Here’s your curated Hartford event calendar for October 2023. What makes this list? Events that I would either attend or recommend to a good friend. Review events with the host/venue to confirm details have not changed since publication.

ADD TO CALENDAR 

  • DOMINGO!: The DominGO! open streets event on October 1, 2023 will be in Frog Hollow and Parkville (sorry, not participating in the gerrymandering). What this means is that Park Street from Park Terrace to Prospect Avenue will be a car-free zone, the way it should be every day. And could be if people asked for it. This free event is 11 AM – 4 PM, and the best way to access if you’re coming from outside of the area is to use the CTfastrak Parkville Station or ride your bike.
  • BACK TO THE FUTURE: Drop by Cinestudio for a free screening of Back To The Future on October 1, 2023 at 2 PM. After, stick around for Q&A with Dr. Ronald L Mallett, a research professor who has studied time travel. Bring your questions, like, does it have to be a Delorean, or theoretically, could I accomplish this on a Huffy? Because there are some people circa 1958 who I just wanna talk to about this whole Aetna Viaduct project.
  • SHORT FILM FEST: The Wadsworth Atheneum will be screening the Manhattan Short Film Festival on October 6 and 7, 2023 at 2 PM and 7 PM both days. Watch about 2.5 hours worth of short films and vote on your favorites. Tickets are $10 general; $7 for Wadsworth Welcome (Hartford residents) and museum members.
  • HAPPY BIRTHGAY: This 16-minute short film is part of the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival, and I’m not about to list every last film, but this one is in Hebrew with English subtitles and the plot? A mother throws her son a surprise “birthgay party” one year after his coming out. I’ll just be cringing in advance. This is being shown at 3 PM on October 7, 2023 at Cinestudio, along with Holding Space for Each Other, a documentary about LGBTQ history in New London. Festival pricing systems always confuse me to no end . . . so the ticket info is here and presently it appears to be free. (There are also virtual viewing options)
  •  NIGHT FALL: Calling this a giant puppet show sells short the production. It’s free. It’s not just for kids. Dress warm and go. This is October 7, 2023 in Bushnell Park. Show begins at 6 PM. Arrive early, not late.
  •  SIPS & CIDER: Come for the apple cider doughnuts and wine, stay for the whole climate activist networking thing at the Butler-McCook House & Garden. There will be free museum tours from 6-6:30. The Connecticut Roundtable On Climate And Jobs happy hour event is on October 12, 2023 from 5:30-7:30 PM. It’s free, but register so there’s no cider shortage.
  • SPIRITED AND SOCIAL:  Same day, same street, different vibe. The Wadsworth Atheneum will be hosting a 21+ costumed event that includes a special-effects makeup demo, immersive curiosities room created by Curioporium, screening of The Devil’s Backbone, and a witch trials history tour across the street at the Ancient Burying Ground. This is October 12, 2023, 6-9 PM. Tickets: $25.
  • PRIDE & PREJUDICE: The run at Hartford Stage begins on October 12, 2023 and continues into November. Hartford residents who have a library card can get free passes.

  • FALL FOLIAGE TOUR: Take a walking tree tour of Cedar Hill Cemetery, led by energetic and enthusiastic John Kehoe. You’ll be the one walking, not the trees. Probably. You’ll spend time outdoors, learn about the environment, and have plenty of opportunity for selfies with autumn leaves. The free tour is from 10-12 AM on October 14, 2023. Registration is recommended.
  • CT LIT FEST: Readings, panel discussions, and book sales at Real Art Ways from 10 AM until 6 PM on October 14, 2023. Go to the event page for full schedule, but the draw for me would be the 1 PM panel about the book banning situation in Connecticut and what we can do to stop that nonsense. Admission is free.
  • GLITTER & DOOM: I want to hate this because very clearly the title is what I would have called my memoir, but early bird and all that. This film is coming to the Wadsworth Atheneum at 7 PM on October 14, 2023. They give this description: “This heartwarming indie musical seamlessly weaves a captivating queer romance with soulful melodies from the Indigo Girls. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico City, the film follows Glitter (Alex Diaz), an aspiring clown, and Doom (Alan Cammish), a struggling singer-songwriter, on a journey that celebrates the unifying power of music and the inspiring nature of love’s dreams.” There’s an after party. This is being shown as part of the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival — tickets to this are $30 ($25 students and seniors).

  • LAKOTA NATION V. UNITED STATES: Cinestudio is presenting this film, free, on October 16, 2023 at 7 PM. They describe this as: “Lakota Nation vs. United States chronicles the Lakota Indians’ century-long quest to reclaim the Black Hills, sacred land that was stolen in violation of treaty agreements. A searing, timely portrait of resistance, the film explores the ways America has ignored its debt to indigenous communities, and ponders what might be done today to repair the wrongs of the past.”
  • DAY OF THE DEAD: At Zion Hill Cemetery there will be the building of an altar to honor loved ones who have passed in recent years. Bring photos, mementos, and candles to add to the altar. This is followed by an (optional) cemetery clean up. Later, there will be food and music by a mariachi band. This is October 21, 2023. The clean up is 10-11:30 AM; food and music from 11:30-1 PM.
  • BIZARRE BAZAAR: Halloween-themed arts & crafts fair on pedestrianized Pratt Street, October 21 and 28, 2023 from 12-4 PM. Music, psychic readings, shopping. There’s trick-or-treating in this car-free space on October 28th beginning at noon.
  • HALLOWED HISTORY LANTERN TOUR: Several time slots were sold out before I even posted this, so if you are interested, reserve your spot now. Each tour lasts 60-75 minutes and involves walking through Cedar Hill Cemetery at night and listening to tales communicated through character actors. While this event happens each year, the stories change. This is a rain or shine event on October 27, 2023 from 6-9 PM. Tickets are $20.
  • THE WIZ: Two chances to see this remix of Wizard of Oz at the Wadsworth Atheneum — October 28 and 29, 2023 at 2 PM. Tickets are $10; $7 for Wadsworth Welcome.
  • DIY PIZZA NIGHT: Make pizza at Hartford Public Library’s Albany Avenue branch and then fire it in an outdoor oven. This event is for grown ups. October 30, 2023 from 6-8 PM. There is space for 12 participants, so you’ll want to register or else miss out on free pizza.

    GETTING TO EVENTS
    Hartford’s a city. Let’s act like it.
    See CTtransit for bus schedule.
    If you would like better bus service, contact CTtransit.
    If you would like bicycle parking at a venue, contact that venue directly.
    Ask for the kind of world you want to live in.

CULTURAL ASSETS
For ongoing free education, entertainment, public art, and resources — like 24/7 food pantries and libraries — check out this map. Zoom in and click on the icons for more information. Keep in mind that murals, take/give pantries, and free libraries are ephemeral; I try to keep this current, removing entries as murals are painted over or when someone’s well-intentioned food pantry abandoned. This was last updated in September 2023: