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  • Essex Village Walking Tour

    Foot of Main 67 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    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 $5 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. Summer 2026 walks will be on Saturdays: June 27, July 25, August 29 and September 26. Please Register.

    $5

  • 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

  • Valley Forge Elm Planting – Essex Celebrates America 250

    Ivoryton Green Ivoryton, CT, United States

    Join us for a meaningful community moment as we come together to plant a Valley Forge Elm Tree in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.  Ivoryton Village Green Wednesday, May 13, 2026 4:00 PM This special ceremony is more than just planting a tree—it’s about celebrating our shared history, our community, and the legacy we leave for future generations.  The tree was made possible through a generous donation from the Essex Board of Trade, with additional support from the Essex Tree Committee, in coordination with Essex Tree Warden Augie Pampel. As part of our Essex Celebrates America 250 events, this is a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors and be part of something lasting right here in Essex. We hope you’ll join us! #EssexCT #Essex250 #Community #TreePlanting #ValleyForgeElm #America250

    Free

  • 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

  • EHS History Hour at Essex Meadows: The Woman Who Printed the Declaration

    Essex Meadows 30 Bokum Road, Essex, CT, United States

    Essex Historical Society and Essex Meadows present History Hour. This program features a speaker, author, presenter, or musician once a month through 2026. Stay tuned as we announce the topic and presentation of each month’s program. May’s History Hour features our rescheduled speaker from our January Winter Lecture Series. Join us in welcoming Dr. Emily Sneff, author of the new book: When the Declaration of Independence Was News, as she presents "The Woman Who Printed the Declaration." Connecticut-born printer Mary Katharine Goddard created the first broadsides of the Declaration of Independence to include the names of the men who had signed that document. Dr. Emily Sneff, a leading expert on the Declaration and author of the forthcoming book, When the Declaration of Independence Was News, will explore Goddard's career and the choices she made when printing the Declaration, first in her newspaper in July 1776 and then on the broadsides ordered by the Continental Congress in January 1777. Dr. Sneff will contrast the printings under Goddard's name with newspapers printed under the name of another Mary, on the other side of the Atlantic.

    Free

  • 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
  • Psychedelic ’60's

    Psychedelic ’60’s at The Gris

    Recurring
    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, United States

    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!

  • 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

  • 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

  • Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks Bring Hot Jazz to Essex Winter Series

    Valley Regional High School 156 Kelsey Hill Road, Deep River, CT, United States

    UPDATE: We regret that we must postpone our Sunday, February 22, concert. Cancellation notices are widespread in news outlets and on social media, and we are attempting to personally reach every person on our ticketholder list. The weather forecasted and time frame for the upcoming storm would not have ensured timely removal of snow and the safety of everyone to be able to attend, especially those traveling from out of state. We will miss seeing you and sharing great jazz with Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks. The good news is that the concert has been rescheduled:May 17, 2026 • 3 pm • Valley Regional High School If you have a ticket already, hold onto it as you will need it for entry to the rescheduled event. ORIGINAL POST: For the second concert of the Essex Winter Series season on February 22, 2026, our Jazz Advisor Jeff Barnhart is thrilled to announce the return of EWS favorite Vince Giordano, who will lead his incredible jazz orchestra – The Nighthawks – for an afternoon of Hot and Sweet Music of the 1920s and ‘30s! Vince told Jeff that our audiences are among the most rewarding he's performed in front of, averring “It's like […]

    $45

  • 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

  • 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

  • Tuesday Night Trivia

    Recurring
    Essex Indoor Golf 23 Saybrook Road, Essex, CT, United States

    What’s better than “Taco Tuesday?” Tuesday Nite Trivia at Essex Indoor Golf Center! Join us in our clean, family-friendly atmosphere, against the backdrop of golfers playing courses from around the globe. And yes, you can even combine golf (or mini golf) AND trivia at the same time! Free admission, as well as prizes every week for the ‘smartest smarty pants’ might be enough to get you off the couch on a Tuesday night. Then, declare Tuesdays as a No-Cooking Nite when you order from our fantastic Grumpy Caddy menu, along with our extensive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine from our 35-foot custom bar…Tuesdays might just become your favorite day of the week. So, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ families! Call (959) 265-8979 or visit essexindoorgolf.com

