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Click here to see VNE's July 4th 2018 Weekend Events Calendar! Fireworks shows, Parades and Celebrations!

Events Calendar 2018

Be sure to check out the listings of year-round Fairs & Festivals throughout New England.

Find the dates you plan to travel or simply search the full events list below.

Art Shows Arts & Crafts Shows Classes Gardens Museums Music Parades Theater
We welcome the events that are open to the public. Click here to Submit your Event for FREE
A N ight with Janis Joplin - May 30-June 24, 2018 at Ivoryton Playhouse. Click here to reserve your tickets.
Guilford Craft Expo 2018 - July 13-15 on the Guilford Green.

Art Shows

Art After Dark at Mystic Art Museum

May 15, 2018 - Aug 14, 2018 Mystic Art Museum, 9 Water Street Mystic, CT

Art After Dark presents fine art, music, and children’s activities on the MMoA patio.
July 17 -- Music by the Carleans; live art Lief Nilsson
August 14 -- Music by Green Tea; live art by Russ Kramer
6-8:30 p.m.
$15; children ages 4-12, $3; season passes, $75
860-536-7601

Westport Fine Arts Festival 2018

Jul 14, 2018 - Jul 15, 2018 Main Street Westport, CT

The Westport Fine Arts Festival presents top-caliber national and international fine artists across 10 categories and includes 170 juried artists. The festival will feature artist demonstrations, and a Create area for all-age art activities. Respite areas offer places to relax and enjoy edibles and drinks. Live entertainment will brighten the day, The Westport Library's Book Sale happens adjacent to the festival.
10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Arts & Crafts Shows

Arts and Crafts Show 2018

Jun 30, 2018 - Jul 1, 2018 Niantic Town Hall, 108 Pennsylvania Avenue Niantic, CT

A juried arts and crafts show on the town green is packed with paintings, sculptures, pottery, jewelry, and other creations. Food for sale; music by 98.7 WNLC and K100.9 K-Hits. Limited parking at Town Hall parking lot; lots of free parking at the Niantic municipal parking lot, about a 5-minute walk from the festival.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Guilford Craft Expo 2018

Jul 13, 2018 - Jul 15, 2018 Guilford Green, Guilford, CT

Guilford Art Center's annual Craft Expo will bring more than 180 nationally-recognized craft artists to the scenic and historic Guilford Green. The latest in handmade crafts will be represented, in a variety of media. Special features include a family art tent, silent auction of exhibitor-donated crafts, craft demos, beer and wine sales, food trucks and live music.
Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Above age 12, $9; seniors, $7; children under 12 and active military, free.

Classes

Visual Arts Workshops at Hollister House Garden

May 23, 2018 - Jun 23, 2018 Hollister House Garden, 300 Nettleton Hollow Road Washington, CT

These artist-led classes are being expanded because of their popularity. Detailed information including dates, times and reservations is on the garden website. Email: office@hollisterhousegarden.org
A Garden Sketchbook: Using Graphite Pencil with artist Carol Ann Morley. June 11-12.
A Garden Sketchbook: The Colors of June with artist Carol Ann Morley. June 13-14.
Introduction to Botanical Watercolor with Betsy Rogers-Knox. July 19-20.
The Camera as a Garden Tool with Rich Pomerantz. August 10-11.
Plein Air Painting in the Garden on July 11, 18, and July 25. Reservations are required; call 860-868-2200.
Consult event website
classes are $225
860-868-2200

Gardens

Tour Garden by Pioneering Female Landscape Architect

Jun 24, 2018 - Jun 24, 2018 Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, 211 Main Street Wethersfield, CT

View a piece of the world as seen through the eyes of Amy Cogswell—one of the first female landscape architects in the United States, and designer of the Colonial Revival Garden at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. Garden guides will give free tours of the garden, show copies of Cogswell’s original garden plans, and discuss her vision for the space.
noon to 4 p.m.
free
860-529-0612

Museums

"Frederic Church: A Painter's Pilgrimage"

Jun 2, 2018 - Aug 1, 2018 Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main Street Hartford, CT

See 50 of this celebrated Hudson River School painter's compositions of sacred terrain in the Middle East and the Mediterranean. A leading painter of 19th-century America, Frederic Church was the most popular painter in the United States during his lifetime. The exhibition is on view through August 26.
Wednesday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
$5 - 15; discounts for members, students and seniors.
860-278-2670

