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Essex Ed Parade

EBOT is certainly excited to host our beloved Essex Ed parade. This year’s parade will be on Sunday, February 2nd at 2 pm, in celebration of Groundhog Day.  You can bring your pots and pans and head to Essex Village. Essex Ed, a larger-than-life groundhog, will make his annual pilgrimage from Essex Boatworks on Ferry Street and up Main Street. All are invited to join with noisemakers and your festive groundhog gear! Who will Essex Ed be? As always, Ed’s costume is a secret until his parade appearance. Each year a community organization dresses him in a costume that acknowledges a person or special occasion. That costume and organization will be revealed on the parade route to Ed’s final place of honor, at the roundabout on the top of Main Street.

Love Your Local

Come to Essex on Saturday, February 15th for a celebration of the amazing small businesses in our community! Pick up a passport at Grace & Haven or J. Alden Clothiers. Collect stamps as you shop across town, visit local venues and restaurants, and earn an entry to win a fabulous prize from the participating business of your choice. Support local businesses, discover new favorites, and enjoy a chance to take home something special.

Free

Essex Go Bragh Parade

The Town of Essex – Government Park and Recreations Commission is pleased to announce the 2025 Essex go Bragh Irish Parade Grand Marshal, Anthony Mosa, currently the longest serving Commissioner will lead the parade down through the Village of Essex on Sat March 22. The parade steps off at 11 am from Essex Town Hall and makes its way to Ferry Street turning up Pratt and disbursing at Cross Street. This annual tradition is the signature event of Essex Park and Recreation's Spring season and will consist of units of Irish Dancers. pipers and drum corps, local nonprofits, businesses, students, scouting, and sports groups. All are welcome to attend and if you would like to participate, gather up a group and come March with us. For more information Contact Mary Ellen Barnes. 860-767-4340 x110 or email mbarnes@essexct.gov

Recurring

CT Spring Boat Show 2025

The 2025 Connecticut Spring Boat Show will be held Friday, April 25th 1-6pm, Saturday, April 26th 10am-5pm and Sunday, April 27th 1st 10am-5pm at Safe Harbor Essex Island 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT.  Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.windcheckmagazine.com/shop/. Advance Three-Day Tickets are available now at $20 per adult and are free for children 13 and under. Tickets grant access to the show all weekend long. Walk-up, day-of tickets are $22 per adult. 50% of the ticket proceeds will benefit Sails Up 4 Cancer. In past years over $25,000 was raised for the organization. Boaters from all over New England down to New York get excited to visit the Connecticut Spring Boat Show. Visitors will enjoy seeing a wide range of new and brokerage, power and sail models ranging from 20ft to larger than 65ft from leading boat brands. In addition to boats on the dock, the show will have yacht brokers, gear, artists, accessories, and service companies exhibiting on the lawn, and live music throughout the weekend. The in-water boat show is the first of the season, featuring the latest innovations in boating, sailing, and fishing while supporting a great cause. Show attendees from Connecticut, New York, New England and […]

Recurring

CT Spring Boat Show 2025

The 2025 Connecticut Spring Boat Show will be held Friday, April 25th 1-6pm, Saturday, April 26th 10am-5pm and Sunday, April 27th 1st 10am-5pm at Safe Harbor Essex Island 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT.  Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.windcheckmagazine.com/shop/. Advance Three-Day Tickets are available now at $20 per adult and are free for children 13 and under. Tickets grant access to the show all weekend long. Walk-up, day-of tickets are $22 per adult. 50% of the ticket proceeds will benefit Sails Up 4 Cancer. In past years over $25,000 was raised for the organization. Boaters from all over New England down to New York get excited to visit the Connecticut Spring Boat Show. Visitors will enjoy seeing a wide range of new and brokerage, power and sail models ranging from 20ft to larger than 65ft from leading boat brands. In addition to boats on the dock, the show will have yacht brokers, gear, artists, accessories, and service companies exhibiting on the lawn, and live music throughout the weekend. The in-water boat show is the first of the season, featuring the latest innovations in boating, sailing, and fishing while supporting a great cause. Show attendees from Connecticut, New York, New England and […]

