We visited Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce {Bristol, Connecticut}

We love finding local events to attend – especially because we’re trying to make Christmas especially memorable for our children. That’s why we do an Advent calendar, cut our own tree, and establish many traditions!

Friday night we attended Holiday Lights at Lake Compounce! I used to go to this amusement park as a kid, so this was a special place for me – it’s also the oldest continuously running amusement park in the country!

We set out amid flurries (how fitting) on probably the coldest night of the year to date! Brrr! Good thing my Ergobaby coat had just arrived.

The park was aglow with lights twinkling through trees, firepits burning, and snowflake lighting fluttering across the buildings.

Our first stop was a VIP Media party, for sandwiches, soups, eggnog and coffee! And a quick meetup with local bloggers: Wendy, Cheryl, Wendy L., and Sarah! (Our son wouldn’t eat any of the “grown-up” food – he was content with his Earth’s Best pouches and Earth’s Best Happy Snax! When will they make a kiddie hot chocolate!? LOL).

Then we headed indoors to get toasty warm. Indoor activities include cookie decorating ($4), gingerbread house decorating ($8), Santa letter writing, and Santa photos (we’re not into Santa, so we passed on that). Our son enjoyed cookie decorating (they should provide a baggy in case you don’t want to eat your cookie right then!).

Several rides are open for Holiday Lights, and we were surprised our son wanted to go on a few! Especially since he had to ride alone! But he did it – motorcycles, flying elephants, and caterpillar trains. He did NOT, however, want a photo with the Christmas crocodile!

Our family rode the Polar Express Railway – a frrrreeeeezing cold ride along the Lake and past many light displays! The music was rather loud, but the ride was fun. Gloves required!

In between walking through the lit-up park and riding rides, watching the Ice Crew carve a snowman sculpture and filling my husband in on all my childhood memories from “the Lake,” we ducked into several holiday shops to get warm and browse the holiday gifts and ornaments. I got our baby a personalized Baby’s 1st Christmas ornament!

My one disappointment was we did not see the lovely manger scene light display for some reason!! So sad, as that is the main focus for us at Christmas time… I’m not sure how we missed it… but there is a lovely picture of it on Sarah’s post!

Overall, we did enjoy the lights, the food, rides, and spending family time at the Holiday Lights event! It’s still running weekends until Christmas! Here’s more information:

Holiday Lights – Lake Compounce, Bristol, CT

Pricing:

• Adults: $14.99
• Children under 10: $10.99
• Children under 3: FREE!
• Event is free to 2012 and 2014 Season Pass holders

Parking: Nominal fee ($5)

Hours: Fridays 5-9 pm, Saturdays & Sundays 4-9 pm

What local events do you attend to celebrate Christmas?

We received free admission in exchange for posting about this event. All opinions are 100% my own.