The Old Lyme
Midsummer Festival
Our celebration of art, music, food and family fun is back!
Friday Night Concert: July 24, 2026
Saturday Festival: July 25, 2026
Get ready for this summertime favorite!
Mass-Conn-Fusion Kick Things Off Friday Night, July 24 • 7pm-9pm
The Friday night lawn concert is back when the Florence Griswold Museum welcomes the Mass-Conn-Fusion. Bring your chairs or blanket and get ready for this seven-piece band featuring exciting vocals, polished horns, and funky rhythm section.. Bring a picnic or enjoy food vendor fare.
Midsummer Run Starts our Morning Saturday, July 25 • 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 and more for Sale
Saturday, July 25 • 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. Check out the Lyme Artisans Guild and their local highly crafted products. In addition, a variety of artisans will be on hand across the festival selling handcrafted goods.
Classic Car Show Brings the Winners Saturday, July 25 • 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 25 • 10am-11pm
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.
Kids Activities to Make Everyone Smile
Saturday, July 25 • 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 12pm 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, July 25 • 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). You'll also find at the Festival 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 July 25 • 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 25
Cool off with a look inside some of our art galleries. You will find Expanding Visions, the 105th 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 (Friday July 24 • 5-7pm; Saturday July 25 • 10am-5pm), with free admission to the art exhibition, Patchwork: Connecticut Artists Consider 250, and the historic boardinghouse on Saturday (enjoy at 2pm gallery talk). Enter the RTP Estuary Center to see works from Roger Tory Peterson's personal collection including artist proofs and signed prints.
All listings subject to change.
The Events of the Old Lyme Arts District are made possible
with support from:
Please support the generous corporate sponsors of the Old Lyme Arts District!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
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.