Next in the Park: October 2025 |
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Art History Mini-Series Dr. Robert Baldwin WED, OCT 1 | 5:30PM Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Part one, of this two-part series, will be led by Dr. Robert Baldwin, Associate Professor Emeritus of Art History at Connecticut College. He will explore topics art of German Renaissance painter and printmaker Albrecht Dürer in conjunction with LAAM's current exhibition Albrecht Dürer: Master Prints. MORE INFO |
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Evening Hours at the Museum Teacher's Night THU, OCT 2 | 5-8PM Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Guests of all ages are invited to join this monthly evening art night. Each activity is inspired by a different exhibition, theme, or artwork. Grab your friends and join LAAM for evening hours while exploring the galleries and getting creative. Teacher's are free, everyone welcome. MORE INFO |
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Explore the City First Saturday NL SAT, OCT 4 | 10AM-10PM New London Cultural District The upcoming October installment of First Saturday NL will highlight various weekend activities and events happening in New London. Walk, shop, eat and explore all that the city has to offer. This monthly program will also feature live music, NLAC's Art Stroll and more exciting opportunities for the early fall season. MORE INFO |
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A Walk in the Park Cedar Grove Cemetery Tour SAT, OCT 4 | 11AM New London Landmarks, New London This tour will feature stories of some of New London's most powerful, politically connected and wealthiest residents, who now are permanent residents of Cedar Grove Cemetery. Part of Thames River Heritage Park sponsored series, A Walk in the Park. One of five tours at local heritage sites this fall. BUY TICKETS |
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Free First Saturday Paint a Pumpkin SAT, OCT 4 | 11AM-1PM Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Each month on the first Saturday enjoy free admission all day at the Lyman Allyn Art Museum! October's theme is pumpkins! Also enjoy a Little Buddies Petting Zoo with Carly’s Critters and fall treats available for purchase from Sweet Wave Bakery. MORE INFO |
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Step Into the Story Cottage Tours SAT, OCT 4 | 11AM-4PM Monte Cristo Cottage, New London Experience the historic charm of Monte Cristo Cottage, the boyhood summer home of America’s only Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Eugene O’Neill. Explore the home that inspired some of the greatest works in American theatre. Perfect for history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a unique cultural outing. MORE INFO |
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Annual Citywide Celebration New London Art Stroll SAT, OCT 4 | 12-4PM New London Cultural District The 2025 New London Art Council's stroll boasts 40+ artists and performers. Visit 30 locations across the New London Cultural District! Traditionally a summer event, the 2025 Art Stroll will have folks trading in bottles of water and tank tops for long sleeves and lattes. MORE INFO |
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Tim Stawarz Memorial Emerging Musician Fest SAT, OCT 4 | 1-6PM Hygienic Art, New London This event will be a day filled with incredible live music from the freshest, most talented young artists! Tickets are only $5! Support the next wave of musical talent and experience the future of music. Come for the vibe, stay for the talent. MORE INFO |
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Eastern CT Symphony Orchestra Voyage of Passion SAT, OCT 4 | 7:30PM Garde Arts Center, New London Music Director & Conductor Toshiyuki Shimada’s 16th season leading the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra will rousingly begin, as usual, with The Star-Spangled Banner. Join the ECSO’s season ticket holder family and experience the magic of live orchestral music all year long! BUY TICKETS |
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Film Festival Screening Manhattan Short SUN, OCT 5 | 3PM Garde Arts Center, New London Manhattan Short is the only film festival of its kind where you are the judge with audiences around the world and can chose the one film and actor that wowed you the most. Upon entry, festival attendees are handed a Voting Card and an Official Program. Votes are tallied by each host venue then emailed to our NYC headquarters. MORE INFO |
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Locally Produced Film What We Carry With Us MON, OCT 6 | 7PM Garde Arts Center, New London Premiering at the Garde, What We Carry with Us is a film set and produced entirely in Connecticut, featuring local cast, crew, and community talent. The evening will begin with a red carpet and reception. Following the film, stick around for a Q&A with Director Tyler Gorman and Lead Actress Ashley Reese Carley. BUY TICKETS |
