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CT Trails Day
Saturday, June 1st - Sunday, 2nd | All Day
New London & Groton
Sponsored by Connecticut Forest & Park Association and held on the first weekend of June every year, it is the largest celebration of trails in the nation. CT Trails Day brings folks together to get outside and appreciate all they can find in their own backyards. All events are free to the public and vary in degrees of difficulty. Join in on the fun with Thames River Heritage Park and other Heritage Sites!
REGISTER & MORE INFO
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CT Open House Day
Saturday, June 8th | All Day
New London & Groton
Celebrate CT Open House Day with Thames River Heritage Park and local heritage sites. More than 200 tourism attractions across the state, including museums, arts and cultural venues, historical sites, farms and restaurants, will welcome visitors with free or discounted admission or special offers. This year marks the 20th anniversary of celebrating the unique array of attractions that make the state so special.
Thames River Heritage Park
Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruises along Thames River
$5 All Day Pass (3 and under free) with code 2024CTOHD
11AM-6PM
Fort Griswold Battlefield
Guided Tours will be led by park staff at 11AM and 1PM and the Museum and Monument will be open for exploration. Walk down the hill to tour the Ebenezer Avery House on park grounds.
11AM-3PM; Free Admission
Avery-Copp House Museum
See special summer exhibits, meet a Revolutionary War soldier, play games and discover the fairy garden.
10AM-3PM; Free Admission
Fort Trumbull State Park
Immerse yourself in an interactive history lesson at the visitor center or just walk the Fort and its ramparts for a view of the Thames River. Catch TRHP Harbor Cruise at this location!
9AM-5PM; Free Admission
Custom House Maritime Museum
Discover the stories of the local waterfront that still shape the region today. Art, artifacts and more on display.
10AM-5PM; Discounted Admission
Lyman Allyn Art Museum
Family centric exploration guides are free to pick up to help young learners enjoy the Museum.
10am-5pm; Free Admission
LEARN MORE
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Juneteenth Festival
Friday, June 7th - Sunday, June 9th
Hempsted Houses, New London
This three-day long celebration commemorates of the end of slavery in the United States after the Civil War. Partnering with the New London NAACP, OIC New London, and the New London County Historical Society, the Hempsted Houses are home to this yearly community event highlighting the African American history of the Hempsted Houses and the surrounding New London neighborhood. Join CT Landmarks each day as they engage in activities encouraging conversations about emancipation, cultural awareness, and civic responsibility. Some events require registration. Check out the full schedule.
Friday, June 7th
Juneteenth Virtual Presentation
With Joseph McGill of the Slave Dwelling Project & Tammy Denease of Hidden Women Productions
10AM-12PM
Campfire Conversation
Delve into community discussions and Joseph McGill's Slave Dwelling Project
5:30PM-7PM
Sleepover at NL County Historical Society Shaw Mansion
Dive into overnight conversations about the legacies of slavery with Hempsted House and Shaw Mansion Staff
7:30PM-7:30AM; Registration Limited
Saturday, June 8th
Juneteenth Celebration Day
Music and dance performances, living history presentations, and children’s activities and crafts
11AM-4PM
Sunday, June 9th
Sunday Services
Pastor Michael Cagle leads participants in community for a spiritual and lively non-denominational church service followed by performances by The Jim Hunter Jazz Group and the New London Public Schools Bands.
11:30AM-2:30PM
Other Community Events
Saturday, June 15th
City of Groton Celebrates Juneteenth
Featuring Keynote Speaker Rear Admiral Michael Johnston, Coast Guard Superintendent as well as appearances by community partners.
10AM-11AM
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Free First Saturday
Primary Painting
SAT, JUN 1 | 11AM-1PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
Visit the art studio and create an artwork that represents Making Your Mark! Learn about different kind of mark making by creating a painting without a brush. Experiment with different tools and materials in your work. Explore the Museum and enjoy ongoing exhibits. Walk-ins for the art project are welcome as capacity allows. Sponsored by Chelsea Groton Bank.
MORE INFO
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Golden Street Fun
Saturday Market
SAT, JUN 1 | 11AM-4PM
Downtown New London
The New London Cultural District has partnered with The Golden Owl and Telegraph Autonomous Zone for a summer market that will be full of local vendors. Golden Street will be closed for the market and full of fun on the first Saturday of each month through September.
MORE INFO
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Museum Fundraiser
Groundbreaking Gala
SAT, JUN 1 | 5:30PM-9PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
This year’s spring gala will celebrate the initial phase of the Lyman Allyn Park project and the exciting changes to come. Guests will enjoy cocktails and music with online and in-person auctions, and a seated dinner under twinkling lights. There is also an online auction running through June 1st! The funds raised from the evening’s celebrations will go directly to museum operations and educational programs.
