🪕 Bluegrass in Connecticut! December 2025
Austin Scelzo
High Horse with Kat Wallace Saturday, December 6 Redding CT
Saturday, December 6, Doors: 7 PM, Show: 8 PM
Tickets: $20 in advance, $25 at the door
Four friends, three bows, and one pick: High Horse is a progressive acoustic string band blending Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Celtic influences with the energy of alternative rock. Hailing from Boston, MA, High Horse delivers a rollicking romp of great vibes, virtuosic chops, and tight vocals.
Kat Wallace is a Boston-based multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. Known for her fiddle playing in Rachel Sumner and Traveling Light, she’s now writing and singing her own songs on tenor guitar. Her debut album “Grand Design” marks a new chapter for Wallace, showcasing her Americana influences from legendary songwriters like Gillian Welch and John Prine, as well as centuries-old Celtic and English balladry.
Check them out!
On the Trail Bluegrass band at Westport CT’s “Voices Cafe” Saturday December 6
On the Trail Brings Toe-Tapping Bluegrass to Voices Cafe, Westport, CT on December 6th
On Saturday, December 6th at 8:00 PM, On the Trail, a modern acoustic bluegrass band, will perform at Voices Cafe in Westport. Doors open at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $25 at voicescafe.org.
On the Trail is a modern acoustic band that explores everything from bluegrass to contemporary pop, from stunning instrumentals to beautiful traditional songs. The group was founded through their love of bluegrass and the band the Punch Brothers. They have already gained recognition and praise for their exploration and strong execution of the challenging music, as well as for their new original music. Most recently, On the Trail had the honor of winning the 2022 Thomas Point Beach Band Competition after participating in 2021’s Telefunken Battle of the Bands at the Podunk Bluegrass Festival. They also were selected as an Emerging Artist at Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2023. On The Trail features Austin Scelzo (fiddle and vocals), Tom Polizzi (mandolin and vocals), Charlie Widmer (guitar and vocals) and Matt Curley (upright bass and vocals).
Fiddle Lessons for Kids in Connecticut – Learn from the pros at Fiddle Fest! February 21 in Meriden
Fiddle Fest is an event for string students in grades 4-12 that focuses on non-classical styles of playing like bluegrass and Irish music. It’s organized by the Connecticut chapter of the American String Teachers Association (CT-ASTA) and includes workshops, group playing, and opportunities to learn from guest teachers.
What happens at Fiddle Fest?
- Jamming (learn 1 or 2 jam tunes before you come–scroll down for recordings and sheet music)
- Learning by ear
- Playing in small bands grouped by playing level and age
- Working with guest teachers who are experts in different styles of non-classical string playing.
- Exploring non-classical music styles (not only fiddling!)
- Creating original arrangements
Questions? Please contact ctasta...@gmail.com
Old Crow Medicine Show’s Holiday Hootenanny Featuring Bronwyn Keith-Hynes at the Garde Arts Center
Thu, Dec 18, 2025 | 7:30 pm in New London CT
Old Crow Medicine Show brings their first-ever holiday tour featuring Christmas classics, fan favorites, and songs from their new holiday album. Joined by fiddle virtuoso Bronwyn Keith-Hynes, the GRAMMY-winning band delivers a festive, high-energy show celebrating over 20 years of Americana excellence.
Tickets Available Here Special Discount code for followers of the CT Bluegrass Association! Use code: CTBA20 for 20% off at checkout.
Bluegrass Nights at the Granite – Redding CT
Join us for our monthly celebratory night of bluegrass music! Come to listen, come to jam, come to learn.
Live music from the Granite House Bluegrass band starting at 8 PM, an easy, led slow bluegrass jam for beginner and intermediate players starting at 7:30, and late night jamming open to all. Banjos, fiddles, guitars, dobros, mandolins, bass, and similar acoustic instruments welcome.
Open Bluegrass Jam: 7:30 PM
Granite House Bluegrass Band: 8 PM
Free jamming afterwards
Granite Church, 5 N. Main Street, Redding CT
Appalachian Christmas Show with On the Trail Dec 20 and 21
Great Hill United Methodist Church Seymour, CT – Saturday December 20 at 6:30 PM and Sunday, December 21 at 3PM
Get ready to celebrate the holiday season Appalachian style with On the Trail – it’s gonna be a Christmas to remember! On the Trail will perform a set of holiday classics with special guests in each show. This annual Christmas show is sure to sell out- make sure to grab your tickets ahead of time!
Click Here for Tickets to On the Trail’s Appalachian Christmas Show
Christmas in New England Bluegrass Christmas Show – Andover
Friday, December 19 @ 7:00 pm at AndoverFirst Congregational Church (359 US-6 Andover, CT 06232) 860-742-7696 Free admission!
“Christmas in New England” has been together for over 20 years combining original, contemporary, and classic Christmas music performed on acoustic instruments with vocals. The group consists of Amy Gallatin and Roger Williams from Glastonbury CT, Karen Wilber from Stow MA, JD Williams from Manhattan NY, Dave Orlomoski from Barkhamstead CT, and Krissy & Bob Dick from Northbridge, MA. Each year these friends look forward to getting together and adding a few more new songs to the group’s expansive repertoire.
JAMuary Weekend at the Ashokan Center is back! MLK Weekend January 16-18, 2026
Do you play guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle, bass, or dobro? Come be part of a bluegrass jam weekend with Austin Scelzo.
-All bluegrass instruments welcome.
No jamming experience necessary.
You will be jamming in the first class!
Friendly, encouraging, knowledgeable teaching.
Hands-on learning in large and small groups
Gentle tempos! Mistakes expected!
Music/tab reading not needed or used.
Singing not required, but encouraged and taught.
Soloing not required! “Faking” solos taught.
Click here to sign up and read more
Winter Village Music Camp January 8-11 in Ithaca NY
An inspiring weekend of workshops, performances, and many opportunities to play music with others in a variety of styles. Nestled in the beautiful Ithaca NY, it’s a great opportunity to escape to a warm and cozy weekend. Lessons available for Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Banjo, Bass, singing, and more! Learn more at https://www.wintervillagemusic.org/
More Bluegrass and Old Time Jams in CT
The Hamden Bluegrass Jam—hosted by GuitarTown CT Productions takes place Sunday, December 14th, from 3pm-5:30pm at Best Video. A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated.
1st Sunday Old Time Jam – 1pm-4pm at Spruce Coffee in New Haven
