Home

Download

NO BAD **RECOMMENDATIONS**.

London, England

Red Room

Copenhagen, Denmark

Delphine

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Chez Nina Green Brasserie

The most popular restaurants in Nova Circle right now

TRENDING NOW

Guide to

During Winter

Prague 

in Finland

The Northern Lights

Winter Edition

Paris

Best bars

New York Cities

Explore curated travel guides filled with hidden gems and top recommendations to inspire your next adventure.

TRAVEL GUIDES

Discover standout moments and top picks from our vibrant community of travelers and explorers.

USER HIGHLIGHTS

Meet our most active and inspiring community members sharing unique recommendations and insights.

TOP USERS

On A Budget

5 Star Luxury Travel

You Must Visit

Eco-Friendly Hotels

Avoid Bali belly

How To:

That Are Worth The Trip

Dining Concepts

The World Is Slowing Down

Soft Travel

Stay updated with the latest travel tips, trends, and exciting updates from the Nova Circle community.

NEWS

Explore

Copenhagens Boutique Hotels

Discover

Tokyos best Ramen

Travel philosophy

The Rise of ‘Soft Travel’

Dublin Best Pubs

 Find fresh ideas and experiences to discover, from must-visit spots to unique activities.

MORE INSPIRATION

Connect with trusted partners who share our passion for unforgettable experiences and quality travel.

OUR SELECTED PARTNERS

Nova Circle is your single space for saving and sharing top recommendations around the world while getting inspired by likeminded people.

Nova Circle - No Bad Recommendations

As a valued Nova Circle member you can enjoy our exclusive partner discounts. Simply just sign in to claim the deals.

Partner Discounts

Enjoy exclusive travel partner discounts with Nova Circle.

Nova Circle Benefits - Travel Partner Discounts

Benefits

Hartford, CT

North America

United States

# Glow at Hartford – Family-friendly indoor festival of lights, holiday fun, vibrant displays, community engagement, unforgettable experiences

Glow at Hartford is a captivating family-friendly indoor winter festival of lights located at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, CT. This enchanting event features dazzling light displays shaped like iconic landmarks from around the world, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors of all ages. Since its inception, Glow has become a beloved holiday tradition, attracting families eager to experience the festive spirit through vibrant visuals, engaging activities, and community involvement. Review highlights emphasize the event's immersive experience, with activities ranging from rides and food vendors to photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch, making it a must-visit during the holiday season.

## History
### The story of Glow at Hartford
Glow at Hartford was founded with the vision of creating a unique holiday experience that combines art, culture, and community engagement. The festival aims to bring families together to celebrate the joy of the season through interactive displays and activities that highlight global traditions. By transforming the Connecticut Convention Center into a winter wonderland, Glow has successfully established itself as a cherished event in Hartford's holiday calendar.

### Milestones and growth
- **Inception**: Glow debuted in Hartford, quickly gaining popularity for its innovative approach to holiday celebrations.
- **Expansion**: Over the years, the festival has expanded its offerings, introducing new themes and attractions to enhance the visitor experience.
- **Community Engagement**: Glow has fostered partnerships with local vendors and artists, enriching the festival's cultural significance.
- **Return of Tradition**: After a brief hiatus, Glow returned for its third year, showcasing larger and more elaborate displays than ever before.

### Cultural and local influence
Glow at Hartford not only provides entertainment but also serves as a platform for cultural exchange. The festival features light displays inspired by landmarks from various countries, allowing visitors to experience different cultures through art. This cultural representation fosters a sense of community and inclusivity, encouraging attendees to appreciate global diversity during the holiday season.

### Continuing the tradition
As Glow continues to grow, it remains committed to its founding vision of creating a family-friendly event that celebrates the holiday spirit. Each year, the festival introduces new elements while maintaining its core values of community involvement and cultural appreciation. By listening to visitor feedback and adapting to changing preferences, Glow ensures that it remains a relevant and beloved tradition for years to come.

