Memorial Day weekend is a mix of joy- summer is almost here!- and remembrance.
We’ve rounded up some of our favorite playgrounds and a whole bunch of splash pads. Connecticut also has some fabulous state parks that make for a beautiful day out- and CT DEEP has some extra special events at Nature Centers, Museums and Historic Buildings.
Worried about the rain? There are lots of indoor activities – you can brush up on your swim skills at one of Connecticut’s many indoor pools, or visit your local library to check out some family fun activities (just check in to see what their hours are, since some do close for Memorial Day weekend).
While you’re enjoying the long weekend, consider making cards for your local Veteran’s association or helping out with an organization like Operation Gratitude. Attend a ceremony or parade and show your support.
Parades:
All Weekend
- Robin Hood’s Faire! A family adventure into the 12th century with Robin Hood, Maid Marion, Friar Tuck, Little John, nobles, peasants, jousting knights, fire-eaters, magicians, jesters, and numerous interactive characters that breathe life into the village. Runs Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
- Spring Carnival at the Westbrook Outlets: Operating all weekend: We are thrilled to be offering our Spring Carnival once again this year with loads of rides for every age, lots of fun for all, and of course FAIR FOOD! May 24-June 2
- Memorial Day Weekend Warriors at Mystic KOA: The weekend will be filled with USA Trivia games, a bicycle parade, a cornhole tournament, ice pop social, and a band with dancing!
- Memorial Day Weekend Boating Adventures with Captain Morgan: Enjoy time on the Connecticut River with Captain Morgan. Public and private charters, trainings and more!
- Visit an Amusement Park: Both Quassy and Lake Compounce are open for the weekend!
- Bonus- all Summer- Blue Star Museum Program runs from May 18- September 2
Friday, 5/24
- Simsbury Duck Race: Racer Ducks are numbered rubber ducks that correspond to consecutively numbered raffle tickets. Racer Ducks will be released into the Farmington River at the designated starting point of the Duck Race. The Racer Ducks will be carried downstream by the water’s natural current. At the finishing point, a set of buoys constructed in a funnel shape will allow for the passage of one rubber duck at a time in order to determine the prize winners.
- Chris Rowlands Live at the Beardsley Zoo: Award-winning singer, songwriter, and performer. Children are invited to wear fun hats and sing along with Rowlands on stage as he shares his self- penned songs.
Saturday, 5/25
- Wethersfield Heritage Weekend and Spring Festival: Come join Heirloom Market for their Annual Spring Festival. Featuring local vendors and artisans, kid friendly activities, gardening talks, thousands of spring starts for your garden and an outdoor summer BBQ as well as from scratch baked pies and so much more! Alpacas, Henna, and face painting too! Great food and fun for the whole family.
- Brownstone Park Opens: OPEN Memorial Day weekend 10 am – 6 pm- come swim, Zip Line, Cliff Jump, Rope Swing, Wakeboard, Rock Climb Kayak & Paddleboard!
- Willimantic Farmer’s Market: Pay a visit to Connecticut’s oldest Farmer’s Market and bring home treats for your Memorial Day BBQ.
- Ellington Farmer’s Market: Head to Arbor Park to check out some farm fresh delights!
- Wallingford Farmers Market: We have a fantastic lineup of vendors this year. Due to many requests, our market will begin an hour later this year, now 10am-1pm.
- Storrs Farmers Market: At Storrs Farmers Market, our focus is food. We strive to provide the highest quality, locally-grown and -produced foods for our community. Our farmers and vendors take great pride in their work, and it shows!
- Everyone Pays Kids Price & Honoring those Who Served at the Connecticut Science Center: To show appreciation to all service members and first responders, we offer FREE General Admission for the service member and Kids’ Pricing for everyone else. This offer applies to all active-reserve-retired military, fire, police, state troopers, and medical personnel (Doctor, Nurse, EMT, Paramedic, etc.).
- Adventure Sports Weekend at Powder Ridge Park: Adventure Sports Weekend with camping features Downhill Mt. Biking. Learn the basics or improve your skills in a relaxed fun environment.
- Safari Carnival at Action Wildlife Foundation: Please celebrate with us at our 2nd annual Safari Carnival, Memorial Day Weekend!
Memorial Day Weekend ONLY, hay rides through our NEW Safari park will be free! 25 acres with a 1 mile loop.
Parades:
Sunday, 5/26
- Everyone Pays Kids Price & Honoring those Who Served at the Connecticut Science Center: To show appreciation to all service members and first responders, we offer FREE General Admission for the service member and Kids’ Pricing for everyone else. This offer applies to all active-reserve-retired military, fire, police, state troopers, and medical personnel (Doctor, Nurse, EMT, Paramedic, etc.).
- Coventry Farmer’s Market
- Safari Carnival at Action Wildlife Foundation: Please celebrate with us at our 2nd annual Safari Carnival, Memorial Day Weekend! Memorial Day Weekend ONLY, hay rides through our NEW Safari park will be free! 25 acres with a 1 mile loop.
- Family Fun Day, Mohegan Park*: Come share lunch on the green celebrating family, culture, community, and the service members who’ve given their all to make it possible. Arts and crafts, walk “around the world”, community partners, outdoor activities, and more!
- Discovery Sundays at the FloGris (Florence Griswold Museum)
Parades:
Monday, 5/27
- Memorial Day at the Beardsley Zoo: All active service members and veterans get in free, and their families get 20% off the price of tickets.
- Classic Car Cruise Night at Ocean Beach Park: Enjoy an evening of classic cars at New England’s largest sugar sand beach.
- Hot Air Balloon Rides for Charity, Fairfield: Ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon? This Memorial Day, before the parade, come take a ride and support local charities
- Heroes of Steel Car Show on Memorial Day, Lyman Orchards*: Come celebrate Memorial Day at Lyman Orchards for Heroes of Steel Car Show event brought to you by RAD STALLIONS and the United Steelworkers Union.
Parades:
- Derby Shelton Memorial Day Parade*
- East Hartford Memorial Day Parade*
- Trumbull Memorial Day Parade*
- Glastonbury Memorial Day Parade*
- Brooklyn CT Memorial Day Parade*
- Essex Memorial Day Parade*
- Old Saybrook Memorial Day Parade*
- Manchester Memorial Day Parade*
- Meriden Memorial Day Parade*
- Norwich Memorial Day Parade
- Farmington Memorial Day Parade*
- Norwalk Memorial Day Parade*
- Mystic Memorial Day Parade*
- West Hartford Memorial Day Parade*
- Darien Memorial Day Parade*
- Woodstock Memorial Day 5K
- Torrington Memorial Day Parade*
- Branford Memorial Day Parade*
- Rocky Hill Memorial Day Parade*
- Old Lyme Memorial Day Parade*
- Naugatuck Memorial Day Parade (TBD)
- Windsor Memorial Day Parade*
- Monroe Memorial Day Parade (TBD)
- West Haven Memorial Day Parade*
- Middletown Memorial Day Parade*
- New Milford Memorial Day Parade*
- Stratford Memorial Day Parade (TBD)
- Bloomfield Memorial Day Parade (TBD)
- Guilford Memorial Day Parade
- Hebron Memorial Day Parade
- Hamden Memorial Day Parade
- Winsted Memorial Day Parade
A lot of effort is made to give you accurate information but it’s always best to “be safe than sorry” by calling the organization ahead of your visit.
Remember events added daily so check Kidtivity Events Calendar for more Weekend Things to Do with kids in CT and activities your family every day of the year.
