This weekend in Wallingford, CT

A free community celebration at Zion Lutheran Church Grounds brings Wallingford families together for a day filled with animal encounters from Curious Creatures, bouncy houses, face painting, and an array of complimentary treats. Hamburgers and hot dogs, cupcakes, cookies, popcorn, ice cream, and watermelon are included. Live music, entertainment, and special performances keep the energy high, and giveaways with many prizes add extra excitement. Local resources tailored for Wallingford families will also be on site, offering easy ways to meet neighbors and learn about community support.

Connect with UConn Extension Master Gardener resources as Kim, a Master Gardener Intern, and Giulia, a Certified Master Gardener, offer advice, troubleshooting and conversation for gardeners of all experience levels. Bring plant cuttings or photos if you would like help identifying issues or getting tailored suggestions. A community plant swap invites sharing and discovery. Bring plants or seeds to give away and feel free to take plants and seeds, and contributing is not required. Information will also be available about online classes and the path to Master Gardener certification.

This weekly Armory tournament features Classic Constructed, the premier Flesh and Blood format. Entry is $10 and the event consists of three rounds. As an Armory event, there are additional prizes.

Celebrating 32 years in business, this festival offers a casual lunch with hot dogs, hamburgers, and picnic salads, plus littleneck clams available while supplies last with do-it-yourself shucking. Dinner features a single-choice entrée of lobster, steak, or prime rib, served with baked potato, native corn on the cob, dessert treats, and an anniversary cake. Tickets and prices are not yet available. An advance purchase option includes lunch, dinner, and dessert, with opportunities to add an extra lobster or an extra steak or prime rib for an additional cost. A door purchase option is available, with lunch provided only to those present during the lunch period. Dinner to go will be offered while it lasts for the dinner portion only. Happy hour drink prices will be available, and the festivities include two 10 lb lobster raffles.

Best Music Fest 2026 brings an all-day celebration to Best Video with music, vendors, and food. Returning after last year’s edition, the festival fills the day with performances and opportunities to browse vendor offerings and enjoy tasty bites. The lineup and full vendor list will be announced closer to the event.

A locals event focused on the Gundam Card Game with prize support throughout play. Participants receive a booster pack each round, and store credit is awarded based on placement. The entry fee is $10. Occasionally this gathering is replaced by prereleases or larger events, so refer to Bandai TCG+ for the most current details.

Catch Bluey’s Big Play for a family-friendly show at Toyota Oakdale Theatre. The performance runs from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, making it a great midday outing for kids and parents alike.

Participants play three rounds of Riftbound, a League of Legends card game, with a $10 entry fee. Promotional items and packs are available, and there are opportunities to earn store credit. This event is offered twice each week.

Gemsong Acoustic Duo with Carla Gemma featuring Ken SPiN returns to Center Street Brewing Company in Wallingford for a second show of the weekend, bringing their August schedule to a close. Settle in with plenty of seating available both indoors and out in the Bier Garten. Enjoy a relaxed evening by grabbing dinner beforehand or arranging delivery so you can focus on the music. The bar features flowing taps alongside ciders, Paradise Hills wine, and vodka fusion cocktails from Northern New England.

D&A Duo appears at The Bar North Haven for an evening centered on fun and lively vibes.

Honor the Lion’s Gate, a powerful celestial alignment of Earth, Sirius, Orion, and the Leo constellation, with a fiery yoga experience at Good Vibes Yoga Studio. It begins with a group oracle reading to set intentions and connect with spirit. Settle into your body through breathwork, a manifestation-focused meditation, and journaling. Move into an energizing flow designed to stoke inner fire, then unwind in a restorative savasana supported by sound and reiki. The gathering closes with a manifestation ritual and a supportive sharing circle within a warm spiritual community. Please bring a journal and any personal spiritual items that enhance your self care. All levels are welcome, from beginners to advanced practitioners. The cost is $50. Prepayment is available through Eventbrite or via Venmo to @GoodVibesYogaStudio, and paying with Venmo helps avoid Eventbrite processing fees.

Get Lit brings a high energy cover show to Tate’s, mixing time tested classics, alt rock favorites you may have forgotten, and refreshed pop tracks that keep the dance floor moving and the singalongs strong from start to finish. This party band packs the set with familiar tunes across eras so everyone can find something to move to.

Enjoy music alongside food and drinks.

Freestyle 4 Eva brings its concert series to the Toyota Oakdale Theater with a showcase of freestyle favorites. Collage, featuring Adam Marano, returns to the stage with Rockell for their first live appearance together in 25 years. The lineup also includes Johnny O, Saphire, Coro, Betty Dee of Sweet Sensation, and Emery, the original singer of Tears Shed. The Bad Boy Richie Rich delivers a special set, with Dj.Tony opening. Early arrival is recommended.

Get ready for a night of legendary freestyle music at the Toyota Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford. Freestyle 4 Eva: Rockell & Collage features Rockell, Collage, Johnny O, and Coro performing classic freestyle anthems and fan favorites. The concert kicks off at 8:00 PM, so come in your best outfit and get ready to dance all night.

LiveWired, a tribute to the sounds of the 1980s, makes its debut at Volo with a set of upbeat rock favorites suited to singing along and dancing. Volo offers specialty dishes and creative drinks, with options that include fine cuisine as well as small plates. The menu features choices to suit many tastes.

Sign up for a CT/MA/UT permit training class that combines classroom instruction with live range time. The course covers concealed carry and home defense fundamentals, including shooting safety and skill-building, legal use of force topics, and preparation for your pistol permit paperwork. Course materials are provided, and you’ll also receive guidance to start your CT, MA, or UT pistol permit application. Plan to bring a photo ID, a pencil with an eraser, and a black or blue pen.

A warm, inclusive gathering centers on mindfulness, compassion, and practical Buddhist wisdom in everyday life. Each meeting includes a period of quiet, seated meditation to calm the body and steady the breath, along with a gentle voice practice that supports openhearted presence and focused attention. Dharma Teacher G.R. Lewis, drawing on more than 35 years of meditation experience, offers a concise talk on Buddhist practice and mindful living. Topics change from week to week, exploring themes such as compassion, resilience, and the path to inner freedom, with guidance that can be applied beyond the meeting. Time is set aside for questions, conversation, and shared reflection so participants can connect insights with daily life. All backgrounds and experience levels are welcome, and no Buddhist affiliation is required. To help maintain a respectful space, please speak kindly, be courteous, and avoid discussion of current politics or the display of political or offensive symbols. Those who do not follow these guidelines will be asked to leave.

A weekly Dragonball Fusion World tournament featuring competitive play with store credit and promotional rewards available.