Three people walk through one of the many light displays at Glow Hartford.
Reminder Publishing photo by Debbie Gardner
HARTFORD — It has all the dazzle and glitter of a spectacular holiday lighting display, but with the warmth and comfort of an event indoors.
Glow Hartford returns to the Connecticut Convention Center for its fourth season, bringing with it holiday magic, a kitchen’s worth of tasty treats, thousands of gleaming lights and plenty of fun and entertainment to brighten the holidays.
This year’s theme is Santa’s Sleigh Adventure, offering guests — young and old — the chance to help Santa find his missing reindeer and keep the holiday on track. A scavenger hunt to find the hidden reindeer gives children a chance to win a prize at the end of their quest, and magic wands that activate special quest displays and questions help visitors add a bit of wizardry to their visit.
According to Show Producer Cindy Semrail, over a million LED lights will illuminate the winding path of displays, from the poinsettia-lined golden archway that opens the show to the sparkling Cinderella’s Carriage — drawn by golden reindeer of course, to the hot air ballon, vintage train and car sculptures, the life-size train that belches smoke, the giant photo-worthy ornaments, Santa’s silvery reindeer, the shiny trees, and so much more, all bathed in the strains of favorite holiday songs and carols.
“One of the great things is it’s all indoors,” Semrail told Reminder Publishing. She added that guests rave about the experience year after year. “We hear ‘It’s awesome!’ ‘It’s beautiful!’ and ‘I don’t have to be outside!’” Semrail said.
Last year, 44,000 visitors enjoyed the 20-day show. This year, Semrail said Glow Hartford is anticipating 65,000 visitors will visit the spectacle through timed tickets. She added that guests spend an average of two hours at the Convention Center, enjoying the displays and entertainment, shopping at the holiday market and sampling kid-friendly treats and adult beverages.
Beyond the lights and entertainment, guests will find plenty of places to take a family photo or a selfie. There are also illuminated swings for the kids and benches for the parents, set at strategic spots, plus a play area for the wee ones, a stainless cyber truck that kids can paint, and stops where everyone can visit with Santa or The Grinch.
In addition, the popular “Glow-comotive” train returns, offering young ones a chance to take a ride around a special display. There’s also the forest of lights, a favorite spot for young — and older — guests to take a walk or run to burn off a bit of energy, among sparkling strings.
Glow Hartford will be open Friday to Sunday through Dec. 14, and daily from Dec. 15 through Dec. 23. Friday hours are 4-8 p.m., Saturday and Sunday noon to 7 p.m. As of Dec. 15, Glow Hartford is open Monday to Thursday 4-7 p.m., Friday 4-8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 22 and 23, the show opens at 3 p.m.
Admission is adults age 16 to 64, $34 ($30 plus $4 service fee), children 5-15 $24 ($20 plus $4 service fee), seniors, military, police, EMS and veterans — with ID — $24 ($20 with $4 service fee), toddlers free, but additional tickets fee applies. Value pack of five tickets for any age visitors is $104 ($100 plus $4 service fee).
Pre-purchase of tickets is recommended as only a limited number of tickets will be available at the box office during show hours. Pre-purchase timed tickets are available at glowgardens.com/hartford-christmas.
For more information, visit hartford.glowgardens.com, or follow the show on Facebook at glowhartford, Instagram @glowhartford, X @glowhartford and YouTube at Glow Hartford.
The Connecticut Convention Center is located at 100 Columbus Blvd.