MORE INFO
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Odds and Ends
YART Sale
SUN, JUN 2 | 12PM-4PM
Hygienic Art, New London
Spend your Sunday afternoon browsing unclaimed artwork and odds and ends from the art storage bin. Original artwork, prints, trinkets that have hung around the studio for too long. Spend your day in the park with friends and a Mimosas and Bloody Mary bar. This event is rain or shine. Bring your crew!
MORE INFO
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Flag Raising
Pride Month Ceremony
MON, JUN 3 | 10AM-11AM
Municipal Building, Groton
The City of Groton is welcoming the start of Pride Month with a flag raising on the third of June. Join members of the community to raise the pride flag and kick off the celebratory month.
MORE INFO
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Cat Kid Comic Club
The Musical
MON, JUN 3 | 10AM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Dominion Energy Schooltime Performance Series presents: a madcap musical based on Dav Pilkey’s irreverently hilarious book series. Cat Kid, Molly Pollywog and Flippy have started an epic club to teach 21 rambunctious baby frogs how to make their own comics!
MORE INFO
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"Flour and Sugar" Lecture
Joy M. Pepe
WED, JUN 5 | 2PM
Hygienic Art, New London
Professor Pepe of Central Connecticut State University & University of Hartford considers the disruption of the Mammy imagery in a comparative study of the small assemblage by Betye Saar and Kara Walker. Through visual examination and cultural study, they will examine how the works reference wide ranging issues at the root of which are racialism, feminism, corporate branding, and commercial enslavement. This lecture is brought to you through PARJE and is free and open to the public.
MORE INFO
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All Are Welcome
Open Mic Night
THU, JUN 6 | 5PM-7PM
Hygienic Art, New London
The Open Mic series is hosted by comedian Dame Fk. Sign Up available onsite from 5:00-5:30 PM. Poetry, comedy, spoken word, Bring what you got! All talents welcome! 5 Minute Time Slot for Comedians and Poets! 2 Song Time Slot for Musicians! No Cover Charge - Donations Always Welcome.
MORE INFO
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An Evening of Fireworks
Let Loose Thursday
THU, JUN 6 | 6-9PM
Downtown New London
Come on down to Parade Plaza in New London and remember to grab your chairs for some awesome live blues tunes. Bring the whole family along to enjoy Touch-a-Truck, indulge in delicious food from local vendors, and dive into a range of other fun activities including a petting zoo! A 9pm fireworks display sponsored by Foxwoods Resort Casino will cap off the evening and local businesses and restaurants will have specials!
MORE INFO
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Family Movie Night
Disney's Strange World
FRI, JUN 7 | 7:45PM
Eastern Point Beach, Groton
Kick off your Summer with the first Family Movie night at EPB. Walt Disney Animation Studios’ original action-packed comedy adventure, “Strange World,” will be the first movie of the series and will begin once dark, closer to 8:30pm. Arrive early to get your spot, glow stick and free popcorn. This event is free for all families.
MORE INFO
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Ride on the Thames River
HOHO Harbor Cruises Resume
SAT, JUN 8 | 11AM-6PM
New London & Groton
Thames River Heritage Park hop on, hop off, Harbor Cruises are back in operation for the summer season. The first day running will be CT Open House Day and rides will be $5 with promo code 2024CTOHD. The retired navy utility boats run a continuous hour-loop from Fort Trumbull (on the hour) to City Pier New London (20 minutes after the hour) and Groton Thames Landing (40 minutes after the hour). Explore the heritage sites that line the Thames River! Perfect for all ages. Secure your Season Pass today for unlimited rides all summer.
BUY TICKETS/SEASON PASS
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Grateful Dead Cover
Jazz is Dead
SAT, JUN 8 | 8PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
The legacy all-star instrumental ensemble, famous for interpretations of classic Grateful Dead songs with jazz influences, (re)assembled a killer line-up to immense critical and fan acclaim. To celebrate its 25th Anniversary, original bassist Alphonso Johnson joined by Steve Kimock, Pete Lavezzoli & Bobby Lee Rodgers, performing songs from Grateful Dead’s ‘Wake of the Flood’, in addition to other beloved selections.
