A U.S. state in the southern part of New England, Connecticut boasts an eclectic mix of rural areas and coastal cities dotted across small towns. This paradise town nestled on the Atlantic Ocean has direct access to the shore, which also means a lot of outdoor and adventure enthusiasts come flocking to vacation here. Connecticut is known as the most desired tourist destinations in America. There are plenty of attractions here to discover including Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic Aquarium, Long Island Museum, and more. But among these attractions, there is one thing that stands out here that is loved by locals and visitors from all over the world. These attractions give an insight into the state’s rich culture, unique traditions, and heritage. And these are done through the state’s many festivals that happen every year. To make your search easier, we have compiled a list of all the popular festivals in Connecticut, USA.
1. Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival
Do you love shopping for homemade goods? Do you love different kinds of fabrics or knitting? Then attending this festival will be your new haven. Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival has been active for 100 years and is held to promote awareness on raising and keeping sheep in Connecticut. This mission has worked extremely well and evolved so much so that it has now become a premier sheep, wool, and fiber festival. This family-friendly festival showcases a variety of fiber, dyes, fiber tools, finished goods, herbals, soaps, local CT cheese, and many other items that are produced by businesses and small farms from the North East. There are food stalls with different menus such as hamburgers, hot dogs, hamburgers, and more.
Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival
Address: North Haven Fairgrounds, Connecticut
Website: Connecticut Sheep and Wool Festival
Date: April
Hours: 9am - 4pm
2. Connecticut Irish Festival
Posted by Connecticut Irish Festival on Sunday, 23 June 2019
If you thought you’d have to be Irish to attend this event and enjoy all the Irish fun, culture and history, you are wrong! Connecticut Irish Festival comprises dance performances, continuous entertainment and music, cultural exhibits, sports, an Irish bread competition, traditional Irish food and tea house, a dart tournament, vendors, beer garden, activities for the kids, a shopping village, and so many more. Enjoy watching Irish step dancers from all across the globe compete on open tents and stages.
Connecticut Irish Festival
Address: 290 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473, United States
Website: Connecticut Irish Festival
Takes place: June
3. Connecticut Wine Festival
How about having a gala time at the Annual Connecticut Wine Festival? Come, celebrate and taste some of the finest wines from Connecticut Vineyards & Wineries. Visitors get to enjoy a range of wines including fruit wines to grape wines. Pair these fancy wines with some of the finest delicacies, all while enjoying live music, entertainment, and visiting local artisans and vendors.
Connecticut Wine Festival
Address: Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market & Winery, 1355 Boston Post Rd, Guilford, CT 06437
Website: Connecticut Wine Festival
Takes place: July 2020
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4. Connecticut BBQ Festival [Last held in 2019]
Now, who doesn’t love a good barbecue? Connecticut BBQ Festival has everything a barbecue lover craves for. While attending the event, get to enjoy a night filled with laughter, fun, and lots of food. This festival features food trucks and local restaurants competing for the “Best BBQ” title, multiple other eating contests, vendors selling their products, live music performances, a lot of bacon, beer, kids zone, and more.
Connecticut BBQ Festival
Address: 384 Main St N, Bethlehem, CT 06751, United States
Takes place: June 2020
5. Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival
Ever wondered why does garlic taste so good? Or why is it mixed with every dish you know ever? Everyone loves the flavor and there is no denying that. And you get to devour all kinds of garlic specialty food when you attend Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival. Other than trying and tasting every garlic-y food, you can also attend garlic cooking demonstrations, learn how to grow garlic, and enjoy live music performances. And you can also take home the garlic dips, cheeses, spreads, and oils that you can purchase from garlic specialty food vendors.
Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival
Address: Bethlehem Fairgrounds, entrance at 304 Main St. North (Route 61), Bethlehem, CT
Website: Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival
Takes place: October
6. Connecticut Taco Festival
Posted by Connecticut Taco Festival on Monday, 28 October 2019
Come, be a part of the celebration that is totally and only about Tacos and Taco-lovers. Over hundreds of taco-loving enthusiasts come together to Connecticut Taco Festival that features several restaurants and taco-food trucks serving some heavenly goodness. Other than devouring tacos all day long, you can check out live music and entertainment, fire acts, a kids’ zone, and much other fun, eventful acts that seal the deal.
