Visit Litchfield CT

09/10/2026

🚨 𝐁𝐋𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐁𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐍 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃 🚨

Calling all lovers of fine art, nature, history, great deals, and more—this weekend is a bit of a blockbuster one for late Summer/early Autumn in Litchfield! 🍂✨

There are 8+ events happening that will add luster to all of Litchfield's usual charms like artisanal coffee and ice cream, scratch-baked pastries, boutique shopping, and world-class dining.

Here are some great things to add to your weekend agenda:

🏰 𝟏. 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐆𝐄 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐃

Step inside Miss Edith Chase’s 1925 English Cotswold-style cottage at Topsmead State Forest. Free tours run every 30 minutes.
🗓 Saturday & Sunday (11 AM – 4 PM)
📍 Topsmead State Forest, 46 Chase Rd
🔗 https://www.friendsoftopsmead.org/visitor-info.html
Friends of Topsmead State Forest

🦅 𝟐. 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐀𝐖𝐊 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐃

Grab a folding chair and binoculars for an engaging talk on raptor migration led by David Tripp of the Audubon Society, followed by skyward birding! 🔭
🗓 Saturday (9:30 AM – 11 AM)
📍 Meadow behind Chase Cottage, Topsmead State Forest
🔗 https://www.friendsoftopsmead.org/events.html

🦅 𝟑. "𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐒" 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌

Get up close with magnificent live birds of prey during an interactive family demonstration with wildlife educator Colleen Harrak. 🦉
🗓 Saturday (2:00 PM – 3:30 PM)
📍 The White Memorial Conservation Center
🔗 https://whitememorialcc.org/event/radical-raptors-with-colleen-harrak/

🇺🇸 𝟒. 𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀’𝐒 𝟐𝟓𝟎𝐭𝐡: 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐘 𝐖𝐀𝐑 𝐂𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐁𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍

Step back into 1776 on the Litchfield Green! Experience a living history encampment with the 5th Connecticut Regiment (9 AM–3 PM), a mini-parade (12 PM), and the official dedication of our new Revolutionary War Monument (12:30 PM). America's 250th in Litchfield, CT
🗓 Saturday (All Day)
📍 Litchfield Historic Green
🔗 https://www.a250litchfield.org/

🎨 𝟓. 𝐀𝐑𝐓 + 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐀𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐋

Celebrate a new contemporary art installation curated by Jennifer Terzian Gallery featuring works by Kirstin Lamb, Jessica Smolinski, and Fritz Horstman. Enjoy a ch*****ne reception and a live cello performance by Oleana Dolak! 🥂🎻
🗓 Saturday (4 PM – 6 PM)
📍 The Abner Hotel, 15 West Street
🔗 https://www.theabnerhotel.com/eat-drink/happenings

🖼 𝟔. "𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃" 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐋𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐓 𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐘

Explore vibrant, nature-inspired works by Matt Wood and Streeter Holden capturing the raw energy, movement, and light of the natural world.
🗓 Saturday (3:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
📍 Alofft Gallery, 41 West Street
🔗 https://alofft.com/

🖌 𝟕. 𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐈𝐍 𝐀𝐈𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐂𝐇𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃 & 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐌𝐒

Watch artists paint live across town all weekend long! 🎨 Plus, join the Litchfield Historical Society on Sunday (Sept 13) for two FREE companion events at the Litchfield History Museum (7 South St):
👟 10:00 AM: Artists of Litchfield Walking Tour
🏛 3:00 PM: Landscape Visions: Artistic Depictions of Litchfield Lecture
🗓 Saturday & Sunday (All Day)
📍 Townwide & Litchfield History Museum
🔗 https://www.pleinairlitchfield.com/

🏷 𝟖. 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐃 𝐓𝐀𝐆 𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐄

Score incredible vintage finds, household goods, and local deals while supporting Litchfield Health & Wellness Resources! 🛍
🗓 Saturday (10 AM – 2 PM)
📍 Community Field, Litchfield
🔗 https://bit.ly/4r1RjWZ

