Music:
The Beach Boys “Holiday Harmonies” New Years Eve Show at Mohegan Sun Arena has been postponed. HOLD ON TO YOUR tickets. A new date will be announced in 2022. www.mohegansun.com
George Thorogood and Rick Springfield play the Premier Theater at Foxwoods New Year’s Day Saturday 8pm. Tickets $70-$125. www.foxwoods.com
Events:
First Night Hartford is back with a new stage under the Soldier and Sailors Arch at Bushnell Park in Hartford. Most of this year’s events will be outdoors beginning at 2pm. There will be food vendors, live music and entertainment, fireworks at 6pm and midnight. www.firstnighthartford.org
The largest and most realistic dinosaur exhibit in North America is BACK, BIGGER and BETTER than EVER! More than 100 photorealistic dinosaurs are returning to delight Hartford area families when Jurassic Quest ® heads to the Connecticut Convention Center through Sunday. This indoor experience for the whole family includes more than 100 life-like dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratots” soft play area for our little ones and more! Tickets start at $19 at www.jurassicquest.com or on-site, and include a 100% ticket guarantee that in the event of a show cancellation or postponement for any reason, Ticket purchases will be automatically refunded for the full purchase amount. Tickets are for a timed arrival window, and
advance ticket purchase is strongly encouraged. Guests can walk through the dinosaur experience at their own pace, and strollers are permitted. General admission tickets include access to the dinosaur and marine exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur shows. There are rides and activities that require separate tickets available on site for $5 each, or guests can upgrade to the Kids Unlimited Rides Ticket (the best value for children ages 2-12).
Want to see the Ball Drop but don’t want to travel to New York City? Make reservations at J Restaurant Bar, 297 Washington Street, Hartford. A giant crane drops an illuminated ball every hour while you eat, drink and make merry! Ice sculptures, fire pits, patio heaters, cocktails and great food make it a night to remember! www.jrestaurantbar.com or 860-527-7764.
The Hartford Wolfpack skate at XL Center Friday 3pm. The game will feature a Pin and Calendar Giveaway. Come for the game and stay in downtown Hartford for fireworks at 6 PM presented by First Night Hartford. Get all the details at www.HartfordWolfpack.com
Winterfest in Bushnell Park offers free ice skating, free rentals & free learn-to-skate programs daily from 11am to 8pm through January 9, 2022. To learn about other Winterfest activities, www.winterfesthartford.com
The Hebron Lions Lights in Motion ends Saturday night at the Hebron Fairgrounds www.lionslightsinmotion.org
Final Chance to see Holiday Light Fantasia Friday, Saturday or Sunday 5-10pm. This beautiful collection of over one million lights is situated along a nearly two-mile drive through Goodwin Park at 1130 Maple Avenue on the Hartford/Wethersfield, Connecticut line (conveniently off I-91). Whimsical holiday sights, familiar characters, and local tributes shine bright in over 200 individual displays. The lighted animations celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah, New Year’s, and Three Kings Day. The event is a benefit for the Channel 3 Kids Camp. At just $16 per car when purchased online ($20 at the gate) this holiday tradition is affordable family fun! New for 2021, we are reintroducing the “Find Flurry the Dog” contest, sponsored by Guida’s Dairy! Guests are encouraged to help us find our mischievous friend among the lighted displays for a chance to win a week of camp for a child! To find out more and to purchase tickets, please visit www.holidaylightfantasia.org
Lake Compounce’s Holiday Lights includes lights and Connecticut’s Tallest Christmas Tree! Plus park goers will find a unique holiday menu featuring warm drinks and comfort foods, plus more activities than ever before, including Elf Boot Camp, Letters to Santa, Cookie Decorating and a variety of rides and attractions. Family favorite rides make a return this winter, with attractions including Drop Zone, Drum Circus, the North Pole Railway and American Flyers open throughout the season. For the first time ever, the park will open Booficer’s Haunted Holiday, a new spin on the park’s fan-favorite Ghost Hunt ride. Guests will also have the chance to meet the big man in red himself – Santa! Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce ends Friday. Don’t miss for the first time EVER a Kids New Year’s Eve Bash at the park on Friday, December 31 from 6 – 8 p.m. This will be the final time guests can enjoy the park until April 2022. Families are invited to come out to the park to enjoy the outdoor event which will feature a bubble dance party, DJ, Balloon Twister and more! Then at 8:30 p.m., Lake Compounce will say farewell to its 175th season with a spectacular fireworks show. Guests will have the chance to say Happy New Year at 8:00 p.m. with an official countdown and juice box toast! Champagne will also be available to purchase for parents. Tickets start at $19.99 for adults and $17.99 for kids. www.lakecompounce.com
The Magic of Lights family-friendly drive-through goes dark after Sunday at Pratt & Whitney Stadium, 615 Silver Lane, East Hartford. Ticket prices vary from online discounted at $30 up to $70 depending on vehicle and day visited. Enjoy a drive through experience with over one million twinkling lights and festive scenes to celebrate the Season including Candyland, Toyland, Sports Row, 12 Days of Christmas and the notorious Enchanting Tunnel of Lights. Some scenes are as high as 32-feet tall and as long as several hundred feet. For more information, visit www.magicoflights.com/easthartford
The Witch's Dungeon Classic Movie Museum’s 2nd annual "MONSTERS HOLIDAY" runs through Jan. 9th - every weekend, Fri. thru Sun. - 6pm to 9pm. Located at 103 East Main Street in Plainville. CT. - by appointment - call or leave a message - 860-583-8306 two days in advance - Besides our displays of original movie makeup & props, all our sets & figures will be decked out for the season, plus vintage toys from the 50's, 60's & 70's - Take a photo for a unique Christmas Card. This is our 55th consecutive season for the museum in CT. www.preservehollywood.org
The New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks hosts the Flights of Fun Family Programs offering social distanced activities for families on Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 4pm including Flight Science Demonstrations, the Investigation Station, and take-home versions of our popular Build and Fly Challenges. Additional activities include QR Code Tours, Scavenger Hunts, and opportunities for visitors to peek inside select aircraft cockpits. All programs are included with general admission. Limited Capacity and Covid-19 safety measures are in place. Please visit www.NEAM.org before you go!
The New England Carousel Museum and Museum of Fire History, 95 Riverside Avenue, Bristol are open to the public and offer free FREE general admission to visitors that live in the cities of Bristol and Burlington through New Year’s Eve (Friday). General admission includes guided tours at noon and 2:00 PM during public hours and one carousel ride per person. Additional carousel rides are $1 each or $3 for an unlimited ride bracelet. Presently masks are required for all visitors over the age of 2. Other towns may make a reservation online or visit the Museum for ticket prices and special events. www.thecarouselmuseum.org