National Geographic Photo Ark Traveling Exhibit

Jun 2, 2018 - Aug 31, 2018 Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Drive Greenwich, CT

The National Geographic Photo Ark documents every species in the world’s zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. The Photo Ark includes portraits of more than 12,000 species representing several animal classes. Exhibit is open through September 2, 2018.
Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Adults, $10; seniors and students, $8; children younger than five years, free
203-869-0376

Music

A Night With Janis Joplin

May 30, 2018 - Jun 24, 2018 Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street Ivoryton, CT

Come spend an evening with the Queen of Rock and Roll and hear unforgettable songs like “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby” and “Summertime.” A night with Janis Joplin is a musical journey celebrating Janis and her biggest musical influences—Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith.
Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Wednesday and Sunday, 2 p.m.
860-767-7318

Sunset Sounds Concert Series 2018

Jun 6, 2018 - Jul 6, 2018 Butler-McCook, 396 Main Street Hartford, CT

Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy music in the lovely setting of this historic home and garden.
June 14 -- Dezron Douglas Trio. Dezron Douglas is one of the most in-demand young bassists in jazz today.
July 12 -- The Professors of Sweet, Sweet Music. From Johnny Cash to Weezer, and a collection originals in reggae and rock. http://thepossm.com.
August 9 – Band TBA
6 to 7:30 p.m.
860-247-8996

Riverfront Summer Pops 2018

Jun 9, 2018 - Aug 25, 2018 Great River Park, 301 East River Drive East Hartford, CT

Summer pops concerts are performed by the Middletown Symphonic Band.
June 9 -- Salute America. Enjoy famous marches, military salutes, classics like Yankee Doodle, and the Stars and Stripes Forever march.
July 21 -- The Best of Broadway. If you've never heard a 50 piece symphonic band perform famous musical arrangements from the stage of Broadway, you're in for a treat.
August 25 -- Symphonic Soundtrack. Hear music from pop stars, shows, and movies including highlights from "La La Land," "Star Wars," "Jesus Christ Superstar," and more. Music from composers Gilbert & Sullivan, Henry Mancini, John Lennon, and John Williams will fill out the evening.
7-9 p.m.
Free

Summer Sounds Concert Series 2018

Jun 12, 2018 - Aug 7, 2018 Mystic River Park, Cottrell Street Mystic, CT

The concerts, which feature a local community music group each week, will be held Tuesday evenings. Bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics
June 12 -- As Time Goes By (swing band)
June 19 -- Noank-Mystic Community Band
June 26 -- Old Lyme Town Band
July 3 -- Thames River Big Band
July 10 -- Waterford Community Band
July 17 -- Middletown Symphonic Band
July 24 -- Westerly Band
July 31 -- Noank-Mystic Community Band
August 7 -- Andy Sherwood Dixieland Jazz Quartet
7 p.m.
Free

Mystic River Jam Festival 2018

Jun 21, 2018 - Jun 23, 2018 Mystic Shipyard, 100 Essex Street Mystic, CT

This music festival at Mystic Shipyard showcases music from rock to reggae, blues to country. Thursday: Cabin Fever at 6:30 p.m.; Friday: Jay Dempsey Band at 6 p.m. and Sunday Gravy at 8 p.m.; Saturday: The Carleans at 4 p.m.; The Hoolios at 5 p.m.; The Troublemakers at 7 p.m.; Green Tea at 8:45 p.m. Food by Bridge Market and Twins BBQ Co. Thursday’s admission is free in celebration of Make Music Day.
Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; Friday, 6-10 p.m.; Saturday,. 3-10 p.m.
Thursday, free; Friday, $10; Saturday, $15; weekend pass, $20

Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo: A Very Intimate Acoustic Evening

Jun 23, 2018 - Jun 23, 2018 Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road Ridgefield, CT

Benatar’s mezzo-soprano vocal range and Giraldo’s trail-blazing work as a producer, guitarist and songwriter created some of rock’s most memorable hits. 
8 p.m.
$125
203-438-5795

