Free events in New London, CT

A sensory-friendly evening focused on Halloween art welcomes families with children on the autism spectrum or with sensory processing challenges. The environment will be adjusted to be more comfortable, with quieter spots and sensory activities available throughout the space. Children can move at their own pace and choose the projects that suit them. The theme features Halloween and autumn creations using paper art, collage, painting, glue-based projects, and beadwork. Admission is free, and no proof of diagnosis is needed. Advance registration is required. This program is supported by the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

Spooky season returns to Eastern Point Beach with the City of Groton’s annual Not so Spooky Movie Night. Families can explore a free not so spooky haunted house and kids can enjoy popcorn, candy, and a few fun surprises. After the activities, settle in on the lawn by the Zbirski house for an outdoor screening of Monsters INC. This family friendly gathering blends gentle thrills with a relaxed movie night by the water.

Enjoy free Magic: The Gathering Commander play at The Citadel Game Cellar. There is no entry or table fee. Players can bring friends or attend solo and connect with other players in the community. Drinks are available for purchase, or bring your own nonalcoholic beverages. Decks and bulk cards are also available for purchase.

Kick off the monthly paddle socials with an Oktoberfest themed gathering on the courts. Expect casual play and conversation, with costumes welcome but optional. Bring your own beverages and snacks. Everyone is invited, and COMO membership is not required. During the social, nationally recognized pro Jerry Albrikes will offer a free introductory clinic for anyone curious about the game. COMO members may RSVP through PlaybyPoint, and the social is open to all. Platform tennis, often called paddle, blends elements of tennis, racquetball, and squash, and is played outdoors in cold weather. The COMO facility includes a warming hut and an observation deck, and some balls and paddles are available in the hut for COMO racquet members, lesson and clinic participants, and paddle pros. Programs include instructional clinics, recreational and social play, ladders, leagues, and tournaments, offering many ways to experience this fast paced sport.

At Haley Farm State Park, this intermediate women’s mountain biking clinic focuses on skill development in a supportive and enjoyable learning environment. Designed for riders ages 14 and up, it emphasizes sharpening technical abilities while encouraging a positive experience on the bike. Plan for roughly three hours of riding at a social pace and be ready with the endurance to sustain it. The clinic is free, and participants must bring a mountain bike.

Now in its fifth year, the Mystic Apple Festival highlights the spirit of fall with vendors offering arts and crafts, specialty hand-knit pieces, and seasonal foods featuring maple, pumpkin, apple, and caramel. The festival offers free fun for families throughout the weekend.

At Gales Ferry Library in Gales Ferry, CT, this storytime welcomes newborns to 18 months and their caregivers for songs, fingerplays, bounces, and more. Two identical sessions are offered, with the second repeating the first, so families can choose the session that fits best. Registration is not required, just drop in.

Designed for newborns through 18 months and their caregivers, this baby storytime features songs, fingerplays, bounces, and other playful early literacy activities. Two identical sessions are offered so families can choose the one that best fits their day. Registration is not required.

Casual Commander sessions for Magic: The Gathering take place at The Citadel Game Cellar with no entry or table fees. Players can participate with friends or arrive solo and connect with other players. Beverages are available for purchase, and outside drinks are allowed as long as they are nonalcoholic. Decks and bulk cards are available for purchase on site.

Enjoy free Magic the Gathering Commander games hosted at The Citadel Game Cellar. There is no entry or table fee. Players can bring friends or attend solo to meet others in the community. Drinks are available for purchase, or participants may bring their own, with no alcohol permitted. Decks and bulk cards are also available to buy.

The EMS & FIRE PRO Expo at Mohegan Sun brings together education, hands-on discovery, and networking for the emergency services community. Complimentary admission to a 120,000 square foot exhibit hall invites everyone to explore offerings from more than 180 exhibitors, featuring the latest in response equipment, fire apparatus, ambulances, medical technology, communication tools, software, uniforms, and more. A dedicated pre-conference day features the Pediatric Symposium and the Weathering the Storm Summit, uniting emergency managers, meteorologists, healthcare professionals, and first responders to strengthen cross-discipline preparedness and response. Throughout the week, attendees can choose from over 100 sessions led by nationally recognized instructors and industry leaders, covering EMS, fire service, leadership, and emergency readiness for every level of responder, including EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, paramedics, firefighters, dispatchers, police officers, nurses, physicians, students, and emergency managers. Evening social gatherings offer additional time to connect, share ideas, and build camaraderie across departments. Organized by dedicated volunteers serving the first responder and healthcare community, the expo reinvests proceeds to grow and improve the experience each year.