View our 2025 Festival Guide SOON »
Add events to your own calendar with a single click! ADD TO CALENDAR
We invite you to join us for Hip-Hop Scholarship through and interactive workshop with a live turntablist, emcee, grafitti artist, and Hip Hop dancer, a keynote by a Golden Era Hip-Hop pioneer, interdisciplinary and multi-generational panels, a youth panel, film festival with community discussions, and vendors.
Keynote Presentation by
M-1 & Umi from Dead Prez
Learn about the treatment processes we use to take the water from the Lake Whitney reservoir and turn it into reliable, high-quality drinking water.
Feast your eyes (and stomachs!) on the return of Juneteenth Restaurant Week. Explore the vibrant and savory flavors of Elm City’s ever-expanding culinary scene. Dine on a select prix fixe Juneteenth menu from a variety of local Black-owned eateries, including Sandra’s Next Generation Soul Food, and many more.
Join us for a special evening with Jacques Pépin, legendary French chef, author, and artist. Pépin will share stories from his extraordinary career—from cooking for French presidents to co-starring with Julia Child in the Emmy-winning Julia and Jacques Cooking at Home. A culinary icon in the U.S., he’s authored over 30 books, received 16 James Beard Awards, and France’s Légion d’Honneur. He’ll...
Wind 风 is formless and invisible. Wind moves through branches, strikes surfaces, carries memory. In this installation, theatrical designers from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale are creating a space 景 that invites the audience to witness the cyclical rhythm of wind across generations. Visitors experience the evolution of the Chinese language across time as it is written and spoken,...
Jumpstart your two-week Festival experience with a performance that pays homage to the Juneteenth holiday and celebrates our collective dedication to harmony and truth!
Inspired by the real stories of New Haven apizza pioneers, Family Business: (A)Pizza Play follows the Carbonizatto family’s pizza shop from it’s immigrant beginnings as it passes down over generations. This production explores New Haven’s pizza magic (la magia dell'apizza) from New Haven’s cultural and historic connection to pizza.
Family Business: (A)Pizza Play is a special collaboration...
HartBeat Ensemble presents a staged reading of Woodhull/Beecher, a new play by Leslie Gabel-Brett exploring the tension between hope and despair in the struggles for personal and social justice. Victoria Woodhull – feminist, spiritualist, free-love advocate and first female presidential candidate – clashes with Henry Ward Beecher – minister, abolitionist, brother to Harriet Beecher Stowe and, to...
New Haven has it's share of mixed surfaces often creating a challenge for even the most seasoned rider. Learn techniques from one of New Haven's most prolific riders and skilled educators on the subject.
Distance: 15 miles
Travel South on the East Coast Greenway to Silver Sands State Park in Milford. This section of the ECG incorporates the Vision Trail, the Harbor side trail, the Long Wharf Nature Preserve, and the Savin Rock Trail. A representative of East Coast Greenway will lead the ride and provide information and background on the trails.
Distance: 18 miles OR 28 miles
This tour is a one-time only event, and YOU are invited! Sacred Forest is an art exhibit enclosed in the confines of the beautiful and historic Trinity on the Green church. Come for a unique Festival visit, with a selection of the artists in the show and the curator, along with church stewards, to explore the artworks on display, the historic building and its stained glass, giant organ and more!...
English Station has been described as the “Crown Jewel” of New Haven because of its distinguished design and prominence on the city skyline. Though long neglected, the decommissioned power plant's critical significance as the linchpin for the revitalization of New Haven’s post-industrial landscape has brought together neighborhood leaders, environmental experts, architects and engineers to weigh...
Communities start with families bonded by love, experiences, and principles. The concept of unity - Umoja - is the lifeblood of any community. In the spirit of family, experience the values of intergenerational respect and learning through cooperative economics (Ujamaa). Join us for an Elder Honoring Ceremony with Ms. Hanan's Dance and Beyond and SAHGE Academy, The Juneteenth Next Gen: Z Artist ...
Join us for an unforgettable experience as we delve into the captivating world of Artist Serena Scapagnini, fascinated by the processes underlying memory. The event will commence with the U.S. Premiere of the documentary “Serena Scapagnini – The Space Beyond” (Lo Spazio Oltre), featuring an extended version that showcases her recent artistic residency at the Yale Quantum Institute. Following this...
Discover the ultimate coastal experience with the Beer, Bike & Oyster Tour led by local legend Mike Twitty. This one-of-a-kind adventure blends scenic bike rides, refreshing craft beer, and the freshest oysters you’ll ever taste—all in one unforgettable day. Along the way, enjoy local stories, laughs, and Twitty’s signature charm that turns a tour into a true experience. Whether you're a cyclist...
Embark on a mouthwatering journey through the heart of Fair Haven, where every bite comes with a story. Join local legend Lee Cruz as he guides you down Grand Avenue, one of New Haven’s most flavorful streets. Along the way, you’ll sample Dominican favorites, Puerto Rican pastries, and other multicultural treats that reflect the rich heritage of this vibrant neighborhood. It’s more than a food...
