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Memorial Day Weekend 2025 in Connecticut: Fairs, Farms, and More Things to Do

Memorial Day Weekend comes roaring in with family fun, like Chris Rowlands Live at Beardsley Zoo. Photo by Jack Bradley Photography for the event.
Memorial Day Weekend comes roaring in with family fun, like Chris Rowlands Live at Beardsley Zoo. Photo by Jack Bradley Photography for the event.
5/21/25 - By Jennifer Coe

Looking for the best things to do in Connecticut this Memorial Day Weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your schedule.

The summer fun is just beginning in Connecticut; it's Memorial Weekend 2025, so make your plans to be outside at one of the parades, carnivals or special Memorial Day events. If you love fun rides and exotic animals, the Safari Carnival at Action Wildlife will be taking place in Goshen all weekend. Celebrate Mr. Roger's Turtle-y Awesome Birthday at Niantic Children's Museum, where Mr. Rogers comes out to see his admirers. And you can see all the animals at A Day on The Farm at Our Kids Farm. Don't forget to find a costume and gallop over to the Opening Day of Robin Hood's Faire 2025.

And of course, there are dozens of FREE parades going on through the state to honor Memorial Day and we have listed many of them in our calendar for you to find one near you.

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Things To Do in Connecticut Memorial Day Weekend 2025 with Kids

Safari Carnival at Action Wildlife

Goshen
Friday & Saturday, May 23-24, 2025
Please celebrate the 3rd annual Safari Carnival, Memorial Day Weekend. Hay rides through our Safari Park are free. Visit Doug the capybara, Wilma the wildebeest, Aaron the aoudad, and many more animal friends. Carnival rides, games, local craft beer, and so much more. READ MORE

TransAm Memorial Day Classic in Salisbury

Salisbury
All weekend, May 23-26, 2025
Trans Am returns to Lime Rock Park. Experience the thunder of 850-horsepower American V8s in the TA and TA2 classes while top production-based GT cars battle it out in XGT, SGT and GT.   READ MORE

Chris Rowlands Live at Beardsley Zoo

Bridgeport
Saturday & Sunday, May 24-25, 2025
Get ready to sing, dance, and roar along as Chris Rowlands, the beloved musical performer and environmental educator, returns to Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo this Memorial Day Weekend (May 24th-26th). With three performances daily at 10:00am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm, guests will be treated to an unforgettable blend of music, puppetry, and conservation education – all free with Zoo admission. READ MORE

Robin Hood's Faire 2025

Harwinton
Saturday - Monday, May 24-26, 2025
The Robin Hood's Faire features a craft marketplace and entertainment set in the magic of Sherwood Forest. Guests are encouraged to dress in a favorite costume. Throughout the Faire are more than six continuous entertainment stages, plus interactive street performances that take place among the craft shops. READ MORE

Heirloom Spring Festival at Comstock Ferre

Wethersfield —FREE
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Join Comstock Ferre for a day filled with tons of family fun. There will be dozens of local vendors and artisans. Great food and drink, and live music too! READ MORE

Wethersfield Memorial Day Parade

Wethersfield —FREE
Saturday, May 24, 2025
This year's theme is "Military 250 - Honoring Army, Navy and Marine Corps." The Wethersfield Memorial Day Parade steps off at 9am downtown from the DMV on State Street. The parade will proceed past the reviewing stand on Broad Street before ending at the Village Cemetery, where there will be a ceremony. READ MORE

Mr. Rogers Turtle-ly Awesome Birthday at Niantic Children's Museum

Niantic
Saturday, May 24, 2025
Come join Niantic Children's Museum for a World Turtle Day birthday bash for their resident Russian tortoise. This year, Mr. Rogers demanded a weekend party so that all his friends could join.The birthday turtle will be doing meet and greets throughout the day for our Museum friends. READ MORE

Sheffield Island Ferry Cruises

Norwalk
Opening day: Saturday, May 24, 2025
Take a cruise to Sheffield Island and explore its historic lighthouse, beaches, and wildlife refuge that offers abundant summer fun for visitors. Advance tickets for the boat can be purchased online, and reservations are strongly recommended, as the capacity is limited to 48 passengers. READ MORE

A Day on The Farm at Our Kids Farm

Canterbury—FREE
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Come to the farm and enjoy the sounds of the animals and interact with them, and stroll the old fashioned general store. Additional vendors set up outside as well as food trucks. READ MORE

Cheshire Memorial Day Parade

Cheshire —FREE
Sunday, May 25, 2025
The 2025 Memorial Day Parade will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. READ MORE

Waterbury Memorial Day Parade

Waterbury —FREE
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Parade starts in Freight Street in Waterbury. Enjoy all the marching groups including the Mattatuck Drum Band. READ MORE

Mansfield Drive In Car Show

Mansfield
Sunday, May 25, 2024
Welcome back ladies and gentlemen, to the Mansfield Drive-in Car Show! This year there will be more than ever before in store for you! Low car limbo, kids foot races, and so much more. READ MORE

Party with Rapunzel at My Kids Place

Colchester
Sunday, May 25, 2025
Party with Rapunzel at My Kid’s Place! Experience a grand entrance, photo opportunities, sing along and story time with Rapunzel. Tickets include admission to My Kid’s Place. READ MORE

Memorial Day Parade in Essex

Essex —FREE
Monday, May 26, 2025
The annual Essex Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 26th, starting at 9 am. Participants will assemble at the foot of Main Street in Essex at 8:45 am. This year the parade will follow a shorter route, starting at the Essex waterfront to the Essex Town Hall where it will stop for a prayer and a salute after which it will continue to the Essex Veterans' Memorial Hall in Centerbrook. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jenny Coe
Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).
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