Recurring

CT Spring Boat Show 2025

The 2025 Connecticut Spring Boat Show will be held Friday, April 25th 1-6pm, Saturday, April 26th 10am-5pm and Sunday, April 27th 1st 10am-5pm at Safe Harbor Essex Island 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT.  Tickets may be purchased at: https://www.windcheckmagazine.com/shop/. Advance Three-Day Tickets are available now at $20 per adult and are free for children 13 and under. Tickets grant access to the show all weekend long. Walk-up, day-of tickets are $22 per adult. 50% of the ticket proceeds will benefit Sails Up 4 Cancer. In past years over $25,000 was raised for the organization. Boaters from all over New England down to New York get excited to visit the Connecticut Spring Boat Show. Visitors will enjoy seeing a wide range of new and brokerage, power and sail models ranging from 20ft to larger than 65ft from leading boat brands. In addition to boats on the dock, the show will have yacht brokers, gear, artists, accessories, and service companies exhibiting on the lawn, and live music throughout the weekend. The in-water boat show is the first of the season, featuring the latest innovations in boating, sailing, and fishing while supporting a great cause. Show attendees from Connecticut, New York, New England and […]

The 2025 Memorial Day Parade

The annual Essex Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 26th, starting at 9 am. Participants will assemble at the foot of Main Street in Essex at 8:45 am. This year the parade will follow a shorter route, starting at the Essex waterfront to the Essex Town Hall where it will stop for a prayer and a salute after which it will continue to the Essex Veterans' Memorial Hall in Centerbrook. There, a ceremony and the conclusion of the Parade will take place at approximately 10:30 am. There will be clam chowder, hot dogs, and ice cream served by the members of the Essex Veterans' Memorial Hall. The Essex Veterans will be honoring veterans at the Riverview Cemetery, First Baptist Church Cemetery, and Centerbrook Cemetery on Saturday May 24th at 10AM.

Free

Recurring

CT Sea Music Festival 2025

This family-friendly weekend includes a Symposium on the Music of the Sea, free day-time workshops and concerts featuring local, regional, and international maritime performers, a family stage, demonstrations of sailor skills, sails on the Connecticut River, a Sunday morning revival-style hymn sing, and late night Chantey Sings in the historic Griswold Inn and the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club. Main stage evening concerts are ticketed events. Stroll Main Street, Essex with ice cream in hand and hear sea chanteys and maritime music from all over the world!

Daytime: Free, Evenings: Ticketed
Recurring

CT Sea Music Festival 2025

This family-friendly weekend includes a Symposium on the Music of the Sea, free day-time workshops and concerts featuring local, regional, and international maritime performers, a family stage, demonstrations of sailor skills, sails on the Connecticut River, a Sunday morning revival-style hymn sing, and late night Chantey Sings in the historic Griswold Inn and the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club. Main stage evening concerts are ticketed events. Stroll Main Street, Essex with ice cream in hand and hear sea chanteys and maritime music from all over the world!

Daytime: Free, Evenings: Ticketed

Rotary Club of Essex Shad Bake 2025

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

The Tradition Continues! Join Us for the Rotary Club of Essex Shad Bake 2025! 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 7, 2025 ⏰ 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: ✅ $40 Online (available until June 6) ✅ $50 at the event Sponsorship opportunities are available: Captain $5,000 Fisherman $2,500 Shad $1,000 Roe $500 ️ Watch the Shad Bake in Action! Click to view Don’t miss out on this historic tradition! Secure your tickets today and be part of a true Connecticut River experience.  We can't wait to see you there!

