The Stamford area has 2 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular in Stamford on November 21 to Heights & Lights in Stamford, on December 6. Every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Connecticut, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 2 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Stamford for 2026, in Stamford
- First: Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular, Stamford, November 21. Runs latest: Heights & Lights, Stamford, through December 6
- Every event here charges admission or a ticket; check each host
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
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Christmas events for kids in Stamford
2 confirmed events for kids in Stamford, soonest first.
Holiday parade
Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular
- When: Sat November 21 (3 to 6 pm) and Sun November 22 (noon to 2 pm), 2026
- Where: Downtown Stamford, Stamford
- Cost: Check the host's page
Details, tips and host
The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular is the official kickoff to the holiday season in Stamford and one of the largest parades of its kind in the country. Expect giant helium balloons, award winning marching bands and dance groups moving through downtown on Sunday afternoon, November 22, from noon to 2 pm.
The night before, on Saturday, November 21, from 3 to 6 pm, the Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party on Hoyt Street at Summer Street lets kids see the giant balloons up close as they are filled. That pre parade event includes live music and performances, and Santa makes a special appearance to greet the crowd. Families with young children who want to see Santa should plan on the Saturday inflation party, while the Sunday parade is the main spectacle with its balloons and bands.
Parent tip: Go to the Saturday balloon inflation party if you want to see Santa. Arrive early on parade day for a good curbside spot.
- Host
- Stamford Downtown Special Services District (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Downtown Stamford, Hoyt Street at Summer Street, Stamford, CT 06901
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Tree lighting
Heights & Lights
- When: Sunday, December 6, 2026
- Where: Landmark Square and Latham Park, Stamford
- Cost: Check the host's page
Details, tips and host
Heights and Lights is one of Stamford Downtown's signature holiday events. Families gather below Landmark Square to watch and cheer as Santa Claus, Rudolph, the Grinch and friends make a daredevil descent from 22 stories up, twisting and flying down the side of one of the city's tallest buildings. A festive fireworks show follows the rappel.
Afterward, Santa and friends march up Bedford Street to Latham Park for holiday music and the lighting of Stamford's Holiday Tree, so families can follow along on foot. The organizers had not posted start times yet, so check the event page closer to the date. For parking, the page suggests Stamford Town Center, the Bell Street Garage, the Summer Street Garage or the Landmark Garage via Atlantic Street, and advises avoiding the Bedford Street Garage because of construction.
Parent tip: Times were still to be announced, so check the page before heading out. Park at Stamford Town Center, Bell Street, Summer Street or Landmark Garage rather than Bedford Street.
- Host
- Stamford Downtown Special Services District (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Landmark Square and Latham Park, Landmark Square, Stamford, CT 06901
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Stamford? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
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Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
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Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Connecticut Christmas train rides page.
Stamford Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Stamford
- Season
- November 21 to December 6, 2026
- Free events
- 0
- Kinds of events
- holiday parade and tree lighting
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Stamford Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular in Stamford on November 21; the last runs to December 6. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Stamford Downtown Parade SpectacularStamford · Nov 21 to Nov 22
- Heights & LightsStamford · Dec 6
Looking further afield? Our Connecticut Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport and Danbury. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Stamford
In Stamford, Santa has been arriving in a big way since 1993, first in a small parade and now alongside giant helium balloons. The city's holiday season also includes a rappelling Santa, a tree lighting and nearly 300,000 lights downtown.
How Stamford celebrates
The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular began in 1993 as a modest Christmas event that escorted Santa Claus to the Stamford Town Center mall on Black Friday, with a small petting zoo. Giant helium balloons joined in 1997, and the parade grew into one of the largest in the country, drawing about 100,000 spectators. It was the 30th annual parade in 2023. Later in the season, Heights and Lights brings a rappelling Santa and a tree lighting, the Jackie Robinson Park of Fame holds its own tree lighting, and the city also lights a giant menorah in December.
