Activity

Take a trip down Main Street in Essex Village to capture the rich maritime history of 18th century “Potapaug,” its working waterfront and ship-building prominence in the early 19th century as well as its development as a beautiful visitor destination of today. Our tours meet at the "Foot of Main Street" in front of the CT River Museum and start at 5:00pm.  Walking tours are open to the public but we encourage pre-registration. We ask for a $10 donation per person and tours are FREE to active EHS 2026 members. Our walks last about an hour and are on mostly flat ground covering a little less than a mile.  We try to adapt our tours a bit based on our audience of the day, but if  you would like a fully customized tour, please contact our staff 860-767-0681 to arrange, giving us at least 3 weeks to arrange our guide scheduling. NEW DAY THIS YEAR! Summer 2026 walks will be on Saturdays: June 27, July 25, August 29 and September 26.

Join us as we chat with award-winning historian David O. Stewart about his newest work, The Democracy We Must Keep, and the question he explores throughout the book: What did America's founders say about democracy, and can we remain true to their vision for America? Registration is required for all virtual author talks. Register HERE or call the Library at 860-767-1560. This Essex Library program is free and open to all.

Kids and families are invited to help Ivoryton Library celebrate National Library Card Sign Up Month by participating in a scavenger hunt to explore our library!

Program for kids ages birth-4 and their caregivers. Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop, squish, pour, and play with a variety of textures and materials in a safe, supportive space alongside their caregivers. This program supports sensory development, fine motor skills, and social interaction—come play, learn, and make a (little) mess with us! Program funded in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and made possible by the GSB Grant Making Fund, and the Whelen Family Fund. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration required. Drop in!

Bingo at Brickside!

Get ready to extend your growing season like a pro! Join our master gardener, Mark Gostkiewicz, in this workshop where you'll learn the ins and outs of cultivating crops in the fall, winter, and spring. Not only will you learn about the life cycle and needs of cold-hardy veggies and herbs, but you'll also discover the benefits of using row covers, cold frames, and other season-extending techniques. This program is free and open to all at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Registration is suggested. Register online at youressexlibrary.org or by calling the library at 860-767-1560.

Program for little ones aged 18 mos. – 4 years, and one adult loved one. Join Miss Kristen from Elevé Academy for a free Little One & Loved One demo class! This is a special introductory movement class designed for young children and a parent, grandparent, caregiver, or other loved one to participate in together. Through music, movement, games, and imaginative activities, children are introduced to the joy of dance while building confidence in a nurturing and supportive environment. Perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are beginning their dance journey and benefit from the comfort and encouragement of a trusted adult. Elevé Academy is a new dance studio opening at 10 Bokum Rd in Essex this September.  At Elevé Academy, our mission is to provide exceptional dance education in a supportive and inspiring environment where students are encouraged to grow as artists, athletes, and individuals. We strive to build confidence, discipline, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance while fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. At Elevé Academy, we foster an inclusive and uplifting environment where dancers are encouraged to pursue their own path, embrace challenges, and reach their fullest potential at every stage of their development. Whether training […]

Program for children ages 5-8. Join Miss Kristen from Elevé Academy for a free Intro to Ballet demo class! This class is a joyful introduction to the foundations of ballet designed specifically for kindergarten to second-grade aged dancers. This class nurtures creativity, confidence, and a love of movement while introducing students to basic ballet technique in a fun, age-appropriate environment. Perfect for young dancers who are ready to explore the beauty and discipline of ballet while having fun and building confidence. Elevé Academy is a new dance studio opening at 10 Bokum Rd in Essex this September. At Elevé Academy, our mission is to provide exceptional dance education in a supportive and inspiring environment where students are encouraged to grow as artists, athletes, and individuals. We strive to build confidence, discipline, creativity, and a lifelong love of dance while fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. At Elevé Academy, we foster an inclusive and uplifting environment where dancers are encouraged to pursue their own path, embrace challenges, and reach their fullest potential at every stage of their development. Whether training recreationally or pursuing advanced performance and competitive opportunities, each dancer is provided with the guidance, opportunities, and personalized attention […]

Program for grandparents and their grandchildren, ages 3 and up. Tomorrow is Grandparents Day, come celebrate at the library! Kids and their grandparents are invited to enjoy tea and snacks together and create a Grandparents Day craft. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Please register each attendee (grandparents and kids) separately to ensure an accurate head count. Click here to register.

