Join us for the International Festival Of Arts And Ideas!!

150+ events, one Festival. It all happens in New Haven, Connecticut.

Schedule of Events:

April 21, 2025

6:00 pm: Who Am I? - Ives Main Branch Library

Join New Haven Poet Laureate Sharmont "Influence" Little for an engaging writing workshop that invites participants to explore their identities through introspection and creative expression. This interactive session encourages attendees to reflect on who they are and share their stories through the power of words. Whether you're an experienced writer or new to the craft, this workshop offers a welcoming space for self-discovery and artistic growth.

April 23, 2025

6:00 pm: NEA Big Read Intergenerational Conversation about Book Ban - Stetson Branch Library

Join a discussion with our Adult and Teen Services Librarians regarding censorship and book banning, one of the themes in the NEA Big Read selection for 2025. This conversation will include discussing this year's book, Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, but also many other controversial titles. Open to ages 13 and up, including adults. Pizza will be provided.

This event is part of the 2025 NEA Big Read. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest

6:30 pm: Wednesday Book Club - West Haven Public Library

Come join us the in our book discussion every fourth Wednesday. It's a fun way to get connected, make new friends, and read more books! New members welcomed; books available for loan in advance of the discussion. Copies are first come, first served.

Fahrenheit 451 "Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television "family." But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn't live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known."

April 24, 2025

10:30 am: Storytime: Featuring A Banned Book - Wilson Branch Library

We'll be celebrating tough topics at storytime all of April, we will feature a book that has been a target for a book ban! As always, we'll have stories, songs, and playtime for children with parent-caregiver. Ages 0-5

Part of the 2025 NEA Big Read. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

4:30 pm: Whimsical Wonders: A Story Time Adventure - Freedom to Read - Ives Main Branch Library

Celebrate your freedom to read! This week, we'll read This Book is Banned by Raj Haldar. Then, make your own book cover for one of your favorite books. Recommended for ages 5-8, with caregiver.

April 26, 2025

3:00 pm: Burning Bright: A Writing and Drawing Workshop with KC Councilor - Wilson Branch Library

Join us at the Wilson Branch for a workshop designed to spark creativity through the themes of Ray Bradbury's iconic novel, Fahrenheit 451. Participants will explore the transformative power of storytelling and visual expression while reflecting on themes like censorship, individuality, and the enduring value of books. All skill levels are welcome to join this inspiring exploration of art and literature.

April 28, 2025

11:30 am: Monday Book Club - West Haven Public Library

Come join us the fourth Monday of each month in our book discussion. It's a fun way to get connected, make new friends, and read more books! New members welcomed; books available for loan in advance of the discussion. Copies are first come, first served.

Fahrenheit 451 "Guy Montag is a fireman. His job is to destroy the most illegal of commodities, the printed book, along with the houses in which they are hidden. Montag never questions the destruction and ruin his actions produce, returning each day to his bland life and wife, Mildred, who spends all day with her television "family." But when he meets an eccentric young neighbor, Clarisse, who introduces him to a past where people didn't live in fear and to a present where one sees the world through the ideas in books instead of the mindless chatter of television, Montag begins to question everything he has ever known."

May 1, 2025

5:00 pm: Sister City Film - Mexico: The Chambermaid (La Camerista) (2018) - Ives Main Branch Library

Directed by Lila Aviles, this critically acclaimed drama follows Eve, a dedicated hotel worker in Mexico City, as she navigates the routines of an unseen world, striving for something greater while being surrounded by luxury she can never claim as her own. A visually stunning and deeply human story, The Chambermaid is a must-watch for those who appreciate powerful, minimalist storytelling.