Connecticut Taco Festival
Address: North Haven Fairgrounds, 290 Washington Ave, North Haven, CT 06473, United States
Website: Connecticut Taco Festival
Takes place: May
7. The Kent Fall Festival
Saturday Oct. 13 - Antique Tractor Pull (this photo from the June, 2012 pull)
Posted by Connecticut Antique Machinery Association on Friday, 12 October 2012
There is something mellow yet beautiful about fall. And setting up an event during this tranquil season set a perfect ambiance for the whole event. This three-day family-friendly festival features exhibits like a model railroad, antique railway engine, sawmill, steam exhibits, operating gas, blacksmith shop, antique cars, working far equipment, antique tractors, narrow-gauge railroad, mining exhibits, food, vendors, and so much more.
The Kent Fall Festival
Address: CAMA museum grounds, 31 Kent-Cornwall Rd. (Rt. 7), Kent, CT
Website: The Kent Fall Festival
Takes place: September
8. Connecticut Summerfest
Our 2020 Composition Program Application will be launching very soon! We can't wait to review what will be many superb...
Posted by Connecticut Summerfest on Tuesday, 15 October 2019
Do you enjoy listening to contemporary music? You will have a ball at Connecticut Summerfest. This week-long festival hosts and brings together extremely talented and emerging composers and chamber ensembles to showcase some of their best works. So, come witness the excellent artistic exchange peaking in nine world premieres. The festival features contemporary music concerts that take place through the nightly series concerts which are open and free to the public.
Connecticut Summerfest
Address: The Hartt School, West Hartford, CT 6117
Website: Connecticut Summerfest
Take place: June
9. Connecticut Flower & Garden Show
If you are an anthophile, someone who loves flowers, you will be in heaven right here. Renowned as the biggest and most distinguished flower and garden shows in the United States, Connecticut Flower & Garden Show showcases mind-blowing gardens built by some of the reputable landscape designers in the “Constitution State.” Sprawling over a whopping 3 acres (1.21 hectares) of land, this festival comprises marvelous horticultural and floral feat, gardening services and products, and over 300 exhibitors exhibiting fresh herbs, plants, and flowers.
Connecticut Flower & Garden Show
Address: Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT 06103
Website: Connecticut Flower & Garden Show
Takes place: February
10. Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival
Posted by CT Maritime Heritage Festival on Sunday, 15 September 2019
To celebrate Connecticut’s maritime heritage and innovation, the event - Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival is organized. Attracting over 50,000 visitors every single year, this waterfront location festival includes a rescue demonstration, a U.S. Coast Guard search, a Maritime Career Opportunity Expo, costumed reenactors, music performances, food, and multiple other activities and challenges. This festival is also renowned as one of the favorites and best events of the fall.
Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival
Address: 239 Bank St, New London, CT 06320, United States
Website: Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival
Takes place: September
11. Dogwood Festival (May)
One of the oldest, popular, and top 20 festivals in Connecticut, Dogwood Festival has been in existence for nearly 80 years now. This annual festival attracts over tens of thousands of visitors every year to celebrate spring in Fairfield. Offering several events including a juried craft show that features handcrafted furniture, jewelry, photography, handbags, furniture, garden ornaments, and handmade musical instruments to the local artists displaying their talent in an art show, this festival is sure to blow your mind.
Dogwood Festival
Address: 1045 Old Academy Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, United States
Website: Dogwood Festival
Takes place: May
12. Sea Music Festival (June)
Crowd South, Evening Concert, Saturday, Boat Shed, June 11, 2016, Mystic Sea Music Festival, Mystic, Connecticut, photographed by Charlie Ipcar.