## Community
### Community involvement
Glow at Hartford thrives on community involvement, engaging local businesses, artists, and performers to contribute to the festival's vibrant atmosphere. By collaborating with local vendors, the event showcases unique products and services, supporting the local economy while enhancing the overall experience for attendees. This partnership fosters a sense of ownership and pride within the community, as residents come together to celebrate the holiday season.

### Community notion about the place
The community's perception of Glow is overwhelmingly positive, with many residents viewing it as a highlight of the holiday season. Families appreciate the festival's focus on inclusivity and accessibility, making it a welcoming environment for visitors of all ages. The interactive elements, such as the passport stamping activity, resonate with attendees, encouraging them to explore and engage with the various displays and activities.

### Events and gatherings
Glow serves as a gathering place for families and friends during the holiday season, offering a range of events and activities that cater to diverse interests. From live music and karaoke to interactive children's activities, the festival creates an atmosphere of joy and celebration. Special events, such as visits from Santa and themed performances, further enhance the sense of community and togetherness, making Glow a cherished holiday destination.

## Offerings
### What Glow at Hartford offers
Glow at Hartford provides a multifaceted experience that combines stunning light displays, festive activities, and local vendor offerings. The festival's immersive environment allows visitors to explore different cultures through art while enjoying a variety of entertainment options. With something for everyone, Glow ensures that families can create lasting memories during the holiday season.

### Dining and food experience
The food experience at Glow is designed to complement the festive atmosphere, featuring a selection of local vendors offering a variety of snacks and beverages. From holiday treats to warm drinks, visitors can indulge in culinary delights while enjoying the vibrant surroundings. The presence of food vendors adds to the overall experience, allowing families to refuel as they explore the festival.

### Events and packages
Glow hosts a variety of events throughout its run, including special themed nights and family-friendly activities. Visitors can participate in interactive experiences, such as the passport stamping activity, which encourages exploration of the different cultural displays. Additionally, the festival offers packages for families, making it easy to plan a memorable outing during the holiday season.

### Facilities and features
- Indoor festival space
- Interactive light displays
- Food and beverage vendors
- Live music and entertainment
- Children's play areas and activities
- Photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch
- Passport stamping activity for cultural exploration

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Reviews of Glow at Hartford highlight the festival's ability to create a joyful and immersive experience for families. Visitors appreciate the attention to detail in the light displays and the variety of activities available for children and adults alike. The friendly staff and festive atmosphere contribute to the overall positive experience, making it a popular holiday destination.

### Compliments and strengths
Many reviewers commend Glow for its creativity and inclusivity, noting that the festival successfully brings together families from diverse backgrounds. The interactive elements, such as the passport activity and photo opportunities, enhance the experience, allowing visitors to engage with the displays in a meaningful way. Additionally, the variety of food options and entertainment adds to the festival's appeal, making it a well-rounded holiday event.

### Contrasts and notable mentions
While the majority of reviews are positive, some visitors mention that the festival can become crowded during peak times, which may affect the overall experience. However, many agree that the vibrant atmosphere and engaging activities make it worth the visit. Notable mentions include the impressive light displays and the fun interactions with characters like Santa and the Grinch, which leave a lasting impression on attendees.

### Summary evaluation
Overall, Glow at Hartford is celebrated for its ability to create a festive and family-friendly environment that captures the spirit of the holiday season. With its engaging activities, stunning light displays, and community involvement, the festival has solidified its place as a beloved tradition in Hartford.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
Glow at Hartford is conveniently located at 100 Columbus Blvd, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT 06103. Situated in the heart of Hartford, the festival is easily accessible and surrounded by various attractions. Visitors can explore the nearby Connecticut Science Center, Bushnell Park, and the Mark Twain House, making it an ideal destination for families looking to enjoy a full day of activities. The vibrant downtown area offers additional dining and shopping options, enhancing the overall experience for visitors.

