Florence Griswold Museum

The Old Lyme Arts District is proud to present two exciting community celebrations this July: the Midsummer Kickoff Concert on Friday, July 25 and the Old Lyme Midsummer Festival on Saturday, July 26. These family-friendly events showcase the town’s rich artistic heritage and welcoming community spirit. Join us for a weekend of art, music, and family fun in celebration of everything that makes Old Lyme such a special place to visit. 
The festivities begin on Friday evening, July 24, with a free outdoor concert on the riverfront lawn of the Florence Griswold Museum. From 7 to 9 pm, Mass-Conn-Fusion will perform an energetic mix of classic hits, with food vendors on site and plenty of room to spread out with lawn chairs or blankets for a relaxing summer evening.
The celebration continues on Saturday, July 25, with activities throughout the day. The day begins with the annual Midsummer 5k Run at Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau. After the run, make your way over to the festival grounds at the Lyme Art Association, Florence Griswold Museum, Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, and Old Lyme Inn. Festival favorites include the Old Lyme Lions Club Classic Car Show, the popular Parading Paws Dog Show, local artisan and nonprofit vendors, children's activities, live music, food trucks, and opportunities to explore the town's rich artistic and natural heritage. 
Visitors can shop for original artwork during the Fence Artist Show at the Old Lyme Inn and at the Lyme Art Association, where three summer exhibitions will be open with free admission. The Florence Griswold Museum will also offer free admission throughout the day, while the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and other Arts District partners and nearby businesses welcome visitors with exhibitions, demonstrations, family activities, shopping, and special programming.
"The Midsummer Festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience everything that makes Old Lyme special," said Elsbeth Dowd, Executive Director of the Lyme Art Association. "Whether you're discovering the area for the first time or returning for a favorite summer tradition, you'll find art, music, history, nature, and community all within easy walking distance."
Presented by the Old Lyme Arts District, the festival showcases the collaboration among the district's cultural organizations, businesses, nonprofits, and community partners. Together, they create a vibrant, walkable destination where visitors can spend the day exploring galleries and museums, enjoying live entertainment, meeting local artists, shopping, dining, and making memories with family and friends.
Admission to the festival is free, although some individual activities may have separate registration fees or admission charges.
The Midsummer Festival is generously supported by Connecticut's Eastern Regional Tourism District, the Greater Old Saybrook Chamber of Commerce, Pasta Vita, Essex Bank/Essex Financial Services, the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Bluewater Millwork &amp; Construction Inc, and <a href="https://lymeline.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">LymeLine.com</a>. 
Mark your calendars, bring your friends and family, and make memories this summer in Old Lyme! Full schedules, maps, and updates available at <a href="https://www.exploreoldlyme.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">ExploreOldLyme.com</a>.
About the Old Lyme Arts District: Located in the heart of Old Lyme, Connecticut, the Old Lyme Arts District is a collaborative cultural community that celebrates the town’s artistic legacy through exhibitions, events, and partnerships. Anchored by the Florence Griswold Museum, Lyme Art Association, Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, Cooley Gallery, Side Door Jazz Club, Nightingale’s Acoustic Café, Musical Masterworks, Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, Lymes Youth Service Bureau, and Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, the District offers year-round programming that inspires creativity and fosters community.

Local Event: Midsummer Kickoff Concert 

New London County

The Lymes

Connecticut

Midsummer Kickoff Concert 

The Old Lyme Arts District is proud to present two exciting community celebrations this July: the Midsummer Kickoff Concert on...

Local Event: 2026 Midsummer Festival

2026 Midsummer Festival

Lyme Art Association

Experience exhibitions of excellence and distinction this summer at the Lyme Art Association (LAA). From July 24 – September 11, LAA presents three impressive shows in its galleries, its own 105th Elected Artists and Expanding Visions exhibitions, and a guest show, Selected Members Exhibition, from the New Haven Paint &amp; Clay Club.