    Free

  • 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

  • The Librarians, a documentary screening at Essex Library Association

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, United States

    Join us for a special screening of the 2025 documentary: The Librarians. Maureen Sullivan, former president for the American Library Association, will make introductory remarks, placing the film's main themes in the context of Connecticut. A short discussion with the audience will follow the screening. Register HERE. In the film, librarians emerge as first responders in the fight for democracy and our First Amendment Rights. As they well know, controlling the flow of ideas means control over communities. In Texas, the Krause List targets 850 books focused on race and LGBTQia+ stories – triggering sweeping book bans across the U.S. at an unprecedented rate. As tensions escalate, librarians connect the dots from heated school and library board meetings nationwide to lay bare the underpinnings of extremism fueling the censorship efforts. Despite facing harassment, threats, and laws aimed at criminalizing their work – the librarians’ rallying cry for freedom to read is a chilling cautionary tale (Unrated, 92 minutes). Watch the official trailer HERE. This film was directed and produced by Kim A. Snyder and produced by Janique L. Robillard, Maria Cuomo Cole and Jana Edelbaum. Read more about the filmmakers HERE.  Light refreshments provided. This program is free and open to the public.

  • 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

  • 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, CT, United States

    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, CT, United States

    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

    Psychedelic ’60’s at The Gris

    Recurring
    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, United States

    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!

  • 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

  • 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

  • GRIS250 BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Coming up… We’re celebrating 250 years of history and hospitality, June 5th through 7th. All manner of festivity is on tap, beginning at 5:00 pm on Friday afternoon with the SX Sailing Masters of 1812 kicking off our Birthday Weekend. See listing of weekend events here.

  • 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

  • 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

  • Tuesday Night Trivia

    Recurring
    Essex Indoor Golf 23 Saybrook Road, Essex, CT, United States

    What’s better than “Taco Tuesday?” Tuesday Nite Trivia at Essex Indoor Golf Center! Join us in our clean, family-friendly atmosphere, against the backdrop of golfers playing courses from around the globe. And yes, you can even combine golf (or mini golf) AND trivia at the same time! Free admission, as well as prizes every week for the ‘smartest smarty pants’ might be enough to get you off the couch on a Tuesday night. Then, declare Tuesdays as a No-Cooking Nite when you order from our fantastic Grumpy Caddy menu, along with our extensive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine from our 35-foot custom bar…Tuesdays might just become your favorite day of the week. So, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ families! Call (959) 265-8979 or visit essexindoorgolf.com

    Free

  • 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

  • Shoreline Ringers Handbell Concert

    Trinity Lutheran Church 109 Main St, Centerbrook, CT, United States

    Shoreline Ringers, a top-level community handbell choir, presents Spacious Skies, a glorious, uplifting and patriotic concert to celebrate our Nation’s 250th Birthday. Pieces will include Semper Fidelis, Leroy Anderson medley, Selections from West Wide Story, Fly Me to the Moon, Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!, What a Wonderful World and American the Beautiful. The Shoreline Ringers, directed by Andy Wallace ring on five octaves of Malmark handbells and seven octaves of Malmark handchimes.  The group rehearses in Ledyard and has ringers from all over eastern and central Connecticut.  Shoreline Ringers was formed with a goal of developing the art of handbell ringing and educating audiences about this unique art form.

  • 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

  • EBOT Business After Hours at Essex Historical Society

    Essex Historical Society 22 Prospect Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Join the Essex Board of Trade for our next Business After Hours, a relaxed time with light refreshments, great conversation, and the chance to explore one of our local member businesses. Date: May 28Time: 5:30 to 7 pmPlace: Essex Historical Society's Pratt House This event is a special perk for EBOT members, but if you're curious about joining, this is the perfect time to learn more! Membership connects you with our vibrant local business community, gives you a voice in town events, and offers valuable networking opportunities.  Learn how to become a member:  https://essexct.com/join-now-contact-form/

    Free

  • 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
  • Psychedelic ’60's

    Psychedelic ’60’s at The Gris

    Recurring
    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, United States

    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!

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Tuesday Night Trivia

    Recurring
    Essex Indoor Golf 23 Saybrook Road, Essex, CT, United States

    What’s better than “Taco Tuesday?” Tuesday Nite Trivia at Essex Indoor Golf Center! Join us in our clean, family-friendly atmosphere, against the backdrop of golfers playing courses from around the globe. And yes, you can even combine golf (or mini golf) AND trivia at the same time! Free admission, as well as prizes every week for the ‘smartest smarty pants’ might be enough to get you off the couch on a Tuesday night. Then, declare Tuesdays as a No-Cooking Nite when you order from our fantastic Grumpy Caddy menu, along with our extensive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine from our 35-foot custom bar…Tuesdays might just become your favorite day of the week. So, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ families! Call (959) 265-8979 or visit essexindoorgolf.com

