Connecticut Memorial Day Weekend Offers Art, Racing, History, and More

CONNECTICUT — In addition to all those parades around the gazebos in just about every town, the Memorial Day will also bring an eclectic slate of events and entertainment — much of it uniquely Connecticut — across the state this long weekend.

Start your summer in celebration of an iconic muscle car at the 2025 Trans Am Memorial Day Classic in Salisbury, because what's more American than the roar of an 850-horsepower V8 engine? The races and events at the Lime Rock Park raceway are piled high all weekend long, for both drivers and spectators. Tickets are available online here.

At the other end of the Memorial Day entertainment spectrum, "Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience" opens Saturday and will run through June 29 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Freed from their frames, the paintings of van Gogh are projected onto walls, accompanied by a symphonic score, along with the artist's own words, dreams, and thoughts. Visitors will also explore more than 400 of Claude Monet's most famous masterpieces. The walk-through show is roughly one-hour-long, and tickets are available online here.

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The Voice of Art is organizing its fifth annual outdoor juried Fine Art Festival in Sharon on the Green, Saturday and Sunday. This show is free and open to the public and will showcase high-quality fine art and fine functional art created by artists from Connecticut and six other states. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., both days.

The 5th Connecticut Regiment is still fighting the Revolutionary War, and on Saturday, they'll show you how it's done. The historical reenactment troop is setting up their annual encampment outside the Webb Deane Stevens Museum in Wethersfield from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Demonstrations throughout the day will include a surgeon's table, open hearth cooking and food, period music, weaving, sewing, butter churning and answers to every question you could possibly have regarding Colonial soldiering. Cannons will be fired, as The 5th takes on a regiment of 18th Century British Marines. It'll all be noisy, and best of all, free.

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If you prefer your soldiers in chain mail, and bows over muskets, that can be arranged this weekend in Harwinton. The Royal Family & Market Weekend at Robin Hood's Medieval Faire will be galloping into the Harwinton Fairgrounds Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and you'll find no shortage of cringe British accents, delectable turkey legs, thrilling jousts, or medieval-themed shopping at the Artisan Market. Tickets are available online here.

The 3rd Annual Safari Carnival at Action Wildlife Foundation will be held in Goshen Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Your family will make packs of new four-footed friends on the hay rides through the 25 acre Safari Park. There's also all the carnival rides, activities, games, and local craft beer you would expect at any Connecticut summer carnival. Friday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; gates lock one hour after closing times.

May 24 also marks the opening of the Washington Farmers Market returning to The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens. The market features locally grown veggies, freshly baked breads and pastries, pasture-raised meats, artisanal cheeses, seafood, fresh-cut flowers, handmade pet food, and more, with live music. Drop by 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday through November 22.

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