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Things To Do in Connecticut This Weekend: Oktoberfest, Pumpkins, Firepit Fridays

The harvest has begun, so you can pick your perfect pumpkin. Photo courtesy of Angevine Farm
The harvest has begun, so you can pick your perfect pumpkin. Photo courtesy of Angevine Farm
9/23/20 - By Ally Noel

Pumpkins are ripe for picking and leaves are ready for peeping! Now that fall has officially arrived, the Nutmeg State is ready to play. Here are our top picks for in-person events for Connecticut kids and families this week and beyond, from Firepit Fridays to Oktoberfest at Quassy Park.

Looking for even more seasonal fun? It's high time to go apple picking, get lost in a corn maze, or visit animals and sample cider at a local farm. Just remember to bring your mask and practice social distancing. If more enriching activities are what you're after, our Back-to-School Fair is still going on; catch the last few free demo classes this week, including Atlantic Acting and Coucou French.

As always, keep tabs on our Connecticut events calendar for daily updates on reopenings at favorite spots, and more local and virtual opportunities for family fun.

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Things To Do in Connecticut This Week

Friday Night Drive-In Movie

Morris — September 25
Warren, Morris and Goshen Recreation) is showing Disney / Pixar's Onward at the Morris Town Beach. Concessions available for purchase. READ MORE

The Harvest Begins at Angevine Farm

Warren — September 25-27
Come enjoy the fresh air and fall treats at opening weekend for the harvest season at Angevine Farm. Five fields of pumpkins have been planted this year to help maintain social distancing.  READ MORE

Afternoon Norwalk Islands Cruises

Norwalk — September 25-27
Maritime Aquarium educators share knowledge of Long Island Sound’s marine life, identify waterfowl, and point out three local lighthouses. Masks and advance reservations are required. READ MORE

Fall Kids Fest 2020 at Bowlmor Lanes

Norwalk — September 26
Bowl, eat and have fun at Bowlmor Lanes Kids Fest. Guests can enjoy the lanes with great deals everyone will enjoy!    READ MORE

International Observe the Moon Night

Stamford — September 26
Moon enthusiasts are welcome to join the Westport Astronomical Society for International Observe the Moon Night. Learn about lunar science and take part in this celestial observation.  READ MORE

Oktoberfest at Quassy

Middlebury — September 26
Get ready for October at Quassy! With the purchase of a dinner ticket families can enjoy a dinner item and a side. Beer or Soda, all-day rides (11am to 5pm) and live music in Oktoberfest Pavilion  READ MORE

Dinner on the Diamond

Hartford — September 26
Enjoy a unique outside dinner experience on the baseball diamond at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford. Advance reservations are required.  READ MORE

Family Friendly Workshop at Board & Brush

Norwalk — September 28
Join Board & Brush for a  Parent & Child Workshop. Participants will select an adult project from our gallery, then choose a child project for each child from the available options. READ MORE

Firepit Fridays at Adventure Park

Bridgeport — Fridays through November 27
Friday night climbs now come with a campfire. Join the Adventure Park for Firepit Fridays and get cozy by the fire after your climb. READ MORE

Pumpkintown USA

East Hampton — Daily through October 31
One of New England's premier non-scary Halloween villages, Pumpkintown USA annually draws about 25,000 visitors. The Village at Pumpkintown USA is home to more than 70 Pumpkinhead people and their pets. The unique village includes a fast food restaurant called MacPumpkins, a saloon, a jail, a church, barbershop, country store, farm, and a fire station. READ MORE

Wojtusik Nursery Halloween Happenings

Bristol — Saturdays and Sundays through October 31
Come enjoy the Cow Train Ride, Not So Haunted House, Pumpkin Patch, and funny photo op displays. at Wojtusik Nursery. Beverages and snacks will be available.  READ MORE

The Great Pumpkin Patch & Courtyard

Woodbury — Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through October 31
Enjoy a walk through The Farm's pumpkin patched stocked with 10 different pumpkin varieties.  A ticket for the pumpkin patch also includes admission to our Courtyard area where you can find a Alice in Wonderland Themed games, tic tac toe, pumpkin checkers, corn hole, connect 4, goats, and a Food Trucks (only certain days). READ MORE

Walktober

Various Locations — Daily through November 1
Explore Connecticut's National Heritage Corridor's during Walktober 2022. Participate in hundreds of walks, hikes, historic tales, paddles, bike rides, farm visits, and more.  READ MORE

"Living Lights" at the Maritime Aquarium

Norwalk — Daily through December 27
The Maritime Aquarium's temporary exhibit, Living Lights, introduces visitors to some of the most interesting creatures of the sea: animals that can give off light through the process of bioluminescence. READ MORE

Outdoor Scavenger Hunt

Guilford — Daily through December 31
Explore the grounds of the Henry Whitfield State Museum with an outdoor scavenger hunt. copies of the scavenger hunt are available at the parking lot kiosk. Submit your answers for a chance to win a prize. Please bring your own pen or pencil to participate. READ MORE
Stamford Museum & Nature Center's campout allows families to fully explore its 118-acre site. Photo courtesy of the nature center
Stamford Museum & Nature Center's campout allows families to fully explore its 118-acre site. Photo courtesy of the nature center

More Live Events in Connecticut This Fall

Full BlueMoon Halloween Hike

Canton — October 31
Join the Roaring Brook Nature Center for a guided full moon hike on All Hallows Eve. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight. Masks and reservations are required. READ MORE

Fairy Doors on Lyme Street

Old Lyme — October 1-28
Take a walk down Lyme Street and discover fairy doors and the magic behind them, Local businesses and residents have created these doorways to delight the entire family. Check out their website and Facebook page for a Fairy Door Map. READ MORE

