Conn-opoly is finally here and it is Connecticut through and through. The game board is built on our rich state history, from early settlements and universities to forts, icons, and little landmarks you will recognize right away.

We only have 500 games in this first run with free shipping included, so it is a perfect time to grab one as a Christmas gift or for family game nights when it is too cold to go out. Every order also comes with a free digital Conn-opoly Field Guide so you can learn more about our great state while you play.

Here are a few of the best Hartford County light displays to cruise through when you need that extra holiday kick in the socks. Check them out, then let me know which ones I missed and what your go to neighborhood light spot is this season.

Magic of Lights | Rentschler Field, 615 Silver Ln, East Hartford
Drive through over a mile of giant LED tunnels, holiday scenes, and character displays with your whole crew packed into one car, open nightly most evenings from late November through early January, generally 5-9 pm (later on peak December nights).

Glow Hartford | Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford
Walk through a million-light indoor wonderland with interactive gardens, a holiday market, and Santa photos on select dates from late November through December 23, with timed evening slots typically running from late afternoon into the night.

Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce | 185 Enterprise Dr, Bristol
Stroll a classic amusement park turned winter village with rides, festive treats, and a towering Christmas tree on select Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday weekdays from late November through December 28, usually 5-9 pm.

Winterfest & Tunnel of Lights | CT Trolley Museum, 58 North Rd, East Windsor Ride a vintage trolley through a glowing light tunnel while the museum grounds light up like an old-school Christmas postcard on select evenings from the weekend after Thanksgiving through December 30, generally 5-9 pm.

Wethersfield Lights | 52 Surrey Dr, Wethersfield
Tune your car radio and watch towering light trees and thousands of synchronized pixels dance to music, with the home’s show typically running nightly from early December into early January, roughly 5-10 pm.

WEHA Wonderland | 22 Westgate St, West Hartford
Wander a backyard packed with vintage decorations, giant retired town displays, and plenty of photo ops most nights from late November through December (usually 5-9 pm), while your donations support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Quick favor from the CT Buzz HQ. We are putting our energy into one Instagram channel, @connecticut_buzz, dedicated to good stories from around the state, nonprofits and neighbors doing positive things, live music listings, top events, free things to do, and short videos about Connecticut history. We are at 950+ followers and working to grow that community, so if you are on Instagram, please take a moment to follow, like, and share the account. It only takes a few clicks and it helps us tremendously.

If Christmas in Hartford had a soundtrack, Andrea Bocelli at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza) on Saturday, December 13 at 8PM would be the deluxe vinyl version. You’ve got one of the most famous voices on the planet stepping into downtown, everyone in their “we actually ironed this” winter outfits, and that slow shuffle into the arena where you can feel people low-key bragging that they scored tickets. Then the lights drop, the orchestra kicks in, and Bocelli starts singing the stuff you’ve only ever heard through tiny car speakers while stuck on I-84. It’s goosebumps, phone-flashlight moments, and at least one person in your group pretending they “don’t usually cry at this kind of thing” while very obviously crying. If you want one night that feels bigger than Hartford but still very much Hartford, this is the one.

🇮🇹 Ciao Cafe opens in Rocky Hill on December 13 with NY-style slices, espresso, pastries, and a Sopranos cameo from Vito Spatafore at 825 Cromwell Ave.

🇵🇪 Coracora brings award-winning Peruvian eats to Blue Back Square on December 10, serving house-made ceviche, chaufa, and more at 51 Isham Road while the original West Hartford spot shifts to a fast-casual Peruvian comfort food concept.

🧸 Toys “R” Us is now open at The Shops at Evergreen Walk in South Windsor between Anthropologie and Sephora, with a pop-up packed full of this season’s hottest toys, games, gifts, and that classic Geoffrey-approved nostalgia.

🍨 Noci Gelato opened its new Glastonbury shop at 2235 Main Street, scooping gelato, espresso, affogato, cannoli, baked goods, and new breakfast treats in a cozy dining room with an outdoor patio.

🔥 Station 1633 Table & Tavern is now open in Downtown Windsor at 20 Union Street, serving firehouse-themed tavern favorites like wings, steaks, burgers, tacos, and a deep cocktail list inside a historic 1927 fire station.

