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50+ Free Things To Do in Connecticut This Summer: Festivals, Fairs, Concerts, and More!

Photo courtesy of the Chester Fair, Facebook
Photo courtesy of the Chester Fair, Facebook
6/3/22 - By Jennifer Coe

Entertaining Connecticut kids this summer does not need to take a lot of money. There are load of free things to do in Connecticut from June to August like museum visits, free meals, festivals, fairs, concerts and parades and more.

If you're looking for more activities to do with kids, check out our Ultimate Summer Bucket List Ideas: 100 (Mostly) Free Outdoor Games and Activities for Kids and then spend a moment searching our calendar for free activities that may appeal to you and your kids. 

To get more free fun at home and in your town delivered to your inbox, sign up for our newsletters.

 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Find music, art, food, and more fun at the Rose Arts Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival via Facebook
Find music, art, food, and more fun at the Rose Arts Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival via Facebook

Free Things To Do in Connecticut in June

International Festival of Arts and Ideas

June 1 - 25 - New Haven
The International Festival of Arts & Ideas is an extravaganza of performing arts, lectures, storytelling, music, and conversations that take over theaters, town green, and open spaces in New Haven. The 2023 schedule begins May 25 and runs through June 25, and most events are free. READ MORE

Rose Arts Festival

June 1 - Norwich
New England's largest free music festival, Rose Arts is not to be missed. Featuring family-friendly interactive activities, exciting art installations, and more than 75 performances spanning day and evening programs, this is a wonderful way to spend the day.  READ MORE

Torrington Strawberry Festival

June 3 - Torrington
Enjoy a day of fun and, of course, delicious fresh-made strawberry shortcake and other strawberry treats. Food trucks will provide delicious food, and entertainment for the kids includes the Strawberry Festival Express Train and a visit with Strawberry Shortcake. READ MORE

Touch a Truck @ Valley Preschool

June 3 - Granby
Touch-a-truck will take place in the Commuter Parking lot across the street from First Church and Valley Pre-School at 219 North Granby Road. Valley Pre-School will be hosting supervised play on the playground. Three Granby emergency vehicles will be in attendance as well as private utility trucks from local businesses. Children will have the opportunity to sit in the vehicles and talk to our first responders and vehicle operators. Please remember to bring non-perishable food items to benefit the Granby Food Bank. READ MORE

Connecticut Trails Day

June 3- 4 - Statewide
Connecticut is home to the largest Trails Day celebration in the country. More than 100 events are planned for the weekend, with activities that include hikes, trail runs, bike rides, paddles, and historic strolls all over the state. READ MORE

Little Poland Festival in New Britain

June 4 - New Britain
Experience a taste of Europe in New Britain's unique Little Poland district. Enjoy live music, mascots, kids' activities, leaping folk dancers, ethnic food, arts and crafts, and shopping. READ MORE

Classic Car Cruise Nights @ Ocean Beach Park

June 5, 12, 17, 21- Mystic
The WNLC 98.7 Classic Hits Cruise night is a well-established weekly event synonymous with summer. There are lots of classic and super cool cars on display.  READ MORE

Naugatuck Duck Race and Festival

June 4 - Naugatuck
See hundreds of ducks "race" at this family event that supports local organizations. Enjoy food trucks, craft vendors, roaming railroad, strolling entertainment, bounce house and mini golf. READ MORE

Goshen Stampede

June 9-11 - Goshen
A down-home, country-style event, right here in Connecticut! Enjoy rodeos, truck pulls, demo derbies, carnival rides,  kids rodeos, a petting zoo, food, and more. READ MORE

2nd Annual CT Sea Music Festival

June 9-12 - Essex
The 2nd Annual CT Sea Music Festival will drop anchor in historic downtown Essex. The free weekend festivities include a Symposium on the Music of the Sea, daytime workshops, a parade, a family stage, demonstrations of sailor skills, a Sunday morning revival hymn sing, and late-night Chantey Sings in the historic Griswold Inn. READ MORE

Celebrate! West Hartford

June 10-11-West Hartford
Attracting nearly 40,000 people, Celebrate! West Hartford (CWH) is a family-oriented, two-day community festival on the grounds of Town Hall in West Hartford, with carnival rides, games, and music for all ages, plus a food court offering gourmet cuisine and festival food favorites.  READ MORE

Shakespeare On The Sound: As You Like It (for kids)

June 14- 17- Rowayton
Audiences of all ages can enjoy this Shakespeare classic performed with kids in mind, in picturesque Pinkney Park. The half-hour show is performed immediately before the grown-up version afterwards. READ MORE

Symphony in the Park

June 17 - Hartford
Featuring musicians from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, this performance features 55 musicians playing favorites from the silver screen by Latino and Black composers. Bring a blanket or chairs for sitting as this is an outdoor concert. READ MORE

