Celebrate East Lyme

Celebrate East Lyme returns to Niantic on Saturday, July 18, transforming nearly a mile of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue into one of southeastern Connecticut’s largest summer festivals. Running from 1 to 10 p.m., this free, family-friendly celebration features more than 160 vendors, carnival rides, live music, food, community organizations, children’s activities, and a spectacular fireworks display over Niantic Bay to close out the evening.

Drawing an estimated 50,000 visitors each year, Celebrate East Lyme showcases the businesses, artisans, nonprofits, and performers that make the shoreline community unique. Festivalgoers can browse vendor booths, sample local food, enjoy live entertainment across multiple stages, visit the children’s activity area, and experience favorite traditions including the sandcastle competition and St. John’s Summer Carnival. The evening concludes with one of the region’s premier fireworks displays, sponsored by Dominion Energy – Millstone Power Station.

Whether you’re spending the day shopping, enjoying live music, cheering on young entrepreneurs, or watching fireworks along the shoreline, Celebrate East Lyme offers something for every age and has become one of the signature events of the Connecticut summer.

Event Details

• Event: Celebrate East Lyme
• Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
• Time: 1:00-10:00 p.m.
• Location: Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, Niantic, CT
• Admission: Free
• Rain or Shine

Live Music

Lighthouse School Lot Stage

• 1:30-2:30 p.m. – Four Mile River
• 3:00-6:00 p.m. – Felix Brown Band
• 6:30-8:00 p.m. – The Second Chance

McCook’s Bandshell

• 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Wooden Horse

Festival Highlights

• More than 160 vendors
• Carnival rides
• Local artisans and businesses
• Food vendors and festival favorites
• Community organizations
• Family-friendly activities
• Children’s Area with inflatables, face painting, caricatures, and hands-on activities
• Kids Market featuring young entrepreneurs at Scheer Park (3:00-6:00 p.m.)
• Sandcastle Competition at Hole in the Wall Beach
• St. John’s Summer Carnival
• Multiple entertainment stages throughout downtown

Fireworks

The celebration concludes with a spectacular fireworks display over Niantic Bay beginning shortly after 9:00 p.m. The show is sponsored by Dominion Energy – Millstone Power Station and designed by East Lyme’s own Tom Quinn.

Why Attend

• One of southeastern Connecticut’s largest summer festivals
• More than 160 vendors
• Live music throughout the day
• Family activities for all ages
• Food, shopping, and entertainment
• Spectacular fireworks over Niantic Bay

More Information

Additional event information is available by clicking the Event Website link at the bottom of this page.