Program for families with kids of all ages. Reading to a therapy dog has been proven to improve reading skills, self-esteem, and confidence in public speaking sessions. Kids are invited to sign up for a private 15-minute slot to read to and interact with local licensed therapy dog Louie the Labrador! Please note: A photographer from the Pawcatuck River Labrador Retriever Club will be attending this session to do a write-up on Louie’s work with the library. If you would not like to be photographed, please let us know! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register for the 5:15 time slot. Click here to register for the 5:30 time slot. Click here to register for the 5:45 time slot.

Prepare to launch into the darkest depths of deep space! Join us online as we sit down with master storyteller Daniel Kraus, winner of the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, to celebrate the release of his breathtaking new novel, The Sixth Nik. Register now to gain exclusive insight from one of the most visionary voices in modern fiction. This Essex Library program is free and open to all. Registration is required for all virtual author talks. Register online at www.youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.

Program designed for caregivers and their child, age birth – 2. In Baby Keepsake, our sensory art explorations expose baby to a variety of textures, while creating something to remember your little one in their youngest years. This month: Summer’s not over just yet! Bring your little one to create a beach sand handprint keepsake. All supplies will be provided, but if you took a trip to the beach this year and would like to add any personal shells you found, bring them along! We’ll make the handprint at the library, and then caregivers can take them home to bake them in the oven to harden (instructions provided). What to Expect: We’ll gather together for a brief lap sit story session, and then caregivers and babies will work together to make our keepsake! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Celebrate National Teddy Bear Day at the library by bringing your favorite stuffed friend to a cozy evening story time! We'll sing songs, share heartwarming stories, and make special memories alongside our cuddly companions. Grab your favorite teddy bear (or any beloved stuffed animal) and join us for an evening full of fun, friendship, and snuggles! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required, drop in!

Food Specials! Beer & Wine! Prizes for the winning teams!

International award-winning chocolatiers Sherri and Lauren Athay from Chocolate Geeks/Truffle Shots in Essex, CT will present a bean-to-bar craft chocolate class and tasting. Sample a variety of world-class bars and learn how cultivation, fermentation, roasting, grinding, and conching affect the taste and mouth feel of chocolate. This class, for ages 18 and up, will be 90 minutes in length. Space is limited. Registration is required. Register online at www.youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library, 33 West Avenue.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Celebrate our furry, feathered, and scaly friends with pet-themed stories, songs, and activities that are perfect for young animal lovers! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. What to expect: Each Little Learners session begins with a welcome song where each child is invited to dance and celebrate themselves. We sing interactive songs that encourage vocabulary development and gross motor movement, then read a story together. After the first book, we sing a few more songs and read another story. We conclude our time together with 3-4 craft and play centers that help children develop their early math, literacy, and motor skills. After story time, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Click here to register.

Program for tweens ages 8-12. Do you love animals? Ever wonder what it takes to keep a pet happy, healthy, and thriving? Join Zoe and Kerry from the Connecticut Humane Society for a fun, hands-on adventure into the world of pet care! Throughout this interactive program, kids will learn the ins and outs of pet ownership, reviewing what they already know about pets and building upon their knowledge to better understand what pets need to thrive in their environment. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register.