Juneteenth Parade and Concert

June 17 - Bloomfield
You are invited to an all-ages, live, in-person concert in celebration of Juneteenth. Entertaining you and your family and friends will be the award-winning Alika Hope and The Ray of Hope Project. Libraries, schools, and museums throughout the U.S. have enjoyed working with The Ray of Hope Project to create performance pieces that connect today's social issues to those of 19th-century enslaved people and abolitionists. The ultimate goal of this project is to help people connect with history to explore their own sense of freedom and responsibility for today's social justice issues, and to... READ MORE

Annual Monroe Strawberry Festival

June 17- 18 - Monroe
This annual town-wide favorite event brings together more than 75 juried exhibitors and local artists, plus strawberry shortcake, strawberry pies, baked goods, children's games, and live entertainment.  READ MORE

New Horizons Village Strawberry Festival

June 22 - Unionville
Music, food trucks, live entertainment, and more highlight the Annual New Horizons Strawberry Festival. Mass-Conn-fusion will be performing live. An indoor event. READ MORE

Juneteenth @ the Hillstead

June 23 - Farmington
Together with Amistad Center for Art & Culture and ShopBlackCT, Hill-Stead is once again hosting this event as part of a month-long series of Juneteenth celebrations taking place throughout the region. Join Hillstead for a day of discovery and celebration featuring regional Black artists, organizations, and businesses.   READ MORE

Trumbull Day

June 30- July 1 - Trumbull
Trumbull Day is a two-day,fun-filled family event with food, vendors, carnival rides and games, children's entertainment, a main stage featuring local bands, and fireworks. It will run from June 30 in the evening to Saturday, July 1 from 2pm to 10:30p. READ MORE
Celebrate different world cultures at the NICE Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival
Celebrate different world cultures at the NICE Festival. Photo courtesy of the festival

Free Things To Do in Connecticut in July

Free Saturday Mornings at NBMAA

Saturdays in July - New Britain
Enjoy FREE general admission to the New Britain Museum of American Art every single Saturday morning. Bring the family or enjoy a solo peaceful stroll through our exquisite permanent collection galleries and exciting special exhibitions.  READ MORE

Movies in the Plaza

Wednesdays in July - New Haven
Movies in the Plaza is back, bringing you Wednesday night fun May through July starting May 3 with Everything Everywhere All At Once. Every Wednesday evening after sundown visitors can enjoy their favorite films under the stars in downtown New Haven. READ MORE

Family Program: Backyard BBQ

July 1 - Hartford
Get ready for summer barbecues! Families will decorate their own chef hats to wear, and decorate a cookbook filled with refreshing, summery recipes from the CHS collection. Due to the holiday weekend, this will be a modified Free First Saturday program with the option to complete the activities at the museum or take it home. This is a drop-in program, no pre-registration required. READ MORE

Suffield's Summer Movie Nights

July 1 - 29 - Suffield
Free summer movies are happening in Suffield on the town green at dusk. Although not all movies are for kids, some are.  Jaws (on July 1) is held at Babb's Beach. READ MORE

Rowayton River Ramble

July 8 - Norwalk
Each July, the Rowayton Civic Association hosts this event filled with fun and entertainment for kids and adults at Pinkney Park. Kids will enjoy the petting zoo, pony rides, water slides, dunk tank, balloon twisters, face painting, hair braiding, kid’s games, Kona ice truck, cotton candy and the cakewalk tradition. READ MORE

The NICE Festival

July 8 - Norwalk
Dancers, musicians, vendors, and local international restaurants are the center of a celebration that encourages the community to spend the day together and celebrate Norwalk's diversity. READ MORE

Hartford Festival of Jazz

July 13 -15 - Hartford
The 32nd annual Greater Hartford Jazz Festival, New England’s largest free public jazz festival, will kick-off at 4:30 PM with Hall High School’s 23-person Jazz Band. Bring a blanket or chair and plan to relax with some great music. This is a three day event. Go to the website for a full list of performers.  READ MORE

St. Ann Feast

July 20-21 - Norwalk
St Ann's Feast celebrates the Italian heritage of Norwalk and the surrounding communities. The feast features the famous "pizza fritta," tons of food, rides, games, vendors, and family fun. READ MORE

Compassionfest

July 22 - Hamden
The 6th annual Compassionfest is a festival dedicated to community, equality, and kindness. This event aims to gather people together who value justice, kindness, equality, and compassion. READ MORE

Vernon’s Annual Summer Days Carnival

July 26-29 - Vernon
Enjoy rides, games, and carnival food at the annual Vernon Summer Days Carnival. Wristbands are available for $25.00. Admission and parking are free. READ MORE
There's more than just oysters at the Milford Oyster Festival. Photo by A.K. Thornton
There's more than just oysters at the Milford Oyster Festival. Photo by A.K. Thornton

