Here’s your curated Hartford event calendar for June 2024.

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

  • PLANT SALE: Seedling and plant sale on June 1, 2024 from 9 AM until 6 PM. To be more precise, they say: “We will have a variety of vegetables, flower and herb seedlings, herb garden giveaways, resources, insightful conversations, FREE seed packs & good vibes.” This is as 12 Charter Oak Place.
  • LEARN TO ROW DAY: Curious about rowing? Learn some basics at Riverside Park on June 1, 2024, 9:30 AM – 12 PM. Pre-register for this drop-in event.
  • SCHOOLYARD CLEANUP: Park River Watershed is hosting a cleanup on the Classical Magnet (500 Woodland Street) grounds which abut the Park River. This is 9:30 AM until 12:15 PM on June 1, 2024. It’s always a good idea to bring your own gloves and water bottle to litter cleanup events.
  • CEDAR HILL TREE WALK: If you are even toying with the idea of going, sign up because this will be a “sold out” event. Arborist John Kehoe will be leading this info-packed wandering among the trees at Cedar Hill Cemetery. I’ve attended before and was blown away by John’s knowledge and enthusiasm, and also, by how many other people were there. Wear comfortable sneakers, yada yada yada, and be ready to roam. This free tour begins at 10 AM on June 1, 2024 in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
  • THREAD CITY JAZZ: Have some music with your breakfast from 10 AM until noon on June 1, 2024 at Victus Coffee (777 Main Street).
  •  GREEK FESTIVAL: The annual Greek Festival at St. George on Fairfield Avenue continues on June 1 & 2, 2024, with food, dancing, and church tours. It runs 11 AM-11 PM on Saturday and 12-5 PM on Sunday. This is right next door to Cedar Hill Cemetery . . . tree tour and then spanakopita?
  •  PARKVILLE FIBER ARTS COOP SOFT OPENING: See the new space and live weaving demonstrations. This is from 3-5 PM on June 1, 2024 at 56 Arbor Street, Suite 311. Register for this free event so they can get enough refreshments and you can get the building code.
  • BENCH UNVEILING: A memorial grave marker for Benjamin Franklin Anderson will be unveiled on June 3, 2024 at 4 PM in Zion Hill Cemetery, with the celebration at the top of the hill. Who was Benjamin Franklin Anderson? In the 1800s he worked at Trinity College for 20 years and is one of the few African American residents of Hartford to be interred in the cemetery during that time. His stone fell over and crumbled, as many do naturally. Together, Trinity College and the Friends of Zion Hill Cemetery raised funds to install a memorial bench containing the inscription found on the original stone. Along with the unveiling, there will be free refreshments and an informal walking tour of the cemetery.
  • SUMMER MUSIC – BIA JAVIER: Free musical performance in Bushnell Park from 6:30-8:30 PM on Wednesday, June 5, 2024. Bring something to sit on.
  • QUEER CRAFT NIGHT: This month’s craft is pride jewelry. There’s a suggested donation of $5, but all are welcome regardless of ability to pay. June 5, 2024 at 7 PM at 30 Arbor Street, Suite 200. See registration form for all other details.
  • FIRST THURSDAYS: Celebrate Pride Month and the opening of MATRIX 194 at the Wadsworth Atheneum on June 6, 2024 from 5-7 PM. At 7 PM, watch film shorts The Human Voice and Strange Way of Life. Free admission.
  • STYLING IDENTITIES DOUBLE FEATURE: Films have been back at the Wadsworth Atheneum for awhile now, and you have two chances to catch Manscaping and Swan Song. In Manscaping, “Devan Shimoyama is an Afrofuturist visual artist whose barbershop painting series envisions inclusivity and draws on Afrofuturism and drag. Jessie Anderson, a transgender Canadian barber, owns Big Bro’s Barbershop, providing a safe space for trans, gender nonconforming, and queer customers. Richard Savvy, Australia’s “naked barber,” is a fetish barber/porn actor challenging norms with his unique approach.” These films are screening on June 7 & 8, 2024 at 6 PM. Tickets are $10; $7 for Hartford residents.
  • ANCIENT BURYING GROUND TOURS: Today is CT Open House Day and the Ancient Burying Ground is offering free tours at 10 AM, 11 AM, and 12 PM for the occasion. This is June 8, 2024.
  • CENTER CHURCH OPEN SANCTUARY: While in the neighborhood, drop next door to Center Church for a self-guided tour of the building’s history and its stained glass windows — a great opportunity for those who like history but aren’t inclined to attend a church function in order to see them. This is June 8, 2024 from 10 AM until 1:30 PM.
  • NOOK FARM LAWN PARTY: This free event is a collaboration of the Asylum Hill Neighborhood Association, Stowe Center, and Twain House. On June 8, 2024 from 11 AM until 3 PM there will be free tours at the Twain House & Museum, Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Katharine Seymour Day House, and Nook Farm neighborhood; there will also be lawn games and activities, live performances, the debut of a new giant puppet, and more.
  • SUMMER MUSIC – POSSM: Free musical performance in Bushnell Park from 6:30-8:30 PM on Wednesday, June 12, 2024. Bring a lawn chair or blanket.
  • SUNSET SOUNDS – JEN ALLEN QUINTET: The Butler-McCook House has made the unfortunate decision in recent years to keep the gates closed, not allowing people to regularly enjoy their beautiful garden oasis in downtown like we used to, but when there are free lawn concerts, you can wander in. If you want to stay for the music, bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair, but otherwise, you can finally roam the grounds again. This concert is June 13, 2024  from 6-8 PM.
  • STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: The First Presbyterian Church (136 Capitol Avenue) will be selling $6 strawberry shortcakes on June 14 and June 21 from 11 AM until 1 PM. They’ll also be doing this on June 15, 2024 from 5-7 PM, but with added music, face painting, and games.
  • EMERGING ACTIVISTS: It is rare that I put an event on here that’s directed at children, for a number of reasons — including but not limited to that most of them sound completely insufferable. This, however, tempts me to gather up a group of friends’ offspring and put them on the bus to the Stowe Center. On June 15, 2024 from 1:15-2:15 PM there will be arts and crafts and then storytime featuring Julián Is a Mermaid and Hair Love. This is a free monthly program.
  • SYMPHONY IN THE PARK: The Hartford Symphony Orchestra (or, parts of it) will be giving a free performance in Bushnell Park on June 15, 2024 from 2-3:30 PM. It moves indoors if there’s rain. Bring your own seating.