$40
Recurring

CT Sea Music Festival 2025

This family-friendly weekend includes a Symposium on the Music of the Sea, free day-time workshops and concerts featuring local, regional, and international maritime performers, a family stage, demonstrations of sailor skills, sails on the Connecticut River, a Sunday morning revival-style hymn sing, and late night Chantey Sings in the historic Griswold Inn and the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club. Main stage evening concerts are ticketed events. Stroll Main Street, Essex with ice cream in hand and hear sea chanteys and maritime music from all over the world!

Daytime: Free, Evenings: Ticketed
Recurring

Essex Green Summer Arts Festival June 14 & 15

Spectrum Art Gallery 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

Enjoy a weekend of art, meeting artists and the outdoors at the Summer Arts Festival on the Essex Connecticut Town Green, Saturday, June 14 (10-5pm), and Sunday, June 15 (11-5pm). Presented by the Arts Center Killingworth and Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook, the Festival is located at 12 Main Street, Essex. Find original artwork by painters working in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, photography, and mixed media and collage. Fine crafts can be found in pottery, ceramic, wood as well as unique jewelry creations. Enjoy the attractions Essex offers including fine restaurants, New England architecture, and beautiful vistas. Pleased to announce that the 2025 Essex Festival is partially sponsored by Renewal by Andersen. The Arts Center Killingworth, the non-profit Festival Sponsor, presents several annual festivals as well as offers workshops and classes for established and beginning artists of all ages. Spectrum Gallery and Store, an expansion of the Arts Center, is a close visit from the Festival and is currently exhibiting Nature Up Close (through July 6). Spectrum showcases emerging and established artists and includes a Store that offers fine crafts in mediums such as fabric, glass, ceramics, paper, pottery, jewelry, wood and more. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday (12-6pm) and Sunday (12-5pm). Gallery is located at 61 Main […]

Free
Recurring

Essex Green Summer Arts Festival June 14 & 15

Spectrum Art Gallery 61 Main Street, Centerbrook, CT, United States

Enjoy a weekend of art, meeting artists and the outdoors at the Summer Arts Festival on the Essex Connecticut Town Green, Saturday, June 14 (10-5pm), and Sunday, June 15 (11-5pm). Presented by the Arts Center Killingworth and Spectrum Gallery in Centerbrook, the Festival is located at 12 Main Street, Essex. Find original artwork by painters working in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, photography, and mixed media and collage. Fine crafts can be found in pottery, ceramic, wood as well as unique jewelry creations. Enjoy the attractions Essex offers including fine restaurants, New England architecture, and beautiful vistas. Pleased to announce that the 2025 Essex Festival is partially sponsored by Renewal by Andersen. The Arts Center Killingworth, the non-profit Festival Sponsor, presents several annual festivals as well as offers workshops and classes for established and beginning artists of all ages. Spectrum Gallery and Store, an expansion of the Arts Center, is a close visit from the Festival and is currently exhibiting Nature Up Close (through July 6). Spectrum showcases emerging and established artists and includes a Store that offers fine crafts in mediums such as fabric, glass, ceramics, paper, pottery, jewelry, wood and more. Gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday (12-6pm) and Sunday (12-5pm). Gallery is located at 61 Main […]

Free

N Main Street Solstice Celebration

North Main Street North Main Street, Essex, CT, United States

Come celebrate the solstice with the shops on North Main Street. Snacks, shopping, discounts & music by John B in celebration as we enter the summer season. Join us for a solstice ritual at 7 pm in the Joy Chocolate courtyard.

Free

Dog Days Adoption Event

The RiverLane 7 Main Street, Essex, United States

Join the RiverLane for a heartwarming weekend of new beginnings! The RiverLane is partnering with Dog Days to host an adoption event on Saturday, June 28th and Sunday, June 29th from 11 AM to 4 PM. The event will take place outside, next to their Essex store. Dog Days has been rescuing dogs for 15 years, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate this milestone! If you're interested in adopting, applications are available ahead of time. More info coming soon! Let's make this a weekend of second chances and forever homes for these deserving dogs. For more information about adoption or to donate, visit: https://www.godogdays.org/adopt/ https://www.godogdays.org/donations/

Free