2024 Celebrate Stratford Events
Celebrate Stratford is a unique collections of events drawing our community together throughout the year. From the Shakespeare Market, to the Latin Music Festival, to Blues on the Beach, there is something for everyone. Scroll down for more information on 2024 Celebrate Stratford events.
We look forward to seeing you around Town!
Shakespeare Market
The 1st and 3rd Sundays
of every month
The Shakespeare Market held on the first and third Sundays of the month from 10 am - 2 pm the grounds of the Shakespeare property are turned into an artisan market featuring food trucks, artists, community partners, and more!
Take a short walk and find Mac's Harbor, the original landing location of Stratford's first European settlers in 1639, Bond's Dock and Fishing Pier - the historical site of Stratford's Oyster houses and famed boxing camp during the first half of the 20th century. Stratford's Historic District, located on Academy Hill, is a short walk and contains homes from 17th, 18th, 19th, (and 20th) century homes.
Restaurant Week
February 24 - March 2
Join us for Stratford Restaurant Week, February 24 - March 2, 2024 as local restaurants will offer an assortment of crave-worthy discounts and deals for you to choose from.
Sponsored by:
Main Street Festival
June 1st
Main Street Festival
STRATFORD, CT - Rain or shine, the Stratford Main Street Festival is back! Join us on Saturday, June 1st, from 10am to 4pm, on Main Street from Stratford Center to Stratford Avenue. Many thanks to The Milford Bank and the Rotary Club of Stratford for presenting the festival as a community service.
The Main Street Festival is an annual town-wide event celebrating the many organizations, programs, and services the Town of Stratford has to offer, bringing together over 150 local vendors, including entertainment, food trucks, booths, and artists. The event also provides an opportunity for Stratford’s diverse organizations to educate the public about their functions and support fundraising efforts. Vendor booths and trucks will line Main Street, allowing residents to stroll through Stratford Center, embracing the beauty of the town. A DJ and various entertainers will be performing throughout the day.
Please anticipate street closures on Main Street from Church Street to Stratford Avenue.
Sponsored By:
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Information on Vendor Registration at the Main Street Festival can be found here:
Summer Concert Series
June 25th-September 3rd
(Rain date following Thursday)
2024
Summer Concert Series
The Stratford Department of Recreation is excited to announce that the 2024 Summer Sunset Concert Series will kick-off on Tuesday, June 25th. The concerts are performed at the Paradise Green Gazebo on Tuesdays through September 3rd. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be held the following Thursday. All concerts begin at 7:00pm.
Optimum is the proud sponsor of this Celebrate Stratford Series.
Those attending the Summer Concerts Series are welcome to park in the back of the Stratford Baptist Church at 131 Huntington Rd. The church asks that attendees keep off the grass at the church. We thank the Stratford Baptist Church for providing this accommodation.
Sponsored By:
Stratford Fireworks
Tuesday July 2nd
(Rain date Friday July 5th)
Stratford Fireworks
Mayor Laura R. Hoydick announced today that Stratford’s Annual Independence Day Fireworks display will be held Tuesday, July 2nd, at Short Beach. The display will begin at sundown, approximately 9:00 p.m. The rain date will be Friday, July 5th. The Stratford Fireworks are sponsored by IBEW Local 488.
Parking will be available at Short Beach Park. After 4pm, you must have a Stratford resident sticker to enter Short Beach Park. If you are a Stratford resident and do not have a current Stratford resident parking sticker, there is still time. Please visit https://www.stratfordct.gov/recreation. Overflow parking will be available at the Army Engine lot, just north of the Atlantic Aviation hangers.
TRAFFIC FLOW FOR THE FIREWORKS EVENT
- All traffic exiting the Army Engine lot will be directed North on Main St.
- Vehicles exiting Short Beach will be directed to use both lanes of Dorne Dr. to exit the parking lot. NO TRAFFIC WILL GO NORTH onto Stratford Rd/Main St.
- The north or right lane (blue arrow) will be directed to up to Stratford Rd then left onto Stratford Road, then right on to Prospect Dr, then left on Oak Bluff and finally turn right on Lordship Blvd.
- The South or left lane (red arrow) will be directed to turn left on Short Beach Rd. Right on Lighthouse Avenue. Right on Prospect Dr, left on Stratford Rd. Straight on Lordship Blvd in the EASTBOUND lane of Lordship Blvd.
- Residents will be allowed to enter Lordship until the start of the Fireworks. At the end of the event, Lordship Blvd will be closed to eastbound traffic from Access Rd to Oak Bluff Ave until traffic flow returns to normal.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Lordship Residents, there may be some delays driving into Lordship after the Fireworks show ends and until traffic exiting Short Beach Park returns to normal. It is strongly advised that Lordship residents and anyone looking to come into Lordship plan accordingly. Road closures are anticipated to last from 8:45pm to 10:30pm on July 2nd (July 5th rain date).
- Golf Carts are not permitted at Short Beach Park after 4pm. For more information please visit: https://www.stratfordctpd.com/Docs/GolfCartApplication_fillable.pdf
- Pets are not allowed on Town beaches May through October.
- Bicycles must be walked through beach property.
- The wearing of full-face masks, such as ski masks, is prohibited.