May 3, 2025

1:00 pm: Fair Haven Day - Fair Haven School

The celebration kicks off at 11:00 AM with the Parade Line-Up at Martinez School (100 James Street), followed by the Parade Step-Off at 12:00 PM. Join us as we march through the heart of Fair Haven, celebrating our vibrant community spirit! After the parade, the fun continues from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Fair Haven School (164 Grand Avenue) with a lively festival featuring food, entertainment, and activities for all ages. To cap off the day, head back to Fair Haven School at 6:00 PM for an exciting Wrestling Show (doors open at 5:00 PM). Don't miss this action-packed celebration of Fair Haven!

May 4, 2025

3:00 pm: WEB (Whalley, Edgewood, Beaver Hills) - Bethel AME Church (Parking Lot)

Come out to the WEB Neighborhood Festival for a fun, free day of activities! Enjoy a children's author reading, a hands-on gardening workshop, and a lively Capoeira session. Explore the neighborhood's unique architecture on a guided tour, learn about the Armory Building, and connect with local non-profits. Satisfy your cravings with delicious food from local food trucks and groove to beats from our DJ. It's a day of learning, community, and fun for all ages-don't miss out!

May 6, 2025

5:00 pm: CT Public Film: Where Then Shall We Go? (2025) - Wilson Branch Library

The unhoused community in New Haven is growing. The pandemic, rising housing costs, and inflation has led to an increase in people experiencing homelessness across the city. In 2022, a family in one of the city's poorest neighborhoods opened up their backyard for people to live in, aspiring to create a self-governing community separate from the overburdened city shelter system. We follow the Rosette Neighborhood Village for nearly two years as they try to run a consensus-based governance model while navigating state and city zoning regulations, addiction, mental health issues, and basic survival. Witness stories of joy and strength amidst the hardships of homelessness as residents build a neighborhood and their future together.

May 8, 2025

3:00 pm: Crafternoon: Fun with Bookmaking - Fair Haven Branch Library

Let's combine art and literacy to create a one-of-a-kind book! Your books could serve as a journal, a space for your own work of fiction, a recipe book or so much more! (Families and Children 6-12)

May 9, 2025

7:45 pm: Cirque Kikasse: SANTE (Art Walk) - Central Patio

Cirque Kikasse presents SANTE! a dynamic circus show with high-level acrobatics, contagious energy and breathtaking balances...All on our extraordinary food truck! The troupe's mission is to prepare the Terrace for the service by unveiling their unique installation. Ranging from arranging furniture that turns into a balancing tower 30 feet off the ground, to playfully inefficient cleaning of the truck and trampoline, to overflowing the popcorn machine. A fun concept with a virtuosity to give thrills to even the most seasoned.

May 10, 2025

2:00 pm: AI: Creativity, Privacy, and Collaboration - Ives Main Branch Library

Join us for an engaging presentation exploring the rapidly evolving world of generative AI. From powerful tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Cursor.ai to the growing use of AI in creative fields, we'll examine how these technologies are reshaping writing, coding, design, and more. While generative AI offers incredible potential to enhance human creativity and productivity, it also raises important questions about authorship, originality, and digital privacy. This talk will unpack both the promise and the inherent challenges of AI-generated content, offering a balanced look at how individuals, communities, and institutions can navigate this new frontier responsibly. This discussion will be accessible for all experience levels - whether you're curious bout AI or already experimenting with it.

Sean O'Brien is founder of Yale Privacy Lab, an initiative of the Information Society Project at Yale Law School, where he is also a Research Fellow. He is teaching "Artificial  Intelligence: Creativity and IP" at Yale Law School and developed the Cybersecurity curriculum at Yale with Scott J. Shapiro. His New Haven-based startup PrivacySafe delivers a suite of apps for private chat, video, and file storage. Sean developed a Web3 and Blockchain class at Yale as well as Hacking and Cybersecurity at the Lawfare Institute and was founding Head Tutor at Oxford University Cyber Security for Business Leaders. Sean's expertise has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, AP, NBC, Popular Science, Forbes, and more!