Hartford | Monty Python’s Spamalot (12/9-12/14) | Time Vary $ - The Tony Award-winning musical comedy gallops into Mortensen Hall at The Bushnell (166 Capitol Ave) with flying cows, killer rabbits, and “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” stuck in your head for a week. More info

Hartford | Toddler Tuesday: Winter Wonderland | 9AM-1PM $ - Connecticut Science Center (250 Columbus Blvd) turns into a mini winter wonderland just for little ones, with hands-on themed activities, sensory play, and access to the exhibits so your toddler can run around, learn stuff, and crash hard for nap time after. Details

Manchester | Build Your Own Gingerbread House | 1:30-3:30PM $ - Kids get to engineer their own candy-covered gingerbread houses at Lutz Children’s Museum (247 South Main St), which is basically sanctioned sugar chaos in the best way.

Southington | Unwrapped & Unplugged 2025 | 6:30PM $ - Country 92-5 takes over Cadillac Ranch (45 Jude Ln) for a stacked acoustic holiday show with LOCASH, Ashley Cooke, Vincent Mason, and Austin Burr, all to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, big country energy and feel-good karma in one night. Deets

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | The Woods Brothers w/ The Wildmans | 8PM $

Hartford | Riverwood Poetry Series: Jeffrey Harrison & Charles Douthat | 7PM - Free poetry night at Real Art Ways (56 Arbor St) with readings from Jeffrey Harrison and Charles Douthat, plus an open mic for early birds and snacks and drinks available at the bar.

Hartford | Wolf Pack vs. Wilkes-Barre Penguins | 7PM $ - Midweek hockey at the XL Center (1 Civic Center Plaza) as the Pack take on Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, perfect excuse to yell at strangers, crush some arena snacks, and pretend you totally understand icing. Details

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - Arch St, Tavern | BooYah (Stevie Nicks Tribute) | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | Jazz Jam with Haneef Nelson Quintet | 7-10PM
⬢ Hartford - The Webster Underground | Adam Doleac: Dream House Tour | 8PM $
⬢ Milldale - Kinsman Brewing Co | Stanley St Big Band Jazz Night | 7-9PM

Manchester | Comic: Lucas Zelnick | 7PM $ - National-touring comic Lucas Zelnick brings his fast, punchy standup to The Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr), perfect if you want a weeknight full of big laughs and strong drinks. Secure a Spot

Manchester | Date Night Downtown: Kody Hildebrand Magic & Humor | 6:15-7:45PM $ - Dress up a bit and head to WORK_SPACE (903 Main St) for an adults-only night of close-up magic, comedy, and holiday vibes with local magician Kody Hildebrand, plus a complimentary cocktail and plenty of date-night energy.

Southington | Mini Wrestling All Stars | 8-10PM $ - Cadillac Ranch (45 Jude Lane) turns into a tiny-ring, big-energy wrestling show with high-flying moves, loud crowd participation, and the kind of over-the-top fun that pairs nicely with a couple of drinks and some dancing before or after. Gain Entry

Windsor | Winter Wonderland + Dog Photos w/ Santa | 5-7:30PM - Head to the LP Wilson Community Center (599 Matianuck Ave) for Dog Photos with Santa from 5-6PM, then roll straight into Winter Wonderland from 6-7:30PM with Santa, crafts, inflatables, and free hot chocolate for the whole crew.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Hartford - The Webster Underground | Great American Ghost | 7PM $

Bristol | Annual Ladies Night | 6:30-9:30PM $ - Annual Ladies Night at Wojtusik Nursery & Christmas Shop (750 Terryville Ave) is all twinkle lights, shopping discounts, giveaways, scavenger hunts, ugly sweater contests, and BYOB girl-time, with a $2 cash donation going to breast cancer research.

Hartford | HSO: Winter Dreams (12/12-12/14) | Times Vary $ - HSO’s Winter Dreams fills the Belding Theater at The Bushnell (166 Capitol Ave) with Vivaldi’s Seasons of Change and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 “Winter Dreams,” a lush, cinematic winter program that basically turns Hartford into a snow-globe art film for the weekend. More Info

Hartford | UConn Men's Basketball vs Texas | 8PM $ - UConn takes on Texas at PeoplesBank Arena (1 Civic Center Plaza) in a big non-conference showdown, with blue-and-white everywhere, loud student sections yelling “Go Huskies” for two straight hours. Secure Entry

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | 7 Bridges (Eagles Tribute) | 8PM $
⬢ Collinsville - Grindstone Tavern | Brett Potter | 7:30PM
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | XY Eli & Carl Ricci | 8-11PM
⬢ Manchester - Elicit Brewing Co | FUNNEL | 9PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Keith Cooper & Evelyn Dillon | 5:30-10PM
⬢ South Windsor - CT Valley Brewing Co | Al Fenton Big Band & Toy Drive | 6PM

Bristol | Singles Holiday House Party | 7-10PM $ - Singles Social Connections is throwing a house party at Gail's place (35 Anthony Dr) with dress-to-impress vibes, BYOB, grab bag gifts, and a bring-food-or-pay-extra setup that pretty much guarantees good snacks and solid mingling. More Info

Enfield | Fourth Annual Holiday Night Market | 6-9PM - Powder Hollow Brewery (504 Hazard Ave) turns into a cozy holiday night market packed with local makers, treats, and twinkle lights, perfect for wandering with a warm drink and pretending you live inside a small-town Christmas movie.