Sponsored By:
Blues on the Beach
July 20th
Blues on the Beach
ANNUAL “BLUES ON THE BEACH” CELEBRATION SET FOR
SAT. JULY 20th
12pm - 9pm
Short Beach
STRATFORD - Stratford is set for the return of its annual "Blues on the Beach" summer music festival, which has become an increasingly popular summer ritual for the coastal town. The event will take place at Short Beach on Saturday, July 20th, from 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Blues is part of the Stratford Celebrate Festivals and is run by volunteer Erin McLaughlin. Blues on the Beach is sponsored by Little Pub and Burns Construction.
As with last year, Short Beach will close at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19th, the evening before the festival, to accommodate stage set-up for Saturday's events. The Short Beach Golf Course will be closed the entire day on Saturday, July 20th. Residents attending "Blues on the Beach" are asked to note the following:
- Only Town Residents will be allowed to park at Short Beach. Stratford resident stickers are required to park at Short Beach.
- Beach access will be closed on Friday, July 19th at 7:00 p.m., so preparations can be made.
- Parking for the public will begin at 9:30 a.m.
- Bicycles are allowed but must be walked in the park area per Stratford Police Department.
- Golf Cart parking is allowed in a designated area - see map below for entrance/exit and parking.
- No dogs or pets are allowed at the beach.
- Cooking with charcoal is prohibited. Propane grills are permitted with tanks smaller than 20lbs.
- A pickup and drop-off area for Ubers and children or family members has been designated at
- Wayne's Walk at the intersection of Riverdale Drive and Lighthouse Ave in Lordship.
- Trash from attendees must fit inside of the BigBelly compacting receptacles available on site.
- Bagged garbage should be placed in dumpsters and not be left beside receptacles.
- Overflow parking will be available at the Army Engine lot, just north of the Atlantic Aviation hangers.
- Wearing full masks, such as ski-masks, is prohibited.
Sponsored By:
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Click Here for more information
LINE UP OF PERFORMING BANDS:
12pm - Uncle Moose
1pm - Marcy and the Boys
2pm - Louis Zayas Encore Band
3pm - Oddfellows
4pm - Soundview
5pm - One Sound
6pm - Da Band
7pm - Residual Groove
8pm - Chris D'Amato
Latin Music Festival
September 15
(Rain Date September 22nd)
Latin Music Festival
The Town of Stratford and the Stratford Hispanic Heritage Committee are proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage month at the 19th annual Latin Music Festival, sponsored by the Stratford Economic & Community Development Commission. The popular event is scheduled for Sunday, September 15th from 12pm to 6pm, with a rain date of September 22nd. The event will take place on Paradise Green. The celebration continues on September 16th at 9am with the Hispanic Heritage flag raising ceremony on the steps of Town Hall, 2725 Main Street.
Event Schedule:
11:45am DJ Edgar
12:15pm Opening Remarks
12:45pm Parade of Flags of Hispanic Countries
1:15pm DJ Edgar
1:40pm Ballet Folklorico Dominicano
2:00pm Latin Rhythm Dancers
2:25pm Stratford Shotokan Karate Demonstration
2:45pm To Be Confirmed
3:30pm Orquesta Afinke - Salsa band
4:15pm Danza Fiesta - NYC-based Puerto Rican folkloric dance company
5:15pm Orquesta Afinke - Salsa band
This celebration of Latin culture will showcase performances by notable Latin bands and professional folkloric dance groups. This year the festival welcomes the Emmy nominated performing troupe, Danza Fiesta. The festival will feature over 45 vendors, including food trucks, arts and crafts booths and community organizations. This year’s theme is Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together, which recognizes Hispanics/Latinos who have been trailblazers and game changers and paving the way for future generations. The festival kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th.
Parking is available at Adzima Funeral Home at 50 Paradise Green Place, M&T Bank at 3395 Main Street and the Stratford Unitarian Universalist Church at 275 Huntington Road. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the festivities. Please note tents are permitted for registered vendors only.
More information can be found at
facebook.com/StratfordHispanicHeritage
Great Pumpkin Festival
October 19, 2024
(Rain Date October 20)
The Great Pumpkin Festival
The Town of Stratford and the Boothe Park Commission are happy to announce the 2024 Great Pumpkin Festival. Sponsored by Comcast, the event is scheduled for Saturday, October 19th from 12pm to 4pm. In the event of inclement weather, the event will take place on Sunday, October 20th from 12pm to 4pm. The popular festival will take place on Stratford’s historic Boothe Memorial Park at 5800 Main Street.
Attendees can look forward to circus acts, face painting, a costume parade and contest, a pumpkin carving contest, an inflatable corn maze and more. The many historic and unique buildings on the Boothe Park property will be open to the public. A variety of civic organizations, together with the Boothe Park Commission, will be offering fall-themed treats. Cash and Venmo are accepted methods of payment.
Parking is available on the field adjacent to the Railway Society. Pumpkin Carving Contest registration closes at 4pm on October 11th.
Sponsor By:
Holiday Tree Lighting
December 4th, 2024
Holiday Tree Lighting
Join us on Wednesday December 4th at 5:30pm on the steps of Town Hall as we ring in the holidays with our annual Holiday Tree Lighting!
Holiday Menorah Lighting
December 26, 2024
Holiday Menorah Lighting
The 2024 Menorah Lighting will take place on December 26.