BUY TICKETS
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Eclectic and Electric Sound
Gleeful Conspiracy
SAT, JUN 8 | 7-9PM
Hygienic Art, New London
The Gleeful Conspiracy has one main objective in our music. To get your body moving. And while you’re on the dance floor sweating and "puttin’ in the work" with other fellow Conspirators, you are hit with Whitney’s powerful vocals cutting through sounds that are ethereal and melodic while the rhythm pulses via the groove factory that is Mike and Thom. What you’re left with are melodies that you cannot get out of your head and your body still death rattling from the dance grooves you can’t shake away.
BUY TICKETS
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Hygienic Health & Wellness
Community Yoga
SUN, JUN 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 | 9AM
Hygienic Art, New London
Join Kim Abraham from The Yoga School at the Kitchen Gallery every Sunday for Hygienic Art's Health and Wellness Community Yoga. All levels are welcome.
"It is my yoga practice, found in a period of chaos, that keeps me healthy and strong." Kim Abraham, The Guardian 11/4/16
ADMISSION - FREE
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Music on the Mezzanine
Namoli Brennet
SUN, JUN 9 | 3PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Celebrate Pride Month with the first of a new and exciting music series Music on the Mezzanine featuring LGBTQ+ artists brought to you by Mezza Concerts. Namoli Brennet’s performance will include the pride anthem “We Belong” that was featured in the local documentary “Holding Space for Each Other: New London’s LGBTQ+ Community.” The film has been in the festival circuit but will be made available to the public very soon. Opening the show will be spoken word artist Minerva Sadorra.
MORE INFO
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Collaborative Performance
Red Line
SUN, JUN 9 | 4PM
Hygienic Art, New London
Featuring original choreography, music and poetry by six artist/scholars who continue to work together as the Red Line Collective. Their
mission is to create original artwork that addresses social issues of equity and inclusion; working collectively is one way we see to engage racism and undo hierarchical structural thinking. They aspire to share our stories through dance, music and poetry and build connections with others who wish to envision and create equitable environments.
BUY TICKETS
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Weekly Local Goods
Groton Farmers Market
TUE, JUN 11, 18, 25 | 3-6PM
Washington Park, Groton
This will be a primarily agricultural market, but also provides a variety of local baked goods, seafood/fish, meats, poultry/eggs. Grown products sold at the market must be grown in Connecticut Foods and food products must be identified as organic, or not, and include place of origin. The aim is to make accessible, affordable, healthy, locally produced food available to the community in Groton. Will run each week through October.
MORE INFO
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Fun and Fellowship
Rotary Night on the Thames
WED, JUN 12 | 6PM
Waterfront Park, New London
Come join fellow Rotarians from around the area for an evening of fun and fellowship on the Thames hosted by the Rotary Club of New London. Gather your friends or travel solo, enjoy a complimentary beverage and light snack or bring your favorite beverage of choice and hop aboard Thames River Heritage Park's authentic navy utility boat for a relaxing cruise down the Thames. We’ll take you to where the Thames meets the Sound for an enjoyable and scenic ride past battlefields, forts, heritage sites and more. Who knows … you might even spot a submarine! 100% of the profit from this tour directly supports the New London Rotary Foundation's charitable programs and initiatives.
BUY TICKETS
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Super Science Saturday
Geometric Sun Catchers
SAT, JUN 15 | 11AM-1PM
Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London
This fun drop-in program encourages participants to explore the intersections between art and science. Gain inspiration from the geometric designs by painter and printmaker Power Booth. Make your own sun catcher to celebrate shapes, colors, and light. Sponsored by Pfizer Inc. and Groton Labs.
MORE INFO
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Summer Kick Off
Annual Family Day
SAT, JUN 15 | 10AM-2PM
Submarine Force Museum, Groton
No better way to celebrate the arrival of summer than with your family at the Submarine Force Museum! Enjoy Touch-A-Truck, Learning Activities, Hands On Events, Vendors and local museums on site. There will be sensory friendly hours from 10am-11am. This event is free and open to the public and all families.
MORE INFO
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Broadway Kids & Company
2024 Showcase
SAT, JUN 15 | 2PM
Garde Arts Center, New London
Broadway Kids & Company’s annual student showcase features a variety of dance styles including Ballet. Tap, Jazz, Contemporary Acro, Lyrical, Musical Theater, Hip Hop, and Voice. Their talented students have been working hard all year to perfect their craft and bring you a show filled with passion, energy, and creativity.
BUY TICKETS
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Live Music with a View
Summer Cabaret
SAT, JUN 16 | 6:30PM
Eastern Point Beach, Groton
On the front lawn of the Zbierski House, kick back and relax with the sounds of summer. Take in the ocean breeze, enjoy wonderful live music and take advantage of the snack bar! Free event for city residents with a beach pass. Only $5 to park and admission for non-resident cars.