LAA’s Elected Artists are members, who, after successfully exhibiting in shows for at least 5 years, are elected by their fellow members to join the ranks of Elected Artists. LAA’s annual Elected Artists Show celebrates these cream of the crop artists with an exhibition that showcases their best work for gallery visitors to enjoy. Though known for its representational art, in Expanding Visions, LAA celebrates the various styles that its member artists work in by including everything from hyperrealism to nonrepresentational abstract art, and highlights the unique and innovative perspectives in their work.

Running concurrently is a guest show from the New Haven Paint and Clay Club (NHP&amp;CC), the Selected Members Exhibition. This year’s show was juried by Nathan Lewis, who chose five New Haven Paint &amp; Clay Club artists that exhibited exceptional works in the NHP&amp;CC 2025 Members Exhibit. This year’s selected artists are Ed Lisi, Christopher McLaughlin, David Ottenstein, Greg Shea and Janet Warner.

All shows are on view in LAA’s galleries from July 24 – September 11 with the opening reception occurring on Saturday, August 1 from 5 – 7 pm. 

Founded in 1914 by the American Impressionists, the Lyme Art Association continues&nbsp;the tradition of exhibiting and selling representational artwork, as well as offering art&nbsp;instruction, lectures, and other community programs. It is located at 90 Lyme Street in&nbsp;Old Lyme, CT, in an iconic 1921 building designed by renowned architect Charles Adams&nbsp;Platt and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission is free. Hours:&nbsp;Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-5pm. For more information, call (860) 434-7802 or visit<a href="https://www.lymeartassociation.org." rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">&nbsp;lymeartassociation.org.</a>

Local Event: Opening Reception ~ Three New Exhibitions

Opening Reception ~ Three New Exhibitions

Experience exhibitions of excellence and distinction this summer at the Lyme Art Association (LAA). From July 24 – September...

Susan Cornell

Middlesex County

Hartford Metropolitan Area

Essex-Chester-Deep River

Clinton

The Haddams-Killingworth

New Haven County

Alfred Branch

Madison

Richard Kaufman

Guilford

Durham-Middlefield

North Branford

East Hampton-Portland

Chris Dehnel

Middletown

Ellyn Santiago

Branford

Moroso Performance Products

Join us for Cars &amp; Coffee, a patriotic Car Show supporting Connecticut's bravest. Sponsored by APK Charities, all proceeds benefit CT veterans, active-duty service members, and Gold Star families in memory of Special Forces Captain Andrew Pedersen-Keel, KIA 11 March 2013 in Afghanistan.

Local Event: Cars & Coffee

Cars & Coffee

Join us for Cars & Coffee, a patriotic Car Show supporting Connecticut's bravest. Sponsored by APK Charities, all proceeds...

Radici at the Stand

Join us for a fun night of art! CT artist, Hillary Hany, will be guiding attendees through how to paint a beautiful canvas.
Whether you're a seasoned painter or picking up a brush for the first time, this relaxed, welcoming event is the perfect way to unwind and express yourself. This event is open to all! We're excited to now host this event at a new location, Branford's newest hotspot, Radici at the Stand!
🗓 Date: July 23
🕕 Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
💲 Cost: Just $15 per person
All materials, appetizers, and pizza will be provided—just bring your creativity! The featured design is of a beautiful tree in a meadow!
📍 NEW Location:
Radici at the Stand
196 S Montowese St
Branford, CT 06405
Grab a friend or come solo and meet new people while enjoying a laid-back night of painting and fun. Spots are limited, so be sure to reserve yours today!

Local Event: Root Center Paint night at Radici at the Stand

Root Center Paint night at Radici at the Stand

Join us for a fun night of art! CT artist, Hillary Hany, will be guiding attendees through how to paint a beautiful...

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National Edition

Susan Cornell, Community Contributor

Posting Activity

Midsummer Kickoff Concert

JUL

24

7:00 PM

Florence Griswold Museum, 96 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT

2026 Midsummer Festival

JUL

25

9:00 AM

The Lymes, CT

Opening Reception ~ Three New Exhibitions

AUG

1

5:00 PM

Lyme Art Association, 90 Lyme St, Old Lyme, CT

Cars & Coffee

Root Center Paint night at Radici at the Stand