Family events in Shelton, CT

This family-friendly outing in New Haven features food and arcade games. Children must attend with a parent or legal guardian. Barcade donates a portion of 2026 Family Day token sales to Gamers Outreach, a charity that brings recreation to children in hospitals through video games and the gaming community.

Nightshift returns for a third appearance at Celebrate Wallingford, a two-day festival that highlights Taste of Wallingford, where attendees can sample dishes from local restaurants. The celebration features live entertainment, arts and crafts shows, and activities for children. Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of food while taking in familiar hits from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

A festive parade celebrating the apple harvest as part of the 2026 festival.

Uncover surprising stories about the Big Apple at a tribute to New York City’s rich history, its dynamic present, and what is still to come. Tickets are available.

Phantasm Gaming hosts a Pokemon Junior League event for children 12 and under. A Pokemon ID is required to participate, and staff can help create one in the shop. The entry fee is $5, and each participant receives a pack with entry. This is a welcoming setting for young players to enjoy the game together.

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.

Wheel of Fortune LIVE! brings the game show experience to New Haven with an all-new stage production led by a well-known host. Audience members may be chosen to step on stage as contestants, spin a replica of the famous wheel, solve puzzles, and compete for prizes beyond Sony Pictures Studios. Each show offers chances to win, including possibilities like trips to Paris or Hawaii or up to $10,000 in cash. Even those in the crowd have opportunities to take part and win.

Veterinary Care Everywhere and East Haven Animal Control are teaming up to offer an affordable veterinary wellness clinic at East Haven Animal Shelter in East Haven, Connecticut. Services include a physical exam, rabies and distemper vaccinations, deworming medication, and a heartworm test for dogs. The cost is $60 per pet for seniors, veterans, and individuals with physical disabilities, and $100 per pet for the general public. Pre-registration is required.

Weather permitting, Blood Sweat and Gear's Friday Night Cruise offers giveaways, 50/50, trophies including a Best in Cruise award, music and more. Vehicle participation has a 2006 cutoff, with a designated section available for specialty vehicles.

Elmo and the Sesame Street crew step into the spotlight in a brand new Sesame Street Live production filled with singing, dancing, and playful audience moments. Families can share in familiar favorites like Sunny Days, Elmo’s Got the Moves, and Letter of the Day while little ones clap, groove, and learn alongside their grown ups. The experience focuses on togetherness and fun, creating memories that last beyond the final song. A $40 Photo Experience add on is available for ticket buyers and includes the chance to meet characters from Elmo’s Got the Moves.

Shoppers will find crisp fruits and vegetables, handcrafted breads, coffee roasted close to home, and distinctive goods from area growers, bakers, and artisans. It is a relaxed outdoor setting to pick up weekly staples, discover small-batch treats, and support neighborhood businesses. The market also offers opportunities to connect with neighbors and explore in-season selections from local vendors.

A plant swap and seed exchange where participants can drop off plants or pick up new ones. There is no requirement to bring a plant to take one home, and it is fine to donate plants without taking more. During the frost period, only indoor plants are accepted. Seed packets and seeds saved from the garden may also be dropped off or picked up.

A family-focused day in New Haven offers food, arcade games, and fun for all ages. Children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Barcade will donate a portion of 2026 Family Day token sales to Gamers Outreach, a charity that provides recreation to children in hospitals through video games and the gaming community.

Explore the Beinecke Library on a guided introduction that shares its mission, history, striking architecture, collections, and services. A library staff member or a student guide leads each tour, which runs about 45 minutes. No reservations are required. For additional visitor details, including hours and exhibition information, check the library’s website. The ground floor and mezzanine exhibition areas are free and open to the public every day.

Nightshift returns to the Southington Apple Harvest Festival at Southington Town Green with a lively set. Recognized as one of Connecticut’s leading tourist attractions at the peak of New England’s fall colors, this celebration unfolds on and around the green with entertainment, activities, specialty foods, crafts, and enjoyment for all ages. Food lovers can explore a wide range of treats in a welcoming, high-energy atmosphere centered on families. For many attendees it is a seasonal tradition shared with friends and relatives, and the turnout has grown year after year.