## FAQs
**What are the hours for Glow at Hartford** The festival typically runs in the evenings during the holiday season.
**Is Glow suitable for young children** Yes, Glow offers numerous activities and attractions for children of all ages.
**Are food and drinks available at the festival** Yes, there are various food vendors and beverage stations throughout the event.
**Can I take photos at Glow** Absolutely, there are many designated photo opportunities throughout the festival.
**Is there parking available at the venue** Yes, parking is available close to the Connecticut Convention Center.

## Visit Glow at Hartford Today
Glow at Hartford invites you to experience a magical holiday celebration filled with stunning light displays, engaging activities, and a sense of community. With its rich history and commitment to family-friendly fun, Glow offers an unforgettable experience for visitors of all ages. Join us this holiday season to create lasting memories with your loved ones at this enchanting festival!

68451b9c-1c50-43b8-a662-58b2485d9e3a

"Morning glow, filled with light You can make the whole day bright" (Michael Jackson) Glow is a family-friendly indoor winter festival of lights currently open in five Canadian cities, Eugene Oregon, and good old Hartford, CT. It was a beautiful display of color and design, highlighted by plenty of dazzling lights in the shape of iconic landmarks from around the world. If you ever hoped to see Christmas lights in the shape of the London Eye, Eiffel Tower, Asian temples, Taj Mahal, the Louvre, and London Bridge... well you'll be amazed at the images you see here. Complementing the visuals are bars, rides, food, photo ops with Santa and the Grinch, live music, and a vendor trade show. Plenty of kiddie activities too - a bounce house, train ride, glowing swing sets, and games. We saw quite a few families with kids of all ages, including a lot of strollers enjoying the show and taking advantage of the hundreds of photo ops. No doubt many of the pics will end up on next year's Christmas cards. All in all, this was a very enjoyable experience.

c55a85d1-bb0a-4aca-b8e0-42d66b216316

What an amazing experience this was. I was so excited to finally make it to Glow and I loved the around the world theme. There's so many fun activities around, it was so difficult at first to decide where to head first. We hadn't gotten passports, so I headed back to the main entrance to pick some up, and then we walked and twirled around the world and then made our way over to the kids section. The train ride was a lot of fun, and the little booths at the marketplace have lots of cute goodies for sale. I got to hang out with Santa too and we had an all out blast last night for girls night. Def cannot wait to come back again next year too!

826dd976-86c6-4406-8baa-a765cb7595a5

This was such a fun family holiday experience. Next year we will be sure to wear our matching pajamas. There was karaoke. The kids enjoyed the food vendors. The light up collectible cups truly made their night. So many vendors with unique items to surprise anyone on your wish list. We were so fortunate to see the grinch steal the train. It was fun overload. Lighted swings and photos options galore. My kids begged me to stop taking photos. The passport book is such an interactive way to ensure you get to view everything. I love how they connected so many cultures through the passport displays and showing monitors with merry Christmas in different languages. The prize at the end was cute, although my youngest was disappointed it wasn't the transformer he told Santa about. The Santa and elf interacts with the kids. All the staff were so fun and dressed for the holidays. The vibe was cheerful. Loved, loved, loved it! I would 1,000% recommend.

c6e0f55a-e5ef-46b8-a14f-05ac853d2951

What an experience. Make sure to get the Glow passport upon entry (treat for stamping all locations at end). We walked through 6 different locations; China, France, Netherlands, India, Mexico and the United Kingdom and experienced beautiful lighted displays. A selfie area with lighted hanging portraits, many photo opportunities and walk through lighted Icicles (safe of course). There is also a free train ride to enjoy that goes around more lights! Snack areas, a few bars, live music and karaoke. Face painting for the kids, a few local vendors.

c5341394-16b7-4ade-a3e5-ffbc92a2d0c6

The around the world theme this year is super beautiful!! Seeing lights bring you into England, India and other places around the world is a sight. There are a multitude of spots for photo ops for people of all ages whether is for the Gram or family pics. I brought my 5 month old and he was amazed at all the lights. My two year old nephew had a blast at all the kid activities with glowing hopscotch, bouncing unicorns things and bounce house. Not to mention the adorable train ride for all ages! Was super great fun when the Grinch stole the train and drive it around the entire venue a couple times ! This is definitely a fun activity ahead of the holidays with something for everyone! I didn't try anything from the bars scattered around but those drinks looked fun too!