Concerts, Movies and Ballet 2018 at Elizabeth Park

Jun 27, 2018 - Aug 16, 2018 Elizabeth Park, 1561 Asylum Avenue West Hartford, CT

Wednesday Night Concerts on the Rose Garden Lawn Rain date is the following night. Picnics are welcome. 6:30 to 8 p.m.
June 27 -- Goza Salsa
July 11 -- Latanya Farrell
July 18 -- Simply Swing
July 25 -- Professors of Sweet Sweet Music
August 1 -- Mass-Conn-Fusion
August 8 -- Maxxtone

Thursday Night Movies on the East Lawn. 8 p.m.
June 21 -- “What About Bob?”
July 19 -- “Sound of Music”
August 16 -- “A League of Their Own”

Ballet Under the Stars on Rose Garden Lawn on July 21 at 6:30 p.m.
The performance will include classical and contemporary ballets danced by Connecticut Ballet's soloists. Free admission.
See description above

2018 Summer Concert Series

Jun 27, 2018 - Aug 29, 2018 Calf Pasture Beach, Calf Pasture Beach Road Norwalk Norwalk, CT

Weather cancellations: 203-854-7938 June 27 -- Tim Curries Motown Revue Band
July 11 -- Creedence Clearwater Revival Tribute Band
July 18 --Bennie & The Jets (Elton John tribute band)
July 25 – Beginnings (Chicago tribute band)
August 1 – Beagles & Mac
August 8 – Penny Lane (Beatles tribute band)
August 15 – 45 RPM (70s music) August 22 -- The Neil Diamond Tribute featuring Tommy Lynn
August 29 -- The 60’s Experience
7:30 p.m.
Free
203-854-7806

Alive@Five Outdoor Concert Series

Jun 28, 2018 - Aug 2, 2018 Columbus Park, Atlantic and Main streets Stamford, CT

Live music from national and regional headliners, for the after-work crowds on Thursday nights in Columbus Park. For guests age 21 and older, only.
June 28 -- Gavin DeGraw
July 12 -- Sean Kingston and Sammy Adams
July 19 -- Gin Blossoms, Tonic and Vertical Horizon
July 26 – Lifehouse
August 2 -- Neon Trees
5 p.m. (no concert on July 5).
$20
203-348-5285

Talcott Mountain Music Festival 2018

Jun 29, 2018 - Jul 27, 2018 Simsbury Meadows, 22 Iron Horse Blvd. Simsbury, CT

June 29 -- Celebrate America! Hartford Symphony Orchestra and the Asylum Hill Congregational Church Choir, , the Newington Church of Christ Congregational Choir, and soprano Sonja Dutoit Tengblad. Fireworks follow the concert.
July 6. Brass Transit - The Musical Legacy of Chicago. This dynamic, crowd-pleasing, studio-tight Chicago tribute pays spectacular attention to every detail of the Chicago songbook!
July 13 – Here’s Doc! Celebrating 60 Years in Show Business. The one and only Doc Severinsen pays homage to the American songbook and highlights some of his favorite tunes of the Big Band era and beyond.
July 20 -- Magical Movie Music. Enjoy music from all of your favorite Academy Award-nominated films, including Chicago, The Godfather, Forrest Gump, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Amadeus and more.
July 27 – Rewind : Celebrating the Music of the 80s. Celebrating the Music of the 80s takes audiences back in time on a fun-filled musical journey of hits from the decade when parachute pants were cool and big hair was in style.
Gates open at 6 p.m. for picnicking; music at 7:30 p.m.
$25 in advance, $30 gate

Barry Manilow at Mohegan Sun

Jul 10, 2018 - Jul 10, 2018 Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT

Barry Manilow's unparalleled career encompasses virtually every area of music. Manilow will perform his greatest hits such as “Copacabana,” “Weekend In New England” and “Mandy” plus many more. Tickets go on sale May 11.
7:30 p.m.
$40-$130

Pickin' n ' Fiddlin' Contest 2018 - Roxbury, CT

Jul 14, 2018 - Jul 14, 2018 Hurlburt Town Park, Apple Lane, Roxbury, CT

The Roxbury Pickin’ ‘n Fiddlin’ Contest is a country and bluegrass music celebration, with musicians from all over the country competing. Guests can enjoy live music performances, picnicking, food from local vendors and an array of CDs, instruments and crafts for purchase. The musical categories are old time fiddle; old time banjo; mandolin; trick and fancy fiddle; finger picking and flat picking guitar; bluegrass banjo and band playoff. Bring lawn chairs, blankets, picnic and beverages. Food, refreshments and crafts will be available for purchase. No dogs. Rain date is Sunday, July 15, at noon.
Gates open at noon; music at 2 p.m.
$12; children under 10, free. Free parking is available.
860-354-5921

