Other Events

Several exciting events not affiliated with the MetroHartford Alliance are taking place in the Hartford Region!  Find out what’s happening and discover the cultural and entertainment riches of the area.

  1. Disney's The Lion King

    August 1 - August 19
    The Bushnell
    166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford
    Times Vary

    Giraffes strut. Birds swoop. Gazelles leap. The entire Serengeti comes to life as never before. And as the music soars, Pride Rock slowly emerges from the mist. This is Disney’s THE LION KING, making its triumphant return to The Bushnell! More than 90 million people around the world have experienced the awe-inspiring visual artistry, the unforgettable music, and the uniquely theatrical storytelling of this Broadway spectacular – one of the most breathtaking and beloved productions ever to grace the stage. Click here for more information.

  2. Improv Comedy Night

    August 17, 24, 31
    Sea Tea Comedy Theater
    15 Asylum Street, Hartford
    Times Vary

    Improv Comedy Night features our house improv teams -- performers assembled and chosen by Sea Tea Comedy Theater's artistic directors to put on amazing shows for you! These teams get together, take your suggestion and run with it!

    Improv Comedy Night shows feature each group doing their own set of improvised comedic scenes. Some shows even feature special finales like one-night-only combinations of that show's teams or jams & lotteries with chances for audience members to come up and perform (if they want)! Click here for more information.

  3. Dragon Boat & Asian Festival

    Saturday, August 18
    Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
    300 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford
    8:00-4:00pm

    The Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival invites community and club teams for a day of fun competition on the Connecticut River. Registration for 2018 is now open. Click here for more information.

  4. Kids Will Change the World Book Club Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

    Saturday, August 18
    Harriet Beecher Stowe Center
    77 Forest Street, Hartford
    11:00-12:00pm

    Set in Mississippi at the height of the Depression, this is the story of one family’s struggle to maintain integrity, pride, and independence in the face of racism and social injustice. Winner of the Newbery Medal, this moving novel has impressed the hearts and minds of millions of readers. Click here for more information.

  5. Martial Arts Day (Dragon Boat Race on the Riverfront)

    Saturday, August 18
    Connecticut Science Center
    250 Columbus Boulevard, Hartford
    11:00-4:00pm

    Celebrate the physical skill, discipline and sport of martial arts at the Connecticut Science Center! Join kids and families from across the state and beyond for martial arts demonstrations, origami with the Art Truck of Connecticut and a full day of hands-on fun with the Science Center’s 165 interactive exhibits activities. As a bonus, take a walk on Riverfront Plaza and see the famous Dragon Boats. There will also be a special showing of the fantastic animated adventure Kubo and the Two Strings (2D) at 3PM in the theater (extra ticket required). Click here for more information.

  6. New England Warrior Dash

    OE Warrior DashSaturday, August 18
    Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park
    205 East Thompson Road, Thompson
    All Day

    Warrior Dash is the 5k obstacle course race and festival enjoyed by over three million Warriors worldwide. Since 2009, this is the get-dirty race anyone can start and everyone can finish. And once you’re done, get ready to party at a festival with a live DJ, great beer, activities and sponsors and the best people watching. Click here for more information.

  7. “YOU MUST GO HOME CLEAN!”: Venereal Disease And the War

    Saturday, August 18
    Connecticut Historical Society
    One Elizabeth Street, Hartford
    1:00-2:00pm

    When the U.S. entered WWI, it had to dramatically increase the size of its military. The drafting of recruits revealed a major problem: there was a massive epidemic of venereal disease in America. In response, the government launched a nationwide battle against sexually transmitted infections. What steps did they take? Were they successful? And what effect did this have on other efforts at social reform in early 20th-century America? In this discussion, led by Adult Programs Manager Natalie Belanger, we’ll look at photos, pamphlets and even film from this period to learn about the campaign to keep the U.S. Army “the cleanest in the world”. Click here for more information.

  8. Asking For A Friend with Chion Wolf

    Saturday, August 18
    Sea Tea Comedy Theater
    15 Asylum Street, Hartford
    7:00pm

    Asking For A Friend is a live advice* show at Sea Tea Improv's underground comedy theater for curious people with a sense of humor. Write down your problem, put it in the big red box, and host Chion Wolf (WNPR, The Mouth-Off at The Mark Twain House & Museum, the Hartford Hot Several, Night Fall) will help you figure it all out with her panel of unqualified yet enthusiastic, thoughtful humans. At the end of the night, Chion picks one audience volunteer randomly who gets a free pair of tickets to next month’s show, and the grand finale is a Reading of Confessions. Click here for more information.

  9. Enter the Haggis

    Saturday, August 18
    Infinity Music Hall
    32 Front Street, Hartford
    8:00pm

    So excited to bring back Enter the Haggis for their long awaited return to Infinity Hall Hartford. This Indie/Folk Gaelic Rock-World-Fusion band from Toronto has become an Infinity Hall favorite. Check the video clip...they’re awesome! Based on ticket sales their last time here and the crowd’s reaction, we expect this show to go quick, so don’t wait to get tickets. Click here for more information.

