While the days might be getting darker sooner, the Nutmeg State will soon be aglow with colorful lights as the holiday season kicks into gear.
As part of the holiday celebrations, festivals are held throughout Connecticut that feature holiday lights, strolls and visits from Old Saint Nick.
Here are some of the festivals coming to Connecticut this holiday season:
This annual event has live reindeer as well as areas where guests can write letters to Santa and take photos with him. It runs at Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses from Nov. 28 through Dec. 24.
437 North St., Greenwich
The Ridgefield Holiday Stroll features a parade with "toy soldiers" marching down Main Street and carolers. There will also be horse and carriage rides and a holiday market. The event runs on Dec. 5 and 6.
400 Main St., Ridgefield
This event on Dec. 6 will feature a tree lighting on the Danbury CityCenter Green. Guests will be treated to hot chocolate, there will be vendors and Santa and the Danbury mayor will arrive by firetruck.
1 Ives St., Danbury
This stroll at The Elm & Main complex on Dec. 6 will feature face painting, s’mores roasting and photos with Santa. The Staples High School Orphenians will also perform on Upper Main Street, Lower Main Street, the corner of Post and Main outside Anthropologie and Sconset Square.
136 Main St., Westport
Guests at this festival on Main Street in Newtown on Dec. 7 can visit a holiday market, take photos with Santa, tour houses decorated for the holidays and take a ride on a trolley.
Main Street, Newtown
This festival at Greenwood Avenue on Nov. 28 features horse-drawn wagon rides, carolers, hot chocolate and soup and a tree lighting.
Greenwood Avenue, Bethel
This event at the Easton Public Library on Dec. 7 will have craft activities, games and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus.
691 Morehouse Road, Easton
The Holiday Wish Express will return to the Stamford Town Center from Nov. 22 through Dec. 28. The experience features a virtual train ride to Santa's workshop at the North Pole, the Holiday Wish Express website states. The indoor attraction spans over 20,000 square feet.
100 Greyrock Place, Stamford
This event on Dec. 6 features a Santa arriving by boat and live music at Pinkney Park, a beer garden at the Rowayton Firehouse, a bounce house on Rowayton Avenue and more.
Pinkney Park is at 177 Rowayton Ave., Norwalk and Rowayton Firehouse is at 136 Rowayton Ave., Norwalk
Winterfest Hartford is returning for its 15th season on Nov. 28. It offers free public skating, free learn-to-skate programs and free skate rentals. Local artists will also perform.
60 Elm St., Hartford
Downtown Milford will host its 23rd annual Lamplight Stroll on Dec. 5, featuring festive music, horse-drawn carriage rides, carolers and lights.
Downtown Milford
The Shops at Yale will host various holiday-themed events throughout the holiday season starting Nov. 28, including storytelling with Santa and Mrs. Claus, ice carving demonstrations, yuletide caroling and more.
Chapel St., Broadway & Whitney-Audubon, New Haven
Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden will host its 47th Holly Berry Festival from Nov. 21-22 with a family-friendly craft fair featuring over 45 local artisans, raffle prizes, food and more.
265 Benham St., Hamden
The Guilford Art Center's Holiday Expo returns from Nov. 14 to Jan. 11. The expo features a wide selection of handcrafted gifts from independent artists and creators, offering items such as jewelry, home goods, clothing, accessories, ornaments, specialty foods and more.
411 Church St., Guilford
Over 300,000 lights will be on display at Hubbard Park from Nov. 26 through Dec. 31 for the Festival of Silver Lights. The event is free to the public.
999 W Main St., Meriden
This festival features horse-drawn wagon rides, crafts, a scavenger hunt, dance performances from Astra Studio, carolers and decorating holiday cards. It runs on Dec. 6. Local restaurants like Cuckoo’s Nest, Nori and Old Saybrook Pizza Palace will offer specials.
Across Saybrook
Ivoryton will be covered in holiday lights on Dec. 6 for this celebration. The event will also feature Santa, live music and the lighting of a large holiday tree.
Main Street, Ivoryton
This event at the Connecticut River Museum on Nov. 30 will feature a boat parade, a train show, a lantern-lit carol stroll (from Essex Town Hall to the Connecticut River Museum) and more.
Essex Town Hall is at 29 West Ave., Essex and the Connecticut River Museum is at 67 Main St., Essex
This event on the Bethlehem town green features crafts for children, a scavenger hunt and live music. It runs on Dec. 5 and 6.
1 The Green, Bethlehem
The Litchfield Holiday Stroll will take place on Dec. 8 and will feature several smaller events, including cookie decorating with the Girl Scouts at the First Congregational Church of Litchfield, a story time event at Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance and ornament making at the Litchfield Historical Society. It will also have visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, hot chocolate and caroling.
First Congregational Church of Litchfield is at 21 Torrington Road, Litchfield, Litchfield Volunteer Ambulance is at 11 East St, Litchfield and Litchfield Historical Society is at 7 South St., Litchfield
The Torrington Christmas Village will return for the 78th consecutive year and will operate throughout the holiday season, open from Dec. 11 to Dec. 24. Beginning with a stop in Santa's throne room, the village tour features many of Christmas' most recognizable traditions, offering a look at the elves' workshop and Mrs. Claus' cozy, vintage cottage.
The Torrington Christmas Village is at 150 Church St.
Stafford will celebrate the holiday season on Dec. 13 with live nativity performances, caroling from Stafford High School, wagon rides through Hyde Park and a parade.
Throughout Stafford