This weekend in West Haven, CT

Presented by the Hartford-Springfield Collie Club and the South Windsor Kennel Club, this Farm Dog Test spans two days and offers four separate opportunities to earn a Farm Dog Certification. To qualify, a dog must pass the test twice. Each test is limited to 15 dogs.

Set at Wasson Field in Milford, Connecticut, the Downtown Milford Farmers Market showcases the flavors of fall with fresh produce, locally raised meats, dairy, baked goods, and other farm products ready for family meals and seasonal cooking. Shoppers can explore more than 30 vendors featuring flowers, sustainable clothing, baby accessories, home decor, pet products, and art, alongside a welcoming marketplace of startups, youth entrepreneurs, nonprofits, small businesses, and local artisans. Food trucks and vendors serve breakfast and brunch favorites, coffee and matcha, ice cream, gluten-free treats, smoothies, barbecue, and other seasonal bites. Live music sets a friendly soundtrack while you browse. Special activities include pet adoptions, cooking demonstrations, and sessions with agriculture experts. Young visitors are at the heart of the experience through the Children’s Market and the Piglets Club, which offer hands-on learning, storytime, farm animal visits, and face painting. Kids enrolled in the Piglets Club can earn $1 tokens to pick fruits and vegetables directly from participating farmers. Many farmers accept SNAP, WIC, and senior vouchers. The Downtown Milford Business Association partners with The Giggling Pig of Milford to support the Piglets Club and inspire connections to fresh food, farming, and community.

Mr. Donald's Farm brings homemade sweet treats to the Tony Inzero Farmers Markets at West Haven Beach. Look for farm fresh eggs, pies, muffins, jams, granola and more. Everything is baked fresh, so the selection may change. The market also features homegrown fruits and vegetables, additional baked goods, handmade crafts and more along the beach boardwalk. To secure favorites, pre-ordering is available through the farm’s website or by phone. If Saturdays are not an option, the farm also appears at the West Haven Green on Thursdays.

Get practical plant help from the UConn Extension Master Gardener program. Kim, a Master Gardener Intern, and Giulia, a Certified Master Gardener, will be available for questions, troubleshooting, and conversation for both new and experienced gardeners. Participants are encouraged to bring plant cuttings or photos to support diagnosis and guidance. Details about online classes and the path to Master Gardener certification will also be available.

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

Experience an introductory tour of the Beinecke Library that highlights its mission, history, architecture, collections, and visitor services. Tours are guided by library staff or student guides and last about 45 minutes. No reservations are needed. Check the library’s website for important visitor information. The ground floor and mezzanine exhibition spaces are free and open to the public every day. For details on hours, current exhibitions, and ways to explore the library online, consult the website.

Day 2 of Milford Oktoberfest 2026 brings music, beer, and fall themed fun to Fowler Field. This annual two day festival wraps up a weekend of Oktoberfest celebration with a lively atmosphere and plenty of good cheer.

John Dela Cruz, known as Nurse John, delivers stand-up rooted in his experience as a real-life nurse and his rise creating viral comedy online. Born in the Philippines and now based in Los Angeles, he shares candid, conversational stories from the healthcare world that echo everyday shifts and conversations, connecting with audiences whether they work in medicine or not.

Dead Man’s Waltz brings a high-energy tribute to The Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, and The Band, weaving their catalogs into one immersive performance. This six piece ensemble features two dynamic drummers that echo the classic dual-drummer lineups, letting the music shift from soulful roots to wide open improvisation. The group is made up of seasoned pros, and its members have performed with players from The Grateful Dead, Dead and Company, The Allman Brothers Band, Phish, and moe., honoring the originals while adding their own spark. Every show features a fresh set list for a uniquely memorable experience. Tickets bought at the door cost an additional $5.

Preacher Dogs makes its debut at The Hard Hat North Haven with a high energy psychedelic classic rock show that revives the spirit of the 60s and 70s with love, peace, and uplifting energy. The performance salutes favorites from Eddie Money, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Cream, The Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Steppenwolf, and more, crafted to keep the crowd singing and dancing all night.

