Take the long way.
The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.
Jul 4 – Jul 5, 2009
41st Annual Pillar Polkabration
Montville
Longest running polka festival in America, with lots of dancing and food each day.
Connecticut
Festivals in Connecticut
52 events found
Pause when it feels right.
Some stops aren't on the map, but they're worth taking.
Jul 3 – Jul 5, 2014
Annual Sailfest
New London
Street and harbor festival featuring amusement rides, tall ships, fireworks extravaganza Sat. evening, car show…
Take less, experience more.
What you carry matters less than what you notice.
Jul 4 – Jul 5, 2015
5th Annual Summer Wine & Food Festival
Stonington
Gourmet food, live music, wine tasting and wine cellar tours.
Somewhere between here and nowhere.
The spaces in between are often the most memorable.
Jan 24 – Feb 1, 2026
Children’s Film Festival
Hartford
An international assortment of children's movies.
Take less, experience more.
What you carry matters less than what you notice.
Mar 8 – Mar 8, 2026
Annual Maple Sugar Sunday
Stamford
Sweet treats, games, crafts, visits with farm animals and lots of fun are on tap…
Let it unfold.
Not everything needs to be scheduled to be meaningful.
Mar 29 – Mar 29, 2026
Annual Daffodil Day
Middletown
Open house with guided walks of Olmsted-designed grounds and docent-leg tours of the mansion. Outdoor…
More road, less rush.
There's no need to hurry through something worth experiencing.
Apr 4 – Apr 5, 2026
28th Annual Daffodil Festival
Meriden
Outdoor family festival with over 600,000 daffodils on display along a parade, juried craft show,…
Leave room for the unexpected.
The best parts of a trip rarely show up on an itinerary.
Apr 4 – Apr 4, 2026
Connecticut Sheep, Wool, and Fiber Festival
Vernon
The festival celebrates the role sheep and wool have played in the state over the…
Not every place needs a reason.
Sometimes it's enough just to be there.
Apr 17 – Apr 17, 2026
LaDanza
Bridgeport
Part of the Barnum Festival. Honor Guard parade of flags, Puerto Rican Danza in tribute…
Go a little further.
The next turn is often where things start to get interesting.
Apr 17 – Apr 19, 2026
Annual Dogwood Festival
Fairfield
Thousands of dogwoods usher in Connecticut's spring season. Events include guided walking tours, music, professional…
Stop when something catches your eye.
Those moments tend to matter more than the planned ones.
Apr 18 – Apr 18, 2026
Annual Spring Festival & Sale
Middletown
Members, instructors and students join together for a festival celebrating American craft. Craft demonstrations, member…
Follow what feels interesting.
Curiosity is usually a better guide than a strict plan.
Apr 23 – Apr 23, 2026
Third Thursday Street Festival
Windham
Local and regional vendors showcasing unique goods, five stages of entertainment, street performers, children's activities,…
Take the long way.
The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.
Apr 24 – Apr 24, 2026
Whip, Whistle & Watch Luncheon
Bridgeport
Official kick-off of the Barnum Festival. Ringmaster Rick Porto receives the P.T. Barnum whip, whislte,…
Take the detour.
The extra miles are often where the story begins.
Apr 24 – Apr 26, 2026
Chester Squirrel Days
Chester
A weekend long, family friendly event in Chester Village! Float parade and duck race- Saturday…
Take less, experience more.
What you carry matters less than what you notice.
Apr 25 – Apr 25, 2026
Shad Festival
Essex
Celebrate the state's fish with demonstrations on boning, cooking, fly-tying, casting, children's crafts, talks, films…
Take the long way.
The best parts of the trip are usually the ones you didn't plan.
Apr 25 – Apr 26, 2026
8th Annual Spring Wine & Food Festival
Stonington
Gourmet food, live music, wine tasting and wine cellar tours.
Not every place needs a reason.
Sometimes it's enough just to be there.
Apr 26 – Apr 26, 2026
Heritage Day
New London
Annual event in honor of the establishment of the Hempsted endowment fund. Enjoy 18th-century musical…
Make time for quiet places.
Not every destination needs noise to be meaningful.
May 2 – May 4, 2026
22nd Annual Lobsterfest
Groton
Crack your first lobster claw of the season and support local charities at the Seaport's…
Follow what feels interesting.
Curiosity is usually a better guide than a strict plan.
May 9 – May 9, 2026
Barnum Festival Wing Ding Parade for Kids
Bridgeport
Costumes, wagons, bicycles and scooters in a parade for the younger crowd. Touch-a-Truck, clowns, safari…
Follow what feels interesting.
Curiosity is usually a better guide than a strict plan.
May 9 – May 9, 2026
Family Festival
Suffield
Enjoy a day filled with many art and craft activities, a children's walking tour of…
Take the detour.
The extra miles are often where the story begins.
May 9 – May 10, 2026
20th Annual Celebrate! West Hartford
West Hartford
Award-winning, high-quality arts and crafts show, continuous musical entertainment, exciting games, pony rides, horse-drawn trolley…
Take the detour.
The extra miles are often where the story begins.
May 9 – Apr 13, 2026
Annual Playwriting Festival
Wallingford
Hear the future voices of the American Theater. All of the performances are student written,…
Worth the stop.
Some places don't need much time, just the right moment.
May 9 – May 9, 2026
4th Annual Spring Fest
North Stonington
Gourmet foods, arts and crafts, local musicians, fabulous wine and more.
Start early. Stay late.
The edges of the day tend to hold the best experiences.
May 10 – May 10, 2026
5th Annual BowlFest
Brookfield
A "picnic plus" on the ground of the Center's historic (c.1780) Mill Building which overlooks…