Christmas last year in Stamford
In 2025 the parade stepped off on Sunday, November 23, with towering balloons, marching bands and dance groups, after a Giant Balloon Inflation Party the day before on Hoyt Street. On December 7, Heights and Lights had Santa and friends rappel 22 stories down the Landmark Building, zip-line to the Ferguson Library and finish with fireworks, before the tree lighting at Latham Park. Stamford Downtown's winter lights grew with nearly 300,000 LEDs, including 63,000 lights on the oak tree at Columbus Park. The giant menorah lit on December 14.
Fun facts about Christmas in Stamford
The Stamford parade route is nearly a mile long, running from Hoyt and Summer Streets along Broad Street to Federal Street. Some balloons reach 40 feet, and more than 100 volunteers help as balloon handlers, clowns and route marshals. In 2023, the balloons were filled with 51,000 cubic feet of helium and handlers had to keep them clear of power lines and tree branches. Downtown also has 80 street trees wrapped in about 1,700 lights each, and the lights stay up from mid November to mid March.
Traditions today
- Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular: Giant helium balloons, marching bands and Santa kick off the season on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, a tradition since 1993.
- Giant Balloon Inflation Party: The day before the parade, families can watch the balloons get filled and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus.
- Heights and Lights: Santa rappels down the 22-story Landmark Building, zip-lines to the Ferguson Library and lights the tree at Latham Park after fireworks.
- Stamford Downtown winter lights: Nearly 300,000 LED lights decorate trees and streets from mid November through mid March.
- Jackie Robinson Park of Fame tree lighting: A neighborhood tree lighting that reached its 27th year in 2021.
- Menorah lighting and car parade: A giant menorah is lit in mid December, followed by a Menorah Car Parade.
A fact for kids
In Stamford, Santa has arrived by rappelling down a 22-story building and zip-lining to the library. And the parade balloons are so big that some are 40 feet tall.
Questions about Christmas in Stamford
When did the Stamford Christmas parade start?
The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular began in 1993. It started as a modest Christmas event that escorted Santa Claus to the Stamford Town Center mall on Black Friday, with a small petting zoo. Helium balloons were added in 1997, and it was the 30th annual parade in 2023.
How big is the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular?
It is one of the largest parades in the country, with about 100,000 spectators each year. The route is nearly a mile long, from Hoyt and Summer Streets along Broad Street to Federal Street, and more than 100 volunteers help with balloon handling, clowns and route marshal duties.
Why are there giant balloons in the Stamford parade?
Giant helium balloons were added in 1997, which helped the parade grow much bigger. Some balloons reach 40 feet tall. In 2023, 15 balloon floats were filled with 51,000 cubic feet of helium, and handlers had to keep them away from power lines and tree branches.
What is the Giant Balloon Inflation Party?
It is a pre-parade event held the day before the Stamford parade. Families can watch the giant balloons get inflated and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. In 2025 it was on Saturday, November 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. on Hoyt Street at Summer Street. See our Stamford Christmas events guide on this page for this year's plans.
What happened at the Stamford parade last year?
The 2025 Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular was held on Sunday, November 23, with towering giant balloons, award-winning marching bands, dance groups and a trampoline show. It marked the start of the holiday season in Stamford, and families can see Santa and Mrs. Claus at the parade each year.
What is Heights and Lights in Stamford?
Heights and Lights is Stamford's tree lighting tradition, called one of the city's most beloved holiday events. Santa and his friends rappel down the 22-story Landmark Building, zip-line to the Ferguson Library, and fireworks go off over Landmark Square. Then everyone follows Santa to Latham Park for carols and the tree lighting.
When was Heights and Lights last year?
In 2025 Heights and Lights took place on Sunday, December 7. Santa rappelled down the Landmark Building on Broad Street and zip-lined to the Ferguson Library. After the fireworks, he headed up Bedford Street to Latham Park for music from the Candy Cane Carolers and the tree lighting. See our Stamford Christmas events guide on this page for this year's date.
Where is the main Christmas tree in downtown Stamford?
The annual Holiday Tree Lighting takes place at Latham Park, up Bedford Street from the Landmark Building, after Santa's rappel. Downtown also has a large oak tree at Columbus Park wrapped in 63,000 lights. Our Stamford Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's confirmed dates.
How many lights does downtown Stamford have?