Posted by Charlie Ipcar on Sunday, 3 July 2016
Just can’t get enough of some great music? Sea Music Festival will be your wish come true. An event that’s been functioning for over three centuries, this three-day festival is among the most significant sea music events in the world. It attracts over 5,000 to 10,000 or more enthusiasts from across the globe - showcasing concerts, food vendors, interesting demonstrations, programs entailing the links between the song, music, and sea, and instructional workshops. This festival also boasts both traditional and modern music performances and a children’s stage for families.
Sea Music Festival
Address: 75 Greenmanville Ave., Mystic, CT 06355
Website: Sea Music Festival
Takes place: June
13. Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz
The largest festival in New England, the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz attracts over 20,000 jazz lovers every single year. This three-day festival features internationally acclaimed jazz performers producing quality music at the main stage nestled in Bushnell Park. Visitors can also enjoy listening to equally notable regional and local performers at Trinity Street’s market place. This festival, since the event was established, has been growing massively in the Constitution State.
Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz
Address: Downtown, Hartford, CT 06103, United States
Website: Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz
Takes place: July
Price: Free entry
14. Mystic Outdoor Art Festival (August)
Arrrrrgh. These young mateys made newspapers pirate hats with the Downtown Mystic CT Merchants.
Posted by Mystic Outdoor Art Festival on Saturday, 12 August 2017
Love anything that is related to art? Mystic Outdoor Festival is the place you need to head to. This classy event has outdoor art shows that are judged by the professional jurors and features over 300 finest craftsmen in the country. The festival has been active for over half a century and it showcases a minimum of 100,000 beautiful art pieces, as well as themed activities related to art for children, and an array of delectable cuisines.
Mystic Outdoor Art Festival
Address: Mystic Downtown Marina, 31 Water St, Mystic, CT, United States
Website: Mystic Outdoor Art Festival
Takes place: August
15. International Festival of Arts and Ideas
Every year, the locals and the visitors of Connecticut are blessed with one-of-a-kind and truly magnificent shows and events. And one such event is the International Festival of Arts and Ideas where you get to witness the rare and exceptional collection of gems, dance and music performances, emergent and bright thinkers, theater, and so much more. This lively and informative festival also features an array of tasty food and drinks, world-class culture, and shopping facilities.
International Festival of Arts and Ideas
Address: New Haven, Connecticut
Website: International Festival of Arts and Ideas
Takes place: Usually held in June
16. Dragon Boat and Asian Festival (August)
There’s no better way to enjoy summer than an outdoor festival! Head to Hartford next week for their incredible Riverfront Recapture Dragon Boat & Asian Festival: http://bit.ly/14lSY7x
Posted by Visit Connecticut on Monday, 4 August 2014
Ever been to a boat race or witnessed a boat racing competition? Here’s your chance! Considered as one of the biggest dragon boat venues in USA, Drag Boat and Asian Festival has been organizing annual events for over a decade now. This two-day festival showcases a dragon boat racing contest by the community and club team, and also a plethora of Asian cultural entertainment, traditional Asian cuisine, martial arts demonstrations, and many other activities that are targeted specifically for children.
Dragon Boat and Asian Festival
Address: Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, Hartford, CT, United States
Website: Dragon Boat and Asian Festival
Takes place: August
17. The Connecticut Renaissance Faire
Posted by The Connecticut Renaissance Faire on Friday, 11 October 2019
Bring your family and take them on an eventful journey at the annual Connecticut Renaissance Faire. Take a stroll through the 16th-century recreation harvest festival where you can check out all the kings and queens strolling through the bustling marketplace. Here, you can celebrate life the old-fashioned away, feast on great food, and drink up delicious beverages. The festival features traditional dance performances, live music, prey demonstrations, archer’s demonstrations, shopping stalls, and many more.
The Connecticut Renaissance Faire
Address: Lebanon County Fairgrounds at 122 Mack Road in Lebanon, CT
Website: The Connecticut Renaissance Faire
Takes place: Usually held every Saturday, Sunday, Labor Day, and Columbus Day (August/ September/ October)
18. Milford Oyster Festival
Posted by Milford Oyster Festival on Thursday, 24 August 2017
Do you love gobbling up oysters every other day or just whenever you get a chance to do so? Going strong for over 35 years now, Milford Oyster Festival has been attracting locals of Connecticut and visitors from across the globe. The family-friendly festival showcases an interesting history, sights, taste, and sounds of Milford, Connecticut. This festival is celebrated to honor the seafaring past of Long Island Sound. Besides, there are plenty of attractions and activities that visitors can indulge in including arts and crafts, live entertainment, demonstrations, vintage vessels, international food stalls, juried crafters, Kid’s Cove, exhibits, and so many more.