  • SASHIKO: This workshop teaches decorative Japanese embroidery techniques and participants will create embroidered coasters. This will be June 19, 2024 from 6-8 PM at the FREE HART Closet (56 Arbor Street). See website for registration details.
  • SUMMER SOUNDS – THE LOST TRIBE: Free musical performance in Bushnell Park from 6:30-8:30 PM on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. Bring something to sit on.
  • CHUCK CHUCK BABY: Showing as part of the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival at Cinestudio, they describe this film as “This delightful, quirky, yet moving tale of empowerment and liberation is the lesbian musical rom-com you never knew you needed to see.” This will be screened on June 19, 2024 at 7:30 PM. None of the ticket information was posted at time of calendar publication, so check back with the festival folks.
  •  COSMIC SHIFTS: Linda Choser of the Spiritual Life Center will be facilitating a virtual book circle for Braiding Sweetgrass beginning on June 20, 2024. If you haven’t read this book before, now is your chance — whether you opt to participate in this discussion group or not. There are six weekly Zoom meetings from 6-7:30 PM. There’s a $25 participation fee, with option to give a larger donation.
  • THE LEAGUE: You have three chances to watch this film at the Wadsworth Atheneum. The documentary “chronicles the inspiring journey of the Negro Leagues, America’s prominent Black-owned baseball enterprise.” This is free with the price of museum admission, 2 PM on June 21-23, 2024. Museum admission is free for Hartford residents.
  • SALSA SOCIAL: Come out to salsa in the street on June 21, 2024 from 5-8 PM. Pratt Street. Free.
  • MAKE MUSIC DAY – ED FAST & CONGABOP: Free lawn concert at the Butler-McCook House on June 21, 2024 at 7 PM. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on.
  • SPLIT: Showing as part of the Connecticut LGBTQ Film Festival at Cinestudio, they describe Split: “When stuntwoman Anna meets the magnetic and famous actor Eve, it unlocks a part of herself she’d always kept hidden. What starts as an innocent exchange of glances soon bursts into a turbulent, sensual love affair. ” This will be screened on June 21, 2024 at 7:30 PM. None of the ticket information was posted at time of calendar publication, so check back with the festival folks.
  • HARTBEAT MUSIC FESTIVAL: Expect a wide variety of musical styles at this free festival on Riverfront Plaza, 11 AM – 9 PM on June 22, 2024.
  •  COMMUNAL DRUM: At the Spiritual Life Center, “Come honor the Summer Solstice at Communal Drum with Steve and Resa who lead a drumming circle that embraces ‘chaos’ and the unique rhythm that each person brings.” If you have your own percussion, bring it, though extra drums are available. Showing up just to listen is also an option. This is June 22, 2024 from 3:30-5:30 PM at the Spiritual Life Center (76 Sherman Street). There’s a suggested $10 donation.
  • ARAZZO MUSIC FESTIVAL: Classical chamber music performance in the Wadsworth Atheneum’s Morgan Great Hall at 7 PM on June 22, 2024. Free.
  • TREE TOUR: Couldn’t get into the Cedar Hill Cemetery tree tour? Arborist John Kehoe will be leading another one, this time at Elizabeth Park on June 26, 2024 at 10 AM. Are you thinking “Trees are nice, but I can’t listen to this much talk about trees”? You haven’t been on one of his tours. He will make you care, deeply. Free.
  • INTRO TO RESIN CASTING: Any description of this doesn’t really do the workshop justice. Participants make resin coasters . . . they kind of look like glass with flowers or other objects embedded inside. This is on June 26, 2024 from 6-8 PM at FREE HART Closet (56 Arbor Street). See website for registration details and to see what resin coasters look like.
  • WIG STYLING DEMO: Dalia Kulek from Chabad Chevra will be giving a wig-styling demonstration and talking about Orthodox Jewish hair traditions at the Wadsworth Atheneum. This is included in the price of admission, which is free if you are a Hartford resident. June 30, 2024 at 1 PM.

REPEATS!

FREE YOGA From May 18-October 13, 2024
Bring your own yoga mat or towel; free, no registration required

  • Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 PM: Bushnell Park, lawn between pond and Pump House Gallery
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 PM: Elizabeth Park, Rose Garden lawn
  • Fridays at 5:30 PM: Pope Park, lawn north and west of the Pope Park Rec Center
  • Saturdays at 10 AM: Keney Park, lawn across from the Bluet Meadow near Vine Street & Love Lane
  • Sundays at 10 AM: Colt Park, lawn east of Armsmear

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.

This was last updated in January 2024. If you know of things that should be added to the map, contact me. I can’t be everywhere at once.

GETTING TO EVENTS
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.

Why aren’t library events on the calendar anymore?
We have been without the main library now for over 520 days, and this is completely unacceptable. The rest of my comments on that can be gained in a face-to-face conversation.