The Artimus Pyle Band

Jul 21, 2018 - Jul 21, 2018 Infinity Music Hall and Bistro, 32 Front St Hartford, CT

The original Lynyrd Skynyrd’s beloved drummer Artimus Pyle has put together a monster group that resurrects the music, energy and emotion of days and brothers gone by. This group offers the best of Skynyrd by one of men who was there.
8 p.m.

Jerry Douglas and The Earls of Leicester

Aug 2, 2018 - Aug 2, 2018 Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Road RIdgefield, CT

With their second album Rattle & Roar (Rounder Records), the Earls have conjured up a fresh batch of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs songs, delivered with the Earls’ now-signature blend of homage, virtuosity, and perspective. 
8 p.m.
$44
203-438-5795

Moondance: The Ultimate Van Morrison Tribute Show

Aug 17, 2018 - Aug 17, 2018 Infinity Norfolk, 20 Greenwoods Road West Norfolk, CT

Who doesn’t love the music of Van Morrison? This group plays all Morrison’s hits, some great album tracks and their lead singer is not only spot on when it comes to the vocals but he’s as entertaining as the original himself.
8 p.m.
$25 - $35

Running on Empty: the Music of Jackson Browne

Aug 24, 2018 - Aug 24, 2018 Infinity Norfolk, 20 Greenwoods Road West Norfolk, CT

Celebrating the music of Jackson Browne and the Laurel Canyon sound! Hear the hits like “Doctor my Eyes” and many more.
8 p.m.
$24 - $39

Christina Aguilera’s Liberation Tour

Oct 6, 2018 - Oct 6, 2018 Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT

Aguilera has achieved five # 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart making her the fourth female artist to top the chart over three consecutive decades. She holds the honor of being the only artist under the age of 30 included in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of the 100 Greatest Singers Of All Time.
8 p.m.
$76, $96, $126

Josh Groban and Idina Menzel

Nov 10, 2018 - Nov 10, 2018 Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd. Uncasville, CT

Singer, songwriter, superstar Josh Groban tours form the first time since his sold-out Stages Tour on 2015/2016. Joining him is recording artist and actress Idina Menzel. Tickets on sale starting March 16 through Ticketmaster and starting March 17 at the Mohegan Sun box Office.
8 p.m.
$54-$94

Parades

Fife and Drum Ancient Muster and Parade 2018

Jul 20, 2018 - Jul 21, 2018 parade starts at Main and Kirtland Streets and proceeds down Main Street to Devitt’s Field Deep River, CT

The Deep River Ancient Muster is the oldest and largest gathering of fife and drum participants and enthusiasts in the world. Up to 80 fife and drum corp groups dressed in historical attire converge at Deep River and parade along Main Street, passing historic buildings while performing the music that provided the cadence for troops marching into battle during the Revolutionary War.
Muster starts 7 p.m. Friday at Devitt's Field; parade starts 11 a.m. Saturday

Theater

"Grease"

Jul 5, 2018 - Jul 29, 2018 Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main Street Ivoryton, CT

"Grease" features all the unforgettable songs from the hit movie. Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding Burger Palace Boys and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking Pink Ladies in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical.
Wednesday and Sunday, 2 p.m.; Wednesday and Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m. Additional matinees, July 7, 14, 28 at 2 p.m.
Adults, $55; seniors, $50; students, $25; children, $20
860-767-7318

“Harvey”

Jul 19, 2018 - Jul 22, 2018 Saybrook Stage Company, 38 Watrous Point Road Old Saybrook, CT

The play centers around mild-mannered man Elwood P. Dowd and his imaginary friend, Harvey, a six-and-a-half-foot rabbit. Trouble starts when Elwood begins to introduce his imaginary friend at a tea for the high-society ladies which his social climbing sister, Veda, has organized. Knowing that she can no longer tolerate his eccentric behavior, Veta decides to have Elwood committed to a sanitarium to avoid any further embarrassment to their family.
Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m.
$17-$23
860-388-9327