Milford Oyster Festival
Address: 1 Shipyard Ln, Milford, CT 06460, United States
Website: Milford Oyster Festival
Takes place: August
19. The Southington Apple Harvest Festival
Tomorrow we open! Don't miss our fireworks display this Saturday at 9:00 PM viewable from festival grounds. Big thanks...
Posted by Apple Harvest Festival on Thursday, 3 October 2019
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” You are certainly going to keep the doctors away for decades when you attend this festival. Located around the picturesque Southington Town Green, the Southington Apple Festival is a family-friendly festival that happens every autumn. Attracting over 100,000 visitors every year, this two-weekend festival showcases unique apple delights, food stalls, children’s activities, live music and entertainment, fun contests, carnival rides, and many, many more. The main highlight of the festival is its parade, the fireworks display, and the Arts and Crafts show.
The Southington Apple Harvest Festival
Address: 75 N Main St, Southington, CT 06489, United States
Website: The Southington Apple Harvest Festival
Takes place: October
20. Litchfield Jazz Festival
Thank you to everyone who came out today to share this experience with us -- the audience, the jazz camp students and...
Posted by Litchfield Jazz Festival on Saturday, 27 July 2019
Another jazz festival has made it to this list. And it won’t come as a surprise. Litchfield Jazz Festival has been holding events for over 20 years and it has grown tremendously since. Situated in the Goshen Fairgrounds, this festival offers great jazz music on the outdoors, as well as, in the tented areas. The lawn area in the outdoor showcases an opening night gala, which is then followed by performances by students, three days of jazz performances, artists’ interviews and appearances, a kids’ corner, and a variety of food stalls to set in the festival atmosphere.
Litchfield Jazz Festival
Address: 22 Kirby Rd, Washington, CT 06793, United States
Website: Litchfield Jazz Festival
Takes place: July
21. St. Philip Family Fall Festival
After two successful years, the St. Philip Roman Catholic Church Family Fall Festival returns this Saturday with more...
Posted by Town Planner Community Calendar LOWER Fairfield on Thursday, 20 September 2018
Located a few kilometers off Stamford, Norwalk city is home to quaint shops, cafes, Maritime Aquarium, rich cultural heritage and most importantly to a season to kick off with the celebrations at St. Philips Church’s annual Family Fall Festival. This festival features a touch-a-truck contest, a car show, face painting, raffle prizes, games for children, live music, and local vendors selling handmade crafts, baked items, and more.
St. Philip Family Fall Festival
Address: 1 Father Conlon Pl, Norwalk, CT 06851, USA
Website: St. Philip Family Fall Festival
Takes place: September
22. Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
Chris Koldewey shares a sea song with Kate and Janet, Finale, Boat Shed, Light House Point, Mystic Sea Music Festival, Mystic Seaport, Mystic, CT, Sunday, June 9, 2019, photographed by Charlie Ipcar.
Posted by Charlie Ipcar on Sunday, 16 June 2019
One of the largest and the oldest sea music festivals in the country, Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival has been organizing events since 1979. This festival attracts an ocean of music performers, fans, and scholars. Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival was organized to bring people together to hear sea music, symposiums, demonstrations, concerts, workshops and many other activities that are informative, fun, and completely one-of-a-kind.
Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
Address: Mystic Seaport Museum, Mystic, Connecticut, US
Website: Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival
Takes place: June
Indulge in the festivities of Connecticut
Connecticut is known for its fun events among its other famous attractions. And when you are visiting this exciting state, it is best to explore everything the state as a whole offers. Be it delicious food, attractions, or shopping. And for added merriment, whenever you are planning a visit to Connecticut, plan it in a way where you can attend any of these popular festivals.
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