🛒 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: Don’t forget to enrich your weekend with fresh regional goodies. Swing by the Bantam Community Farmers Market on Friday (9/11) from 3–6 PM at Alain White Field on Route 209, and the Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market on Saturday from 10 AM–1 PM in the Litchfield Firehouse parking lot. 🚜🥬🍎

📲 Head to https://visitlitchfieldct.com/ to map out your perfect weekend itinerary, and tag us in your photos as you explore! 👇

09/07/2026

𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟕𝟕𝟔 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟐! 🇺🇸✨

America's 250th in Litchfield, CT presents a full day of celebrations on the Litchfield Green featuring living history, a parade, and the dedication of a new Revolutionary War Monument.

These events are part of the town's year-long celebration marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Litchfield’s own Oliver Wolcott Sr. was a signatory, serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress, a Major General in the Connecticut militia, and later as Governor of Connecticut.

𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞:

⛺ 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM | 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙀𝙣𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙥𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 (West Green): Experience Revolutionary War history up close with the 5th Connecticut Regiment, an infantry regiment from western Connecticut that served in the Continental Army. Ask reenactors questions—they’ll answer in character as Colonial soldiers!

🥁 12:00 PM | 𝙈𝙞𝙣𝙞-𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙚: March along with us from the bottom of West Green up to Center Green.

🏛️ 12:30 PM | 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙪𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘿𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙮 (Center Green): Be there for the official unveiling of the new monument honoring the men and women of Litchfield who valiantly fought for American independence.

🎨 𝙋𝙡𝙚𝙞𝙣 𝘼𝙞𝙧 𝙇𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙡𝙙: Litchfield’s annual painting festival also kicks off on September 12! Some participating artists will be setup on the Green to take full advantage of this unusual opportunity to capture a live Revolutionary War scene. Learn more at https://www.pleinairlitchfield.com

Bring the family out to celebrate and honor Litchfield’s rich history! 🙌

For full event details, visit https://www.a250litchfield.org

09/04/2026

Here's to a wonderful and restful Labor Day Weekend! 🇺🇸🛠️☀️

To inspire an optimal long weekend experience, we put together a list of 10 quintessential Litchfield lifestyle enhancements to help you make plans to eat, shop, relax, and explore.

This list only scratches the surface, so head to the Visit Litchfield CT website for a full list of resources https://visitlitchfieldct.com/ and check out our previous Labor Day Weekend post: https://visitlitchfieldct.com/labor-day-weekend-in-litchfield-10-great-things-to-do/

☕ 1️⃣ Coffee & Baked Goods Pit Stop: Kickstart your morning (or afternoon) at local staples like Arethusa a mano, The Bakehouse, Espresso59, or Toast & Co. for great coffee, espresso drinks, and artisanal pastries. (And that's just a partial list ... ) https://visitlitchfieldct.com/coffee-tea-baked-goods-sweets/

🛍️ 2️⃣ Strolling & Shopping in Town: Explore historic Litchfield center and the local boutiques and galleries, as well as the vibrant Bantam River Cultural District. Catch an indie film or classic at Connecticut’s oldest continuously operating movie theater, the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center (📍 115 Bantam Lake Rd, Bantam | 🔗 https://www.bantamcinema.org

🧺 3️⃣ Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market: Head to the Saturday morning market (10 AM – 1 PM) to shop local produce, artisan cheeses, fresh flowers, and baked treats (📍 Litchfield Firehouse parking lot on Rt. 202 | 🔗 https://www.litchfieldfarmersmarket.org

🏛️ 4️⃣ Discover Local History: at the Litchfield Historical Society (📍 7 South St) and the Tapping Reeve House & Litchfield Law School (📍 82 South St ). Admission is FREE for everyone | 🔗 https://www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org

🌲 5️⃣ A Walk in the Woods: Reconnect with nature on 40+ miles of trails and forest paths spreading out over 4,000 acres of preserves from The White Memorial Conservation Center (📍 80 Whitehall Rd | 🔗 https://whitememorialcc.org/trail-maps/ Or explore the gorgeous Topsmead State Forest or Litchfield Land Trust preserves ... or spend a day at Sandy Beach on Bantam Lake. https://visitlitchfieldct.com/the-great-outdoors/