Join us this summer for an innovative community dialogue on New Haven's environmental future! Local environmental organizations and self-nominated groups of concerned residents are invited to participate in a collaborative reading and action planning process.
The borough of Fair Haven East, incorporated in 1872, represents the city’s one (and only) experiment with this semi-autonomous form of local government. With much of the waterfront already built out for the oystering trade, residents sought a different approach to developing the steep, wooded hills to the east of the village. By directly electing their neighbors to serve as government officials...
It is with our deepest regret that we must cancel this Keynote conversation. An unexpected family emergency has made it impossible for Autumn Peltier to be here with us in New Haven. We send our hopes that Autumn and her family find peace in this time of loss. We will try to have her come at a later date and in a different format. In the meantime, continue to protect our waters and keep our...
City of Floating Sounds is an invitation to connect with our surroundings and each other. Experience a shifting soundscape as you journey through the city. Can you find other audience members to create a richer sound? Pushing the boundaries of classical music performance, City of Floating Sounds uses cutting-edge creative technology to take music out into the city. Guided by a bespoke mobile app...
Experience a magical summer evening on the New Haven Green with the International Festival of Arts & Ideas, as the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with Yale Schwarzman Center, presents City of Floating Sounds, a free, open-air concert that celebrates New Haven’s rich history and culture. The evening begins with an immersive journey through New Haven, where participants playing Huang...
Ever wonder about those mysterious buildings in New Haven with a grandiose façade but no windows? Chances are you are looking at a secret society. Learn about the origins of secret societies, their impact on America’s history and how they influence modern society.
Distance: 10 miles
Take a walking tour of Downtown New Haven, but seen through a queer lens. Discover a hidden history—four centuries in the making—among the nine squares in the country’s first planned city. See where Cole Porter got his kick from champagne…Doors’ front man Jim Morrison was bloodied and arrested…Bette Davis had a bumpy night…Judy and Liza played on parallel streets…Jodi Foster’s hang out the night...
A renaissance is unfolding in Fair Haven and one of its exciting outcomes is the rediscovery of mural and other forms of public air. Some of these art works were created decades ago, while others emerged within the past three years. Local artists contributed many of these pieces, but nationally and internationally recognized figures also left their mark. Regardless of their creator's origins,...
Kids, you and your family are cordially invited to experience the Neighborhood Literacy Fun Labs in Newhallville!
Shuttle with us and enrich your knowledge with the combination of Literacy & the Adventure Ropes Course, Cooking, Culture, Cyber Security and Gardening. Each lab will begin with an excerpt from a book geared for kids, followed by a hands-on lab experience.
Kasey Cortez is a multidisciplinary artist exploring the intersection of music, theatre, photography, design, fashion, and installation art. Her creative work is driven by a curiosity about collective culture, the subtleties of human behavior, and the quiet rhythms of everyday life. With nearly a decade of experience as a yoga teacher, Kasey brings mindfulness and intention into every project....
Complete your Juneteenth holiday weekend with a night of mesmerizing music featuring violin sensations, Sons of Mystro, and youth collaborations. Mentored by Black Violin, Sons of Mystro is a musical duo that plays over ten popular music genres. They use their violins to interpret reggae classics, American pop songs, and their creations, accompanied by a DJ & a drummer. They are winners of the...
WHITMAN ON WALLS! (WoW!) is a hybrid project juxtaposing film and live performance in response to New York poet Walt Whitman's radical "Song of Myself." Devised by Compagnia de' Colombari Director Karin Coonrod in response to performance cancellations in 2020, Colombari's original production of MORE OR LESS I AM, based on Whitman's iconic poem, was transformed into seven short films featuring 50...
An introduction to the Grove Street Cemetery, a National Historic Landmark and the nation's first publicly chartered burial ground organized with streets and family plots, established in 1797. This tour will focus on the lives and legacies of Black New Haveners including William Grimes and family; John, Vashti, and Courtland Creed; Bias and Margaret Stanley; Mary Ann Goodman; the Park and Bassett...
Joel Schiavone's ambitious and joyful vision for Downtown New Haven was centered on arts and entertainment, supporting small businesses, historic preservation, and designing streets as places for people. Come take a hip-deep dive into the building arts, businesses, project planning, theaters, galleries, and alleys that have made this 1980's endeavor a national model for urban revitalization.
Join visual artist Serena Scapagnini and scientist Florian Carle for a walking tour of New Haven to discover Serena’s original artworks created during her residency at the Yale Quantum Institute. The stops include installations on the New Haven Green, at the Robert B Haas Family Arts Library, and at the Yale Quantum Institute. The artworks are site-specific, composed of copper plates encapsulated...
Take the absolute best event in New Haven (PechaKucha New Haven, of course), smash it into the absolute best Arts & Ideas Festival in the history of the world, and what do you get? The best thing in the world. An event that could change your life, regrow your hair, make your teeth shine bright, and save the world. Yes, it is the "False Advertising" edition of PechaKucha New Haven at the...