Free Things To Do in Connecticut in August

North Branford Potato and Corn Festival

August 4 -6 - North Branford
The PoCoFest is back in 2023 and it's still a free and fun family event. Highlights include a car and bike show, carnival rides, food, live entertainment, and more. READ MORE

Moonlight Movies

August 4-18 - Mansfield
Nothing says summer like an outdoor movie under a moonlit sky. Enjoy free, family movies on Betsy Paterson Square on Friday, August 4, 11, and 18, 2023. READ MORE

Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival in Hartford

August 5 - Hartford
Authentic Caribbean cuisine, cool island beverages, island rhythms, and spectacular costumes and dance bring a festive Caribbean atmosphere to the riverfront, during a free, day-long, family-friendly festival.  READ MORE

Stonington Village Fair

August 5 - Stonington
The Stonington Village Fair is a regional time-honored tradition drawing thousands annually. Traditions of the fair include a pottery tent, artisan booths, children's activities, live music, and delicious food vendors. READ MORE

Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival

August 19 - Hartford
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Island cultures through traditional music and dance, hands-on art activities, food, and martial arts. Dragon boat races are back this year. Come cheer on your favorite team! READ MORE

Milford Oyster Festival

August 19 - Milford
More than 40,000 oysters & clams are brought to you by East Coast Shellfish Growers Association & the Annual Milford Oyster Festival.  READ MORE

The Brooklyn Fair

August 24-27 - Brooklyn
Make memories at one of the oldest continuously run fairs in the United States. Fireworks, baking contests, truck pull, racing pigs, animal competitions, and an entire kids' stage all await.  READ MORE

CT Taco Festival

August 26 - Shelton
The CT Taco Festival is a fun family event. Try gourmet tacos and place your vote for the best one. Also enjoy Lucha Libre wrestling, a taco eating contest, a photo booth, live music, crafts, a kids' zone, and more! READ MORE

The Naugatuck Food Truck Festival on the Green

August 26 - Naugatuck
Enjoy your pick of yummy treats from food trucks as well as other food vendors on the Green. For kids there's touch-a-truck, music, and entertainment.   READ MORE

Annual Chester Fair

August 25-27 - Chester
A member of the Association of CT Agricultural Fairs, the Chester Fair is a major annual regional fair, including livestock and agricultural competitions, animal shows and demonstrations, tractor pulls, a carnival midway, music, food, and more. READ MORE
Bring a blanket and a picnic and settle in for a concert. Photo courtesy of the Windsor Concerts on the Green Facebook page
Bring a blanket and a picnic and settle in for a concert. Photo courtesy of the Windsor Concerts on the Green Facebook page

Free Summer Concerts in Connecticut: Outdoor Music Festivals for Families

Roger Sherman Baldwin Park Concerts

Greenwich
Enjoy the 2023 free summer concert series at the park! READ MORE

Summer Concerts on the Square

Mansfield
These free musical performances are open to the public and take place in the Mansfield Town Square. For a complete 2023 list, go to their website. READ MORE

Norton Park Summer Concerts

Plainville
This weekly concert series at Norton Park has a night for everyone's taste in music. READ MORE

Free Concerts at Washington Park

Groton
With a stellar line-up of concerts planned in 2023, the outdoor concerts start at 6:30pm in Washington Park. Food trucks and concessions are on-site. Families are encouraged to attend and bring a picnic! READ MORE

Walnut Beach Summer Concerts 2023

Milford
Bring your dancing shoes for a late afternoon concert on the shore. The Devon Rotary presents its annual summer series, consisting of 6 weeks of shows. READ MORE

Summer Concerts at Twin Brooks Park

Trumbull
Live music is presented by Mallet Trust in nine concerts running till the end of the summer, right on Main Street. READ MORE

Windsor Concerts on the Green 2023

Windsor
The Town of Windsor and FirstTownDownTown present the summer 2023 concert series for free, every Thursday night on the green. For  a complete list of concerts, please look at their summer brochure.  READ MORE

Southington Concerts on the Green

Southington
Music on the Green begins on June 1 and goes until September 7, every Wednesday night. Admission is Free. READ MORE

Summer Concert Series in Litchfield

Litchfield
Starting June 29, Litchfield Green presents a free weekly summer concert every Wednesday night until August 10. READ MORE

Summer Concert Series

Newtown
Stroll by mid-afternoon (2-3pm) on Tuesdays for a concert outside the library. The Dickinson Bandshell is home to six concerts during the summer. Visit again on Thursday nights for a whole other family-friendly concert series! READ MORE

Redding Concerts on the Green

Redding
The free concert on the green series begins on June 19. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Historic Downtown Norwich
Bushnell Park
Bushnell Park and Downtown Hartford
Whitneyville Cultural Commons
Betsy Paterson Square
Downtown Milford, along Milford Harbor
Chester Fair Ground
Roger Sherman Baldwin Park
Mansfield Town Square
Devon Rotary Pavilion at Walnut Beach