Celebrate New London

Celebrate New London returns Saturday, July 11, transforming downtown New London into a full-day waterfront festival filled with live music, food, art, dancing, shopping, and the largest fireworks display in Connecticut. With free admission and events spread throughout downtown and along the Thames River waterfront, the festival has quickly become one of the signature summer celebrations in SE Connecticut. Residents and visitors alike gather throughout the city for a day that blends community pride, nightlife energy, local creativity, and shoreline festival atmosphere into one massive downtown event.

Celebrate New London takes a broader approach than a traditional summer festival, highlighting not only entertainment and food but also the local artists, entrepreneurs, restaurants, musicians, and businesses that continue shaping New London’s identity as a cultural hub along the Connecticut shoreline. Mayor Michael Passero described the city as “the region’s center for culture,” pointing to its authentic restaurants, diverse arts scene, live music, and historic attractions as core pieces of the celebration. Throughout downtown, visitors can explore local shops, galleries, food vendors, outdoor stages, interactive exhibits, and the Creative Village featuring locally made products and live art experiences.

Live music will take place across multiple outdoor stages and venues, including performances at Parade Plaza and Custom House Pier at Waterfront Park, featuring local and emerging artists throughout the day and evening. The festival also includes Salsa Night at Parade Plaza, waterfront vendor markets, food trucks, restaurants, and gathering spaces spread throughout downtown New London, giving the entire city the atmosphere of a large-scale summer street festival along the waterfront.

The night culminates with the Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:15 p.m. along the Thames River. Widely promoted as the largest fireworks show in Connecticut, the display recently added synchronized music broadcast through Big 100.9 FM, creating an immersive finale that has become one of the defining summer events in the region. Crowds typically gather throughout downtown and along the waterfront well before sunset as the city transitions from daytime festival atmosphere into one of the biggest fireworks celebrations of the summer season.

Celebrate New London continues to grow as both a community celebration and a regional destination event, drawing visitors from across SE Connecticut, Rhode Island, and beyond for a full day centered around music, food, creativity, nightlife, and the energy of downtown New London in midsummer. From waterfront views and local restaurants to fireworks over the Thames River, the festival captures the atmosphere of a shoreline city fully leaning into summer.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Location: Downtown New London & Waterfront

Admission: Free

Festival Highlights

• Largest fireworks display in Connecticut
• Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.
• Live music throughout downtown
• Multiple outdoor stages
• Creative Village featuring local artists and makers
• Food trucks and local restaurants
• Waterfront vendor market
• Salsa Night at Parade Plaza
• Family-friendly activities
• Shopping at downtown businesses
• Waterfront festival atmosphere

Fireworks

Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Extravaganza

Time: 9:15 p.m.

Location: Thames River Waterfront

Bonus: Fireworks synchronized to music on Big 100.9 FM

Live Entertainment

• Live music throughout the day
• Performances at Parade Plaza
• Performances at Custom House Pier
• Local and regional musicians
• Salsa Night at Parade Plaza

Explore Downtown

Visitors can enjoy:

• Local restaurants
• Art galleries
• Boutique shopping
• Creative Village
• Waterfront walks
• Local food vendors
• Community organizations

Why Attend

• See Connecticut’s largest fireworks display
• Celebrate along the Thames River waterfront
• Enjoy a full day of live entertainment
• Discover local artists and businesses
• Experience one of southeastern Connecticut’s signature summer festivals

Getting Around During Celebrate New London

Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi

Skip the traffic and explore both sides of the Thames River with the Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi. During Celebrate New London, the service will operate on a special 30-minute loop between City Pier in New London and Thames River Landing in Groton from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Your ticket serves as an unlimited pass for the day, allowing you to hop on and off to visit restaurants, shops, museums, parks, and festival activities on both sides of the river.

Special Celebrate New London Pricing:

• Adults (18+): $5 off regular admission
• Children (4-17): $5 with the purchase of an adult ticket
• Children 3 and under: Free

Tickets may be purchased online or when boarding. Cash and credit cards are accepted.

Adjusted Water Taxi Schedule:

• Departs City Pier (New London): Every hour and :30 past the hour
• Departs Thames River Landing (Groton): :15 and :45 past the hour

Tickets: https://www.thamesriverheritagepark.org/water-taxi/

Historic Boat Tours

The Thames River Heritage Park also offers narrated 75-minute boat tours throughout the day. Children ages 4-17 ride for $5 with a paid adult, while children 3 and under ride free.

Saturday, July 11

• 11:30 a.m. – In Our Nation’s Defense: Military Stories on the Thames River (Departs Submarine Force Museum, Groton)
• 3:00 p.m. – In Our Nation’s Defense: Military Stories on the Thames River (Departs Submarine Force Museum, Groton)
• 8:20 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. – Celebrate New London Fireworks Cruise (Departs Fort Trumbull State Park)

Advance ticket purchases are recommended.

Ride & Save

Save your ticket receipt! Visitors who ride the Water Taxi or Historic Boat Tours can receive discounts at more than 15 participating restaurants, shops, and businesses in New London and Groton by showing their same-day ticket receipt.

Traffic Advisory

Several downtown streets will be closed during Celebrate New London.

• State Street (between Eugene O’Neill Drive and Bank Street) closes at 10 a.m.
• The one-way section of Bank Street will remain closed until 11 p.m.

Visitors heading to the ferry terminal or train station should use Eugene O’Neill Drive and turn left onto Atlantic Street, where officers will direct traffic.

Visitor Information

Public Restrooms

• Parade Plaza
• Custom House Pier

Medical Station

• Custom House Pier

Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is available in the uncovered lot next to the Water Street Parking Garage. After 1:45 p.m., Atlantic Street will be the only access route to the lot. Visitors using SEAT Bus service should contact the transit agency for alternate downtown pickup and drop-off locations during the festival.