From classic country fairs to antique shows, here’s our list.

Salsa Under the Stars on Tuesdays, through 9/15, at 7:30pm at Broadway Island, New Haven. Free salsa lessons from 7:30–8pm followed by open dancing until 9:30pm, every Monday evening all summer long. No partner or experience needed, just bring your dancing shoes. FREE

International Festival of Arts & Ideas throughout June. A citywide festival featuring free concerts on the New Haven Green, dance performances, storytelling, tours, lectures, comedy, food vendors, and more. The 2026 theme is Home & Belonging. Many events free; ticketed events prices vary.

Lyman Orchards Strawberry Festival in Middlefield on 6/13 from 10am–4pm.Strawberry picking, live music, strawberry shortcakes, food trucks, petting farm, pie-eating contest, and more.

Connecticut Sea Music Festival from 6/13–6/14 from 11am-4pm at the Pratt House, Essex. Enjoy live music, maritime history, Revolutionary War re-enactors and family fun.

Essex Summer Arts Festival 6/20–6/21,  Arts Center Killingworth and Spectrum Gallery present award-winning painters, photographers, sculptors, jewelers, and fine crafters from across the region on the Essex Green. 

Olde Mistick Village Art in the Village 6/20–6/21, Glass, illustrations, jewelry, paintings, photography, pottery, wood, and more — dozens of artists gather in the charming open-air village. Plus 7/25–7/26 and Labor Day 9/5–9/7. 

The WoodenBoat Show at Mystic Seaport 6/26–6/28 from 9am–5pm daily. Over 100  handcrafted kayaks, mahogany runabouts, classic daysailers, and schooners.

American Crafts and Trades Weekend on 6/27–6/28 from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM at Pratt House Essex. Celebrate America 250 with demonstrations in blacksmithing, woodworking, and fiber arts.

The E List and Saybrook Home host Girls’ Night Out on Thursday, 6/25. 20% off at participating shops, food, and cocktail specials all along Main Street.

Celebrate Saybrook Street Party on 6/28 from 4–8:30pm. 30+ food options, craft beer, 40+ artisan vendors, and family fun. Stick around until 9pm for a patriotic drone show above Main Street celebrating America 250!

CT Historic Gardens Day on 6/28 at various times and locations. Enjoy gardens and outdoor festivities at historic venues throughout Connecticut.

Celebrate New London on 7/11. Enjoy a spectacular fireworks show, live music, locally made wares, food trucks and so much more in downtown New London.

Guilford Craft Expo on 7/17–7/19 at Guilford Town Green, Guilford: One of the longest-running juried craft shows in America features over 170 artists and makers, live music, a family art tent, gourmet food vendors, and a silent auction.

FloatSwella on 7/18  at Mystic River (north of the Bascule Bridge).  A wildly fun pop-up paddle-craft-only rally featuring live bands and a DJ on a floating stage. Grab your kayak, paddleboard, or inflatable and float your way into summer.

Midsummer Festival on 7/24–7/25 at Florence Griswold Museum lawn and Lyme Street, Old Lyme: Art sales, live music, food trucks, a classic car show, a dog parade, a 5K road race, and family fun up and down Lyme Street, Saturday 9am–3pm. Kicks off Friday evening (7/24) with a free lawn concert by Mass-Conn-Fusion, 7–9pm.

LEGO Design Showcase at Nautilus Architects on 7/25: Celebrate imagination, architecture, and community creativity with original builds, family fun, and hands-on artistic exploration for all ages.

COMO Village Fair on 8/1 from 10am–4pm at Wadawanuck Square, Stonington Borough. Live bands, artisan row, pottery tent, baked goods, games, and more, all raising funds for the Stonington Community Center.

North Branford Potato & Corn Festival from 8/7–8/9 at Totoket Valley Park, North Branford: The beloved PoCo Fest features free family entertainment, rides, games, live music, food, fireworks, a tractor pull, and a classic car and motorcycle show.

Madison on the Common Crafts Fair on 8/8 from 10am–4pm at Madison Town Green, Madison: Hundreds of crafters on the beautiful Madison Green featuring country crafts, jewelry, woodcrafts, and more.

Mystic Outdoor Art Festival on 8/8–8/9, downtown Mystic: The 68th annual edition of the oldest juried art show in the Northeast, nearly 270 artists, over a mile of fine arts and crafts along the Mystic River, a Children’s Art Park, and a Performing Arts Stage.

Milford Oyster Festival on 8/14–8/15 at Fowler Field.  New England’s biggest one-day oyster festival returns with an evening-only format for two nights. Locally sourced oysters, live music, food, beer, and wine.

Hamburg Fair on 8/21–8/23, at Hamburg Fairgrounds, Lyme: An intimate agricultural fair showcasing local music talent, entertainment, rides, classic fair food, and a beer and wine garden. Proceeds support the Lyme Grange Association and Lyme EMS. $8–$10; kids 11 and under FREE

Chester Fair at Chester Fairgrounds on 8/28–8/30. A local favorite since 1877, emphasizing zero waste, with Robinson’s Racing Pigs, tractor pulls, frog jumping contests, concessions, rides, and exhibits.

Wadsworth Mansion Open Air Market & Festival on 8/30. Connecticut-grown produce, artisan crafters, live music, and food.

Haddam Neck Fair on 9/4–9/7 at Haddam Neck Fairgrounds. From skillet throwing and truck pulls to livestock shows and classic fair food, this fair has it all in a bucolic setting.

Guilford Fair on 9/20–9/21 at Guilford Fairgrounds. Connecticut’s second-oldest agricultural fair, established in 1859, features rides, live entertainment, tractor pulls, a petting zoo, crafts, photography, horticulture, and fair food favorites.

Harvest Festival on 9/19–9/20, at Christ the King Church, Old Lyme: A community favorite with a rummage sale, fall plants and produce, food, games, and live music.

Durham Fair on 9/24–9/27. Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair features live entertainment on four stages, rides, games, three livestock barns, a midway, crafts, baking, and a huge selection of fair food.