2:00 pm: Cirque Kikasse: SANTE (Wake Up the Green) - New Haven Green

Cirque Kikasse presents SANTE! a dynamic circus show with high-level acrobatics, contagious energy and breathtaking balances...All on our extraordinary food truck! The troupe's mission is to prepare the Terrace for the service by unveiling their unique installation. Ranging from arranging furniture that turns into a balancing tower 30 feet off the ground, to playfully inefficient cleaning of the truck and trampoline, to overflowing the popcorn machine. A fun concept with a virtuosity to give thrills to even the most seasoned.

May 12, 2025

2:00 pm: Fair Haven Book Club: Fahrenheit 451 - Fair Haven Branch Library

Join the club for a discussion of Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Bradbury's dystopian novel presents a future American society where books are outlawed, and "firemen" burn any that are found. Copies of the book are available.

5:00 pm: Sister City Film - Vietnam: Don't Burn (Durng dot) (2009) - Mitchell Branch Library

In the spring of 2005, an elderly mother in Hanoi receives a diary-one that belonged to her daughter, Dang Thuy Tram, a young doctor who served at a liberation front hospital during the Vietnam War. From 1968 until her tragic death, she documented her experiences, hopes, and sacrifices in the pages of her journal. Decades later, her words resurface, sparking a national sensation in Vietnam and offering a deeply personal glimpse into the resilience and humanity of those affected by war.

Directed by Dang Nhat Minh, Don't Burn is a moving and powerful drama that brings history to life through one woman's heartfelt and courageous story.

Run Time: 1 hr 40 min

May 14, 2025

6:00 pm: Civics 101 - Stetson Branch Library

Join The Honorable Clifton Graves for an engaging introductory discussion on civics. Whether you're looking to deepen your understanding or just getting started, this discussion is a great opportunity to learn and ask questions in an open and informative setting.

May 17, 2025

2:00 pm: Honoring Hill Legends: Moving On Up - Trowbridge Square Park

Join us for the 2025 Hill Neighborhood Festival as we celebrate the incredible contributions of our community! This year, we are honoring longtime Hill advocates Ms. Ann Boyd, Mr. John Dye, Hip-Hop Bearer Mr. Lee Stucky, and the brave Veterans of the Vietnam War. As we mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, we also pay tribute to our heroes at the Veterans Memorial located in Hill South on Long Wharf. Come together to honor history, heritage, and the spirit of our community!

May 21, 2025

6:00 pm: Sensation vs. Thinking - Stetson Branch Library

"We bombard people with sensation," he said, "That substitutes for thinking." – Fahrenheit 451

Join Mercy Quaye for an insightful discussion on the overwhelming nature of mass media. In a world flooded with information, media often evokes strong emotions but doesn't always leave room for critical thinking and deeper analysis. This conversation will explore how we process media, its impact on our perceptions, and strategies to engage with information more thoughtfully.

May 22, 2025

6:00 pm: Science Fiction: The Truth Telling Genre - Fair Haven Branch Library

Join Juanita Sunday and New London Poet Laureate AnUrbanNerd for an insightful conversation on how science-fiction serves as a powerful tool for warning signs of potential futures. Through discussions of novels like Fahrenheit 451, Parable of the Sower, 1984, and others, they will explore how these works challenge us to confront pressing issues and shape a better, more equitable future. This discussion will inspire critical thinking about the world we are creating and the futures we want to avoid.

May 24, 2025

12:00 pm: West Hills-West Rock - West Rock STEAM Academy

Let's gather at the West Hills-West Rock Neighborhood Festival-a free event full of fun and community spirit! Start your day with exciting morning workshops where you can learn new skills and connect with neighbors. Afterward, unwind and celebrate with a small concert, bringing live music and good vibes to the heart of our neighborhood. It's a day of creativity, connection, and celebration-perfect for families and friends. Don't miss this chance to enjoy free workshops, great tunes, and a wonderful community atmosphere!