Great American Campout

Stamford — October 2
The Great American Autumn Campout is an evening full of fun & adventure by camping out in New Canaan’s favorite backyard – the New Canaan Nature Center. Enjoy an evening full of fun, camp tunes, a night hike, s’mores, and the adventure of camping  READ MORE

Stamford Greek Festival

Stamford — October 3
The annual Greek Fest at the Church of the Archangels in Stamford is known for its fabulous food, music and fun. This year, the event will offer delicious taverna-style Greek food, all ready to eat on-site or to take to-go.  READ MORE

Frothy Forage

Wilton — October 3
Bring the whole family to explore secret locations along the Woodcock trails. Along the trail, guests will encounter animals,live music, and food.   Unique craft brew from Nod Hill Brewery and Owl's Brew Boozy Tea  (plus soda tasting with Izze Sparkling Soda and Hosmer Mountain Soda) will be offered along the way.  READ MORE

Spring Family Campout

New Canaan — October 9
Join the Stamford Museum and Nature Center for their spring campout. There will be a variety of staff-led outdoor activities in small groups including night hikes, live animal presentations, and naked-eye astronomy. In the morning, take an early walk around the farm as the animals wake up for the morning. A breakfast of pancakes, sausage, fruit will be provided. READ MORE

Not-So-Scary Halloween Drive Thru

East Haddam — October 9-24
The Not So Scary Halloween drive-through experience is designed for young children, but fun for all ages. The experience includes a magical Pony Trail, decorated & lit up for Halloween. Along the trail, guess will  find all sorts of exciting sights as well as our human characters dressed to the occasion. Candy will be passed out to the little visiting goblins.   READ MORE

35th Annual Lobsterfest

New Canaan — October 16
Lobsterfest 2020 is offering curbside pick up of lobster, grilled salmon, or fried chicken dinners at the Waveny Pool Pavilion.  Orders must be placed by September 30, 2020.  READ MORE
WonderSpark Puppets presents two fables with puppets about the theme of forgiveness -- 'The Ant and The Grasshopper' and 'Three Billy Goats Gruff'. Photo courtesy of WonderSpark Puppets
WonderSpark Puppets presents two fables with puppets about the theme of forgiveness -- 'The Ant and The Grasshopper' and 'Three Billy Goats Gruff'. Photo courtesy of WonderSpark Puppets

Top Virtual Events this Week

Dino Fest at Home

September 22-25
The Natural History Museum brings home the dinosaurs, with a virtual version of its annual festival celebrating dinosaurs, their prehistoric past, and the science that brings their world back to life.  READ MORE

Disney's Hercules Cast Reunion on Stars in the House

Wednesday, September 23
From zero to hero in no time flat! The cast of Disney's animated Hercules reunites on Seth Rudetsky's Stars in the House! READ MORE

La MaMa Kids Online: The Ant & The Grasshopper with Three Billy Goats Gruff

September 24
Wonderspark puppets perform two Fables with the theme of forgiveness - The Ant and The Grasshopper and Three Billy Goats Gruff. Each fable is highly interactive, plus kids learn the four seasons, the power of kindness, and how to forgive others. READ MORE

Coucou French Classes Demo Class & Info Session

September 25
It’s never too early to start learning a foreign language - in fact, the earlier, the better! This fall, Coucou French Classes is launching "Le Petit Coucou", an online program for children of all ages. Join in on our demo classes and participate in the Q&A. READ MORE

Atlantic Acting School Demo Class

September 25
Young creatives can get a sample of what Atlantic Acting School has to offer at a free virtual acting class with Andy Schneeflock. Atlantic Acting School's after-school and weekend programs are dedicated to nurturing the talents of kids and teens aged 4-18 . READ MORE

Virtual Monterey Jazz Festival

September 25-27
The Virtual 63rd Monterey Jazz Festival features exclusive new and previously unreleased archival performances.  The lineup includes jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, a tribute to Quincy Jones, Dianne Reeves, Jamie Cullum, and many, many others. READ MORE
One of the best parts of apple picking is the cider donuts after! Photo by Ally Noel
One of the best parts of apple picking is the cider donuts after! Photo by Ally Noel

More Things To Do in Connecticut in September

Apple Picking in Connecticut: Best Apple Orchards for Apple Picking with Kids

Multiple locations
It's the season for apple picking (and more family fun) throughout Connecticut. READ MORE

Fall Bucket List for Kids: Top Things To Do in Connecticut This Fall

Multiple locations
Explore our list of fun fall things to do in CT with kids. READ MORE

6 Easy Apple Recipes: Making the Most of Apple Picking Adventures

Try one of these 'easy as pie' apple recipes. READ MORE

Scenic Sunday Drives for Leaf Peeping this Fall in Connecticut

Multiple locations
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite routes throughout the state with optimal leaf peeping views for your enjoyment. READ MORE

B. F. Clyde's Cider Mill : A Delicious Mystic Steam Powered Autumnal Tradition

Mystic
Come September, a kaleidoscope of colors begin to creep across the Connecticut hills, sweeping from the North down into valleys that shelter russet-red barns and milky white farmhouses, steepled churches and tidy village greens. Ah, Fall in New England. Give us all of the autumnal traditions from country fairs and harvest festivals to pumpkin carving contests to farm stands piled high with the season’s fresh bounty. This season, we are visiting some of our very favorite places to savor the brilliant hues, roadside farms and centuries-old cider mills, like B.F. Clyde’s in... READ MORE

Corn Mazes in Connecticut: Fall Fun for Families

Multiple locations
Explore a fun corn maze in Connecticut this fall! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Morris Town Beach
Westport Astronoical Society
The Farmhouse at People's Light
The Last Green Valey
Roaring Brook Environmental Center
Old Lyme Arts District