Stories > CT Big Events

CT Big Events Last Updated: May 2023

From large-scale music festivals, parades, and arts and culture events to shows, food and wine fests, and annual competitions, Connecticut hosts a wide range of major events throughout the year.

Find events here.

Music, Arts, and Culture

Let yourself get lost in the music. These arts & culture events are a must-attend.

SHAG Festival
June 22-25, 2023 | Spring Hill Vineyards

Mystic River Jam
June 23-24, 2023 | Mystic

Twenty Seven Levas Gospel Festival & Fair
September 9, 2023 | Bushnell Park

Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz
July 13-16, 2023 | Bushnell Park

International Festival of Arts & Ideas
New Haven

Sound on Sound
September 30-October 1, 2023 | Seaside Park, Bridgeport

Black Bear Americana Music Fest
October 6-8, 2023 | Goshen Fair Grounds

Sports

It’s game time. Sporting events in Connecticut bring the heat. Here are some you won’t want to miss.

2023 NIKE New England Winterfest
Weekend 1: January 7-8, 2023
Weekend 2: January 14-16, 2023
Weekend 3: January 21-22, 2023
Connecticut Convention Center

Vertical Hoops Winter Championship
January 6-8, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

World Baseball Coaches’ Convention
January 12-14, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

Hartford Boat Show at Mohegan Sun
January 19-22, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

AAU Grand Prix Volleyball Weekend
February 4-5, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

South Carolina
Feb 5 - Noon | Hartford, XL Center

AAU Grand Prix Volleyball Weekend II
Weekend 1: February 4-5
Weekend 2: February 11-12, 2023
Mohegan Sun

Walter Camp Weekend
March 10-11, 2023 | New Haven

Connecticut Golf Show
March 24-26, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show
March 24-26, 2023 | Mohegan Sun Earth Expo and Convention Center

Vertical Hoops Girls Championships Sponsored by the Connecticut Sun
June 9-11, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

Vertical Hoops Boys Championships Sponsored by the Connecticut Sun
June 16-18, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

Travelers Championship
June 19-25, 2023 | TPC River Highlands, Cromwell

PlayFPN Summer Nationals
Jul 24-29, 2023 | At Fastpitch Nation Park, Windsor

46th Annual Faxon Law New Haven Road Race – 20K
 September 4, 2023 | New Haven

Eversource Hartford Marathon
Starts/Ends in Downtown Hartford

Manchester Road Race
November 23, 2023 – Thanksgiving

Culinary

Savor great flavors the fun way — at food and drink festivals. Here are some to look out for.

Sun Wine & Food Fest
January 26-29 | Mohegan Sun

Norwalk Oyster Festival
September 8-10, 2023 | Norwalk

Sun BBQ Fest
Mohegan Sun

Sun Brewfest
Mohegan Sun

Small State Great Beer
Trinity Health Stadium

Pop Culture & Family

Comic books, dinosaurs, cool decades – check out these pop culture and family-friendly events in Connecticut. Find creative activities for kids here.

Connecticut Kids Fair
February 4-5, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

Jurassic Quest
March 10-12, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

90s Con
March 17-19, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

ConnectiCon
July 20-23, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

TerrifiCon
Mohegan Sun | July 28-30, 2023

RetroWorld Expo
August 26-27, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

CT HorrorFest
September 23-24 | XL Center

Pride Events

Pride New Haven
New Haven

OutCT
New London

Hartford Pride
Hartford

Middletown Pride
Middletown

Unique Events

Some events just don’t fit in a box. Here are some of Connecticut’s most unique events you’ll want on your calendar.

45th American Crossword Puzzle Tournament (ACPT)
March 31-April 2, 2023 | Stamford Marriott Hotel & Spa

CT Barber Expo
May 20-22, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

Tommy’s Tattoo Convention
October 13-15, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

Miss America Competition
Mohegan Sun

Multicultural Festivals

Celebrate cultures of all kinds at these multicultural festivals in Connecticut.

Home, Garden, and Outdoors

Stop and smell all the flowers. Connecticut’s home and garden shows are top tier. Here are some you’ll want to look into.

Hartford Home Show
January 21-22, 2023 | XL Center

40th Northeast RV & Camping Show
January 27-29, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

Southeastern Connecticut Home & Garden Show
February 17-19, 2023 | Mohegan Sun

Connecticut Flower & Garden Show
February 23-26, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

Connecticut Home & Remodeling Show
March 3-5, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

The Sun RV & Camping Show
March 17-19, 2023 | Mohegan Sun Earth Expo and Convention Center

Hartford CT Spring Home Show
April 1-2, 2023 | XL Center

Western New England Home Show
April 15-16, 2023 | Danbury Sports Dome

Connecticut Better Home Show
April 29-20, 2023 | Total Mortgage Arena, Bridgeport

Connecticut Fall Home Show
November 4-5, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

Health & Wellness

Love a healthy lifestyle? These wellness events celebrate all things health – from medical professions to fitness and more.

Health Wellness & Lifestyle Expo
Chelsea Piers Stamford

EMS Pro Expo
October 25-28, 2023 | Foxwoods Resort Casino

Bridal

Get a hand tying the knot at Connecticut’s best bridal events. Here are some we think you’ll love.

CT Bridal Expo
January 7-8, 2023 | Connecticut Convention Center

KC101 Wedding & Bridal Expo
January 28, 2023 | Toyota Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford

Hartford Bridal Show
March 26, 2023 | XL Center

Connecticut Bridal & Wedding Expo
June 4, 2023 | XL Center