May 25, 2025

2:00 pm: Destination Newhallville: A Family Adventure - Lincoln Bassett Park

Come celebrate community, fun, and the heroes who make a difference in Newhallville! This free, family-friendly event is filled with kids' activities, toys, and games that will bring smiles to faces of all ages. It's more than just a day of play - it's a chance for neighbors to come together and honor the local heroes who inspire and support our community. Whether it's first responders, educators, volunteers, or everyday champions, we're celebrating them in a big way. Bring the whole family and we can't wait to see you there!

May 27, 2025

6:00 pm: Sister City Film - Nicaragua: La Yuma (2009) - Ives Main Branch Library

La Yuma tells the inspiring story of a young girl from a poor Nicaraguan barrio who dreams of becoming a boxer. While she longs to spend her days training, her mother insists she work at a second-hand clothing store under the watchful eye of manager Scarlett. Despite these challenges, Yuma's determination remains strong.

When her friend Yader, a former gang member turned gym owner, signs her up for an official boxing gym, Yuma finally gets the opportunity to train seriously and compete in real matches, hoping to make a name for herself in the world of boxing.

Directed by Florence Jaugey, La Yuma is a heartfelt drama about perseverance, dreams, and the courage to defy the odds.

Run Time: 1 hr 30 min

May 29, 2025

5:00 pm: Sister City Film - Italy: The Hand of God (2021) - Ives Main Branch Library

Set in 1980s Naples, Italy, The Hand of God follows Fabietto Schisa, a teenager who is deeply passionate about both cinema and football. When Napoli, his local football team, signs the legendary Diego Maradona, Fabietto decides to stay home to watch Maradona play instead of joining his parents on vacation.

The film is a personal story for director Paolo Sorrentino, who uses the coming-of-age genre to transform his own tragedy into a poignant fable about family, creativity, and the complex journey of growing up.

Run Time: 2 hr 10 min

May 31, 2025

12:00 pm: Elm City Freddy Fixer Weekend - Omni New Haven Hotel

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade, and we're celebrating in a big way! Join us for a weekend full of excitement and community spirit. The festivities kick off on Saturday, May 31st with our Neighborhood Festival from 12PM–4PM at Dixwell Q House Plaza. Later that night, the Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade will be having their 7th Annual Gala from 7PM–11PM at the Omni Hotel. On June 1st, the celebration continues with more activities leading up to Sunday's highly anticipated Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade at 1:30PM. Come celebrate six decades of tradition, culture, and unity at these unforgettable weekend events!

Click here to Buy Tickets

June 1, 2025

1:00 pm: Elm City Freddy Fixer Weekend - Omni New Haven Hotel

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the iconic Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade, and we're celebrating in a big way! Join us for a weekend full of excitement and community spirit. The festivities kick off on Saturday, May 31st with our Neighborhood Festival from 12PM–4PM at Dixwell Q House Plaza. Later that night, the Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade will be having their 7th Annual Gala from 7PM–11PM at the Omni Hotel. On June 1st, the celebration continues with more activities leading up to Sunday's highly anticipated Elm City Freddy Fixer Parade at 1:30PM. Come celebrate six decades of tradition, culture, and unity at these unforgettable weekend events!

Click here to Buy Tickets

June 2, 2025

1:00 pm: Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony - New Haven Green Flag Pole

The official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven (JCGNH) welcomes all to commemorate the triumphant efforts of previous generations by raising the official Juneteenth flag-created by Connecticut resident Elder Ben Haith. Rejoice with JCGNH, city officials, a live trumpeter, and artists from New Haven for the inaugural exhibition and press conference. Join us as we usher in the month-long observance.  

