These 6 Connecticut Towns Have The Most Unique Festivals

Connecticut comes alive with festivals that are as varied as they are memorable. From the sky filled with colorful hot air balloons over Plainville to the streets of Lebanon transformed into a 16th-century village, there’s always something to see, taste, and experience. Wander through stalls of handmade crafts, cheer during a pie-eating contest, or tap your foot to live music while trying something new. Some festivals celebrate harvests, some showcase local farming, and others honor cultural traditions. With a mix of performances, food, and hands-on activities, these seasonal gatherings invite you to dive in, explore, and enjoy the celebrations that make Connecticut unique.

Connecticut Renaissance Faire

From late August through mid-October, the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in Lebanon transforms the fairgrounds on Mack Road into a bustling 16th-century village. The festival offers visitors the chance to stroll past booths filled with handmade crafts, jewelry, and gifts, or grab festival foods like turkey legs, Polish sausage, and other seasonal treats. Themed weekends encourage attendees to dress up as Vikings, or other characters, adding to the immersive experience.

Stages throughout the day feature music, comedy, jousting, and acrobatics, often with audience participation. Kids can try knight training, archery, and games, while adults enjoy food, drinks, and leisurely exploration. Tickets provide access to all areas, and VIP passes include perks like quicker entry and exclusive activities, making it a full day of entertainment for the whole family.

Brooklyn Fair

The Brooklyn Fair takes place every August at the Brooklyn Fairgrounds and has celebrated more than 200 years of agricultural tradition. Established in its current location in 1849, the fair continues to focus on farming, community, and culture. Over four days, families and visitors can enjoy a wide range of entertainment, contests, and activities for all ages.

Children can take part in “Farmers for the Day” activities, including milking a wooden cow, driving tractors through a corn box, or participating in games like bean bag toss and dress the scarecrow. Donut-on-a-string contests, sack races, and pie-eating competitions take place throughout the day. In addition to competitions and shows, there are food vendors and local crafts to explore. Admission requires a fee, but the immersive, hands-on experiences make it a memorable visit for everyone.

Schemitzun: Feast of Green Corn and Dance

Schemitzun: Feast of Green Corn and Dance is held each August at the Mashantucket Pequot Cultural Grounds and stands out as one of Connecticut’s most unique festivals. The event honors the Creator, ancestors, warriors, veterans, and elders while celebrating the harvest and Native cultural heritage.

Visitors can enjoy a full day of traditional and contemporary dances accompanied by drumming, explore the works of Native artisans, and visit a 17th-century Eastern Woodland Village. There, demonstrations include fire-pit cooking, basketry, beadwork, and wampum making. Shaded seating is available across the grounds, and the festival offers day or weekend passes for those wishing to immerse themselves in the culture and history.

Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival

Every August, Norton Park in Plainville becomes a vibrant spectacle as hot air balloons lift off during morning and evening launches. At the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival, visitors can marvel at the floating colors and unique shapes, watch tethered balloons glow at night, and enjoy the dazzling fireworks that cap off the festivities.

The hum of balloon burners mixes with the laughter of the crowd, creating a lively atmosphere. Beyond the balloons, the festival features amusement rides, a car show, an arts and crafts fair, and food vendors offering a wide variety of treats. Organized by the Plainville Fire Co., the festival raises funds for scholarships and local programs. In 2025, the event added a drone light show, making the celebration even more visually spectacular for attendees of all ages.

Durham Fair

Held each September at the Durham Fairgrounds, the Durham Fair is one of Connecticut’s largest and longest-running agricultural fairs, with roots going back to 1916. Visitors can wander through barns filled with livestock, watch horse-pulling contests, and explore craft tents while sampling classic fair food. The fair offers a variety of family-friendly experiences, including a discovery center, farm life museum, and children’s activity areas.

Carnival rides and games provide evening entertainment, creating a festive atmosphere that lasts all day. Music also plays a key role, with past performances by artists like Blake Shelton, Loretta Lynn, Foreigner, and REO Speedwagon, along with local bands providing continuous entertainment. With competitions, demonstrations, and seasonal treats happening throughout, the Durham Fair is lively and offers something for every interest.

Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival

Every fall, the Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival fills the Bethlehem Fairgrounds in Bethlehem. The unique festival celebrates garlic in all its forms, with cooking demonstrations, lectures on how to grow it, and live music adding to the festive atmosphere. Walk through rows of vendors, and sample garlic dips, spreads, cheeses, oils, and other garlic-inspired treats while enjoying the sights and sounds of the harvest season. What makes the festival stand out is that most vendors offer free samples to try before buying. It’s a hands-on, lively experience that draws families, food lovers, and garlic enthusiasts from across the region.

Discover Connecticut’s Most Unique Festivals

At these Connecticut festivals, you can feel the thrill as hot air balloons rise over Plainville, cheer on kids racing in pie-eating contests at the Brooklyn Fair, or tap your foot to music at the Garlic & Harvest Festival in Bethlehem. You can stroll the Renaissance streets of Lebanon, watch dancers and drummers at Schemitzun, or enjoy carnival rides and farm exhibits at Durham. Each event invites you to dive in, explore, taste, and watch, making it easy to connect with local traditions and community spirit. Experiencing these celebrations gives you a true taste of Connecticut’s character and seasonal charm.