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Annual New London Tradition Fall Food Stroll WED, OCT 8 | 5-8:30PM Downtown New London Stroll through different restaurants, shops, arts and cultural institutions in downtown New London and enjoy bite-sized samples of dishes or drinks from local establishments. A variety of talent will also perform along the stroll route all evening. Purchase your wristband early for a discounted rate! MORE INFO |
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Author Led Book Talk Piles of Inspiration Everywhere THU, OCT 9 | 6PM Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Visit the museum for an evening talk celebrating the newly released Barkley L. Hendricks: Piles of Inspiration Everywhere with authors Susan Hendricks and David Katzenstein. This book invites readers into the space Barkley and Susan shared for thirty-five years, offering readers a bold, detailed study of the artist’s life. MORE INFO |
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All-Ages Conservation Program Raptors of Connecticut THU, OCT 9 | 6PM Bill Memorial Library, Groton Presented by the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, learn about the owls and hawks that live in our area and meet some raptors up close. This program is open to adults and children but is most suitable for grades 3 and above. Registration is required to attend. MORE INFO |
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Gallery Opening Reception Allison Gildersleeve FRI, OCT 10 | 5PM Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Celebrate the opening of Allison Gildersleeve: Here Somewhere with an evening reception at the Museum. Gildersleeve picks apart and reassembles the familiar, using the variability of memory as her guide. As she puts the pieces together, her work skips through time at an erratic pace, shuffling the monumental with the mundane and twisting landscapes and interiors into compositional mazes. MORE INFO |
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The King Returns to the Stage The Ultimate Elvis Concert FRI, OCT 10 | 7PM Garde Arts Center, New London The Ultimate Elvis Concert is an unrivaled multimedia production of The King of Rock n’ Roll’s career! Starring Internationally Acclaimed Ultimate Elvis Champion Cote Deonath backed by The Infinit-E Tribute Band. This is the most authentic Elvis tribute you’ll ever see — and it’s a show you don’t want to miss! BUY TICKETS |
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Bring the Entire Crew Fall Family Day SAT, OCT 11 | 10AM-2PM Submarine Force Museum, Groton This annual gathering will feature hands on activities for both kids and families. Walk around to each table to learn more about other museums, universities and local organizations. You can even register for the Cribbage Board Tournament in advance! Soak up the fall weather at the museum. MORE INFO |
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25 Places to Visit After Retirement Dr. Richard Benfield SAT, OCT 11 | 1PM Bill Memorial Library, Groton Dr. Richard Benfield, past chair of geography at Central Connecticut State University, is an experienced traveler, who has visited more than 137 destinations. Benfield will share slides and his experiences seeing Paleolithic cave art, the great cathedrals of Europe, majestic mountains, the Panama Canal and more. Register today! MORE INFO |
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A Walk in the Park Hempstead Historic District Tour SAT, OCT 11 | 1PM Hempsted Houses, New London Join Connecticut Landmarks to learn about one of New London's first African American neighborhoods and how it evolved around Joshua Hempsted’s House, built in 1678. Part of Thames River Heritage Park sponsored series, A Walk in the Park. One of five tours at local heritage sites this fall. BUY TICKETS |
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Pattagansett Art Center Gelli Print Workshop SAT, OCT 11 | 1PM Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Learn the basics of mono-printing through the fun and creative Gelli Printing technique. This process creates a single, unique image from a re-printable plate. Beautiful layers of color and texture are achieved because a Gelli plate is soft and pliable, which allows flexibility and experimentation in the printing process. Each participant will leave with unique fine art creations. REGISTER TODAY |
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Live Music in the Art Park Triple Bill of Locals SAT, OCT 11 | 3:30PM Hygienic Art, New London Kick back this Saturday and enjoy Ken Atkins & the Honky Tonk Kind, Dogbite and American Elm in the Hygienic Art Park. Live music outside has an expiration date eventually, but come enjoy the fall weather while supporting local artists. Tickets are $10 for a rocking afternoon. BUY TICKETS |
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A Classical Crossover Vitamin String Quartet SAT, OCT 11 | 8PM Garde Arts Center, New London Long before Bridgerton broke the Netflix algorithm, Vitamin String Quartet (VSQ) had helped establish classical crossover as a genuine force in contemporary music. VSQ are one of the most popular string ensembles in the world with over 2 billion streams and seven albums charting on both Billboard Classical and Classical Crossover charts. BUY TICKETS |
