For good old-fashioned family fun, head to one of the many festivals held in Connecticut each year. From music and food festivals to the Renaissance fair, you’ll love all that Connecticut has to offer for families.
Milford Oyster Festival
A Connecticut tradition for more than three decades, the Milford Oyster Festival is held on the third Saturday of August each year. Local residents love this festival and people from around the world come to share in the fun. This family-friendly festival features a lot more than oysters. You’ll find live bands, arts and crafts, an international food court, classic cars, harbor activities, a special area just for kids and much more.
Location: 2 Broad St., Milford, CT 06460
Phone: 203-878-5363
Rates: Admission is free
Website:milfordoysterfestival.com
Durham Fair
Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair, Durham Fair, has been taking place since 1916. This fair and festival features all the agricultural programs and exhibits you’d expect from a fair, but it also offers a carnival midway, farm museum, motorized events ring and much more. The designated kids’ area features pie-eating contests, balloon-stomping competitions and other fun activities. The fair takes place Thursday through Sunday on the last weekend in September each year. On Thursday, adult admission is $5 off.
Location: At the junctions of Routes 68, 17 and 77 in Durham, CT 06422
Phone: 860-349-9495
Rates: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors, free for children 11 and under
Website:durhamfair.com
The Connecticut Renaissance Faire
The Connecticut Renaissance Faire is held two times a year as Robin Hood’s Springtime Festival and King Arthur’s Fall Harvest Faire. This popular Connecticut event offers fun for everyone that includes arts and crafts, food, games, music, shopping and, of course, jousting knights. Take a trip back in time to the Middle Ages and bring your whole family. There’s so much to do and see that they have put together special itineraries for first-timers, families, friends and couples with suggested activities and ideas to make your day memorable.
Location: The Robin Hood Festival can be found at 1 Lovers Lane, Guilford, Connecticut, on the Guilford Fairgrounds. The King Arthur Faire takes place at 374 Gilead Street, Hebron, Connecticut, on the Lions Fairgrounds.
Phone: 860-478-5954
Rates: General admission is $16 for adults, $10 for kids ages 7-16, free for children 6 and younger
Website:ctfaire.com
Cajun/Zydeco Festival
This amazing musical festival at Strawberry Park takes place each June. The festival features music, food and dancing from the bayous and cities in Louisiana. For 2012, Lil Wayne is one of the many performers at the festival. You’ll love the Cajun food, live music and dancer workshops. Campsites with water, electricity and even cable TV are available for festival goers.
Location: 42 Pierce Road, Preston, CT 06365
Phone: 860-886-1944
Rates: $30-$115, depending on the day you are attending and if camping is included
Website:strawberrypark.net
Apple Harvest Festival
For family fun in the fall, you can’t beat the Apple Harvest Festival located in Southington. This festival takes place on the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October each year. With over 100,000 annual visitors, it’s one of the most popular festivals in Connecticut. This family-friendly event showcases arts and crafts, delicious food, fun contests, a parade, shopping and more. For the kids, they have a special children’s play area and a carnival.
Location: 75 Main St., Southington, CT 06489
Phone: 860-276-8471
Rates: Admission is free
Website:southington.org
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