Hartford | Pratt Street Winter Village | 11AM-4PM - Pratt Street (57 Pratt St.) gets wrapped in lights and lined with artisan vendors, live music, and food and drinks from the surrounding bars and restaurants, turning downtown Hartford into a walkable open-air holiday market.

Hartford | Winterfest Hartford: Learn to Skate | 10-11AM - Winterfest Hartford’s rink at Bushnell Park (60 Elm St) runs free ice-skating lessons for all ages, with free skate rentals and instructors on the ice so new skaters can wobble their way into winter without wrecking their ankles.

Manchester | Lutz Children's Museum: Kid's Makers Market | 5-8PM $ - Lutz Children’s Museum (247 South Main St) hands the spotlight to kid entrepreneurs and crafters, so parents can shop their handmade goods while the little ones get crafty and soak up big “tiny business owner” energy.

Manchester | Wickham Park's Annual 44th Santa's Workshop | 1-5PM - Wickham Park (1329 Middle Turnpike W) opens its hilltop log cabin so kids can check the elf-run naughty or nice list, visit Santa and Mrs. Claus for cocoa and cookies, and drop off nonperishables for MACC Charities.

South Windsor | Holiday Market (12/13 & 12/14) | 10AM-4PM - Connecticut Valley Brewing Co. (765 Sullivan Ave) fills the taproom with local vendors, holiday makers, and festive vibes, so you can grab gifts, browse booths, and fuel up with a pint while you shop.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Berlin - The Truck Bar | Backstage Pass | 8PM
⬢ Bristol - Bleachers Bar | Wildside (Motley Crue Tribute) & Mister Wonderfull | 8PM
⬢ Bristol - New Cambridge Project | Big Moon | 6-10PM
⬢ Glastonbury - Rooftop 120 | Who Asked Lisa | 8:30PM
⬢ Hartford - PeoplesBank Arena | Andrea Bocelli | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | Proud Mary (Tina Turner Tribute) | 8-11PM $
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | One Time Weekend & Friends: Masquerade Of Madness III | 8PM $
⬢ South Windsor - CT Valley Brewing Co | Avenue Groove | 6:30PM
⬢ Southington - Witchdoctor Brewing Co | Dave Crispino Acoustic | 7-10PM
⬢ West Hartford - New Park Brewing | Mauve Lloyd (Pink Floyd Tribute) | 8PM $

Berlin | Family Yoga Class | 9:15-10:00AM $ - Peaceful & Prenatal (33 Webster Square Rd) hosts a relaxed family yoga session where kids and adults can stretch, breathe, and reset together before the Sunday chaos kicks in. Passes

Bristol | The Nashville King | 2-4PM $ - Downtown Live at The Rockwell Theater (70 Memorial Blvd) brings back Bristol’s own John Beardsley as The Nashville King, belting out Elvis hits in a full-on tribute show that feels like a Vegas matinee dropped into central Connecticut. More Info

Hartford | Instantiations at Real Art Ways | 2:30PM $ - Real Art Ways (56 Arbor St) hosts Instantiations, a fully improvised experimental music series led by Joe Morris and friends, so every show is a one-time-only, in-the-moment sound trip with tickets running around typical RAW concert pricing.

Southington | Pints & Pilates | 11AM-12PM $ - Studio Centro Pilates pops up at Kinsmen Brewing (409 Canal St, Plantsville) for a 50 minute mat Pilates class followed by a well-earned pint, mixing core work, community, and craft beer into one very Connecticut Sunday. Secure a Spot

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | A Vegas Christmas: Dan Fonaine & Memphis Sun Mafia (Elvis Tribute) | 2PM $
⬢ Hartford - Infinity Music Hall | Mihalidaze w/ Dale & The Zdubs | 8PM $

East Hartford | Monday Night Lines | 6-9PM $ - Sound Train Music turns Monday into line dancing night at Knights of Columbus (1831 Main St) with beginner friendly instruction, three hours of boot scootin, and a chill BYO snacks and drinks vibe to the weekly mini hoedown.