Best Summer Activities in Hartford
Summer in Connecticut is full of incredible opportunities to get out and enjoy the beauty of nature, live music, and a lot of food festivals. Thanks to Hartford’s central location in the state, you’ll find that it’s an easy trek to experience all the summer fun Connecticut has to offer.
Music & Art Festivals
Each summer the Hartford Symphony presents the Talcott Mountain Music Festival in Simsbury during select weeknights and weekend dates. Pack a picnic for the family and treat yourself to a diverse lineup of music from pop to disco to classical.
If jazz is your thing, then the Litchfield Jazz Fest in Goshen is a must. Set in the picturesque hills of Litchfield, this festival has been going strong since 1996 by featuring established artists and a host of newcomers.
The Mystic Outdoor Art Festival draws nearly 85,000 art lovers from throughout New England each year. This long-running annual festival boasts oil and watercolor paintings, photography, sculpture, woodworking, and more from over 250 artists. Visitors can stroll past literally two miles of arts and crafts booths with lots of refreshments and a kids’ art center available when it’s time to rest.
Another fun opportunity to enjoy the artistic works of more than 180 artists is the annual Craft Expo sponsored by the Guilford Art Center. Check out all of the handmade items fashioned from glass, leather, metal, ceramic, and more.
Mystic is also home to the Sea Music Festival. Each year thousands of people assemble at the Mystic Seaport to hear various performances of traditional maritime music to modern compositions. In addition to concerts, there are workshops and kids’ performances.
Food Festivals
If you love seafood, don’t miss out on the annual Oyster Festival that’s been a mainstay of East Norwalk since 1978. Be sure to check out the full assortment of amusement park rides that features a 65-foot Ferris wheel. Other activities include harbor cruises, live music, and the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show.
If seafood isn’t your thing, hop over to Ansonia to sample a vast array of Italian food at the Holy Rosary Italian Festival. Enjoy lasagna, calamari, zeppoles, gelato, pastries, and much more. There’s also carnival rides, live music, raffles, and other family-friendly activities for all.
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