Activity

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!

Program for kids ages 5-12. Explore the science of aerodynamics with us! Kids will use everyday objects to create an awesome glider that is part game, part toy, and part physics experiment! Ready, set, fly! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, space is limited. Click here to register.

Join Harp & Happenings for a Fall Paint Night at Brickside Pizza!

Register for this virtual program HERE. Is having a trust in your estate plan the best option for you? In this session, estate planning and elder law attorney Erin Duques of Daly Perri Arnold & Knierim in Madison, will demystify trusts and explain why a trust may – or may not - be suitable for you and why. First, you’ll learn about some of the most common types of trusts and the purpose and benefits of each, such as protecting assets, avoiding probate, minimizing taxes, and keeping public benefits for a loved one with special needs. Whether you are new to trusts or even understand them well, you’ll walk away understanding how and when to use these powerful planning tools to your advantage. This Essex Library Association program is free and open to the public. Registration is required for all virtual programs.

Register and ask questions of the author here Grab a pocketful of change and get ready to dance down the street! Join us for an energetic conversation as we celebrate the joy of community and summer fun with Latin GRAMMY-winning musician Lucky Diaz, author of the sensational bilingual picture book, Paletero Man. What’s the best way to cool off on a hot summer day? Run quick and find Paletero José! Follow along with our narrator as he passes through his busy neighborhood in search of the Paletero Man. But when he finally catches up with him, our narrator’s pockets are empty. Oh no! What happened to his dinero? It will take the help of the entire community to get the tasty treat now. Inspired by the vibrant rhythms of Los Angeles and Diaz’s own hit song, this beautiful story invites readers into a sun-drenched neighborhood where the ring of a bell means the best treat of the day is just around the corner. Register today and discover how we can all bring a little more sweetness and community spirit into our daily lives! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required, see above link.

Want to reduce the waste you create? Join Karen Evans, environmental educator and member of Sustainable Essex, for a hands on workshop focusing on reducing, reusing, recycling, and rethinking!