Free events in New Britain, CT

A new monthly Sunday market brings local farms, specialty food vendors, and artisans to Pratt Street in Hartford. Stroll a historic, pedestrian-only, brick-lined block to shop produce and pantry goods, vinyl records, and home items. Each market morning begins with a free yoga session led by After Glow Yoga. Expect family friendly activities, live music, and hands-on workshops throughout the day. Offerings include locally produced fruits and vegetables, eggs, cheeses and other dairy products, meats, jams and pickles, dips and spreads, pasta and sauces, snacks, nuts, artisan goods, and pet treats. The series is presented in partnership with the Hartford Culinary Collaborative. Vendor opportunities are available, with the first market day free, a $200 full-season rate, and a $50 per day drop-in option.

Presented by the Imperial Sovereign Court of All Connecticut, this free-admission showcase brings lively performances to Chez Est. The evening is co-hosted by Imperial Crown Princess to Reign 27, Anne Tikk, and Liege Dayanara Love Dégagé, and features a spirited variety show with members of ISCofAllCT, performers from across the Imperial Court System, and entertainers from the Connecticut community, along with refreshing drinks from the bar. Net proceeds support Reign 27 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. Donations are welcomed via Venmo or PayPal at @CTImperialCourt.

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

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.

A complimentary meditation session brings people together from around the world to connect through the heart, uplift their energy, and share light with the planet and each other. Even a small group can make a meaningful difference. Attend online via Zoom or in person at the Light Source Center in West Hartford. Capacity is limited to 100 participants, and the Zoom link is provided after registration.

Katrina & Mark perform live at the farmer's market in Central Park in New Britain. The market features fresh produce, local vendors, and food trucks, and it also offers doubled SNAP benefits.

WHY in the Parks returns with an outdoor yoga session at Eisenhower Park. Experienced WHY instructors guide an accessible class suitable for every age and ability, weaving poses, breathing practices, and quiet mindfulness in a scenic setting. The class is free to attend, and voluntary donations are appreciated. Please bring a yoga mat, a towel, and water. Pre-registration is recommended and enables email notices if weather forces a cancellation due to rain or wet grounds.

Enjoy a free, all-levels Vinyasa yoga session at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza led by instructors from Hartford Sweat. The class connects breath and movement, set to music, and guides participants through smooth, calming poses that build strength and ease tension. A shaded riverside setting creates a peaceful atmosphere for about an hour of practice. Please bring water and a yoga mat. Free on-street parking is available on both sides of the river. Paid parking is offered in the Connecticut Convention Center Garage, and parking on the fifth floor with the north-side exit provides direct access to the Convention Center, the Connecticut Science Center, and Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. While the class is free, a suggested $5 donation supports keeping classes available and can be made at the class, on the website, or via Venmo at @riverfrontrecapture.

Explore Argentine tango at The Garage Dance & Coffee Lounge with options for both beginner and intermediate dancers. The beginner class emphasizes core technique and foundational patterns to build confidence with a partner, priced at $10. The intermediate class starts with technique drills and moves from straightforward structures to more intricate sequences, adding occasional challenges to support growth, priced at $20. An open practice welcomes all for $10, and it is complimentary for anyone who takes a class.

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.

Move to the music with a free weekly Zumba session on the Hartford HealthCare Community Stage at the lower level of Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. Hartford Sweat instructors lead a high-energy, one-hour class filled with dance rhythms and cardio fun. Free on-street parking is available on both sides of the river. Paid parking is offered in the Connecticut Convention Center Garage, and the most direct route is from level five using the north-side exit to reach the Convention Center, the Connecticut Science Center, and Mortensen Riverfront Plaza. A suggested $5 donation helps sustain free classes, with contributions accepted at the class, online, or via Venmo.

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.

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.