17d2c873-054d-45e6-bcc1-2b2d7b30bcc1

It was one of the best Family Holiday experiences I've ever had! The parking was quick and close. There were several ways to get to the event on the second floor. The event was well staffed. Everyone working the event was friendly and so helpful! Meeting Santa was a great experience. The stage and entertainment was a great place to stop and enjoy hot coco and eat some food. I would highly recommend this for families and anyone looking for a fun holiday experience while staying warm!

c3cb7bef-7250-4cfd-bf8e-ee0acefa016a

What a nice event! There were light and wire sculptures depicting famous places in different countries- The Netherlands, France, England, Mexico, India and China. We were given cute little passports to stamp at each of the countries. There was a train decorated with holiday lights that was big enough for adults to ride, bounce houses for the kids and several vendors selling jewelry, soaps, ornaments, dog treats, etc. There were also vendors selling alcoholic and virgin drinks and assorted snacks. Santa was there as well as an animatronic Grinch. This would be a cute place to go on a date or to bring the family. Nice way to get into the holiday spirit!

fc53ff6f-f3ec-4061-a25a-5f87a31f7bb4

Glow returns to Hartford for its 3rd year and it's bigger, brighter and better every year!! I honestly was expecting similar lights this year and I'm completely blown away by the presentation. They have an activity for the kids and they get to walk away with a little something at the end of the night after it. The train was a nice ride too. There are a few bars along the spaces and nothing is where it was last year, if it was even a repeat of it. We loved it so much!

0c4921ed-9631-4ff5-94e0-6bc85df65ccf

What a cool way to get in the holiday spirit! Glow offers a fun and festive experience for all ages. Upon arrival, you get a passport to collect stamps while you explore different countries, each lit up with glowing, well-known landmarks. Super creative! For adults, there are stations with beverages served in glowing souvenir cups, and live entertainment including local performers and karaoke (I think later??). Families with young kids will appreciate the play area, the little train ride, and a chance to visit Santa. There's also a selection of food, candy, and local vendors, giving visitors a chance to shop for unique items while enjoying the event. This is a creative, interactive experience that's great to put you in the spirit of the holidays.

a12ef0a2-7f3b-45bd-96ec-4f00aab7873d

It's so nice to be able to enjoy beautiful lights and music, and get in the holiday spirit at an INDOOR event! My guest and I spent a leisurely hour strolling through the various 'countries' on display at Glow Hartford. My favorite was India and the Taj Mahal. The event is definitely geared toward families with younger children, but don't worry. Kids and kids at heart will equally enjoy the decorations and especially the walk-thru icicle forest. There's food and drinks available onsite, and even a 'Glow-camotive' train to ride on. Spend as much time as you want...walk around and stamp your passport...but watch out for the Grinch!

Discover Glow at Hartford, a premier restaurant in Hartford, CT, offering unforgettable dining experiences. Visit us at 100 Columbus Blvd for a memorable meal.

Glow at Hartford: Premier Restaurant Near Connecticut Convention Center

Hartford

Glow at Hartford

Connecticut

Discover Glow at Hartford, a vibrant restaurant at Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford. Enjoy unique dishes and lively atmosphere. Book now!

Glow at Hartford: Exciting Dining Experience at Connecticut Convention Center

Learn about Glow at Hartford, a premier restaurant located at Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford. Experience exceptional cuisine and service. Visit us!

About Glow at Hartford, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford

Opening hours for Glow at Hartford, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford. Find opening hours for Glow at Hartford, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT.

Glow at Hartford Menu Overview

Signature Dishes

Beverages and Pairings

Dietary Options

Chef Recommendations

Experience the Menu at Glow at Hartford

Ajamo

Poké Sushi

Feng Chophouse