🍀 St. Patrick’s Parades, O’Niantic 5K & Kinky Boots

March 12, 2026

Happy Thursday! The weekend is almost here, and there’s plenty happening across Connecticut as St. Patrick’s Day celebrations kick into full swing. From festive parades and themed road races to a Tony Award-winning musical hitting the stage, we’ve rounded up a few standout events to help you plan the days ahead.

Here’s what’s inside today:

🍀 A guide to St. Patrick’s Day parades across Connecticut
🏃 The festive O’Niantic 5K road race in Niantic
🎭 The hit Broadway musical Kinky Boots coming to The Bushnell
📗 This Month in CT History: The Blizzard of 1888 Brings the “Great White Hurricane” to Connecticut
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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Festive celebrations, Irish pride, and community traditions happening statewide.

St. Patrick’s Day season brings a wave of festive celebrations across Connecticut, and parades are one of the most beloved traditions. Communities throughout the state host lively events featuring marching bands, colorful floats, bagpipers, dancers, and plenty of Irish spirit. Whether you’re looking to wear your green and join the crowd or simply enjoy the lively atmosphere, there are plenty of options to choose from this month.

Here are some of the St. Patrick’s Day parades happening around Connecticut:

  • Stamford St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 2, 2:00 PM
    Starts at Washington Boulevard and Main Street.

  • Greater Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 9, 11:00 AM
    Begins at the State Capitol and ends at the Memorial Arch.

  • Milford St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 9, 1:00 PM

  • Norwalk St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 9, 11:00 AM
    Begins at Veteran’s Park and ends at Pine Street.

  • Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 10, 1:30 PM
    Starts on Chapel Street at Sherman Avenue and ends on Orange Street.

  • Greater Bridgeport St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 15, 12:00 PM
    Travels down Broad Street to Fairfield Avenue and Main Street, ending near the Barnum Museum.

  • New London St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 17, 1:00 PM

  • Greenwich St. Patrick’s Day Parade – March 17, 2:00 PM
    Begins at Town Hall and ends on Railroad Avenue.

  • Mystic Irish Parade – March 24, 1:00 PM
    Begins at the south parking lot of Mystic Seaport.

🏃 RUN THE O’NIANTIC 5K IN FESTIVE ST. PADDY’S STYLE

A fast, flat race through Niantic with post-race food and celebration.

Get your green gear ready for the O’Niantic 5K, happening Saturday from 9:00–11:00 AM in Niantic. This St. Patrick’s Day themed race offers a fast and scenic route that starts and finishes on Methodist Street, running past the quiet off-season cottages of the Pine Grove community.

Participants receive a custom St. Paddy’s inspired reversible knit beanie and can celebrate afterward with fresh food and Irish-inspired donuts from Flanders Donuts & Bake Shop. Runners 21+ can also enjoy a craft beer after crossing the finish line. The event also includes a FitKids Run for children ages 2–11 and supports the Susie Beris, MD Youth Running Program.

🎭 SEE THE HIT MUSICAL KINKY BOOTS AT THE BUSHNELL

Tony-winning Broadway favorite arrives in Hartford.

The acclaimed Broadway musical Kinky Boots takes the stage at The Bushnell in Hartford starting March 17 at 7:30 PM, with performances running through March 22, 2026. The show features an unforgettable score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper and a powerful story about friendship, acceptance, and finding the courage to be yourself.

Inspired by true events, the musical follows Charlie Price, who inherits his family’s struggling shoe factory and forms an unexpected partnership with Lola, a performer who needs specially designed stilettos for drag artists. Filled with humor, heart, and dazzling choreography, the production has won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, along with a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.

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TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

The Blizzard of 1888 Brings the “Great White Hurricane” to Connecticut

In March of 1888, what began as an ordinary snowfall quickly transformed into one of the most devastating winter storms in the history of the northeastern United States. Residents initially expected typical early-March weather, but conditions rapidly worsened as temperatures dropped, snowfall intensified, and powerful winds created blinding whiteout conditions across Connecticut and much of the region.

Over the course of three days, the storm unleashed massive amounts of snow and wind. Some areas of Connecticut reported totals approaching four feet of snow, while powerful gusts created towering snowdrifts that buried homes, blocked streets, and even reached second-story windows. Roads and rail lines became completely impassable, leaving thousands stranded at workplaces, train stations, and stalled railcars as communication lines collapsed under the weight of the storm.

Daily life across the state ground to a halt as residents waited out the storm and began the long process of digging out. Despite the harsh conditions, communities came together to help neighbors clear snow, rescue stranded travelers, and restore a sense of normalcy after days of isolation.

The storm ultimately caused widespread destruction throughout the Northeast and claimed hundreds of lives. Remembered as the “Great White Hurricane,” the Blizzard of 1888 remains one of the most powerful and unforgettable winter storms in Connecticut’s history.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Connecticut Bill Would Limit Self-Checkout Lanes

Lawmakers are considering a bill that would place new limits on self-checkout stations at grocery stores. The proposal would require stores to keep at least one staffed checkout lane open for every two self-checkout stations and ensure employees monitor the self-checkout area. The measure would also cap the number of self-checkout stations operating at one time at eight.

Proposed Bill Could Ban Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers

A new bill under review would gradually phase out gas-powered leaf blowers in Connecticut. The proposal would ban the sale of the equipment by 2029 and prohibit its use by 2030. Supporters say the change would reduce air and noise pollution, while critics argue it could create challenges and added costs for landscaping businesses.

Powerball Player in Connecticut Wins $50,000

A Connecticut Lottery player matched four numbers and the Powerball in Monday night’s drawing, winning a $50,000 prize. The winning ticket had not yet been claimed as of Tuesday morning. Players have 180 days to claim prizes from draw games like Powerball, Mega Millions, and Lucky for Life.

UConn Students Win Awards at CT Flower & Garden Show

The University of Connecticut’s Horticulture Club and Landscape Architecture students earned multiple honors at this year’s Connecticut Flower & Garden Show. Their “storybook garden” exhibit won awards for Excellence in Design, Best Use of Unusual Plant Material, and Best Trained or Shaped Specimens, showcasing creative plant design and landscaping techniques.

Connecticut Maple Syrup Producers Expect a Strong Season

This year’s snowy winter and cold nights have created ideal conditions for maple sugaring across Connecticut. Producers say the deep snowpack and freezing temperatures helped trees develop high-quality sap, leading to strong syrup production so far. Maple producers are encouraging residents to visit sugarhouses and festivals during Maple Weekend later this month.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! We hope it sparked a few ideas for getting out, exploring, and enjoying everything Connecticut has to offer this week.

If you enjoyed today’s email, feel free to share it with a friend so they can discover some great things to do around the state too.

P.S. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!