8 Epic Connecticut Summer Food & Drink Festivals
1. Hartford Rib Off
When: Friday, June 14th and Saturday, June 15th
Where: Riverside Park, 20 Leibert Road, Hartford, CT
What: Hartford Rib Off is two days of fun, food, and fundraising. Not only do you get to enjoy unlimited beer and BBQ samples, but you can participate in a “People’s Choice” competition where you get to be the judge of the best BBQ (channel inner Chef Ramsey).
The event begins on Friday, June 14th with the Kick-Off Party where beer samples will be pouring from 20 different breweries, and live music will be playing from one of our favorite local bands, Professors of Sweet Sweet Music.
Saturday is when the BBQ buffet comes in. Eat your heart out at the all you can eat BBQ buffet filled with ribs, pulled pork, chicken and various sides. You’ll also receive a cup in which you can fill up with unlimited (yup, unlimited) beer throughout the event. Live music, games, and family-friendly fun will also be going on throughout the day.
But, our favorite part about Hartford Rib Off? 100% of the proceeds are donated to charity.
Tickets are $20 for Friday and $50 for Saturday. Want free tickets? Enter our giveaway for two free tickets here!
2. Connecticut Taco Festival
When: Saturday, June 29th from 12-6PM
Where: Auerfarm, Bloomfield, CT
What: This year’s CT Taco Festival will take place nearby in Bloomfield, CT! One ticket gives you access to gourmet taco food trucks from all over the state so you can eat through tacos from all different styles and flavors, sip on frozen margaritas, watch Lucha Libre Mexican wrestling, listen to live music and more. You then have the opportunity to vote for your favorite taco and decide on who gets deemed “Top Taco.”
Get your tickets here. Or enter our giveaway to win a pack of FOUR tickets for you and your taco-loving friends. Giveaway will be announced May 23rd.
3. Connecticut BBQ Festival
When: Saturday, June 15th from 12-6PM
Where: 384 Main St, Bethlehem, CT
What: A day filled with BBQ, beer, bacon, bourbon, eating contests, crafters, live music – okay could they day sound any better? Taste delicious BBQ from local restaurants as they compete for the title of “Best BBQ,” chosen by YOU. And if you’re bacon-obsessed, you can take part in an epic bacon eating contest. Purchase your tickets here for $15-20!
4. CT Rosé Day
When: Saturday, June 8th from 4:30-8:30PM
Where: Wickham Park, Manchester, CT
What: If your life motto is ‘rosé all day’ then this festival was clearly made for you. Celebrate National Rosé Day with bottomless rosé in a beautiful garden venue. Honestly, this event sounds like an Instagrammers paradise. Hang out with a rosé filled wine glass in a garden filled with flower walls, instagrammable props, and live music. Tickets are $75 for general admission and include four-hour admission, complimentary soda, and water, hors d’oeuvres, raffle tickets for giveaways, souvenir pin, access to on-site activations and giveaways!
Enter our giveaway here for a chance to win a free ticket!
5. Lyman Orchards’ Strawberry Festival
When: Saturday, June 15th from 9AM-4PM
Where: Lyman Orchards, Middlefield, CT
What: Celebrate the start of strawberry season with freshly grown strawberries from Lyman Orchards. Strawberry picking in the orchard, live music, complimentary food tastings, and demos, pie eating contests, horse rides, and more! Plus, admission is free!
6. CT Wine Festival
When: Saturday, July 20th from 12-7PM
Where: Goshen Fair Grounds, Goshen, CT
What: Sample wines from Connecticut’s best wineries, enjoy complimentary samples of locally produced specialty foods, listen to live music, and shop for handcrafts at this year’s CT Wine Festival at the Goshen Fairgrounds. Admission will get you samples of the best wines from 11 of Connecticut’s top wineries, as well as access to a free wine seminar. Tickets range from $27-32 if you get them in advance here.
7. Riverfront Food Truck Festival
When: Thursday, July 11, 11AM – Saturday, July 13, 8PM
Where: Mortensen Riverfront Plaza
What: The Riverfront Food Truck Festival returns for the fifth year of delicious food, music and more. Expect to find your favorite local food trucks + maybe some new cuisine you’ve never had before. If you work in or around Downtown, this event is the perfect spot to stop by for a fun lunch or dinner. The Riverfront Food Truck Festival is FREE and open to the public!
8. Road Jam Music Fest
When: Friday, June 21 at 5:30PM and Saturday, June 22 at 2PM
Where: Two Roads Brewing Company, Stratford, CT
What: It’s called a music festival.. but this festival is seriously filled with food and drink. The Two Roads beer tap is always pouring, and you can find some of your favorite local food truck finds here. Plus, this is expected to be the biggest Road Jame up to date, with two days, two stages and nine bands (including Matt and Kim as the headliner)! Get your tickets here.
