Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

Recurring
Essex Village

The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com

Free

EAA Spring Juried Show Opening Reception

Essex Art Association 10 North Main Street, Essex

Please join us at 6 pm on Friday, May 22nd, for the EAA Spring Juried Show juried by NC Whitcher, along with Jill Abele Butcher’s solo show in the Gantner Gallery. Award presentation at 7 pm. We are located on 10 North Main Street in Essex, CT. Gallery hours are Wednesdays thru Sundays from 1 to 5 pm starting April 17th. Admission is free!

Free

Forces of Nature Opening Reception

Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook

Explore the power, beauty, and intensity of the natural world with Spectrum Art Gallery’s Forces of Nature, a show examining nature’s strength in all its forms. Climate change has made the forces of nature feel more urgent, visible, and dangerous, but nature has always carried immense power, from destructive storms and turbulent landscapes to the steady, predictable rhythms that shape life on earth. Artists in the exhibition interpret this theme broadly, capturing subjects such as storms, wind, water, fire, changing seasons, geological movement, and other expressions of nature’s beauty, drama, and strength. Together, the works reflect both the awe-inspiring force of the natural world and the enduring patterns that continue to shape our environment, our landscapes, and our lives. The show’s Opening Reception is Friday, May 22 from 6:30-8:30pm. Visitors are invited to meet participating artists, explore the exhibition, and enjoy wine and refreshments while experiencing the gallery’s newest collection of artwork and fine crafts. The gallery will also host an Open House, Saturday May 23 with refreshments.  Forces of Nature runs through Friday, July 3. Spectrum Gallery also offers an Artisans Store filled with pottery, glass, home décor, children’s toys, jewelry, and other handcrafted accessories created by regional artists. […]

Psychedelic ’60’s at The Gris

Recurring
The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex

Every Friday, 8:30pm - 12:00am Psychedelic ’60’s, a power trio that pays tribute to the ground-breaking musical super groups of the sixties, plays the Tap Room at The Griswold Inn every Friday night. Take this nostalgic trip and listen to the music of the Kinks, the Beatles, the Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival... ROCK N' ROLL!