Connecticut's Can't-Miss Events for 2024

Sun Wine & Food Fest

January 25-28, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville

There's no better way to beat the winter blues than with a full weekend of wine and spirit tasting, delicious dishes and celebrity chef showcases.

Jumpfest

February 2-4, Salisbury

No need to wait for the Winter Olympics. You can find world-class ski jumping right here, at this annual competition. Leave any fears of heights at home.

Fire & Ice Festival

February 10, Putnam

Fall in love with winter this Valentine's Day weekend. It's easy with ice carving competitions, warming fire pits, restaurant specials, unique shopping and more.

Connecticut Flower & Garden Show

February 22-25, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford

Even die-hard New Englanders are looking forward to spring at this point. And this annual show will give you a head start. Come stop and smell all the flowers.

Jurassic Quest

March 1-3, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford

Dinosaur lovers must attend! This event has been called “the largest and most realistic traveling dinosaur experience in North America!”

52nd Annual Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade

March 9, Near the State Capitol

Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a festive parade and Celtic music!

Maple Weekend

March 18-19, Throughout Connecticut

Spring in Connecticut kicks off with maple syrup being made. And the state's sugarhouses are ready to show you how with tours this weekend. Bring your own pancakes.

CT Golf Show

March 22-24, CT Convention Center, Hartford

Connecticut's biggest golf event brings the industry’s biggest names to the state to offer special savings. Check out the newest clubs and equipment, enjoy free lessons, instructional seminars, kids areas, a 19th hole lounge and fun contests.

Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show

March 22-24, Mohegan Sun, Uncasville

Pull yourself away from the Great Outdoors for three days indoors at this inspiring show, full of exhibitors, demonstrations, competitions and seminars.

American Crossword Puzzle Tournament

April 5-7, The Marriott, Stamford

Calling all crossword aficionados. Enter the nation's oldest and largest crossword competition, directed by New York Times Crossword Puzzle Editor Will Shortz.

Connecticut Craft Beer Fest

April 20, Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford

Fun fact: Connecticut is one of the top states in the country for craft beer. Taste for yourself at this annual festival, featuring many of Connecticut's best brews.

Meriden Daffodil Fest

May 4-5, Meriden

Enjoy a parade, food, arts & crafts, children’s rides, musical entertainment, and a Daffodil 5k road race, “Daffodil Dash”.

Dogwood Festival

May 11-12, 2023, Fairfield

It’s more than just gorgeous spring blooms. Check out food trucks, live music, a vendor fair, children’s crafts, the Blossom Café and Blossom Bakery, raffles, a plant and garden boutique, and more.

CT Bridal & Wedding Expo

June 2, XL Center, Hartford

Tying the knot? At this event, you'll meet with amazing wedding companies, try for cash prizes and giveaways, enjoy a food sampling, dance lessons, glam bar, photos, and more.

Travelers Championship

June 17-23, TPC River Highlands, Cromwell

Since 1952, this PGA event has driven the summer schedules of generations of pro golfers...and fans. And there's no more fan-friendly course on the entire tour.

Pride Month

Monthlong, Statewide

June is Pride Month in Connecticut, and you'll find many ways to show your support for LGBTQ+ pride all month long throughout the state. Start here.

International Festival of Arts & Ideas

June 15-29, New Haven

For two weeks in June, the world's freshest ideas come to Connecticut. Come enjoy performing arts, lectures, and conversations with influential artists and thinkers.

SHAG Festival

Dates TBD, Spring Hill Vineyard

Four fun days of live music, art, and community building — all set at an awesome vineyard.

The Roost Music Festival

July 13, Stone Acres Farm, Stonington

This is not your usual music festival. Instead, it's an "intimate celebration of food, music and community" at a beautiful farm, carefully curated by local tastemakers.

2024 ConnectiCon

July 18-21, Hartford

Get into cosplay and expect gaming, celebrity guests, panels, workshops, and all things pop culture at Connecticut’s longest running pop-culture convention.

New England Taco Festival

July 27-28, Guilford Fairgrounds

Sample from thousands of taco options! Plus expect Lucha libre wrestling, mechanical bull riding, donkey rides, bounce houses, mariachi bands, and more.

Greater Harford Festival of Jazz

July 18-21, Bushnell Park, Hartford

Eagerly awaited every summer, this weekend-long festival brings many of the biggest names in jazz — and thousands of picnickers — to Hartford's historic Bushnell Park.

Hey Stamford! Food Festival

2024 Dates TBD, Mill River Park, Stamford

This food festival is so epic, it can't be contained to one weekend. Over the course of two, explore more than 50 food vendors, a beer garden, kid’s activities and more.

Mystic Outdoor Art Festival

2024 Dates TBD, Mystic Seaport, Mystic

This juried art show and showcase for over 200 artists from around the country offers more than two miles of incredible artworks in a beautiful setting. And did we mention it's free?

Made in CT Expo

August 10-11, Berlin Fairgrounds 

Support local businesses and new entrepreneurs at a festival featuring 150+ booths including food, drinks, handcrafted products, manufacturers, apparel and fashion, and more.

50th Annual Milford Oyster Festival

August 17, Downtown Milford

Slurp and devour oysters and more at this seafood celebration that National Geographic voted "the BEST food festival in CT”.

September 7-8

Celebrate Connecticut’s maritime history with a fun-filled weekend featuring Military and Private Ships, Flock Theatre’s Burning of Benedict Arnold, Little Mermaids and Sea Monsters Parade, Coast Guard Helicopter Search and Rescue Demonstration, Sea Service Showdown – a Maritime Skills Challenge, Fishing Clinic, Kids Nautical Zone, Rum Tasting, Live Music, Local Vendors, Food Trucks, and more!

Hartford Water Lantern Festival 2024

September 7, Mill Pond Park, Newington

Celebrate life and love with commemorative lanterns that float across the water. This is a family-friendly event filled with hope and joy.

Soundside Music Festival

September 28-29, Seaside Park, Bridgeport

"Music Festival" doesn't begin to describe this event, offering two stages, more than 20 world-class bands, local eateries and craft breweries — all on the shores of Long Island Sound.

Norwalk Oyster Festival

2024 Dates TBD, Veteran's Memorial Park, Norwalk

Norwalk's known for their oysters...and this festival, featuring three days of food, music, rides and entertainment. It's been a perennial favorite for 45 years.

Eversource Hartford Marathon

2024 Dates TBD, Bushnell Park, Hartford

Connecticut's premier marathon and half marathon winds its way through Hartford and surrounding towns. And there's just as much fun to enjoy for non-runners.

Black Bear American Music Fest

2024 Dates TBD, Goshen Fairgrounds, Goshen

This showcase of American rock, blues, folk and bluegrass features a mix of Grammy-winning artists, local talent, and up-and-coming New England artists.

Christmas in CT – A Holiday Gift Expo

November 2-3, Naugatuck 

Kick off the holidays early and explore 200+ vendors, crafts, small businesses, meet Santa and the Grinch, dance to holiday music, enjoy food trucks, and more.

Manchester Road Race

November 28, Main Street, Manchester

Whether you've run it or just cheered from the sidewalks, you know there's nothing like this wild, nationally known 4.75-mile road race. The most fun way to earn your Thanksgiving feast.

Holiday Lights Displays

Monthlong, Statewide

If you want to get in that festive holiday state of mind, you're in the right state. Connecticut offers many holiday lights festivals and displays. Discover them here, or other holiday events.