Hartford Happenings
Hartford is a bustling capital city.
Here are just a few things to check out while you're in town!
At Your Leisure
Concert – Jelly w/ Lee Ross
Jelly, a band from CT, uniquely crosses up the genres of funk, rock, jazz-fusion and soul – with original music that blends high-energy danceability, crunchy riffs, powerhouse vocals, juicy hooks, just the right amount of improvisation, and a deep pocket. Lee Ross is a solo live-looping performer. He uses keyboards and organ to create rhythm section and accompaniments and then blasts some saxophone and flute on top. Finally, he sprinkle some vocals and smiles to complete the package.
Friday, 9:00 p.m.
$12.00
Arch Street Tavern, Arch Street
Connecticut Science Center
Appropriate for all ages, it’s a day trip the whole family will rave about. The 154,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility features more than 165 hands-on exhibits spanning 10 galleries, plus a 3D digital theater, and a Butterfly Encounter. The Connecticut Science Center offers endless exploration for children, teens, and adults. Get immersed in new experiences using the hottest high-tech tools, see breathtaking views of the solar system, meet real scientists, experience LIVE science and so much more. With live programming and traveling exhibits, there’s something new to experience every time you visit. The biggest challenge is where to begin the adventure. Purchase your tickets online.
Friday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
250 Columbus Boulevard
CT’s Old State House Live Summer Music Series
Enjoy live music on your lunch break with the Old State House’s 2023 Summer Music Series.
Friday, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Connecticut’s Old State House, Main Street
Domino Fridays
Dominoes in the West Indian Social Club of Hartford clubhouse every Friday!
Friday, 6:00 p.m.
West Indian Social Club of Hartford, 3340 Main Street
Farmers Market at Connecticut’s Old State House
Nestled on the East brick plaza near the lawn you can peruse some delicious treats from a variety of vendors, listen to some tunes from local musicians, and then you can explore the oddities inside at the Museum of Curiosities.
Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00p.m.
Connecticut’s Old State House, Main Street
Feel Good Fridays Sip N’ Paint Selfies
Two hours of an open bar paint session and 1 hour of the selfie museum session. Only 20 seats available!
Friday, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
$60.00
Social House, 153 Market Street
Graveyard Shift Ghost Tours
Mark Twain house was featured on Syfy’s Ghost Hunters and Biography’s “My Ghost Story” – ghost tours offered around the house and museum, talking about the investigations and Twain’s own interest in the supernatural.
Friday, 6:00 p.m.
$18.00-$26.00
Mark Twain House & Museum, 285 Farmington Avenue
Hartford Athletic Match vs. FC Tulsa
$2 beer and $1 hot dog night!
Friday, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
$15.00+
Trinity Health Stadium, 250 Huyshope Avenue
Hartford Prints! 10th Anniversary Night Market
Pratt Street Night Market. Vendors, DJ, games & giveaways, Pratt St. restaurants are open as well.
Friday, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Pratt Street Historic District, Pratt Street
The Mark Twain House & Museum
The Mark Twain House & Museum has restored the author’s Hartford, Connecticut, home, where the author and his family lived from 1874 to 1891. Twain wrote his most important works during the years he lived there, including Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court. In addition to providing tours of Twain’s restored home, a National Historic Landmark, the institution offers activities and educational programs that illuminate Twain’s literary legacy and provide information about his life and times. Purchase your tickets online.
Friday – Sunday, 9:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
385 Farmington Avenue
Throwback Bingo
Bingo with DJ B-EZ spinning the best mix of throwback 90s, ’00s, and todays hits!
Friday, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m.
Parkville Market, Park Street
Trinity College AAC Performance: JOY!
As part of Trinity College’s 1823 Series, the Austin Arts Center presents JOY!, a dazzling spectacle of music, dance, and circus. Under the direction of choreographer Tandy Beal, this world-class, multi-talented ensemble of dancers, acrobats, and circus artists will perform 3 shows to live music from award-winning a cappella group SoVoSó.
Friday – Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
Goodwin Theater at the Austin Arts Center, Trinity College
The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art
Founded in 1842 with a vision for infusing art into the American experience, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is home to a collection of nearly 50,000 works of art, spanning 5,000 years and encompassing European art from antiquity to contemporary as well as American art from the 1600s through today. The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art is the oldest continuously-operating public art museum in the United States, opening its doors to the public in 1844.
Friday – Sunday, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
600 Main Street
The Classic History of Jethro Tull
Join Martin Barre for a very special up close and personal experience, at a VIP Meet and Greet before the main performance of his new show, A Brief History of Tull. Get the chance to listen in during the band’s sound check ahead of the main show, afterwhich Martin Barre and Dan Crisp will host a very special interactive acoustic session with a handful of specially chosen songs. You will also have the chance to have a photo taken with Martin and a personalized autograph. This intimate and exclusive experience will be the only chance for photos and signing.
Saturday, 8:00 p.m.
$48.00-$58.00
Infinity Hall Hartford, Front Street
Eversource Hartford Marathon
30th year running, half marathon and marathon!
Saturday
$10.00-$115.00
Bushnell Park, 99 Trinity Street
Fall Foliage Tour
More than 2,000 trees representing 100 species and varieties grace the grounds of Cedar Hill Cemetery. John Kehoe leads this autumn walk highlighting a colorful sampling of the remarkable collection including maples, cherries, beeches, pines, cedars and more. Advance reservations are recommended and may be made online.
Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
$10.00
Cedar Hill Cemetery, Fairfield Avenue
Katt Williams: The Dark Matter Tour
Comedy legend and Emmy® Award-winning actor, Katt Williams, announces THE DARK MATTER TOUR is coming to the XL Center. Produced by North American Entertainment Group, this highly anticipated tour will be hitting Hartford, promising a night of unparalleled comedy that breaks through boundaries and challenges the status quo.
Saturday, 8:00 p.m.
$64.00+
XL Center, Civic Center Plaza
Sip N’ Paint: Back to the 90s
Sip ‘n Paint paint sessions take it back to the 90’s every Saturday. Enjoy 2 hours of the Art Bar and a 1 hour exclusive selfie museum experience where you can create content to boost your own social media following. Bring the crew, bring the family: SOCIAL HOUSE wants you to party like it’s 1999!
Saturday, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
$60.00
Social House, 153 Market Street
U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Germany – International Friendly
The U.S. faces Germany in the first of two “friendly” matches and Hartford’s their lucky host! Adorn your most festive red, white, and blue and grab your loudest friends to cheer the US Men on to victory.
Saturday, 3:00 p.m.
$90.00-$550.00
Rentschler Field at Pratt & Whitney Stadium, Silver Lane
The Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art – Second Saturdays for Families (Free)
On the second Saturday of each month admission to the Wadsworth is free. Explore the museum, enjoy some exhibition-related arts and crafts and docent-led tours. Activities are family-friendly, but open to anyone (family not required).
Saturday, 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
600 Main Street
Hotshot Sundays
Live DJs, Music, and Entertainment every Sunday. Come out and enjoy Sunday Funday before returning to work. Reggae, Soca, HipHop, and more…
Sunday, 8:00 p.m.
West Indian Social Club of Hartford, 3340 Main Street
Interested in exploring beyond Hartford? Check out ctvisit.com.