  10. Family Show! All-Ages Comedy

    August 19, 26
    Sea Tea Comedy
    15 Asylum Street, Hartford
    Times Vary

    Their improv comedy show is interactive, with chances for kids and adults alike to shout out suggestions and even opportunities to volunteer to play some improv games with us on stage! The comedy is all-ages -- kids and adults will have a lot to laugh about. Click here for more information.

  11. Stand-Up Comedy Open Mic

    August 20 & September 3
    Sea Tea Comedy Theater
    15 Asylum Street, Hartford
    7:00-10:00pm

    Come work on your stand-up set in a theater/club atmosphere. Stage, lights, character work, bits, whatever you want to do. Get the full comedy club experience -- you won't be competing with bar noise and televisions while telling jokes. Click here for more information.

  12. Pratt Street Patio Presents: Orice Jenkins

    Hartford.com logo_Neutraface Display TittlingTuesday, August 21
    Pratt Street
                                                          Hartford
                                                          12:00-1:00pm

    A special Tuesday performance from one of the smoothest and most soulful performers in the Hartford area. Click here for more information.

  13. Audio Feed: Seth Adam

    Hartford.com logo_Neutraface Display TittlingWednesday, August 22
    Constitution Plaza
                                                                  Hartford
                                                                  12:00-1:00pm

    The highly popular Audio Feed music series returns to Constitution Plaza for a third season. Spend your Wednesday afternoons during the summer months enjoying free lunchtime music by the big fountain. Click here for more information.

  14. Connecticut Open Young Professionals Night

    CT Open logoWednesday, August 22
    CT Tennis Center
    Yale, New Haven
    5:00pm

    Come enjoy a night of world-class professional tennis at Young Professional Night at the Connecticut Open! Take advantage of the special ticket offer of a $20 silver box seat that includes at $10 food voucher, complementary general admission parking, and full access to the Champions Grill! Use promo code CO18YPN. Click here for more information!

  15. Literature Chat

    Wednesday, August 22
    Hartford Public Library
    500 Main Street, Hartford
    6:00-7:00pm

    Come to talk about a favorite book and/or an interesting article you read, and/or a favorite book to film adaptation you've watched. Also, learn and talk about The Great American Read, an eight-part series and nationwide competition that the Hartford Public Library is participating in. Click here for more information.

  16. Exhibit Opening Reception: Mas: Carnival Costumes from Hartford’s West Indian Community

    Thursday, August 23
    Connecticut Historical Society
    One Elizabeth Street, Hartford
    5:30-7:00pm

    The Mas: Carnival Costumes from Hartford’s West Indian Community exhibit showcases Trinidad-style carnival costumes (Mas) made by Hartford teens during the summer 2018 Mas Camp, the eighth year of a collaboration of the Connecticut Cultural Heritage Arts Program (CCHAP) and the Connecticut International Cultural Carnival Association (CICCA) under the direction of Linford “Junior” Miller. The colorful and elaborate costumes on display are similar to those worn in West Indian celebrations around the world, and will be presented by the teens at Hartford’s Taste of the Caribbean Festival and the West Indian Parade this summer. Click here for more information.

  17. Riverfront Scramble - Toons and Tunes

    Thursday, August 23
    Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
    Hartford
    6:30pm

    Get ready to Scramble with the Hartford Marathon Foundation. With three different courses and a new theme each month, Riverfront Scrambles provide a happy hour run for all abilities. Rally the work crew or unwind with friends, the Riverfront Scrambles offer a fun alternative post-work get-together that inspire everyone to get moving. Toons and Tunes (musicals) From Mickey to Kenickie, the final race in the series is all about silliness and song. Click here for more information.

  18. Big Sam's Funky Nation with Funky Dawgz Brass Band

    Thursday, August 23
    Infinity Music Hall
    32 Front Street, Hartford
    8:30pm

    A night of Funky brass bands. Incredible. Big Sam’s Funky Nation is making their long awaited return to CT and their Infinity Hall Debut!  They are New Orleans big brass band at its very best. They blend several genres into one show and deliver a unique experience night in and night out. Funky Dawgz are a CT Native Funk Brass Band that got their start at UConn, are staples in the Hartford Jazz Fest, have played the NOLA Jazz fest and so many more. So come support two incredible bands and dance the night away! Click here for more information.

  19. Hartford Sangerbund Bierfest 2018

    Friday, August 24 - Sunday, August 26
    Hartford Sangerbund
    719 North Mountain Road, Newington
    Times Var    y

    Join Hartford Sangerbund for their Bierfest 2018! There will be German beer, food, vendors and more! Click here for more information.

  20. Summer Concert Series: Val Ramos Ensemble

    Friday, August 24
    Connecticut's Old State House
    800 Main Street, Hartford
    12:00-1:00pm

    Hailed as “the best of classical flamenco brought to modern standards” (Rootsworld.com) and “simply brilliant” (Flamenco Buzz.com), the Ensemble represents the best of contemporary flamenco music, song, and dance. Click here for more information.