June 4, 2025

5:30 pm: Fahrenheit 451: Film Screening and Community Discussion - Ives Main Branch Library

Fahrenheit 451 is a 1966 British dystopian drama film directed by François Truffaut and starring Julie Christie, Oskar Werner, and Cyril Cusack. Based on the 1953 novel of the same name by Ray Bradbury, the film takes place in a controlled society in an oppressive future, in which the government sends out firemen to destroy all literature to prevent revolution and thinking. This was Truffaut's first colour film and his only non French-language film. At the 27th Venice International Film Festival, Fahrenheit 451 was nominated for the Golden Lion.

June 11, 2025

6:30 pm: An Evening With Monique Martin - Cooperative Arts and Humanities High School

Join us for our 15th annual Visionary Leadership Award, honoring Monique Martin, propagator of art, culture, and ideas. The evening will consist of a moderated conversation with Monique, followed by a reception.

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June 14, 2025

9:00 am: East Coast Greenway - Farmington Canal Trail North - New Haven Green

Travel North from New Haven to Cheshire and learn about plans to connect the former rail trail to Northampton, MA.  Visit historic Locks 12 and 14 before returning to New Haven. A representative of ECG will lead the ride and provide information and background on the trail.

1:00 pm: Theatre "Art in Resistance" - Humanities Quadrangle (HQ L02)
2:00 pm: Witness Stones Project - New Haven Green

The Witness Stones Project aims to bring attention to the history of slavery with the goal of fostering a deeper understanding of the past and its impact on the present. By researching and commemorating the lives of enslaved individuals, the project seeks to create meaningful connections between history, memory and contemporary conversations about race and equality.

To date 260 stones have been placed across 5 states and more are being planned. On this bike tour we will visit the stones currently enshrined in New Haven and learn about the individuals they honor.

Distance: 15 miles

2:15 pm: Keynote: Martyna Majok - Humanities Quadrangle (HQ L02)

Martyna Majok was born in Bytom, Poland and raised in Jersey and Chicago. She was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for her Broadway debut play, Cost of Living, which was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Play. Other plays include Sanctuary City, Queens, and Ironbound, which have been produced across American and international stages, and the libretto for Gatsby: An American Myth, with music by Florence Welch and Thomas Bartlett.

Other awards include a Guggenheim Fellowship, The Steinberg Distinguished Playwright Award, Arthur Miller Foundation Legacy Award, The Obie Award for Playwriting, The Hull-Warriner Award, The Academy of Arts and Letters' Benjamin Hadley Danks Award for Exceptional Playwriting, The Sun Valley Playwrights Residency Award, Off Broadway Alliance Best New Play Award, The Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding New Play, The Hermitage Greenfield Prize, as the first female recipient in drama, The Champions of Change Award from the NYC Mayor's Office, The Francesca Primus Prize, two Jane Chambers Playwriting Awards, The Lanford Wilson Prize, The Lilly Award's Stacey Mindich Prize, Helen Merrill Emerging Playwright Award, Charles MacArthur Award for Outstanding Original New Play from The Helen Hayes Awards, Jean Kennedy Smith Playwriting Award, ANPF Women's Invitational Prize, David Calicchio Prize, Global Age Project Prize, NYTW 2050 Fellowship, NNPN Smith Prize for Political Playwriting, and Merage Foundation Fellowship for The American Dream. Martyna studied at Yale School of Drama, Juilliard, University of Chicago, and Jersey public schools. She was a 2012-2013 NNPN playwright-in-residence, the 2015-2016 PoNY Fellow at the Lark Play Development Center, and a 2018-2019 Hodder Fellow at Princeton University. Martyna is currently adapting Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451" for the Broadway stage, and has developed TV projects for HBO and written feature films for Plan B-Pastel-MGM-Orion.

8:00 pm: Minty Fresh Circus - University Theatre

Conceived by Monique Martin, Minty Fresh Circus is a US-based circus show performed by an all-Black cast, with a majority-Black creative team celebrating the healing power of Black music and movement, infused with the joy and resilience of those who traversed the transatlantic slave trade.

