Under the Stars
Summer in Connecticut doesn’t last forever, but the nights here can be very sweet. A number of cultural organizations plan outdoor events and concerts during the warm weather, so why not put a few of them on your schedule? Here’s a typical sampling in the Hartford area.
- Summer
- In the Night Garden
- Summer Symphony
- Across the River
- Starry Night
In the Night Garden
For more than 20 years, the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival at Farmington’s Hill-Stead Museum has been offering readings by top poets in a very pleasant garden setting. The Hill-Stead itself is a former private estate refashioned as an art museum specializing in French Impressionism. The extensive grounds are perfect for strolling, hiking and picnicking. But reserve your evenings for poetry.
Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center, Simsbury
Summer Symphony
Meanwhile, the Talcott Mountain Music Festival brings the Hartford Symphony Orchestra out to the country to play a series of outdoor concerts at Simsbury Meadows. Music lovers are encouraged to picnic and listen in on Fourth of July favorites, Broadway blockbusters and more.
Onrust, Essex
Across the River
You can keep the “under the stars” theme going with a trip on the Connecticut River – or even on the river with an evening cruise on Onrust.
From here, your options are wide open. Take in a movie under the night sky with a visit to the three-screen Mansfield Drive-In Theatre & Marketplace. Or sip a cocktail at Rooftop120 in Glastonbury, where a huge rooftop space is augmented by music and dancing.
Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall, Manchester
Starry Night
And finally, maybe it’s an old-fashioned band concert on the green that you’re looking for. The concerts have long been a part of summer in Connecticut and dozens of towns have them. For example, as long as you’re in eastern Connecticut, check out the summer schedule for the Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall.