Mireya Ramos' concert Guerrera ( "Warrior") is a vibrant celebration of cultural fusion and musical empowerment, serving as an homage to the women who have inspired her. Backed by a live band, Ramos, a Latin Grammy-winning vocalist and violinist, blends mariachi, salsa, and jazz with genres like country and R&B. Her performances reflect her Dominican and Mexican heritage, while honoring the...
Inaugurated in 1867, Street Hall—today part of the Yale University Art Gallery—housed the first collegiate school of art in the country. Its curriculum permitted students from a variety of disciplines to sketch from live models and original works of art. Take part in this centuries-old practice by joining us for an evening of guided sketching. Offered in conjunction with the International...
Get ready to whip up some sweet fun at Katalina's Bakery! In this hands-on cupcake baking and decorating event, you'll learn how to bake cupcakes from scratch, explore creative decorating techniques with colorful frosting and fun toppings, and pick-up pro tips from one New Haven's expert bakers! Each guest will leave with 4 of their own decorated and baked cupcakes. Don’t miss this delicious...
The New Haven Picnic Basket: Bring your appetite for a bike tour picnic extravaganza. Visit local food manufacturers and proprietors to see where your food originates and to collect your perfect meal. A picnic in a local park concludes the ride.
Distance: 10 miles
"Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face." —Victor Hugo
Sometimes there is nothing more refreshing than a nice – deep - belly laugh. A laugh that makes your side hurt, your eyes water and your breath hard to catch. A laugh so powerful that - at least for a moment - you forget all about your troubles.
Get to know the CAES through this guided tour of the grounds and explore this renowned scientific institution! The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES), established in 1875 (turning 150 years old this year!), is the first agricultural experiment station in the United States. The main mission of the CAES is research. The CAES programs exist to educate the public and to transfer new...
Brouhaha, Squonk’s newest show, is an immersive outdoor spectacle bursting with rollicking music, dazzling imagery, and the thrill of audience participation. At the center of this riotous romp is the Squonkcordion, an enormous musical instrument the audience gets to play. Experience the joy of community, the power of live music, and the pageantry of Squonk’s visual extravaganza.
HHTTS is an indie Asian dreampop/shoegaze band from Brooklyn, New York. HHTTS began like many indie bands—as a weekend passion project, rehearsing once a week while its members balanced full-time jobs.
For more than twenty years that the group has been rolling its hump in the world of jazz manouche and revisited song, Christine Tassan and the Impostors has been able to win the esteem and loyalty of an ever-growing audience.
Experience the brilliance of Joshua Redman, one of the most captivating and celebrated jazz saxophonists to emerge in the 1990s. A Harvard graduate and son of jazz legend Dewey Redman, Joshua stunned the music world when he won the Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition just months after moving to New York. Since then, he has recorded over twenty acclaimed albums and collaborated...
Step into MakeHaven, New Haven’s community workshop where creativity meets cutting-edge technology. Explore a space designed for artists, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists, equipped with tools for woodworking, metalworking, textiles, 3D printing, laser cutting, and more. See firsthand how materials transform—from wood cut with precision lasers to metal shaped by water. Learn how our members bring...
Seny Tatchol is a master drummer, dancer, and cultural educator from Guinea, West Africa. Rooted in the rich musical traditions of the Manding culture, Seny has spent his life studying, performing, and teaching West African drumming and dance. With a deep understanding of rhythm and an infectious love for sharing his craft, he brings both technical expertise and cultural authenticity to every...
Sol and The Tribu is a group of Cuban musicians who blend traditional Caribbean music and modern technology with a Miami twist. As ambassadors of the New Miami Sound, they pride themselves on what makes Miami “The Magic City,” with its blend of Caribbean influences and American swamp funk.
A bridge to Long Island? An « emerald necklace » for the Elm City? A heliport in Wooster Square? Since the 17th century, New Haven’s dreamers, schemers, and planners have taken Daniel Burnham’s dictum — « make no little plans » — to heart. But big plans don’t always pan out. On this tour, we’ll see the sites that might have been.
Distance: 10 miles
Solve the unsolvable murder mystery in New Haven. Or just come along for the ride. Prizes for solving the murder.
Distance: 15 miles
Join us for an unforgettable multi-cultural celebration at the New Haven Caribbean Heritage Festival, where the vibrant tastes, sounds, and culture of the Caribbean come alive! Experience a delightful array of Caribbean food trucks while browsing stunning island apparel, jewelry, crafts, and more. Enjoy the colorful representations of various Caribbean nations, and live performances that showcase...
The first third of the 20th century is known as the era of “The Comfortable House,” a time when technological improvements and ongoing traditional styles helped bring the lifestyle of the growing American suburbs to more and more people. Designer-contractor Alice Washburn (1870-1958) was only one of many creators whose Tudors and Bungalows and Colonials in many ways still shape what we think of...