Neon Vibe is coming to Anthony D's in Milford. Expect the kind of experience everyone there already recognizes.

Set on the East Haven Town Green, this 2026 farmers market brings together full season, half season and pop up vendors, blending longtime favorites with new additions. Shoppers can explore Amelia’s Market with produce, subs, Liuzzi cheese, honey, eggs, Sopallata and breads, Beckett Farms with produce, lamb and jams, Cherie’s Sweet Treats with distinctive baked goods, and Disorbo’s Bakery with stuffed breads, cupcakes and Italian specialties. Elvira Cooks features freeze dried candy along with fruits and vegetables, Get Fizzy offers dirty soda, Hoffman Breads presents fresh loaves and danishes, The Nest hosts olive oil tastings and kitchen items, She Sells Sea Glass Art shares sea glass and seashell creations, Shoreline Nursery brings plants and trees, and Steffys Soaps and Candles provides handcrafted candles, soaps and fragrances. Part time vendors add even more variety, including Angela’s Sauce with pasta sauce and salsa, Between the Chapters with surprise book bundles and bookish items, Butterfly Hill Blooms with fresh cut flowers and custom arrangements, Euphoria Jewelry with permanent jewelry inspired by the shoreline, Heaven and Earth with handmade woven baskets, Lena’s Lunchbox with handmade pet treats, and Lynn’s Flavor Fusion with infused crackers and seasoned nuts. Pop up favorites rotate in with treats and gifts such as Auntie Momo’s Gluten Free Bakery, Baileys Shaved Ice, Branford Birdhouse with handcrafted birdhouses, feeders and planter boxes, Duckies Crumbcake, a selection of spice blends, Madison Rose Candle Co with handmade candles featuring wood wicks and wax melts that are crystal infused and horror themed, Maria Rose Authentic Italian Sauce, Megs Sweet Treats with freeze dried candy, Mouse Hole Farm with an author appearance, and face painting by Teach Art to Me. Civic groups also take part. American Legion Post 89 supports Wreaths Across America throughout the season, while rotating community partners share resources and activities, including the Community Dining Room, the East Haven Class of 2027 with bracket making, the East Haven Fire Dept Vol Co 1 Ladies Auxiliary with membership and fundraising information, a food pantry providing educational information and an activity, East Haven Youth Hockey with program details and swag, the East Haven Rotary with fundraising event information, the Girl Scouts with interactive activities, the Shoreline Garden Club with educational programming, and the Shoreline Trolley Museum with learning opportunities. The season includes themed market days that encourage festive displays, activities and giveaways, including Opening Day with a sports theme, a red white and blue celebration of 250 years, the Second Annual Family Fun Day, a kickoff for National Farmers Market Week, Celebrate Summer, Celebrate the World, a fall themed day, and Shopping through the Holidays. A central market booth provides information, monthly raffles and occasional giveaways.

All are welcome at a Fourth Sunday Stamp, Coin, and Collectibles Show with free admission, organized by the club. Those interested in participating as a dealer can email NHPS1914@outlook.com to be set up.

Some Hacks perform outdoors on the patio as summer winds down. This open-air set offers a fitting nod to the season's final days.

Take a relaxing ride through history at the Shore Line Trolley Museum, where admission provides unlimited trips on vintage streetcars and access to the historic grounds. Climb aboard restored electric trolleys from cities including New Haven, New Orleans, Brooklyn, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and travel along the country’s oldest continuously operating suburban street railway. As a working museum, it also offers a look at active restoration and preservation projects taking place throughout the property. Tickets are sold on site and are valid for the entire day. Admission is $15 for adults, $14 for seniors 62 and older, $10 for children, and free for children under 2. Some special programs may have different pricing. Throughout the season, the museum spotlights American innovation and ingenuity, recognizing how electric railways connected communities and reshaped daily life.

Expect a lively atmosphere with good food, bold fashion, and tropical beats playing all day, ending with a live DJ set to wrap it up. Spread the word to friends and start planning outfits for a day filled with vibrant energy.