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Art History Mini-Series Dr. Robert Baldwin WED, OCT 15 | 5:30PM Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Part two of this series will touch upon male anxieties about gender in conjunction with LAAM's current exhibition Albrecht Dürer: Master Prints. Also led by Dr. Robert Baldwin, it will begin with a short reception for both members and non-members. MORE INFO |
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The Best of the Gipsy Kings Nicolas Reyes WED, OCT 15 | 7:30PM Garde Arts Center, New London With more than 14 million albums sold worldwide, the legendary Gipsy Kings, led by Nicolas Reyes, bring their fiery blend of flamenco, salsa, and pop to New London for an unforgettable night of music and passion. As active as this remarkable collective remains, they are also confident in the future of their legacy. BUY TICKETS |
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Spooky Season is Here New London Halloween Town FRI, OCT 17 | 6-8:30PM Waterfront Park, New London The City of New London, in collaboration with the Downtown New London Association, invites families to immerse themselves in a spooktacular Halloween experience. Get ready for an enchanting evening of frightful delights and ghoulish fun for all ages. Attendees can look forward to an array of exciting activities! MORE INFO |
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Walk Amongst History Tour the Cottage SAT, OCT 18 | 11AM-4PM Monte Cristo Cottage, New London Experience the historic charm of Monte Cristo Cottage, the boyhood summer home of America’s only Nobel Prize-winning playwright, Eugene O’Neill. Explore the home that inspired some of the greatest works in American theatre. Perfect for history lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and anyone seeking a unique cultural outing. MORE INFO |
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Hop Aboard the Cecelia Ann Thames River Cruise SAT, OCT 18 | 12:30-3PM NLCHS, New London Join the New London County Historical Society on their 16th annual fall cruise. Enjoy the foliage while singing sea shanties with this year’s musical entertainment, The Jovial Crew! Two complimentary drink tickets included with your ticket purchase, with onboard concessions available for purchase. Bring your family and friends! BUY TICKETS |
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Dav Pilkey's Creations Come to Life Dog Man the Musical SAT, OCT 18 | 7PM Garde Arts Center, New London Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming production following the chronicles of Dog Man, who with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. BUY TICKETS |
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A Walk in the Park Mamacoke Island Hike SUN, OCT 19 | 2PM Mamacoke Island, Waterford CT Sea Grant's walking tour will be led by Connecticut College Arboretum Director, Maggie Redfern. Explore the cultural and natural history of the island and the surrounding tidal salt marsh. Part of Thames River Heritage Park sponsored series, A Walk in the Park. One of five tours at local heritage sites this fall. BUY TICKETS |
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JIBBOOM Club #1 Captain Stuart Reininger TUE, OCT 21 | 1:30PM Custom House M. Museum, New London This monthly, Jibboom favorite Captain Stuart Reininger is back to tell more tales of his maritime career. Each month, a local speaker will collaborate with the Custom House Maritime Museum to offer their expertise on a variety of topics. Free for all to enjoy! MORE INFO |
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The Mighty Zep Get the Led Out THU, OCT 23 | 7:30PM Garde Arts Center, New London From the bombastic and epic, to the folky and mystical, Get The Led Out (GTLO) have captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin and brought it to the concert stage. The Philadelphia-based group consists of six veteran musicians intent on delivering Led Zeppelin live, like you’ve never heard before. BUY TICKETS |
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A Walk in the Park Ghosts of Groton Bank SAT, OCT 25 | 6PM & 6:30PM Avery-Copp House, Groton Experience a Haunted Walking Tour at the Avery-Copp House Museum. Hear stories of Halloween traditions brought to Groton by Irish immigrants and stroll on Thames Street where haunted tales blend history and folklore. Part of Thames River Heritage Park sponsored series, A Walk in the Park. One of five tours at local heritage sites this fall. BUY TICKETS |
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A Walk in the Park Groton Bank Walking Tour SUN, OCT 26 | 11AM Fort Griswold Battlefield, Groton Meet the whaling captains, shipbuilders and people of influence who made their homes on the Groton Bank of the Thames River. And tour the community where they lived and prospered. Part of Thames River Heritage Park sponsored series, A Walk in the Park. One of five tours at local heritage sites this fall. BUY TICKETS |