MORE INFO
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Stonington Lighthouse Keepers
JIBBOOM Club #1
TUE, JUN 18 | 1:30PM
Custom House, New London
Historic Stonington executive director Elizabeth Wood, will speak about the Stonington Lighthouse Keepers, from William Potter to Louise Pittaway. It's a cast of characters who all have stories to share and who have kept the light for 184 years. Jibboom is not a club, but a friendly gathering with a speaker, treats, and good fellowship. The event is FREE and open to all.
MORE INFO
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Backyard Birding
Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center
TUE, JUN 25 | 1PM
Bill Memorial Library, Groton
Children entering grades 1 through 5 are invited to a Backyard Birding Adventure, presented by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Learn how to use binoculars and identify some of our local birds. We’ll make a treat to bring home and feed our feathered friends. Registration online or call into the library!
REGISTER TODAY / CALL
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Illustrated Archivist Lecture
Preserving Family History
THU, JUN 27 | 5:30-7:30PM
Avery-Copp House Museum, Groton
What to do with your paper treasures? Letters, scrapbooks, photographs, newspapers etc. present preservation challenges. Avery-Copp House Museum archivist, Kathy Leuze will share some recommended best-practices to save and store your paper-based family heirlooms. An illustrated lecture will be followed by a visit to the Avery-Copp House Museum archive facility. Bring along a letter or other paper you would like to preserve. Participants will take home a starter kit of archival material. Registration required.
MORE INFO
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June Events Schedule
Open the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, there’s always something fun happening at Ocean Beach Park! Plan your trip around some of their most popular events. From live music, to dancing, magicians, Cruise Night and more. There are activities for all to enjoy.
EVENTS CALENDAR | CONTACT
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| MONDAYS | 5PM
06/03, 06/10, 06/17, 06/24 | 98.7 WNLC Classic Car Cruise Night | | FRIDAY | 8PM
06/14 | Bonjourney: Live Music Tribute to Bon Jovi & Journey | | SATURDAY | 1PM
06/15 | Boriken Festival: A Celebration of Culture & Traditions of Puerto Rico | | WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY
06/19-06/22 | OBP Polka Days | | FRIDAY | 8PM
06/21 | The Bangos: A Musical Tribute to the Bangles and Go-Gos | | SATURDAY | 8PM
06/22 | Fusion: Live Music | | WEDNESDAY | 7PM
06/26 | Boardwalk Magic | | THURSDAY | 7PM
06/27 | Country Line Dancing with Lisa | | FRIDAY | 8PM
06/28 | Amber Ferrari: Madonna, Pat Benatar & Janis Joplin Tribute; Plus Fireworks | | SATURDAY | 8PM
06/29 | Taino Productions: Live DJ, Dancing and 9 Piece Salsa Orquesta | | |
| TUESDAYS | 10:30AM
06/25 | Children's Program
Music & Movement | | MONDAYS | 10AM
06/17, 06/24 | Children and Family Fun
Summer Storytime | | FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 10AM | Make Music Day for Kids | | SATURDAY, JUNE 22 | 12PM | Summer Reading Opening Day
Petting Zoo | | THURSDAY, JUNE 27 | 4PM | Kids Program
Cooking Class | | THURSDAY, JUNE 27 | 6PM | Teen Program
Apples to Apples & Pizza | | |
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2024 Harbor Cruise Season Passes for Sale!
Purchase your pass today to enjoy unlimited hop on, hop off Harbor Cruises on the Thames River throughout the summer season. The water taxi will operate on Saturday & Sunday from 11am-6pm! Explore heritage sites along the river, grab lunch in New London & Groton or enjoy the breeze aboard the parks retired navy utility boats. Perfect for yourself or gifts for others!
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Visit the Park's Heritage Sites | Thames River Heritage Park Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to connecting, preserving, supporting and promoting the history and heritage sites along the Thames River estuary today and for generations to come. | |
Thames River Heritage Park Institutional Partners are organizations committed to preserving and promoting our culture and history but may not have a site to welcome visitors. They are historic or cultural associations, “friends” organizations, and educational institutions. | |
- Connecticut Maritime Heritage Fest
- Connecticut Sea Grant
- Downtown New London Assoc.
- Friends of Fort Griswold
- Friends of Fort Trumbull
- Groton Bank Historical Assoc.
- Ledge Light Foundation
- National Coast Guard Museum
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- New London County Historical Society
- New London Landmarks
- New London Maritime Society
- Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition
- Southeastern CT Enterprise Region
- UCONN Avery Point Maritime Studies
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Thank you to our Sponsors and Grantors
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