Have the most fun this summer in Fairfield County, CT, with our list of the top 20 must-do events for your family. Pick your own strawberries, enjoy free outdoor Shakespeare, hit a local beach, and much more, all close to home!
1. Go berry picking.
Pick your own berries at Jones Family Farms in Shelton, or head to another nearby berry farm.
2. Take a spin on a carousel.
Go for a spin on the Beardsley Zoo Carousel in Bridgeport, which features colorful versions of the live animals you can visit in the zoo, or find another merry-go-round near you.
3. Celebrate Georgetown at this fun festival.
Visit Georgetown, which borders Redding, Weston, Wilton, and Ridgefield, for its annual Georgetown Day Festival in early June. The day includes music, food, and lots of children’s activities. Plus, check out more annual fests in the area.
4. Touch a truck.
The Junior League of Greenwich presents a Touch a Truck fundraising event in early June each year at Greenwich Town Hall, where kids can jump into all sorts of things with wheels, from monster trucks to fire trucks. There’s also music, food, and more family activities throughout the day.
5. Get your toes in the sand on the beach.
Enjoy the sun and sand at Jennings Beach in Fairfield, which also has a playground and a picnic area with public grills. Plus, see our guide to the best beaches in Connecticut.
6. Get free admission on Connecticut Open House Day.
Get free admission to dozens of museums and cultural centers, including the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, during Connecticut Open House Day in early to mid-June. Plus, see our full list of kid-friendly museums in the area.
7. Play a round of mini golf.
Play 18 holes at Norwalk Cove Marina Mini Golf, a waterfront course with views of Calf Pasture Beach and the Long Island Sound. Find more nearby mini golf courses in our guide.
8. Go horseback riding
Take a horseback riding lesson or trail ride at Blue Spruce Farm in Monroe, or look for another horse farm in the Fairfield area.
9. Swing through the trees at The Adventure Park.
Tackle 5 acres of aerial trails at The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport, where kids as young as 5 can strap on a harness and maneuver among elevated bridges, ropes, and ziplines.
10. Head to this souper festival.
At the Soupstock music and arts festival in Veterans’ Memorial Park in Shelton, held in mid- to late June, soup is the star but the entertainment is no afterthought. Attendees can taste and judge a variety of soups entered in the cook-off, listen to live music, get their faces painted, and view art created by local students and craftsmen.
11. Watch Independence Day fireworks on the beach.
Grab a seat in the sand at Calf Pasture Beach in Norwalk for the annual Fireworks & Entertainment for All Ages, typically held the day before the big holiday.
12. Celebrate July Fourth in historical style.
Head to nearby Mystic Seaport around July 4 for an Independence Day celebration that includes an 1876-style ceremony, a picnic on the village green, live music, and a children’s parade.
13. Ride a bike around town.
Nothing says summer like the Pequot Library’s annual (rain or shine!) Fourth of July Bike Parade. It starts in Five Corners, Southport Village and ends at the Great Lawn of the library. Refreshments and games are available for all, so bring those bikes, wagons, or scooters (decorations are encouraged!) and celebrate in style.
14. Have fun at a fine arts festival.
Head to the annual Westport Fine Arts Festival at Parker Harding Plaza and Gorham Island in mid-July to view beautiful artwork and enjoy live music, special performances, and children’s activities.
15. Take a nature hike.
Bartlett Arboretum and Gardens in Stamford offers many trails for nature hikes. Put on those walking shoes and take in the beauty of nature! There are plenty more nature trails in the Fairfield County area, too.
16. Watch Shakespeare outdoors.
CT Free Shakespeare is a professional, nonprofit theater company that brings free performances of the Bard’s work to several venues in the county in July and August each year.
17. Sing along at an outdoor concert.
Catch an outdoor concert or other kid-friendly performance at the Levitt Pavilion in Westport, which hosts shows on weeknights throughout the summer. Check our calendar for details on upcoming events.
18. Take an educational cruise.
Hop aboard the new research vessel R/V Spirit of the Sound™ at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk for Marine Life Study Cruises on the Long Island Sound. Aquarium educators put participants to work in collecting and examining animals from all levels of the water column, from plankton to lobsters. The cruises are offered daily in July and August.
19. Get dramatic at the Summer Theatre Festival.
The Summer Theatre Festival at Waveny Park in New Canaan is presented in a state-of-the-art open-air tent theater. Reserve your seat under the tent or choose field seating and bring a picnic. The festival presents high-quality musical theater, including children’s shows and special events, throughout the summer.
20. Catch a movie…on the beach!
Trade the air-conditioned theater for some fresh night air when Shady Beach in Norwalk presents its Outdoor Movies series in July and August. Screenings are typically on Saturday nights. Also, check out theaters in the area that offer sensory-friendly movie screenings for those with autism or other sensory issues.
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