    Free

  • 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

  • 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

  • Connecticut River Museum: Concert Underway with Ben Cosgrove

    Connecticut River Museum 67 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Concert Underway aboard RiverQuest with Ben Cosgrove Thursday, June 4, 2026 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Join us aboard RiverQuest for a performance by our new Artist In-Residence, Ben Cosgrove! Ben Cosgrove is a traveling composer-performer whose music reflects his interest in environment, place, and geography, specifically exploring how humans interact with and understand the landscapes around them and reflecting that relationship through sound. Learn more: https://ctrivermuseum.org/events/save-the-date-concert-underway-ben-cosgrove/

    $31.50 – $35

  • Voices & Visions of the American Revolution, a Screening Reel

    Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex, CT, United States

    Join Essex Library for a 40-minute “Voices & Visions” screening reel that showcases the art, music, and literature of the Revolutionary Era, offering a lens into the voices and visions of 1776. A short discussion of the reel will follow its screening. The screening reel is based upon The American Revolution, a 6-part, 12-hour documentary by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt. This program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Registration is suggested. Register HERE or call the library at 860-767-1560. Corporate funding for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by Bank of America. Major funding was provided by The Better Angels Society and its members Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine with the Crimson Lion Foundation; and the Blavatnik Family Foundation. Major funding was also provided by David M. Rubenstein; The Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Family Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; and the following Better Angels Society members: Eric and Wendy Schmidt; Stephen A. Schwarzman; and Kenneth C. Griffin with Griffin Catalyst. Additional support for THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION was provided by: The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations; The Pew Charitable Trusts; Gilbert S. Omenn and Martha A. Darling; Park Foundation; and the following Better Angels Society members: Gilchrist and […]

  • 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

  • GRIS250 ~ Complimentary Premium Rum Tasting

    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Back in the 18th century, rums was widely enjoyed - particularly in seaport villages like Essex, where maritime trade and seafaring life was a part of daily life. Join us for a complimentary guided tasting of select premium rums, offered in the spirit of our colonial maritime heritage. Probitas White Blended RumMezan XO Jamaica Extra Old RumBumbu The Original RumRon Zacapa 23-Year Old Centenario Gran Reserva Rum

  • GRIS250 ~ Sea Chanteys with The Jovial Crew

    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    The Jovial Crew bring sea chanteys – authentic songs of the sea that would have been heard throughout Essex’s maritime history – to our Tap Room for an evening of music and celebration. If you haven’t experienced a night with these talented musicians, you’re in for a treat! Their performances are lively, spirited, and perfectly suited to our GRIS250 weekend celebration.

  • Psychedelic ’60's

    Psychedelic ’60’s at The Gris

    Recurring
    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, United States

    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!

  • GRIS250 ~ Storytelling with George & Marsha

    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Got kids/grands? Children’s storytelling with George and Martha featuring George Washington and the General’s Dog, a children’s book inspired by a true Revolutionary War story. Complimentary popcorn and beverages served. Event appropriate for young children 5-9.

  • 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

  • Rotary Club of Essex Shad Bake 2026

    Safe Harbor Essex Island 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT, United States

    Join Us for the Rotary Club of Essex Shad Bake 2026 Click HERE to purchase tickets! Click HERE to become a sponsor! Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon at this annual culinary tradition, dating back to 1958, that is a quintessential Spring ritual of the Connecticut River. Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM Location: Essex Island Marina, 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT Getting There: Park in Essex and take the ferry at the corner of Pratt and Ferry Streets. What’s on the Menu? New England clam chowder, oyster & clam appetizers start at 3:00 PM (available at an additional cost) Cash bar with beer, wine, and soda open from 3:00 – 6:00 PM Shad Bake Dinner served between 4:30 – 6:00 PM Live Entertainment by As Time Goes By Swing Band! Tickets: $50 Online (available until June 5) $60 at the event

    $50

  • GRIS250 ~ Courses in History Dinner Party

    The Griswold Inn 36 Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

    It’s a Dinner Party celebrating 250 years of history and hospitality, the “centerpiece” of our birthday weekend! Anticipate a festive experience alongside fellow diners – including George and Martha Washington – who share a fondness for The Gris, whether marking a milestone or simply celebrating the everyday. It’s an evening designed as a shared celebration, meant to be savored together. A nod to our colonial heritage, it includes food and drink, music, birthday cake… Join us for this once-in-a-lifetime celebration! Make Your History a Part of Ours!

    $175