Free events in Middletown, CT

Arborist John Kehoe leads a guided walk through Elizabeth Park, an accredited Level I Arboretum, highlighting a wide range of tree species and noteworthy specimens that have been growing for more than a century. As the former City Forester for Hartford with over 40 years of experience in tree care and maintenance, he shares expertise drawn from decades of work in the field. The tour is free and does not require registration. It begins at the flagpole outside the green Cottage. A rain date is planned.

This farmers market features a carefully chosen mix of vendors representing a wide range of foods and business owners. Browse seasonal fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey, maple syrup, mead and wine, coffee beans and loose-leaf teas, baked goods, vegan options, Connecticut food trucks and tent vendors, and artisan-made items. Live music and rotating weekly themes add to the atmosphere. SNAP/EBT is accepted, and benefits are matched dollar for dollar up to $30, so spending $30 with an EBT card provides an additional $30 for SNAP-eligible items. Every child who attends receives a $3 voucher for fresh produce at each market through the Power of Produce (P.O.P.) program.

Settle into Pitkin Plaza for a free outdoor film as part of downtown New Haven’s Wednesday evening series, Movies in the Plaza, running from May through October. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and pick up takeout from a nearby spot for an open-air screening. The lineup mixes popular hits, nostalgic throwbacks, cult favorites, and options suitable for families. Admission is free, with quick registration required at the check-in table upon entry. Complimentary light snacks will be available. Seating is limited, so personal chairs and blankets are recommended. Screenings are weather dependent, with updates shared on the event’s website and Facebook page the afternoon of the show. If plans change, an effort will be made to reschedule. Viewer discretion is advised, and attendees are encouraged to review each film’s themes and content before bringing children.

This lively karaoke night offers no cover charge at Chez Est, an LGBTQ+ bar, cabaret, and entertainment venue in Hartford, CT. The bar stays open throughout the evening, creating a welcoming setting for stepping up to the mic and cheering on fellow singers.

Pam from Wild Bloom hosts a lively Music Bingo night at Wood-n-Tap in Hamden. It is free to play, and instead of numbers you will fill your card as short song clips play. It is not a trivia test, since the song title and artist appear on the video display for helpful hints. The game features four rounds with a mix of patterns and categories, and each round’s winner chooses the category for the next one. Prizes are awarded in every round. Expect a relaxed evening of music and games with food, drinks, and plenty of chances to win.

At Antiq's LLC, bring antiques such as furniture, jewelry, artwork, and more for a complimentary, no obligation appraisal. Receive professional evaluations with on the spot insights and clear guidance on how to preserve, manage, sell, or dispose of your pieces. Whether you are settling an estate, decluttering, or preparing for a move, it offers a straightforward opportunity to learn both the value and background of your items. All sizes and categories are welcome, helping you decide what to keep, sell, or pass along.

Antiq's LLC in Farmington offers complimentary antique appraisals, drawing on more than three decades of experience. The shop, established in 1990, assists with a range of needs, including moving, downsizing, preparing for retirement, or handling a loved one's estate. Visitors may bring items such as a family watch, a vintage fly rod, or heirloom jewelry for insight into details like age and value. Beyond appraisals, services include estate consultations, evaluations, and complete or partial estate liquidations.

Kingdom Entrepreneur’s Connection returns as a faith-centered networking meetup presented by The Faith Connection Collective. Designed for Christian entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals, creatives, and those preparing to launch a venture, it emphasizes genuine relationships, resource sharing, business visibility, and collaboration. Expect purposeful conversations with faith-driven peers, chances to exchange referrals and explore partnerships, practical ideas and takeaways from others on the path, and encouragement that weaves purpose and belief into everyday work. Attendees are encouraged to bring business cards and other promotional materials, with time set aside to introduce what they do and build connections that can continue afterward. Participation is free, and registration is required. Professionals from every field are welcome, including coaches, consultants, beauty and healthcare practitioners, real estate experts, photographers, event and catering specialists, financial professionals, authors, contractors, and other service providers, as well as aspiring entrepreneurs. Even if your next customer is not present, someone who knows them could be. Faith driven, community focused, and purpose led.

Local authors Sharon Arsego, Joseph Adomavicia, Dr. Dawn Leger, and Jordan Lopez share insights on the path to publication, outlining practical steps along with common do's and don'ts. Hear directly from people who have already gone through the process. Light refreshments are provided courtesy of the Friends of the Bristol Public Library. There will be opportunities for signings and networking. Admission is free. RSVP at the library.

Phantasm Gaming hosts Magic the Gathering Commander tournaments with no entry fee. As a Wizards Play Network store and a community hub for tabletop gaming, it offers a friendly space for both competitive and casual play, with opportunities to meet fellow players and enjoy the Commander format together.

Phantasm Gaming hosts a beginner-friendly Magic: The Gathering learn-to-play session that starts with a clear walkthrough of the basics, then moves into hands-on play. New players get an easy introduction with Welcome Decks and teaching materials, and current players are encouraged to bring a friend to learn alongside them. Entry is free.

At Chez Est, the Mirror Universe edition of Royalty Gives Back features an evening of entertainment organized by the Imperial Sovereign Court of All Connecticut. Attendees can enjoy drinks and a variety show with performances by ISCofAllCT members, guests from the Imperial Court System, and Connecticut community entertainers. Admission is free. Proceeds will benefit the Reign XXVII beneficiaries, including the ISCofAllCT Scholarship Fund, the CT Breast Health Initiative, the Hartford Gay Men’s Chorus, and Trans Voice 365, a program at the Metropolitan Community Church of Hartford.

Follow the outdoor StoryWalk® along the sidewalk down the hill from the library to read Leaves by David Ezra Stein, an acclaimed book about a young bear discovering his first autumn. As leaves tumble, the bear worries that the trees are in trouble, then a long winter sleep arrives and he awakens to a different season. The experience offers a gentle, lighthearted introduction to how the world changes with the seasons, well suited to children who are beginning to notice autumn. This project is supported by the State of Connecticut and the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library.

Experience a free storytelling evening for adults, with short works brought to life by actors from New Haven Theater Company. The selections are chosen by The Institute Library, and a talkback follows, led by Library Board Member and American literature scholar Bennett Graff. Tea and home baked cookies are available.