Free Things to Do in the 860

Free doesn’t have to mean boring — park concerts, museum days, community fests, and neighborhood gatherings show up all over the 860. We tag what’s free or no-cover so you can plan a night out without guessing at the door.

Showing 24 of 124 upcoming events

museum

Now thru Oct 31, 2027

New Haven Museum: "It's Pronounced Ah-beetz" Exhibition Opening

New Haven Museum

Explore the rich history and culture of New Haven-style apizza at the New Haven Museum’s free exhibit running through October 2027.

✦ FreeView event →

Mixtape Match at 1741 Pub & Grill event image

food & drink

Happening Today

Sun, Jul 19 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Mixtape Match at 1741 Pub & Grill

1741 Pub and Grill · Middlefield

Mixtape Match at 1741 Pub & Grill on Sunday, July 19, is a free, feel-good sing-along game night hosted by Digital Tracks DJ.

✦ FreeView event →

Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz event image

live music

Happening Today

Sun, Jul 19, 6:00 PM

Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz

Bushnell Park · Hartford

The Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz offers free live performances every Sunday evening in Bushnell Park, downtown Hartford.

✦ FreeView event →

TCM Mobile Museum Pop-Up at Hartford Public Library event image

workshop

Happening Today

Mon, Jul 20

TCM Mobile Museum Pop-Up at Hartford Public Library

Hartford Public Library

The TCM Mobile Museum brings hands-on science and interactive fun to Hartford Public Library with a free pop-up event.

✦ FreeView event →

Ask a UConn Master Gardener a Question This Summer event image

community

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20 · 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ask a UConn Master Gardener a Question This Summer

Cedar Hill Cemetery | Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation · New London

Get expert gardening advice from UConn Master Gardeners at the New London County Extension Center this summer.

✦ FreeView event →

Hartford HealthCare Neighborhood Health Clinic: July event image

workshop

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20, 9:00 AM

Hartford HealthCare Neighborhood Health Clinic: July

New Britain Public Library

This free walk-in health clinic at New Britain Public Library welcomes everyone, especially those uninsured or unhoused.

✦ FreeView event →

workshop

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20, 9:00 AM

1-on-1 Tech Assistance

New Britain Public Library

New Britain Public Library offers free individual tech help on Monday, July 20, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

✦ FreeView event →

History Hike — Orzech Preserve event image

outdoors

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20 · 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

History Hike — Orzech Preserve

Cedar Hill Cemetery | Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation · Litchfield

Explore local history with a gentle 2-mile guided hike at Orzech Preserve on July 20.

✦ FreeView event →

market

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20 · 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM

KNOX Farmers Market

KNOX · Hartford

The KNOX Farmers Market connects Hartford’s community with fresh, locally grown produce through KNOX’s Urban Farming Program.

✦ FreeView event →

Monday Movie Night: KPop Demon Hunters event image

film

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20, 1:00 PM

Monday Movie Night: KPop Demon Hunters

Parkville Market · Hartford

Parkville Market continues its Free Monday Movie Nights with the animated film KPop Demon Hunters (2025, PG).

✦ FreeView event →

Yoga In Our City – Bushnell Park event image

fitness

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20, 1:30 PM

Yoga In Our City – Bushnell Park

Bushnell Park · Hartford

Take part in a free, community-focused yoga session at Bushnell Park with the Yoga In Our City program.

✦ FreeView event →

Family Dinner Movie Theater at Farmington Library event image

film

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20, 5:30 PM

Family Dinner Movie Theater at Farmington Library

Farmington Library

Enjoy a free family movie night at Farmington Library's Family Dinner Movie Theater on Monday, July 20.

✦ FreeView event →

Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz event image

live music

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20 · 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz

Bushnell Park · Hartford

Experience the 59th Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz Series in Bushnell Park, Hartford, featuring top jazz talents.

✦ FreeView event →

Gardening Discussion Group at Bristol Public Library event image

community

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20 · 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Gardening Discussion Group at Bristol Public Library

Bristol Public Library

The Gardening Discussion Group at Bristol Public Library is a welcoming space for plant lovers to swap tips and stories.

✦ FreeView event →

Gilead Mental Health Resource Center Family Support Group event image

community

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20 · 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Gilead Mental Health Resource Center Family Support Group

Unknown · Middletown

Join Today Contact Us Member Login Menu About Us Meet Us Ambassadors Board of Directors Business Industry Foundation of Middlesex County Committees and Councils Divisions Executive Committee Middlesex Chamber Annual…

✦ FreeView event →

Tuxedo Junction at Guilford VFW Post 9666 event image

live music

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20 · 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Tuxedo Junction at Guilford VFW Post 9666

Guilford

Tuxedo Junction brings over two decades of swing and big band jazz to Guilford VFW Post 9666 on July 20th.

✦ FreeView event →

live music

Happening Tomorrow

Mon, Jul 20 · 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

Hartford Jazz Orchestra Live Music Every Monday

Elicit Brewing Company · Manchester

Enjoy free Monday night jazz with the Hartford Jazz Orchestra at Elicit Brewing Company in Manchester.

✦ FreeView event →

market

Tue, Jul 21 · 6:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Farmers Market at Connecticut’s Old State House

CT's Old State House · Hartford

Shop fresh and local at the Farmers Market on the East brick plaza of Connecticut’s Old State House.

✦ FreeView event →

Bryan Alfred at State House Square Plaza event image

live music

Tue, Jul 21 · 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Bryan Alfred at State House Square Plaza

State House Square Plaza · Hartford

Singer-songwriter Bryan Alfred performs live at State House Square Plaza as part of Hartford.com's Audio Feed lunchtime music series.

✦ FreeView event →

New Britain Expressway & Urban Renewal event image

workshop

Tue, Jul 21, 9:00 AM

New Britain Expressway & Urban Renewal

New Britain Public Library

Explore New Britain's transformative history during the urban renewal and highway development era of the 1960s and 1970s at this free event.

✦ FreeView event →

theater

Tue, Jul 21, 10:00 AM

Camp Blue Back for Kids

Blue Back Square · West Hartford

Camp Blue Back for Kids offers a morning of fun activities at Webster Walk in Blue Back Square. While family-friendly, this event is part of the community happenings in West Hartford’s vibrant center.

✦ FreeView event →

Ageless Seniors at Litchfield Magazine event image

fitness

Tue, Jul 21 · 10:15 AM – 11:00 AM

Ageless Seniors at Litchfield Magazine

Cedar Hill Cemetery | Cedar Hill Cemetery & Foundation · Litchfield

Stay active with a free exercise class for senior women on July 21 at Oliver Wolcott Library.

✦ FreeView event →

trivia

Tue, Jul 21, 11:00 AM

Theme Trivia: July 21st - One Direction

Connecticut Valley Brewing Company · South Windsor

Test your pop knowledge with One Direction-themed trivia at Connecticut Valley Brewing Company.

✦ FreeView event →

market

Tue, Jul 21 · 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

West End Farmers Market at Clemens Green

Clemens Green · Hartford

Discover fresh, locally grown produce and artisanal crafts at the West End Farmers Market held at Clemens Green in Hartford.

✦ FreeView event →

See all 124 on the interactive calendar →

Also worth checking

The 860 Life aggregates local calendars across Hartford, the river valley, and eastern Connecticut — updated daily so you can plan without a dozen apps.