Summer Events for Soaking Up Culture

The oldest of its kind in the Northeast region, this iconic art festival features more than 200 artists from around the country, with more than two miles of arts and crafts including oils, watercolors, photographs, pastels, sculpture, woodwork, comics, acrylics, and more.

See plays written by local playwrights! Drama Works produces contemporary plays that are entertaining, thought provoking, inspiring and relevant. Support Connecticut's art scene when you check out this not-for-profit theater. 

Presented by The MusicNow Foundation, enjoy acoustic concerts by an organization that aims to engage, enrich, and educate young and old through workshop programming, performance opportunities and musical mentorships.

This extraordinary event promises to transport visitors into the enchanting world of the 16th century. Celebrating its 27th season, The Connecticut Renaissance Faire is an immersive experience combining history, arts, and entertainment, taking place at the Lebanon Country Fairgrounds.

Pair hiking with acoustic live music concerts when you attend the Trail Sessions. Get introduced to new trails and new bands all in one!

New England’s largest free public jazz festival will feature an incredible lineup of jazz musicians, plus artists and craftspeople selling hand-crafted jewelry, clothing, gifts, and beauty products. There will also be Health & Human Services vendors and an array of food vendors reflecting the diversity of the Greater Hartford region.

There is nothing like Shakespeare under the stars, and there is no competition in Hartford County. You have to travel to New Haven or Fairfield country to see another Shakespeare festival in Connecticut. Bring your family, friends, lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic dinners.     

The Old Wethersfield Book Walk brings together 80 local authors in a day filled with books, history, and family fun activities! This event is a celebration of stories, community, shopping and local flavor.

Sway to the musical stylings of Morris Trent while you enjoy a fresh meal at Claire's Corner Copia, offering vegetarian and vegan comfort food dishes.

Enjoy four great concerts, featuring a season-opening All-Schubert program and three programs of music by some of your favorite composers, including Beethoven, Bartók, Brahms, Dvorák, Schumann, and more.

Led by the Town Historian, Susan Barlow, attend this history walk in Center Memorial Park explores the Civil War monument and several other memorials in the park.

Enjoy a peaceful walk on the moss covered trails. Encounter numerous old and new art installations along the way. Use a trail map and explore freely, or just follow the white arrows for a curated experience.

Break out the picnic blankets and head to the Tolland Green for various Tolland Lawn Concerts.

Think a candlestick is just the wax you burn at a romantic dinner? Think again. The Kent Historical Society is proud to present the new summer exhibit, “Sticks and Stands”: an intriguing collection of candlesticks and candlestands from the days before electricity. And expect a few surprises along the way.

A murder. A mansion. A mysterious cast of suspects. And only one man  can uncover the truth: Hercule Poirot. Agatha Christie’s The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is more than just a mystery—it’s the gold standard of the genre, widely hailed as “the greatest whodunnit ever written.” In this new adaptation by Mark Shanahan, Dame Agatha’s twistiest tale is brought to the stage with all its cunning, charm, and chilling suspense.

Featuring historic documents, objects, works of art, maps, and other materials, most of them from the Cornwall Historical Society’s own collections, this exhibition will bring together stories of diverse individuals and the larger events of the Revolutionary War to teach visitors about the personal decisions Cornwall’s people made as they fought for liberty and independence from 1775 to 1783. War Stories will be the cornerstone of Cornwall’s celebration of our country’s 250th birthday.

Each summer outstanding local, regional, and national bluegrass acts converge on the Podunk Stages and deliver an awesome festival experience. 

Experience local art at one of Cornwall’s oldest traditions. You'll find Cornwall artists exhibiting and selling paintings, photography, drawings, ceramics, textiles, prints, and sculptures. 

Enjoy top-tier regional talent performing music across a wide range of genres, from the blues to the Beatles! The concerts take place on the Great Lawn. Chairs, blankets, and a picnic dinner are permitted and encouraged. In the event of rain, the concert will be held in the Silver Educational Center.

 Located between Two Roads and Area Two, the Hop Yard is packed with live music, games, and good times all summer long. Head over every Saturday and Sunday in the Hop Yard for live music, cold beers, and chill vibes. It’s free, family-friendly, and yes—your pup is invited too. 

Bluegrass fans can listen to the great sounds of String Busters at The Meetinghouse.

Two performers on two pianos deliver an all-request, rock and roll sing-along as they battle each other to deliver the best song of the night! From Billy Joel to Aretha Franklin, from Sinatra to Metallica, from Garth Brooks to Madonna, they’ve got it covered.   

See Grammy Award-winning national artists and up and coming acts at Black Bear Americana Music Fest, a 3-day festival celebrating rock, blues, folk, bluegrass, and the many other types of music that has contributed America's rich and dynamic culture.