Program for kids ages 5-12. Kids age 5-8 must have an adult participate alongside. September is home to National Cheese Pizza Day! Let’s make our own mini-English muffin pizzas! Join us for a delicious afternoon in the kitchen! Young chefs will build their own personal English muffin pizzas with their favorite toppings, then enjoy their tasty creations while learning simple kitchen skills and basic food safety. Possible Allergens: recipe contains english muffins, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and optional pepperoni. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

Embark on a visual journey deep into the lush jungles of Costa Rica through professional photographer Bert Sirkin’s photographs. Experience the vibrant beauty of one of the world's most biodiverse countries. Each image offers a window into the heart of Costa Rica's teeming jungles, showcasing the incredible variety of its wildlife in their natural habitats. This program is free and open to all at Essex Library Association, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. Registration is suggested as space is limited. Register online at www.youressexlibrary.org or call the Library at 860-767-1560.

Program for children ages birth – 2 and their caregivers. Music is one of the earliest ways babies learn about the world! In Baby Band, caregivers and little ones will sing, dance, bounce, clap, and explore child-safe instruments in a playful, engaging environment. Along the way, babies strengthen early literacy, communication, motor, and social-emotional skills while caregivers discover fun ways to continue the music at home. No pressure to sit still, wiggles, giggles, and movement are all part of the fun! What to Expect: We’ll start by singing some familiar songs to get the party started. Then, we’ll explore rhythm with scarves, shakers, drums, or other child-safe instruments. Before we end, we’ll sing a goodbye song! After baby band, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as supplies are limited. Click here to register.

Join the Ivoryton Library in celebrating National Play-Doh Day by making our own play-doh and creating with it! Each family will walk away with some homemade play-doh and the recipe to make more!

Join us for an empowering, eye-opening virtual conversation with renowned wellness expert Yasmine Cheyenne as we discuss her transformative new book, The Comeback Era: From Limiting Beliefs to Living Without Limits. Consider this your official permission slip to stop pretending everything is fine and start building a life you genuinely love. This Essex Library Association program is free and open to all. Registration is required for all virtual author talks. Register online at www.youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560.

This interactive workshop, led by Amy Weiss, will introduce participants to several artificial intelligence apps to explore their varied uses. Together, we’ll discuss how AI can streamline daily tasks at work and at home, while also recognizing the ethical and environmental implications of this technology. The responsibilities that AI companies have in keeping its users safe and what we can do to protect our personal information will also be discussed. Space is limited. Registration required. Register online at www.youressexlibrary.org or by calling the Library at 860-767-1560. Amy Weiss is an assistant professor of Judaic Studies and History at the University of Hartford. She recently received a 2026 Teaching and Learning Grant on AI from the University of Hartford’s Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation. The university also named her an AI Faculty Facilitator, tasked with creating a professional development workshop for faculty. During the 2025 – 2026 academic year, Amy has served as the lead faculty fellow for the Humanities Center’s Honors Seminar, where she is teaching a two semester course titled “AI in Action: The Future of Humans.” She holds a certificate from the Generative AI: Technology, Business, and Society Program at Stanford University.

Program for kids ages 2-5. Celebrate the magic of the season with stories, songs, movement, and a festive fall craft as we explore the colors, sounds, and wonders of autumn together! Join us for themed stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts! We’ll learn early literacy concepts like colors, shapes, opposites, the ABCs and much more, to prepare our pre-school age children for kindergarten. What to expect: Each Little Learners session begins with a welcome song where each child is invited to dance and celebrate themselves. We sing interactive songs that encourage vocabulary development and gross motor movement, then read a story together. After the first book, we sing a few more songs and read another story. We conclude our time together with 3-4 craft and play centers that help children develop their early math, literacy, and motor skills. After story time, families are encouraged to stay, play, and socialize in our Children's Room. It's a wonderful opportunity for children to make friends, caregivers to connect, and our library community to grow together. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is requested to ensure enough crafts are prepared. Click here to register.

Come join us on September 19th (rain date September 20th) to help clean up the Connecticut River and other areas in our three village community (Essex, Ivoryton, Centerbrook). We meet at the Connecticut River Museum and then go out into groups to get supplies and site assignments. It is a great way to volunteer, meet like minded people, and help clean up our local environment. Click on the web link for more details and to sign up to join us!