Events

There is something for everyone in Windham, starting with the 3rd Thursday Street Fests in the summer,  Willimantic Whitewater Park,  the annual 4th of July Boom Box Parade, and the East Coast Greenway/Airline Trail. The recently constructed Shaboo Stage has already become a popular venue for outdoor concerts. Located at Jillson Square, Shaboo is one of the largest outdoor music venues in the state.

Swift River Art & Music Festival

Friday, June 2 at Heritage Park, 322 Main Street, Willimantic, from 4 until 9 p.m.

Relax in the shade by the beautiful Willimantic River and listen to amazing local talent-Americana, Folk and Blues.  Artists will display and sell their wares, and there will be music by The Fabulous Clones, Sal Tarintino and Room to Move. Bring a lawn chair. Food and soft drinks are available. The event is presented by Windham Arts with support from CT Humanities. Because of a last-minute sponsor, this event is now FREE to the public!

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Third Thursday Street Fests

June 15, July 20, August 17, September 21
6-9pm

Thousands of people from far and wide will stroll along Main Street in Willimantic amid a background of musical, theatrical, visual, and olfactory delights.

There are bands and jugglers to entertain you as you meander through the fest. Five stages simultaneously host a wide variety of music and entertainment while over 100 local and regional crafters and vendors showcase the wealth of goods produced in Connecticut.   Willimantic’s diversity really shines through in the delicious authentic international cuisine. Enjoy locally produced artwork, beer, music, and soda. Free children’s activities abound!

Brought to you by Willimantic Renaissance, Inc., a grassroots 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed to revitalize downtown Willimantic by celebrating diversity, building community and attracting consumers. 3rd Thursday Street Fests are truly a community event.

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Battle of the Bands

June 17, Shaboo Stage

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Tour: In the Footsteps of Sam Huntington

June 17

The tour will begin at Sam’s birthplace in the Scotland parish of Windham. The homestead is a fine example of a typical 18th c. farm. Huntington was raised here but not one of the sons to be sent to Yale for higher education. So, he walked and studied with the local minister and prominent attorneys in Windham Center.  Huntington relocated to Norwich to begin his practice and his political career. The tour will drive to Norwichtown to walk around the neighborhood of his home where he lived with his wife, Martha.  Huntington would be elected to serve on the Continental Congress and become a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, President during the Articles of Confederation  and later Governor of Connecticut. The tour will walk to his final resting place in the Norwichtown Burying Ground.

The ”Footsteps” tour will include remarks by Kevin Ring, president of the Huntington Trust; Bev York, director of the America Museum; and Damien Cregeau, historian who portrays Samuel.  The event is aimed at promoting the important contributions of Huntington and is a benefit for the Huntington Homestead Museum. The museum is celebrating the 300th year of the building of the home and many  special events are planned for the season.  An endowment fund will be started and donors are asked to contribute $17.76 or more.  The museum is seeking new members and volunteers as they prepare for 2026 which is 250th year since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The rain or shine tour starts at 10:00 a.m. at the Huntington Homestead in Scotland. The tour is $25 per person and tickets can be purchased on- line at the Americamuseum.org.  Click on the “Footsteps of Huntington.”  All proceeds will benefit the Governor Samuel Huntington Trust, Inc. which owns and operates the Huntington Homestead Museum. For more information bevishistory@yahoo.com or  call 860-423-1878 and leave a message.

2nd Annual Latin Fest

July 15, Shaboo Stage

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Shaboo Stage

The recently constructed Shaboo Stage has already become a popular venue for outdoor concerts, where you’ll also find food trucks and local vendors. Located at Jillson Square, Shaboo is one of the largest outdoor music venues in the state, hosting live and often free concerts. 

Shaboo Stage

The recently constructed Shaboo Stage has already become a popular venue for outdoor concerts, where you’ll also find food trucks and local vendors. Located at Jillson Square, Shaboo is one of the largest outdoor music venues in the state, hosting live and often free concerts. 

Boom Box Parade

The town’s July 4 Boom Box Parade tradition started in 1986 when no marching band could be found for Windham’s Memorial Day Parade. Five weeks later, on July 4, the “Boom Box” parade was born, as WILI 1400 AM radio played the marching band music on the air while thousands of people marched, loudly playing their Boom Boxes. No other town has a parade like this one!

Boom Box Parade

The town’s July 4 Boom Box Parade tradition started in 1986 when no marching band could be found for Windham’s Memorial Day Parade. Five weeks later, on July 4, the “Boom Box” parade was born, as WILI 1400 AM radio played the marching band music on the air while thousands of people marched, loudly playing their Boom Boxes. No other town has a parade like this one!