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Christmas Lights in East Hartford, CT

The top places to see Christmas lights in East Hartford this season are Magic of Lights Connecticut (Nov 27 – Jan 2), Zoo Night at Bright Nights (Dec 9 – Dec 16) and Bright Nights at Forest Park (Nov 25 – Jan 3). We've mapped 1 display in East Hartford and 23 more nearby (7 tree lightings, 6 events, 4 drive-thrus). 9 are free. 5 are synced to music. Tap any display for dates, hours and directions.

Updated Nov 12, 2026

Magic of Lights Connecticut

Drive-thru · East Hartford, CT · From $18.99 per standard car online (Nov); $25.99 any day; season pass $92.99

Opens soon Music

Nov 27 – Jan 2

Near East Hartford (within 25 miles)

Zoo Night at Bright Nights

Walk-thru · Springfield, MA · Zoo admission $6 adult, $1 ages 1-12 (members $4), plus a Bright Nights ticket

Opens soon

22 miDec 9 – Dec 16

Bright Nights at Forest Park

Drive-thru · Springfield, MA · Per-vehicle ticket, bought in advance (price not confirmed)

Opens soon Music

22 miNov 25 – Jan 3

Lighting of the Quadrangle

Event · Springfield, MA · Free (museum admission not required)

Opens soon

24 miNov 27 – Nov 27

Union Station Holiday Tree Lighting and 100th Anniversary Celebration

Tree lighting · Springfield, MA · Free

Opens soon

24 miNov 23 – Nov 23

Hartford Tree Lighting at Bushnell Park

Tree lighting · Hartford, CT · Not listed

3.3 mi

Winterfest Hartford

Event · Hartford, CT · Free skating

3.3 mi

Glow Hartford

Walk-thru · Hartford, CT · Timed-entry tickets (price not confirmed)

3.8 mi

Holidays on Main (Wethersfield)

Tree lighting · Wethersfield, CT · Free

4.0 mi

Holiday Light Fantasia

Drive-thru · Hartford, CT · Per car (amount not confirmed)

4.4 mi

West Hartford Holiday Stroll

Event · West Hartford, CT · Not listed

5.9 mi

Windsor Holiday Kick-off

Tree lighting · Windsor, CT · Free

6.2 mi

Night of Lights (Newington)

Tree lighting · Newington, CT · Free

7.1 mi

New Britain Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · New Britain, CT · Not listed

11 mi

Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights

Event · East Windsor, CT · Not listed

12 mi

Lions Lights in Motion

Drive-thru · Hebron, CT · Not listed

Music

13 mi

Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce

Light show · Bristol, CT

18 mi

Festival of Silver Lights

Walk-thru · Meriden, CT · Free

19 mi

Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park

Walk-thru · Meriden, CT · Free

19 mi

Michael's Light Show

Home display · Meriden, CT · Donations

Music

19 mi

Lights on Cedar

Home display · Terryville, CT

Music

21 mi

Cheshire Winter Wonderland at Bartlem Park

Event · Cheshire, CT · Not listed

24 mi

Festival of Lights at Hope River Farm

Event · Fairfield, CT · Not listed

24 mi

MGM Springfield Tree Lighting

Tree lighting · Springfield, MA · Free (skating rink tickets separate)

25 mi

Tap + Tour on a few displays to get one driving route you can send to your phone (how it works). Missing a house or show in East Hartford? Add it free.

Christmas lights in East Hartford: common questions

What are the best Christmas lights in East Hartford?

Popular picks this season include Magic of Lights Connecticut (Nov 27 – Jan 2), Zoo Night at Bright Nights (Dec 9 – Dec 16), Bright Nights at Forest Park (Nov 25 – Jan 3) and Lighting of the Quadrangle (Nov 27 – Nov 27). In all, 24 displays are mapped in and around East Hartford, from decorated houses and neighborhoods to ticketed light shows.

Where can I see free Christmas lights in East Hartford?

Free options include Lighting of the Quadrangle, Festival of Silver Lights, Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park and Union Station Holiday Tree Lighting and 100th Anniversary Celebration. 9 of the 24 displays near East Hartford are free to visit; most home and neighborhood displays cost nothing to drive by.

Is there a drive-thru Christmas light show near East Hartford?

Yes. Magic of Lights Connecticut (From $18.99 per standard car online (Nov); $25.99 any day; season pass $92.99), Bright Nights at Forest Park (Per-vehicle ticket, bought in advance (price not confirmed)) and Lions Lights in Motion (Not listed). Drive-thru shows usually charge per car, and buying tickets online ahead of time is often faster.

Are there Christmas lights synced to music in East Hartford?

Yes. Magic of Lights Connecticut, Bright Nights at Forest Park (tune to WELF 100.7 FM) and Lions Lights in Motion. Synced displays broadcast their soundtrack on a low-power FM station so you can listen from your car.

When do Christmas lights start in East Hartford?

The earliest East Hartford-area displays turn on Nov 23, and most are running by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Many stay lit through New Year's; check each display's page for its exact dates and nightly hours.

Want your house to look like this?

Professional Christmas light installers in East Hartford hang, maintain and take down your lights, or install permanent lights you control from your phone. Tell us about your house and get free quotes.

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