Family events in New Britain, CT

The Hartford Yard Goats, the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, host the 2nd Annual G.O.A.T. Card Show at Dunkin’ Park. Presented with THE 413 CARD SHOW and Fox Sports 97-9, with additional support from Nash In The Ville Honkytonk, this gathering welcomes collectors, hobbyists, and fans of all ages. Explore more than 100 tables filled with sports cards, memorabilia, and collectibles from a wide range of sports and hobbies. The marketplace stretches around the full 360 degree concourse of Dunkin’ Park, a venue honored as Best Ballpark in America four times. Expect easy parking and open concessions, plus a full ballpark atmosphere while you shop, trade, and discover new favorites. Admission is $10, and children 10 and under are free. Vendors should use only official channels when securing tables, since any offers made outside those channels are not valid.

A community scavenger hunt for all ages turns Berlin into a search for hidden book covers. Posters are tucked into the windows of 20 businesses and schools, including Rebel Dog Coffee, Stop & Shop, McGee Middle School, and Berlin Town Hall. Participants track down at least 15 covers, record each title on a log, and then return the log to the library or submit a scanned copy by email for a chance at a raffle prize. The hunt offers a way to explore the town and discover new books.

Enjoy a free movie at the library. Register by calling 860-584-7790. Everyone is welcome, and popcorn will be provided.

Settle in for family friendly films during Monday Movie Nights at Parkville Market, with screenings held on the outdoor patio. The lineup includes Goat, Onward, KPop Demon Hunters, and Inside Out 2. Children eat for free all day on Mondays with the purchase of an adult entrée from the same vendor. Sponsored by CREC, the Capitol Region Education Council.

Young players can build skills and confidence through weekly summer tennis classes designed for ages 6 to 8 and 9 to 12, with separate beginner and intermediate groups. Each program runs in three-week sessions, with an additional week reserved for weather-related makeups. Options are available on a midweek day and on Saturdays, so families can choose what fits their schedules. The cost per three-week session is $90 for members and $120 for non-members and guests. For more information or to register, call (860) 232-0841 or email info.hartfordtennisclub@gmail.com.

Settle in with Ms. Karen to hear the opening chapter or two of a great book, then borrow a copy to continue the story at home. This session welcomes children ages 8 and older and is part of the library’s continuing Summer Reading series. To register, visit the library or call 860-584-7790.

BackTrax, recording artists with The Phoenix Project Group, appears as part of New Britain’s summer concert series at the Walnut Hill Park band shell. The band arrives with a refreshed lineup that includes two keyboard players, three lead vocalists, and polished harmonies. Expect a program of nostalgic favorites and rediscovered tunes that spark memories. Admission is free.

Camp Blue Back offers a family-focused morning at Blue Back Square with a new theme each week. Expect entertainment like magicians and bubble shows, along with interactive bubble play, face painting, balloon twisting, and other kid-friendly activities. This week’s session is canceled due to weather, and the series will resume the following week.

Skyway delivers an energetic R&B and 70s-infused performance that spans dancefloor classics to current chart-toppers. Expect songs made famous by Earth, Wind & Fire, Donna Summer, Michael Jackson, and Chic, alongside modern hits from Justin Timberlake and Bruno Mars. Part of the free Rockin Out at Rockwell Summer Concert Series, the event also offers food trucks presented by the West End Association, including Rita's Italian Ice and Custard, El Encanto Oaxaqueno, and Pollo Frito, with vendors subject to change. The series features a range of genres such as funk, rhythm and blues, country, classic rock, and more.

Dunkin' Park hosts an exciting matchup as the Yard Goats take on the Moon Mammoths, a team identity created and popularized by Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. The event also recognizes kids from the Reading Books in Summer program, with appreciation to Eversource. Fans can play Baseball Bingo presented by Hartford Provision Company for a chance to win prizes. The game is presented by Call Before You Dig.

Designed for children from birth to age five with a caregiver, this relaxed story time blends upbeat songs, engaging read-alouds, and simple movement activities. It is a drop-in program, so no registration is needed. For information, contact Manross Library at 860-584-7790.

Blue Back Square hosts a weekly outdoor jazz series on the Blue Back Stage, featuring live performances that create a relaxed, open-air atmosphere. Admission is free, and the music sets an easygoing tone for the evening. After the show, nearby restaurants offer happy hour specials so the night can continue with food and drinks.

Indulge in your favorite frozen treats while making a difference at a Ben & Jerry’s benefit in West Hartford, CT that supports the Animal Rescue Foundation. Volunteers will be scooping behind the counter, and up to 20% of sales during the event will be donated to help care for homeless, abandoned, abused, and neglected cats and dogs. Every purchase helps, whether you stop in for a cone or sundae, stock the freezer with pints, order an ice cream cake for an upcoming celebration, or pick up treats for the office. Families, friends, coworkers, and teams are all welcome to enjoy dessert together. ARF volunteers will also share information about adoptable animals and will host a table with merchandise and goodies that further support the rescue. Animal Rescue Foundation is a volunteer run, non profit, no kill shelter that has been saving cats and dogs since 1971.