Stamford Downtown's winter lighting program uses nearly 300,000 multi-color and warm-white LED lights. It includes 80 street trees on Bedford, Atlantic, Summer and Main Streets with about 1,700 lights each, plus 63,000 lights on the Columbus Park oak. The display runs from mid November through mid March.
What is new in Stamford's winter lights?
The 2025 edition added decorated lamp posts and trees along Greyrock Place, three oversized decorative light bulbs at the UConn Stamford vegetable garden, and six traffic signal poles wrapped in candy-cane stripes. The Bedford Street Garage also gained illuminated snowflakes and twinkle-light garland.
Does Stamford have other tree lightings?
Yes. The Jackie Robinson Park of Fame held its 27th annual tree lighting in 2021, which kicked off the holiday season there. Stamford also has the Heights and Lights tree lighting at Latham Park. Our Stamford Christmas events guide on this page lists this year's dates.
Is there a menorah lighting in Stamford?
Yes. Stamford lights a giant menorah each December, and in 2025 it was lit on December 14, followed by a Menorah Car Parade on December 20. It is part of the city's mix of winter holiday traditions alongside the Christmas parade and tree lighting.
Can kids meet Santa in Stamford?
Yes. Santa and Mrs. Claus appear at the parade and at the Giant Balloon Inflation Party the day before it, and Stamford Town Center hosted a Santa pajama party in 2025. Our Stamford Christmas events guide on this page has this season's dates.
What is the Holiday Wish Express at Stamford Town Center?
It is a holiday journey on Level 5 of Stamford Town Center, with light displays that began on November 22, 2025, a Toy Makers' Workshop and Mrs. Claus' Gingerbread House. It is a mall tradition that ties back to the parade, which first escorted Santa to the Town Center in 1993.
How can I explain the rappelling Santa to my child?
Tell your child that Santa likes to make a big entrance in Stamford. He and his friends climb down a 22-story building on ropes, slide along a zip-line to the library, and then fireworks light up the sky. After that, Santa walks to Latham Park to help turn on the tree.
How can I explain the giant balloons to my toddler?
Tell them that the balloons are like huge floating friends that need many helpers. Some are 40 feet tall, and more than 100 volunteers guide them down the street. The balloons are filled with helium, which makes them float, and handlers watch the power lines and trees.
What is Noon Year's Eve in Stamford?
Noon Year's Eve is a kid-friendly early countdown to the new year, held at places such as the Ferguson Library, Stepping Stones and the Maritime Aquarium. It lets little ones celebrate at noon instead of staying up until midnight, and it is part of Stamford's holiday season.
When does the Stamford holiday season start?
Stamford's season starts in mid November, when the downtown lights are switched on, and kicks off with the parade on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. In 2025 the parade was on November 23. The lights stay up through mid March, long after the Christmas rush is over.
Is the Stamford parade held on Black Friday?
It began on Black Friday in 1993, but in recent years it has been held on a Sunday before Thanksgiving, such as November 19 in 2023 and November 23 in 2025. Check our Stamford Christmas events guide on this page for this year's date and plans.
Why is Stamford's parade important to the city?
The president of Downtown Stamford has called it a source of city pride and a way for Stamford to stand out from the nearby New York City market. He has also said he hopes visitors will shop in the town center while they are there.
Sources
- Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular launches the 2025 holiday season, November 23, Fairfield After Dark
- Festive and fun: Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular marks 30th year, News 12 Connecticut
- Stamford Downtown expands iconic winter lighting program, Finding Connecticut
- Heights and Lights returns to Stamford Downtown this weekend, Hey Stamford
- Your Guide to Stamford's Best Holiday Events, Moffly Lifestyle Media
- Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular, 068 Magazine
- Jackie Robinson Park of Fame hosts 27th annual tree lighting, News 12 Connecticut
Stamford Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Stamford this year?
We confirmed 2 for the 2026 season. Good places to start: Heights & Lights (Dec 6) and Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular (Nov 21 to Nov 22). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Where can kids meet Santa in Stamford?
2 events here include a visit with Santa. Bring your own camera; most visits allow photos.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Stamford?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Stamford Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.