The Old Lyme
Midsummer Festival
Our celebration of art, music, food and family fun is back!
Friday Night Concert: July 25, 2025
Saturday Festival: July 26, 2025
Get ready for this summertime favorite!
Check out the Festival Guide!
Looking for your favorite booth? Find it here.
Here's where to Park.
All listings subject to change.
Mighty Soul Drivers Kick Things Off Friday Night, July 25 • 7pm-9pm
The Friday night lawn concert is back when the Florence Griswold Museum welcomes the Mighty Soul Drivers. Bring your chairs or blanket and get ready for this favorite party and dance band. Bring a picnic or enjoy food vendor fare. Special thanks to Concert Sponsors AllPro Automotive and Mercer Advisors/Benchmark Wealth Management, LLC.
Midsummer Run Starts our Morning Saturday, July 26 • 8am
Join LYSB's popular 5k when you run, walk or cheer on the participants! Winding through the village streets, this annual run brings runners and their supporters from across the region. 5K Run & Walk at 8am, Kids K at 9am. Pre-register here or register on site beginning at 6:45am.
Art for Sale
Saturday, July 26 • 9am-3/4pm
Find that special addition to your landscape painting collection, or just the right gift for the art lover in your life. You'll find great and affordable art for sale by the Fence Show Artists on the lawn of the Old Lyme Inn as well as works by the artists of the Lyme Art Association across the street at their home gallery. The Lyme Artisans Guild returns to the Festival on the south lawn of the Old Lyme Inn.
Classic Car Show Brings the Winners Saturday, July 26 • 9:30am-1:30pm
The Lion's Club is back with their annual Classic Car Show celebrating the classics, the antiques, and the exotic. Once again on the grounds at 100 Lyme Street (the CT Audubon Society's RTP Estuary Center), the beauties on display will have you thinking about your own future wheels. Learn more about entering your car here. Admission to view cars: $5.
Parading Paws Dog Show
Saturday, July 26 • 10am-12pm
They're back! All the cutest, brightest, best-dressed pups are invited to come compete for their very own "Best of" Award! Does your dog have the best trick? A great smile? Let them show off their talent for all! Dogs may register beginning at 10am for 10:45 am judging on the shady lawn at the Florence Griswold Museum. Our Special Guest Judge this year is WFSB's Renee Dinino.
Kids Activities to Make Everyone Smile
Saturday, July 26 • 9am-3pm
From 9am to 3pm you'll find a variety of activities by local nonprofits that will have your younger family members thinking and doing. At 10am the Michele Urban Music Show! takes place on the Estuary grounds (presented by the OL-PGN Library). Be sure to find family fun at the Florence Griswold Museum, the RTP Estuary Center, Old Lyme Inn and the Lyme Art Association.
Local Nature & Ecology
Saturday • 9am-3pm
Conduct an experiment, use binoculars, and create a craft with the education staff at the CT Audubon Society's Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center (RTPEC). Also on the grounds you will find the Old Lyme Land Trust, Open Space Commission, and other organizations that help us all learn how best to protect our local environment.
Shop Super Sale
Friday and Saturday • 10am-5pm
The FloGris Shop holds its popular Midsummer Super Sale Friday and Saturday from 10am-5pm. You'll find heavily discounted selected items including unique gifts, art books, kids books and toys, stationery, garden items, and a whole lot more!
de Gerenday's Fine Art Materials & Curiosities
Saturday • 9am-5pm
Tucked in to a jewel box space at the Lyme Academy, de Gerenday's offers the finest art materials hand selected by its renowned faculty of professional artists as well as exquisite giftable objects from around the globe. Whether you are in need of a new canvas, or simply looking for a unique gift, enjoy your exploration of de Gerenday's.
Free Art Exhibitions
Saturday, July 26
Cool off with a look inside some of our art galleries. You will find the Red Hot, the 104th Elected Artist Exhibition, and New Haven Paint & Clay Select Members Exhibition at the Lyme Art Association (9am-5pm). Take in The Annual Student and Faculty Exhibition at the Lyme Academy's Chauncey-Stillman Gallery from 12pm-4pm. Be sure to make time to visit the Florence Griswold Museum's Open House (10am-5pm), with free admission to the art exhibition, Nancy Friese: Living Landscapes, Cow Tales, and the historic boardinghouse on Saturday. Enter the RTP Estuary Center to see works from Roger Tory Peterson's personal collection including artist proofs and signed prints.
The Old Lyme Arts District is generously supported by Connecticut's Eastern Regional Tourism District.
Please support the generous corporate sponsors of the Old Lyme Arts District!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
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Media Sponsor
Welcome to Old Lyme
Welcome to Old Lyme, a small, historic town on the Connecticut coastline. We are known for our art galleries and beaches, and have so much more. Whether you are thinking about relocating your home or business here, or just looking to visit for the afternoon, welcome! We are glad to have you.