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Live Music in the Art Park Autumn Speakeasy SAT, OCT 25 | 6PM Hygienic Art, New London Round out the month with live music at the Hygienic. Their Autumn Speakeasy will be hosted by Scottish Dave! Featuring: Post Traumatic Jazz Disorder, Bernadette Golden, Robert Lighthouse, Brett Bottomly. Rain or shine, this show will jam on. Mark your calendars! BUY TICKETS |
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Food Truck Festival Spooktoberfest SAT, OCT 25 | 12-8PM SUN, OCT 26 | 12-7PM Washington Park, Groton The City of Groton is ready for all of the Halloween fun! Enjoy a Food Truck Convoy, Vendors, Live Bands, Trick or Treating, Bounce Houses and more at this family friendly event. Free admission to this two-day festival! MORE INFO |
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All Talents Welcome Open Mic at the Museum SUN, OCT 26 | 6-9PM Custom House M. Museum, New London Hosted by Kenny 'Doc' Frasier, this monthly open mic welcomes music, poetry, prose, stand-up, or the opportunity to just state what is on your mind. Show up at 5:45 and get on the list to perform! Open to all ages and abilities for fun & camaraderie. It's a friendly crowd. MORE INFO |
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Open Collections Day Lyman Allyn Art Museum, New London Third Thursday of Each Month Visitors have an opportunity to see staff at work in the Museum’s Hendel Library and gain new access to the Lyman Allyn’s vast collection of original art, artifacts and objects. Collections staff engage with visitors while working on research projects. MORE INFO |
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New London Harbor Light Tours NL Maritime Society, New London Saturdays & Sundays | 12PM Climb 116 steps up into the lighthouse lantern for spectacular views of the Sound in the oldest and tallest lighthouse in the country. Tours occur each weekend of the year for groups of up to five people. MORE INFO |
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City of Groton Farmers MarketWashington Park, Groton Tuesdays | 3-6PM June 10th - October 28th A variety of vendors will line the green of Washington Park all summer long with handmade items, produce, food, live music and more. Shop local! MORE INFO |
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Bill Memorial LibraryWeekly-Monthly Programs 10/2 - Kids Cooking Class 10/6 - Fire Truck Story Time 10/16 - Monthly Teen Program 10/21 - Girls Who Code Kickoff 10/31 - Trick-Or-Treat at the Library Mondays - Fall Story Time Tuesdays - Music & Movement EVENTS CALENDAR | 860-445-0392 |
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Blissworks Yoga Garde Arts Center, New London Relocated from their Bank Street location, their classes now takes place in the spacious Garde. Yoga Basics Tuesdays | 9AM Intermediate Yoga Saturdays | 8:30AM CLASS CALENDAR |
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Yoga with Kim Hygienic Art, New London Every Sunday | 9AM Start your Sunday with Kim for a yoga experience at Hygienic Art sponsored by Yale New Haven Health. Best of all, it's FREE! Don’t miss out on this unique experience to practice and unwind in downtown New London. MORE INFO |
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Gift Cards Gift cards may be used for ALL historic and pop-up boat tours, Hop On, Hop Off Harbor Cruises, Lecture Series, Docent Academy registration and merchandise. |
| Become a Member Members receive a variety of special benefits, including recognition on our website to discounted tickets and season passes. |
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Subscribe to Our Mailing List Monthly Newsletters, Boat Tour Schedules, Heritage Site Updates and More |
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Visit the Park's Heritage Sites |
Thames River Heritage Park Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization committed to connecting, preserving, supporting and promoting the history and heritage sites along the Thames River estuary today and for generations to come. |
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Thames River Heritage Park Institutional Partners are organizations committed to preserving and promoting our culture and history but may not have a site to welcome visitors. They are historic or cultural associations, “friends” organizations, and educational institutions. |
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· Connecticut Maritime Heritage Fest · Connecticut Sea Grant · Downtown New London Assoc. · Friends of Fort Griswold · Friends of Fort Trumbull · Groton Bank Historical Assoc. · Ledge Light Foundation · National Coast Guard Museum |
| · NL County Historical Society · New London Landmarks · New London Maritime Society · Southeastern CT Cultural Coalition · Southeastern CT Enterprise Region · UCONN Avery Point Maritime Studies |
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Thank you to our Sponsors and Grantors |
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