All ages are welcome at a weekly Pokémon league night focused on play, trading, and friendly competition. League tournaments are available in three formats: Standard, Gym Leader, and Ditto. Trading is allowed throughout the event. Entry fees start at $5 and vary by the specific activity. Participants should have a Pokémon player ID from the official website, and assistance with registration is available at the shop.

A weekly Pokémon league night features constructed play for all ages. Trading is always allowed, creating a welcoming space to play, trade, and connect with fellow trainers on Thursdays. If you are searching the Riftbound event in the store locator, enter E.E.J.L. with the periods included.

Italian Heritage Night brings a lively celebration to the ballpark with Italian-themed food, special promotions, and festive touches that invite a cheerful salute. The Yard Goats host the Tigers affiliate.

This seasonal community farmers market features locally grown, budget-friendly produce alongside a mix of food and non-food vendors. Community nonprofits provide outreach information, Russell Library's Storytime is offered, and Music at the Market provides music for a midday outing. The market accepts SNAP, FMNP, and SFMNP.

Meet current Girl Scouts and volunteers at Union Park to learn what Girl Scouts do and how to get involved. Get information on joining a troop in the Middletown and Portland area, starting a new troop, or becoming an adult volunteer. Look for the Girl Scouts at the farmers market and stop to say hello.

An evening market turns Pratt Street into an open-air shopping destination, with local shops and restaurants creating a lively vibe. Browse goods and services from Hartford Prints!, Gentle Bull Shop, Rundown Hartford, Delilah's Psychic Readings, Capital Spirits Hartford, Professional Barber Shop, and Refuge Tattoos. Food and drink choices include Sorella Hartford, Vaughan's Public House, Hartford Flavor Cocktail Parlor, Sunberry Hartford, Bloom Bake Shop, and Urban Lodge Hartford. Street parking is available, and a nearby lot offers convenient access to Pratt Street.

A relaxed drop-off workshop for girls ages 10–14 takes place in the barn at The Garden at Pinehurst Farm, offering a cozy, supervised setting to create, connect, and enjoy a special night out. Each gathering features a new hands-on project, plus pizza, refreshments, and cookies. Participants can play Plant Bingo and enjoy music and movement under LED glow lighting, with participation in these elements optional. The program is designed to nurture creativity, confidence, and connection, with clear behavior expectations and allergy accommodations in place. It follows a drop-off format with defined arrival and pick-up windows, and late pick-up fees apply. The cost is $45 per child, which includes dinner and all materials. Pre-registration is required and space is limited, and a signed waiver is needed to participate.

Baseball and community spirit come together as the Yard Goats face the Tigers affiliate during a special night focused on cancer awareness and support. In collaboration with Jefferson Radiology, the game pays tribute to those affected by cancer and recognizes fighters, survivors, and their families. After the final out, a fireworks show caps the evening.

Mortensen Riverfront Plaza hosts a Connecticut summer tradition that combines fast-paced dragon boat racing on the Connecticut River with a free Asian festival on the upper plaza. Community and competitive club teams compete on the water, with the lower plaza serving as the hub for race activity, while the upper plaza spotlights Asian and Pacific Island cultures through traditional music and dance, interactive art, martial arts demos, and a wide variety of food. Families can take in the performances and cheer for the paddlers. Teams can register to participate, and no prior experience is required. Free on-street parking is available on both sides of the river, and paid parking is offered at the Connecticut Convention Center Garage, with convenient access to the plaza from the fifth floor via the north side exit.

Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-N-Fire brings larger-than-life action to PeoplesBank Arena across three performances. Expect new stunts from the Hot Wheels monster trucks, aerial tricks by FMX riders, and a robot dinosaur that breathes fire and crushes cars. The lineup also introduces Rhinomite, a rhino-themed truck making its debut. Optional upgrades are available. The Pre-Show Party offers close-up access to the trucks, photo opportunities, driver autographs, and interactive games and contests, along with time on the show floor where the crashes and stunts take place. The Backstage VIP Experience includes a guided tour with the hosts, a VIP merchandise bundle, and a behind-the-scenes look at pre-show preparations and truck setups, and it also includes the Pre-Show Party. Savings on kids tickets are available. An event admission ticket is required for entry and each upgrade is purchased separately.

The Hare Krishna Chariot Festival, also known as Ratha-yatra, is a joyful community celebration of music, devotion, culture, food, and togetherness. A colorful chariot procession leads into a festival at Riverfront Park, featuring live kirtan and devotional chanting, activities for children, henna artistry, cultural entertainment, and a complimentary vegetarian meal. Guests can browse spiritual literature and gift items. Admission is free and the event welcomes everyone. Parking is available at Riverfront Park. Presented by ISKCON of Connecticut in the tradition of Founder-Acharya His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

Enjoy a weekly Connecticut car show sponsored by The Farmer's Cow Calfe. Classic, muscle, and street cars from across the state take center stage, accompanied by good food and a family friendly atmosphere.