🌽 Farmers Markets, Food Trucks & Family Fun Await

July 04, 2025

Happy Friday, and Happy Independence Day!

The long weekend is here, and we’ve pulled together a fresh batch of ideas to help you make the most of it. Obviously, there’s a ton going on today for the 4th of July, but even beyond that, there’s no shortage of fun to be had.

You can click on any event below to get more details, and if you're looking for even more ideas, check out our full Weekend Guide for a complete list of things to do across Connecticut.

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ALL WEEKEND LONG

👻 Downtown Mystic Ghost Tours (Mystic): Take a spooky stroll through one of Connecticut’s most charming historic towns.

🚋 Museum Tours and Trolley Rides at Shore Line Trolley Museum (East Haven): Visitors can step back in time with a ride on authentic antique trolley cars.

🎨 Niantic Lions 64th Annual Arts & Craft Show and Food Truck Court at East Lyme Town Hall (Niantic): This beloved summer tradition features a wide array of juried fine arts and crafts from some of New England’s finest artists and crafters.

📚 River Tales: The Rhythm of the Rain at Connecticut River Museum (Essex): Designed for children ages 4 and up and their caregivers, this engaging program features a storytime and take-home craft activity inspired by the wonders of the water cycle.

FRIDAY EVENTS ACROSS CONNECTICUT

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SATURDAY EVENTS ACROSS CONNECTICUT

  • Yacht Lobsters at Infinity Hall (Hartford) - Enjoy breezy Yacht Rock with stellar vocals and a full horn section.

  • Get Out On The Water at Mystic Seaport Museum (Mystic) - Be your own captain and enjoy the water aboard traditional small craft.

  • 🌽 The Bristol Farmers Market at 10 Main Street (Bristol): The Bristol Farmers Market returns for the 2025 season, offering fresh, locally grown food and handcrafted products each Saturday from June 21 through October 4.

  • Mystic Seaport Museum Admission Information at Mystic Seaport Museum (Mystic) - Explore an outdoor maritime history museum featuring various exhibits and activities.

  • Raspberry Festival at Lyman Orchards (Middlefield) - Celebrate raspberry season with family activities at the Apple Barrel Farm Market.

  • Charles McBee at Hartford Funny Bone (Manchester) - Experience a night of laughs with NYC stand-up comedian Charles McBee.

  • French Canadian Jam at Connecticut Museum (New Haven) - Join this monthly jam session celebrating French Canadian traditional tunes.

  • Museum Tours & Trolley Rides at Shore Line Trolley Museum (East Haven) - Enjoy nostalgic trolley rides and captivating tours at this historic museum.

  • Docent Tour | Collection Highlight at Yale Center for British Art (New Haven) - Explore highlights from the museum’s remarkable collection with a docent-led tour.

  • Docent Tour | “J. M. W. Turner: Romance and Reality” at Yale Center for British Art (New Haven) - Engage with J. M. W. Turner’s groundbreaking work in a special exhibition tour.

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SUNDAY EVENTS ACROSS CONNECTICUT

TODAY IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

President Grant Kicks Off a Patriotic Tradition in Woodstock

In July 1870, Woodstock became the unlikely epicenter of national attention when President Ulysses S. Grant joined in for an Independence Day celebration at Roseland Cottage, the summer home of wealthy New York businessman Henry C. Bowen. What started as a personal patriotic gathering quickly transformed into a major annual event, drawing some of the most influential names of the era.

Bowen’s Fourth of July parties became the place to be—complete with speeches, live music, ornate decorations, and of course, a lavish spread. The guest list was stacked: future presidents Benjamin Harrison and Rutherford B. Hayes made appearances, as did cultural figures like Harriet Beecher Stowe and Oliver Wendell Holmes. Even the press followed the festivities closely, helping cement the tradition’s reputation.

To handle the swelling crowd, Bowen opened Roseland Park in 1876, a 60-acre public space that once boasted bungalows, fountains, and boating. While many of its original Victorian-era features are gone, both Roseland Park and Roseland Cottage remain open today—standing as vibrant testaments to a time when one man’s backyard bash turned into a nationally recognized celebration of American pride.

Celebrate 20 Years of the Beloved Series with a Stunning Live Show (for Half the Price!)

Fans of Avatar: The Last Airbender, this is the concert you've been waiting for. In honor of the show’s 20th anniversary, the epic saga is coming to life with a spectacular live performance at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford—and tickets are currently up to 53% off through Groupon.

🎼 The Experience:
This immersive concert blends a live orchestra with iconic visuals from the series, creating a one-of-a-kind retelling of Aang’s legendary journey. Feel every moment—the drama, the triumph, and the elements themselves—through a powerful fusion of animation and music.

📅 When: October 10 at 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 6 p.m.)
📍 Where: Toyota Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford
💸 Price: Tickets start at just $25 (down from $53!)

💡 Heads up: These are mobile-only tickets via G-Pass—no paper needed, just show up with your phone. To sit together, make sure your group buys in the same transaction.

Whether you're a die-hard fan or introducing someone new to the world of bending, this live performance is guaranteed to be unforgettable. Appa, yip yip!

Thanks!

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