Summer Activities for Kids in Connecticut

July 1, 2021 12:17 pm

With kids out of school and summer in full swing, it’s time to head outdoors and enjoy the summer weather. Even though school is out, summer provides a great opportunity to continue learning outside the classroom and to be exposed to new and exciting cultural experiences.

Here is our list of best summer activities in Connecticut for kids and the whole family. 

Enjoy Outdoor Concerts

With several outdoor concerts happening around the state this summer, you can enjoy musical days and nights with your children, family, and friends.

30th Annual Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz  – Bushnell Park, Hartford

July 16-18, 2021

This two-day, three-night festival in Bushnell Park, America’s oldest public park, will feature jazz artists from around the world. Connecticut’s State Capitol Building and Hartford’s skyline will provide a picturesque view as you enjoy the music with your family and friends. The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, picnic baskets to enjoy the performances. A variety of food trucks and vendors will be on site.

MoCA Outdoor Concert Series – MoCA Westport, Westport

April 30-October 15, 2021

MoCA Westport is bringing back its outdoor summer concerts which will feature a line-up of thirteen Jazz, Pop, and Classical performances. All concerts will be held at MoCA Westport’s outdoor space at 7 p.m. Bring your own lawn chair seating. Food and drinks are available for purchase at each concert. Click here for tickets. 

Goodspeed By The River – Goodspeed Opera House, East Haddam

June 10-September 5, 2021

This summer-long series will offer a variety of musical events under a big tent alongside the iconic Goodspeed Opera House. The Goodspeed Opera House has been the birthplace of some of the world’s most famous musicals, such as Annie, Man of La Mancha and Shenandoah. There is no better place to listen to a new genre of music than Goodspeed. From classic rock concerts to exciting new musicals, there is something for everyone to enjoy. 

30th Annual Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz  – Bushnell Park, Hartford

July 16-18, 2021 

This two-day, three-night festival in Bushnell Park, America’s oldest public park, will feature jazz artists from around the world. Connecticut’s State Capitol Building and Hartford’s skyline will provide a picturesque view as you enjoy the music with your family and friends. The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to bring chairs, blankets, picnic baskets to enjoy the performances. A variety of food trucks and vendors will be on site.

A Night of Music Under the Stars – Art Park at Wall Street, Norwalk

May 7-August 22, 2021

The historic Wall Street Theater, opened in 1915 has stood the test of time. Today, this exciting venue is holding numerous live outdoor music concerts throughout the summer months. Click here for a list of their live events and to purchase your tickets. 

Attend a Local Carnival or County/State Fair

Connecticut’s many outdoor festivals and fairs will have your kids and family feasting on cotton candy this summer. Here is a list of a few fairs happening late summer:

The Big E – Springfield, MA

The Eastern States Exposition, also known as the “Big E” or “New England’s Great State fair”, is a 17 day long annual event that begins on the second Friday after Labor Day. This year’s event will take place September 17 to October 3, 2021. While it technically takes place in the neighboring state of Massachusetts, Big E is a multi-state fair inclusive of all six of the New England states: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

This year’s event will feature a 150 ft. high Ferris wheel with 36 climate-controlled gondolas, top-name concerts, daily Mardi Gras parades, Avenue of States featuring replicas of all six New England statehouses, foods from around the world and more!  Click here to learn more and purchase your tickets.

Hebron Harvest Fair – Hebron

This 4-day family-friendly event is being held September 9-12, 2021 at the Hebron Lions Fairgrounds in Hebron, Tolland County, Connecticut. The fair will feature food, live music, rides, a mechanical pull ring, as well as an animal pull ring with draft horses, oxen, steer, and ponies. It’s a great place to get the kids in touch with the agricultural history of Connecticut.

Wapping Fair – South Windsor

The 129th Wapping Fair is taking place from September 9-12, 2021 at Rye Street Park. This year’s fair will feature live music every night, a 20,000 sq feet petting zoo, exotic animals, pony rides, magic shows, and dance numbers. There’s never a dull moment!

Bethlehem Fair – Bethlehem

Established in 1924, the Bethlehem Fair strives to provide agricultural education, and offer a friendly competitive environment with prizes for the best farm and home products. The 96th edition of the Bethlehem Fair will take place September 10-12, 2021, and feature amusement park rides, a food court, a tomato-tasting contest, family theatre, and more!

Enjoy a day at the beach

Go for a hike, take a stroll, go for a swim, or bring a blanket for a picnic with your kids. The beaches along the Long Island Sound are located within a few minutes of our Southport and Greenwich Delamar locations. Some of our favorites include:

• Jennings Beach (Fairfield) – Located just off Interstate 95, Jennings is the largest of the Fairfield beaches. 
• Sherwood Island State Park (Westport) – This park and its beach are known for their spectacular three-color sand. The entire park also covers woodlands, wetlands as well as the sandy shore. 
• Southport Beach (Southport) – About 2.5 acres in size, this small but quiet beach includes bathroom facilities as well as lifeguards that are on duty during the summer months.
• West Beach (Stamford) – Part of the Rocky Neck State Park, this beach has a boardwalk that stretches across the back of the beach, as well as a large concession area, a bath-house with restrooms and showers, and a bike rack for cyclists.

Book a Weekend Getaway

Summertime blues? Are the kids feeling lazy? Weekend trips are a great way to energize the family and experience new things. Or you can relax, get out of the house, unwind, and escape without traveling far from home. 

Delamar has three distinct locations throughout the state in Greenwich, Southport, and West Hartford, allowing you to explore and venture about while enjoying the utmost level of excellence in hospitality. When you choose to stay at Delamar, you can rejuvenate with our great amenities and luxurious attention to detail at every turn. Book your stay with us today and enjoy the New England charm in all its glory.