🎡 6️⃣ The Goshen Fair: Experience a classic New England agricultural fair held every Labor Day Weekend just up the road (Route 63/North St.) with livestock shows, live music, delicious fair food, and rides (📍 116 Old Middle St, Goshen | 🔗 https://goshenfair.org

🍹 7️⃣ Pre-Dinner Drinks at Verdict: Take in golden hour atop The Abner Hotel at Verdict:, Litchfield's rooftop bar, serving craft cocktails with sweeping views (📍 15 West St | 🔗https://www.theabnerhotel.com

🍽️ 8️⃣ Dinner in Litchfield or Bantam: Enjoy world-class dining at Litchfield hotspots like Belden House & Mews, Materia Ristorante, West Street Grill, or other favorites including At The Corner, Market Place Tavern at The Old Litchfield Jail and The Village Restaurant In Litchfield Ct 🔗 https://visitlitchfieldct.com/restaurants/

🍦 9️⃣ Scoops of Homemade Ice Cream: Treat yourself to farm-fresh scoops at Arethusa Farm Dairy (📍 822 Bantam Rd, Bantam ) or classic retro vibes at Peaches N' Cream (📍 632 Torrington Rd ). 🔗 https://visitlitchfieldct.com/artisan-chocolate-cheese-ice-cream/

🌅 🔟 Visit the 2026 Inaugural Montfort Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition of 30 installations by 20 artist/sculptors Lourdes in Litchfield, A Ministry of the Montfort Missionaries (📍 50 Montfort Road. ) 🔗 https://www.shrinect.org/sculpture .

Let us know your favorite Litchfield weekend itineraries in the comments! 👇

09/03/2026

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍! 🎃

From October 17 through November 1, the Tapping Reeve Meadow behind the Litchfield Historical Society’s Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School museums will be transformed into a display featuring more than 50 fun, goofy, educational, and spooky scarecrows created by local families, businesses, and non-profits.

Whether you’re building as a family project, representing your business, or entering with friends, it is completely free to participate—and over 8,000 visitors will get to see your creations throughout the season and vote for their favorites.

📍 Location: Tapping Reeve Meadow (82 South Street, Litchfield)

👉 Sign up now: Register to build a scarecrow this year. https://www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org/scarecrows/

📸 Check out some of our favorite scarecrows from past years and leave a comment with your plans or ideas for 2026 scarecrows 👇

09/02/2026

There's a regal presence "hidden" in this photo taken this morning of the marsh alongside Bissell Road at one edge of the main White Memorial Conservation Center area and across from Pine Island / Mallard Marsh area. Can you spot it?🪶✨

We see lots of Great Blue Herons while hiking the 40+ miles of trails on the 4,000 acres of White Memorial preserves in Litchfield and Morris, often at Point Folly Campground on Bantam Lake in the bookend walking seasons before and after camping season ... and along the popular Little Pond Boardwalk Trail.

Let us know about your heron sightings, and your favorite spots in Litchfield to go birdwatching. 👇

Meanwhile, connect with all the great things at The White Memorial Conservation Center here: https://whitememorialcc.org/

09/01/2026

Heritage and horticulture will come together Sept. 19 as the Litchfield Garden Club presents its GCA Flower Show, 𝘾𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙪𝙩 – 𝘼 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚. 🌸

Inspired by state traditions like brassmaking, agriculture, clockmaking, and silversmithing, club members are turning local history and heritage into striking floral designs.

🗓️ Schedule & Details:

✨ Gala Preview Party: Friday, Sept. 18 | 6:00–9:00 PM Tickets at https://www.litchfieldgardenclub.org/events.html

🌿 Public Flower Show: Saturday, Sept. 19 | 10:00 AM–4:00 PM (Free admission!)

