Shoreline festivals with 2026 dates ran from the SoNo Arts Festival (listed for August 1 to 2) through the Niantic Bay Oyster Festival on September 19. Sailfest, the Barnum Festival and the Round Hill Highland Games are covered too, but their 2026 dates were not confirmed.
Oyster Festivals
The Milford Oyster Festival (August 14 to 15, 2026) had free admission to downtown Milford and Fowler Field, with oyster growers shucking on the harbor and six live bands. In September, the Norwalk Oyster Festival (September 11 to 13) filled Veterans Memorial Park with tall ships and more than 100 artisans. Adult admission was $15.
Out east, the Niantic Bay Oyster Festival was free and ran one day, September 19, on the East Lyme waterfront, with raw bars and live music.
Waterfront Celebrations
Sailfest (the 2026 dates were not confirmed) was listed for downtown New London and its waterfront, with a fireworks display, tall ships and carnival rides. It was listed as free.
In Bridgeport, the Barnum Festival was listed as a season of events honoring showman P.T. Barnum, with harbor fireworks and the Great Street Parade. Its 2026 dates were not confirmed.
Art on the Coast
On August 8 to 9, 2026 (as listed), the Mystic Outdoor Art Festival ran along the streets and sidewalks of downtown Mystic, with work by artists from across the country. In Norwalk, the SoNo Arts Festival filled the South Norwalk arts district with juried fine-art and craft vendors and a kinetic sculpture race.
Heritage & Highland Games
The Milford Irish Festival (September 18 to 19) filled Fowler Field with Celtic music and step dancing. The Round Hill Highland Games in Norwalk were listed with caber tossing and massed pipe bands. The 2026 date for Round Hill was not confirmed.
