and decorations as passengers travel to visit Santa's workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa will have gifts to give ahead of the holidays, including a bell.
Trips to The North Pole are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. on most days from Saturday, Nov. 23 to Monday, Dec. 23. Tickets range from $35-$75, depending on classes of service, for adults and children.
For more information and to buy tickets, click here.
Leading up to the main Thanksgiving Day event in NYC, the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular will take to the streets of the Lock City for its take on the festivities. The parade steps off at noon on Sunday and will feature 15 giant helium balloons, floats, marching bands and dance groups. To get ready for the parade, there will be a Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Hoyt and Summer Streets. For more information, click here.
The Little Manchester Road Race is making a return to let kids put the "fun" in "fun run." Traditionally held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, as many as 1,000 kids gather at Manchester High School to join in on races of various distances. Registration is free but participants are encouraged to bring at least two non-perishable food items that will be donated to the MACC Food Bank. Races start at 10 a.m. Saturday. The Health and Fitness Expo will happen in tandem with the Little MRR, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will provide in-person registration for the 88th Manchester Road Race and bib-pick-up for those already registered online. For information on both Saturday events and the Manchester Road Race happening Thanksgiving day, click here.
The KNOX Harvest Market will bring over 30 vendors to Hartford on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to celebrate the end of the season and to support small businesses and farmers. It's happening at the KNOX grounds on 75 Laurel Street.
The Annual Fall Festival at Gresczyk Farms is happening Saturday, with over two dozen vendors, along with live music, food trucks, and a kids area. Get (almost) everything you need for a Thanksgiving feast. The event takes place in the Gresczyk Farms greenhouse at 860 Litchfield Turnpike in New Hartford.
Not one, but two light displays will brighten the night on the Connecticut shoreline this weekend!
The first is the Holiday Lights Spectacular at Olde Mistick Village. The shopping and dining village will transform into a holiday wonderland with trees adorned with bright lights and tall arches and light displays spread throughout the village. The display is open nightly.
The Lobster Trap Tree in Stonington has returned for a fourth season! The tree of stacked lobster traps will feature hand-painted buoys from professional artists and local families. The lighting will kick off the season on Saturday starting at 4:30 p.m., and the tree will be accessible day and night until Jan. 5, 2025. Tree is located at 1 High Street in Stonington.
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These aren't the only things to do this weekend in Connecticut. For more ideas, head to CT Visit.
See you next weekend!
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Leah Myers is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at LMyers@fox61.com
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