Bicentennial Celebration Events

The yearlong celebration of Trinity’s Bicentennial kicks off on May 5, 2023. Gather your campus memories and get ready to make new ones—and prepare to open the door to Trinity’s third century.

Bicentennial Kickoff

Friday, May 5, 2023

The campus community caps off Honors Day 2023 by launching the Bicentennial! Carnival games and traditional fair food, branded Bicentennial giveaways, a cornhole tournament and lawn games, music by student and local bands, and a fireworks finale will make this an event to remember. Check out a recap of the event!

Charter Day 2023

Tuesday, May 16, 2023

Did you know that a Charter Day tree planting tradition dates back to the late 19th century? What’s old is new again on May 16, as we celebrate Charter Day with a ceremonial tree planting and the Connecticut State Capitol flies the Trinity flag. Join President Berger-Sweeney and Banty for a lemonade toast. Wear your Trinity gear with pride and post your toast photos on social media, hashtag #Trin200. Watch a recap of the day, and read about our designation as an arboretum.

Alumni Bicentennial Celebration

Friday–Sunday, June 9–11, 2023

Calling all alumni! Return to campus for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration over the course of our traditional Reunion Weekend. Reconnect with classmates, and find friends from cultural houses, athletic teams, fraternities and sororities, academic groups, and student clubs; renew Trinity wedding vows in the Chapel; find your name in your first-year Matriculation book; immerse yourself in Trinity’s past, present, and future through exhibits, presentations by distinguished alumni, and the first Bicentennial symposium; enjoy musical performances and dancing; and join in the biggest birthday bash ever—cake and fireworks included! See the schedule.

Newly added: Friday night “Trinity Live!” on the Main Quad features performances by The Nields (David Chalfant ’90, Katryna Nields Chalfant ’91, and David Hower ’89) and Latanya Farrell P’23. New panels have been confirmed: “Women in Law,” “The Art and Business of Film and TV” featuring 2021 Academy Award-winner Will McCormack ’96, and author talks with Charity Elder ’00 and Joanna Scott ’82. Renew your wedding vows in the Chapel, see your matriculation book, and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Aloe Blacc will be headline performer at the Bantam Birthday Bash on Saturday night! REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Bicentennial Concerts and Picnic

Wednesday, July 12

Celebrate the first event of the 1823 Series—Bicentennial events that are free and open to the public! The Bicentennial Carillon Concert and Picnic, beginning at 6 p.m., will feature an organ recital inside the Chapel by Christopher Houlihan, John Rose College Organist-and-Directorship Distinguished Chair of Chapel Music and Artist-in-Residence. An outdoor live performance by Ellen Dickinson, College Carillonneur, will follow and include Fanfare 1823, which was commissioned in honor of Trinity’s Bicentennial celebration. A free public picnic will be offered in connection with the concert beginning at 7 p.m.; RSVP is required to reserve a meal.

Part of the annual Summer Carillon Concert Series, a Hartford tradition since 1949, the series features national and international guest artists and the music of the 49-bell Plumb Memorial Carillon, one of approximately 200 such instruments in North America. Listeners are welcome every Wednesday evening in July, and invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and food to enjoy an outdoor concert.

6:00 p.m. Organ recital inside the Chapel
7:00 p.m. Picnic available; RSVP required to reserve food.
Outdoor carillon concert

Cinestudio—Six Decades of Movies at Trinity

Since 1970, Cinestudio has been an integral part of Trinity’s campus life. Part of the free and open 1823 Series, Cinestudio presents a curated series of iconic films that each represent a decade since its founding, as selected by alumni, students, faculty, and staff.