Music:
The Black Bear Americana Music Festival comes to Harwinton and features Howie Day, Shawn Mullins and more! Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11am-10pm at the Fairgrounds, 150 Locust Road. Enjoy over 50 live acts across 4 stages. Tickets are $70-$260. Kids 16 and under are free! www.blackbearmusicfest.com
Dueling Pianos is tonight 7-11 at J Under the Dome (Near the Colt Building) An all-request concert with 2 pianists and a drummer who can play ANYTHING! Tickets are $35 at the door or at www.JBARATCOLT.com
TRAIN with special guest Edwin McCain play Mohegan Sun Arena tonight at 8pm. Tickets are $60-$215. There is also a Queen Tribute Friday on the Sun Patio. This is a FREE show with gates opening at 6:30pm. www.mohegansun.com
Events:
Hartford Saengerbund (German Club) presents OKTOBERFEST! Saturday noon to 8pm at the club, 719 North Mountain Road in Newington. The Adlers Band and John Banker will perform live German and American music. There will be a variety of imported German beers as well as other beverages. The menu features schnitzel, bratwurst, sauerkraut, German potato salad and more. Homemade cakes will be available for dessert. The New England Steiners will be on hand selling beer steins and showcasing their vast collection of these traditional German drinking vessels. Admission is $5 for adults and free for children. This event will be held rain or shine. For additional information call 860-953-8967, visit hartfordsaengerbund.org, or check out its Facebook page.
Don't miss the 2025 Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival Friday and Saturday in Norton Park in Plainville. Dazing Balloons are tethered Friday night and launch Saturday at 6am and 6pm. Fireworks Friday night at 9:15pm. Rides, games, arts and crafts, food and beverage, car show, a Drone Show and live entertainment! Parking at Robertson Airport, Plainville High School and the former GF/SBB lot on Woodford Ave. $5 cash fee for shuttle busses.
It's also the Armenian Festival Sunday noon to 5pm at the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, 1910 Stanley Street, New Britain. This event is free and held rain or shine. Enjoy Middle Eastern food including Shish Kebab, Pilaf, Khema, Losh Burgers and pastries. Enjoy live music featuring an Armenian Band! Bake Sale, Raffle, Vendors, Corn Hole and more! 860-223-7875.
The Brooklyn Fair runs Friday 10am to 11pm, Saturday 9am to 11pm and Sunday 9am to 6pm in the eastern part of the state, one of the oldest continuous fairs in Connecticut. It’s celebrating its 157th year! Bring the whole family to enjoy monster truck rides, tractor pulls, racing pigs, live concerts, kids’ activities, rides and all the fair food you love, from cotton candy and kettle corn to all the deep-fried treats. Admission is $15 for Adults. Discounted rates for Seniors, Military and kids. www.brooklynfair.org
The Chester Fair is Friday 6-11pm, Saturday 8am-11pm and Sunday 9am-6pm. A major fair with livestock and animal shows, arts and crafts, baking contests, a midway, old-time fair games, musical entertainment and lots of food. www.chesterfair.org
The 77th Annual Terryville Lions Country Fair is the year’s biggest fundraiser for the Lions Club, running Friday 4-11pm, Saturday 10am-11pm and Sunday 10am-6pm at the Terryville Fairgrounds.
This beloved tradition is packed with three days of entertainment, including live music, axe throwing, the Flying Wallendas circus performers, a demolition derby and lots of delicious foods. www.terryvillefair.org
If you are looking for laughs, check out Howie Mandell and Brad Garrett at Mohegan Sun Arena Saturday at 8pm. Tickets are $49-$84. www.mohegansun.com
Hartford Athletic return to Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford Saturday 7pm vs. Rhode Island! www.hartfordathletic.com
Spooky Popcorn is a free outdoor horror movie festival held annually in downtown Hartford. Horror movie fans enjoy outdoor showings on Constitution Plaza on Saturday evenings from July through August and are encouraged to bring snacks, blankets, and chairs. These events are free! This Saturday it’s Suspiria.
The Southington Drive-In presents E.T. The Extraterrestrial Saturday! Gates open at 6pm. Movie starts at dusk. $20 per car. Walk-ins are $5. Lawn Chairs are welcome! Cash only.
Playhouse 44 in Avon performs “First You Smile: Explorations of Love, Laughter and Loose Ends” at Avon High School, Saturday at 2 and 7pm. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $8 for Seniors and Students. www.playhouse44.org
Little Theatre of Manchester's fun and engaging Rising Stars at Cheney Hall invite audiences to "Seize the Day" at their summer youth production of Disney's Newsies, Jr. Starring young actors ages 8 to 14, performances are on Saturday at 10am and 2pm at Little Theatre of Manchester's (LTM) home at historic Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road in Manchester, CT. Tickets are only $12 with discounts for seniors, students, military and groups. www.cheneyhall.org
Goodspeed Musicals’ All Shook Up concludes Sunday. Featuring the hit songs of Elvis Presley, which fuel the romantic tale of a small town turned upside down by a stranger on a motorcycle. Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 3 and 8pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are available through the Box Office (860.873.8668), open weekdays at 10:00 a.m. and weekends at 11:00 a.m., or online at www.goodspeed.org
Bring the family to Lake Compounce and Connecticut’s Largest Water Park, Crocodile Cove, are open weekends! Single Admission at $29.99. Season passes as low as $54.99. www.lakecompounce.com
Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury is also packed for fun! Tickets range from $27.99-$42.99 with Season Passes for $105.99! www.quassy.com
Adventure Park at Storrs is open for the season with ziplines, aerial ropes and adventure! https://myadventurepark.com/location/storrs-ct/
It's Flea Market and Drive-In Movie Season at Mansfield Drive-In! The Flea Market is ever Sunday 8am-2pm through November 24th. You can also watch movies on any of the Big Screens every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with first features starting at 8pm! www.mansfielddrivein.com
The Farmer’s Market is Saturday in Stonington at the Velvet Mill.
The Bushnell Park Carousel is waiting to greet your family! Bring your kids, or don't. You definitely don't need an excuse to ride the historic 1914 Stein & Goldstein Carousel because it is beautiful! The best seat in the house is on a horse named Freedom. Open weather permitting noon to 5pm.
Farmington Miniature Golf and Ice Cream Parlor on Route 4 in Farmington are Open for the season (weather permitting.) Golf open daily 10am to 9:30pm. Ice Cream Parlor open daily 10:30am to 10pm. www.farmingtonminiaturegolf.com