White Elephant Sale at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme
July 10 @ 9:00 am - July 11 @ 12:00 pm
The 88th Annual White Elephant Sale 2026
Friday, July 10, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday, July 11, 8 a.m.-noon
The White Elephant Sale (WES) is one of the major annual events held by the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme. While there are other garage and rummage sales held by other organizations throughout the year, few can match the size, color, camaraderie and excitement of this one. Residents and visitors will often plan their summer vacations around it.
Donations are typically collected for two weeks before the sale. Area residents donate antiques, art, books, bikes, canoes, clothing, collectibles, kayaks, kitchenware, shoes, ski equipment, tools, toys and more. If you would like to donate items to the WES, please review their intake list, which explains the items they do and don’t accept; and their calendar, which explains when you can drop off your items at the church.
Nearly 200 volunteers sign up to help collect, sort, price, organize and sell the various donated items displayed during the spectacular two-day sale. If you would like to volunteer, please call the church office in June at 860-434-8686, select option 8, leave your name and phone number, and we’ll be in touch promptly.
The sale itself takes place both inside and outside the church, typically covering the entire church grounds. Click here to see videos showing the size and scope of the event.
On the Friday morning of the sale, a crowd will gather early outside the ropes surrounding the church, waiting for the clock in the bell tower to strike nine. When it does, the ropes come down and shoppers head for their favorite sale departments in search of hidden treasures. On Saturday morning, the sale continues, and most everything is half off.
Volunteers sell coffee and doughnuts both days, raising additional funds for charity. On Friday, the food court is open for lunch, featuring hot dogs, chili, homemade salads and desserts to help keep shoppers refreshed.
After the sale, Goodwill Industries and other organizations pick up any unsold items and sell them to help raise funds for their own charitable activities.
Mark your calendar and make plans to enjoy the sale.
