September on the Shoreline means apple donuts, crisp-air weekends, outdoor art shows, fall fairs and plenty of reasons to get out and explore. We’ve rounded up some of the best things happening from New Haven to Mystic, including a major John Constable exhibition at Yale, the Guilford Fair, the Mystic Film Festival, oyster and garlic festivals, artisan markets, live music and more. Consider this your early-fall bucket list.

September–October | Sightseeing Cruises aboard RiverQuest & Onrust from Connecticut River Museum | Essex
See the Connecticut River from its best vantage point. Climb aboard for an on-the-water look at the wildlife, landmarks and scenery that make this stretch of Connecticut so special. Prices vary.

September–October | Pick Your Own at Scott’s Yankee Farmer | East Lyme
Pick apples, hunt down the perfect pumpkin and reward yourself with a warm apple cinnamon donut. Fall doesn’t get much more New England than this.

September – 10/18 | The Snow Goose at Goodspeed Opera House | East Haddam
A wounded snow goose brings two unlikely souls together as war looms. This moving new musical weaves friendship, courage, and second chances into a soaring story set against Dunkirk. Prices vary.

9/1–10/31 | Fall Festival at Bishop’s Orchards | Guilford
Apple picking, wagon rides, a four-acre wildlife-themed corn maze, cider, food trucks and plenty of ways to keep the kids busy. Make an afternoon of it. Hours and prices vary.

9/3–2027 | John Constable: The Landscape Reimagined at Yale Center for British Art | New Haven
Clouds, changing light and windswept landscapes take center stage in the only major U.S. exhibition celebrating John Constable on the 250th anniversary of his birth. FREE.

9/5–9/7 | Art in the Village at Olde Mistick Village | Mystic
Spend Labor Day weekend wandering among artists and makers at this outdoor show tucked throughout Olde Mistick Village. Saturday–Monday. FREE.

9/12–1/3 | Isaac Sheffield: Portraits from New London’s Whaling Era at Lyman Allyn Art Museum | New London
Meet the faces of 19th-century New London through portraits painted when the city’s whaling fortunes were at their height. Admission varies.

9/12 | Day on the Green Arts & Crafts Fair | Westbrook
Spend a late-summer Saturday browsing artists and makers on the Westbrook Town Green at this one-day community arts and crafts fair.

9/12 | Groton City Brew Run | Groton
Run or cheer from the sidelines, then stick around for the brew fest, food trucks and fun. The annual 5K benefits Riverfront Children’s Center. $37 (5K only) or $49 (5K + beer garden); kids’ fun run free.

9/13 | Back When Peace and Love Ruled at Garde Arts Center | New London
Turn up the nostalgia for a night of classic rock favorites and forgotten gems. Beyond 1969 and BackTrax take the stage, with proceeds supporting Big Brothers Big Sisters. Prices vary.

9/17–9/20 | James Blackstone Memorial Library Annual Fall Book Sale | Branford
Bibliophiles, make room on the nightstand. Thousands of bargain-priced books return for the annual sale, this year in a NEW location at the Branford Train Station. Hours vary. Prices vary; $10 per bag on Sunday (final day).

9/18 | Concert on the Green at La Grua Center | Stonington
Summer’s outdoor concert season gets one last encore. Guitarist Adam and bassist Marcus team up for the first time, mixing jazz standards, favorite covers, and original tunes in Stonington. FREE

9/18–9/20 | Guilford Fair | Guilford
An old-fashioned country fair in the very best way: animals, midway rides, entertainment, fair food and the beloved Saturday morning parade through town. Times and admission vary.

9/19 | Deep River Day | Deep River
Deep River goes big for America’s 250th with the Run to the River 5K, downtown shopping and activities, food trucks, a DJ and an evening celebration at Plattwood Park. FREE.

9/19 | Niantic Bay Oyster Festival | Niantic
Come hungry. Local oysters, food vendors, beer and live music take over Niantic for a good time and a good cause, with proceeds benefiting the Miracle League of Southeastern Connecticut. FREE. ($5 parking).

9/19–9/20 | Harvest Food & Wine Festival at Stonington Vineyards | Stonington
Wine in your glass, live music in the vineyard and food trucks at the ready. Add artisan vendors and you have a pretty lovely way to spend a September weekend. 11am–6pm. $35 per person (includes a glass of wine, keepsake glass and live music).

9/19–9/20 | 19th Annual Garlic Festival at Olde Mistick Village | Mystic
Garlic lovers, this one’s yours. Farms, bakers, makers, artists and food vendors fill the Village for a weekend devoted to the famously fragrant harvest. FREE.

9/24–9/27 | Mystic Film Festival | Mystic & Westerly
Indie film takes over Mystic and Westerly for four days of feature films, documentaries, shorts, filmmakers and plenty to talk about after the credits roll. Times and venues vary. Tickets/passes required; prices vary by screening.

9/26 | Fall Artisan Market & Taste of Guilford | Guilford
Bring your appetite and wander downtown Guilford, sampling bites and sips, popping into local shops, catching live music, and browsing the Fall Artisan Market along the way. $15 pp or $50 for group of 4 people.

9/26 | 59th Annual Outdoor Antique & Artisan Craft Show at Lebanon Historical Society | Lebanon
Come for the antiques, stay for the homemade food. Hunt through vintage finds and artisan wares at this wonderfully old-school New England tradition. 9am–3pm. $8 admission; children under 12 free.

9/26 | Maritime Trades & Foodways Day at Mystic Seaport Museum | Mystic
Step into the working world of a 19th-century seaport with blacksmithing, sailmaking, coopering, open-hearth cooking and other maritime trades brought vividly to life. Included with general museum admission ($35 adult / $33 senior / $25 youth 4–17).

9/26 | Essex Village Walking Tour | Essex
Take a Saturday stroll through centuries of Essex history, from old Potapaug and its shipbuilding waterfront to the picture-perfect village of today. $10. (Free for Essex Historical Society members.)

9/26 | 44th Annual Benefit Auction at Florence Griswold Museum | Old Lyme
Step into the magical world of the Lyme Art Colony for an art-filled evening of cocktails, fabulous food, artists at work and one-of-a-kind auction experiences, all benefiting Museum education and outreach. 6–10pm. $200+

9/26–11/1 | Gemstone Station: A Town That Rocks at Florence Griswold Museum | Old Lyme
The Wee Faeries are back, and this year they sparkle. Follow the trail through a miniature world inspired by gemstones, rare minerals and shimmering metals tucked throughout the Museum grounds. Included with general museum admission ($18 adult / $17 senior / $16 student / $7.50 child 5–12 / free 4 & under).

9/26 | Artisan & Antique Fall Festival | Madison
Fall is arriving on the Madison Green. Browse artisan and antique finds, catch live music, hop on a hayride, pick a pumpkin, and bring the kids for autumn fun.