📍 Location: Litchfield Community Center (421 Bantam Rd)

Proceeds from ticket sales support the Litchfield Garden Club's civic work throughout town—a tradition of local beautification and conservation that stretches back more than 100 years.

Get your Preview Party tickets and read more about the club's history: https://www.litchfieldgardenclub.org/

08/29/2026

What a gorgeous day for a hike in the woods at The White Memorial Conservation Center!

The first photo is the morning sun filtering through the canopy along the Mallard Marsh boardwalk in the Pine Island section of White Memorial, from this morning (8/29). The second photo shows a section of the same boardwalk from October 2025 -- and the third image is an annotated section of the White Memorial property map.

While the popular Little Pond Boardwalk Trail on the east side of Whites Woods Road gets lots of well-deserved attention, the Pine Island/Mallard Marsh area on the western side offers a quieter, more peaceful alternative.

With wide, flat carriage roads that encourage a slower pace and winding interior trails that include several short wooden boardwalks through the marsh, it’s one of the hidden gems across White Memorial Foundation’s 4,000 acres and 40+ miles of trails.

Looking for a longer hike? You can easily link the Mallard Marsh trails with Little Pond or loop over to the White Memorial main area that includes the Conservation Center and Nature Museum.

https://whitememorialcc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/WMF-Property-Map-March-28-2016-1.pdf

📍 Whites Woods Road, Litchfield, CT
🥾 Free and open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset.
🐕 Leashed dogs are always welcome on the trails!

08/29/2026

Exciting news indeed at The White Memorial Conservation Center!

𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐧𝐞𝐰𝐬! White Memorial is working hard to turn our backyard into an updated and special place for you to enjoy. Part of this is building a new home for our Avian Ambassadors!
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭, 𝐈𝐫𝐢𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐙𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞.
Construction on the new aviary is expected to last roughly 10 weeks.
Please be respectful of the work zone and workers. Stay safe by giving them space.
Thank you for your patience and support!

08/26/2026

September in Litchfield means the return of Plein Air Litchfield (September 12–20) and that means more stunning artwork like Jim Laurino's "Beekman Farm Saltbox" from 2025.

This painting helped him capture the prestigious Best Body of Work award, bestowed by his fellow artists. 🎨🏆

It’s a perfect preview of the world-class talent heading our way. From the fast-paced Quick Paint Competition on Sunday, Sept 13, to the Palates & Palettes series at favorite local eateries, and the final elegant Collectors Gala, this is Litchfield County creativity and community at its finest.

Check out our comprehensive guide for all key dates, event registration details, and how to get those exclusive Gala tickets! ⬇️

🔗 https://visitlitchfieldct.com/capture-the-light-your-complete-guide-to-plein-air-litchfield-2026/

08/25/2026

Late summer is showing off at The White Memorial Conservation Center. 🌅🍂

If you’re looking to get outdoors, early morning and early evening offer the best light, crisp air, and a peaceful backdrop for a quiet ramble in the woods of Litchfield.

A 1.2-mile loop along the Lake Trail and Ice House Ruins trail rewards you with quiet scenes like those captured this morning just after 8—paddleboarders gliding across a glassy Bantam Lake, the canal in its late-summer look, the morning sun bursting through the canopy to illuminate pretty yellow flowers (Woodland Sunflowers?), and the first hints of autumn quiet dropping to the forest floor.

Beyond the scenery, there's incredible history underfoot. The concrete pillars leading to the Bantam Lake viewing platform were once part of a massive industrial operation. From 1908 to 1929, this was home to the Berkshire Ice Company, where 60,000 tons of ice were harvested from the lake each winter.

After taking in the view from the platform (a perfect spot for family photos 📸), you’ll pass the historic 420-foot concrete canal, built to wash away ice chips and slush from the icehouse planer.

It’s an easy, flat walk that’s perfect for the whole family and dogs on a leash 🐶.

📍 Getting there: Park at The White Memorial Conservation Center parking lot off Route 202 and Bissell Road.

🔗 Trail details: https://whitememorialcc.org/trail/lake-trail-loop/