Family Day in New Haven features tasty food, arcade games, and family friendly fun. Children must attend with a parent or legal guardian. Barcade is giving a portion of 2026 Family Day token sales to Gamers Outreach, a charity organization that helps children in hospitals experience recreation through video games and the gaming community.

Hosted by the Shore Line Trolley Museum at The Woodwinds, this annual fundraising dinner brings together supporters, local leaders, and museum friends to celebrate the spirit of innovation and ingenuity that helped move America forward. The evening features a shared meal, time to connect, and meaningful opportunities to contribute to the museum’s ongoing preservation and educational mission.

A reimagined Swan Lake brings Tchaikovsky’s celebrated score and classical choreography into conversation with innovative light artistry. Dancers wear glowing costumes that move with them, turning each phrase of motion into waves of color and emotion across the stage. The technology is woven into the storytelling, enhancing the elegance of the ballet rather than taking its place. Light, music, and movement come together in a vivid, contemporary interpretation that invites audiences to rediscover a legend.

Paddle beneath a rising full moon along Milford’s shoreline with an evening adventure hosted by Scoot & Paddle. The outing begins near sunset, with time on the water as the sky shifts through vivid colors. If conditions allow, the route may extend to Charles Island for a brief stop to snack or swim, followed by a peaceful return under moonlight with the sounds of the sea all around. This experience is for experienced paddlers only. A hands-free light is required and can be reserved in advance, such as a headlamp, deck lighting, a lantern, or a Luci light. Participants bringing their own boat must wear a personal flotation device, carry a whistle, and have proper lighting. Reservations are required and space is limited. The outing lasts approximately three hours. Pricing is 75 dollars for rentals or 35 dollars for those bringing their own boat.

Singer and songwriter Vanessa Collier brings a powerhouse blend of soul, blues, and R&B shaped by the classic Memphis sound. Her sixth album, Do It My Own Way, was built with analog warmth and a live-in-the-room feel, drawing on the legacy of Stax and Hi Records with rich horn parts, layered vocals, deep grooves, and vivid saxophone lines. The recording features revered Hi Records organist Rev. Charles Hodges and spans taut funk, rhumba-tinged sway, and gospel-inflected moments, including a tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Wild As a Rainstorm carries an empowering message and is featured on Spotify’s Retro Soul playlist, while the title track speaks plainly about agency and resilience in the music industry. Collier wrote, produced, and arranged the material herself and performs guitars, alto and tenor saxophones, flute, and lead and background vocals. A Berklee College of Music graduate and multiple Blues Music Award winner, she has performed with Joe Louis Walker, opened for Blues Traveler, and made her Chicago Blues Festival debut. Her previous release, Heart On The Line, held a top 15 position on the Billboard Blues Album Chart for several weeks.

Premier Concerts and Manic Presents present Chelsea Handler at College Street Music Hall as part of The High And Mighty Tour. This all ages show features the comedian and television host known for candid humor and a wide-ranging career in stand up, books, and television. Handler led E!’s top rated Chelsea Lately for seven years, then created the documentary series Chelsea Does and later the talk show Chelsea on Netflix. She has authored seven New York Times best sellers, with six reaching number one, including I’ll Have What She’s Having released in February 2025. Her HBO Max special Evolution earned a GRAMMY nomination for Best Comedy Album. In 2021 she launched the Dear Chelsea advice podcast and took her Vaccinated and Horny Tour to more than 90 cities with 115 shows across North America, winning The Comedy Act of 2021 at the People’s Choice Awards. Her third Netflix special The Feeling premiered in March 2025 to critical acclaim. She went on to host the Critics’ Choice Awards for a third consecutive year in February 2025, wrapped the European stand up tour An Abroad Broad, and currently appears in a Las Vegas residency titled Chelsea at The Chelsea at The Cosmopolitan, where she became the venue’s first female comedian in residence.

Don Omar performs at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford, CT. This event features the artist on stage at the arena.