Grounded in Sankofa (a Ghanaian word encouraging one to learn from the past to inform the future) with an Afro-futuristic vibe, Minty Fresh Circus features movement, music, and circus arts in a time-bending journey of redemption.

Click here to Buy Tickets

June 15, 2025

9:00 am: Ride New Haven: New Haven's e-Bike Share - New Haven Green

Now is your chance to test out New Haven's e-bike share.  Learn the ins and outs of how the program works and take a test ride yourself.  Test rides will be free of charge.

Distance: 10 miles

8:00 pm: Minty Fresh Circus - University Theatre

Conceived by Monique Martin, Minty Fresh Circus is a US-based circus show performed by an all-Black cast, with a majority-Black creative team celebrating the healing power of Black music and movement, infused with the joy and resilience of those who traversed the transatlantic slave trade.

Grounded in Sankofa (a Ghanaian word encouraging one to learn from the past to inform the future) with an Afro-futuristic vibe, Minty Fresh Circus features movement, music, and circus arts in a time-bending journey of redemption.

2:00 pm: It Didn't Happen Here - New Haven Green

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

4:00 pm: Cancionero de Luto - Albert Arnold Sprague Memorial Hall

Join the Yale Choral Artists and Victory Players, led by Dr. Jeffrey Douma, for a powerful world premiere performance of Cancionero de Luto (Mourning Songbook) by Armando Bayolo. Cancionero de Luto is an ecumenical response to death and suffering, seeking to find common ground among different faiths (or lack thereof) as we face this one experience common to all of humanity. Experience the emotional depth and beauty of this work in the stunning acoustics of Sprague Hall-a concert you won't want to miss!

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June 18, 2025

12:30 pm: Spotlight Talk - Yale University Art Gallery

Join Gallery staff for spotlight talks on displays across the museum. Brooke Krancer, Senior Curatorial Assistant, Yale Center for British Art, reflects on the exhibition Romney: Brilliant Contrasts in Georgian England. Daniel Menzo, the Marcia Brady Tucker Fellow, Department of Photography, discusses the exhibition David Goldblatt: No Ulterior Motive. Miranda Saylor, the Alice and Allan Kaplan Assistant Curator of American Paintings and Sculpture, addresses the exhibition Hartley at Yale. In addition, Jennifer Paige Blue, the Marcia Brady Tucker Fellow, Department of American Decorative Arts, offers insight into a permanent-collection rotation in modern and contemporary design. Offered in conjunction with the International Festival of Arts and Ideas, New Haven. Generously sponsored by the Martin A. Ryerson Lectureship Fund.

5:30 pm: The Estate

Step back in time to 1804 when America was 17 states stong, the Townshend family built their landmark home in New Haven. Generations of Townshend's lived in the estate until recently when it was loving restored to the original opulensce.  The Estate is now an event space.  This tour will tour both the house and the grounds.

Distance: 8 miles

6:00 pm: Stir the Style: Wasn't Expecting That.... - C.I.T.A Park

You thought you knew what was coming. You thought you knew what the end would be. But when you get there, you realize it is something entirely different. It makes you think, "Hmmm… wasn't expecting that!"

This year we Stir the Style with narratives of surprise, disappointment, triumph, and transformation-tales where the destination wasn't quite what was imagined, but the journey proved remarkable nonetheless.

You might find yourself laughing at life's unpredictable nature or shedding tears in shared understanding. Each person's reaction will be uniquely their own, as personal as the memories these works evoke.

What we can promise is an engaging evening that resonates with your own life experiences, leaving you entertained, moved, and perhaps seeing your own journey in a new light.

Musical Guest: Lara Herscovitch

Click here to Buy Tickets

June 19, 2025

10:00 am: 7th New Haven Hip Hop Conference: Visions of Truth - Neighborhood Music School

Join us for Hip-Hop Scholarship through a multisensory journey with Hip-Hop 101- an interactive workshop focusing on the elements of Hip-Hop music featuring a live DJ-Turntablist, live graffiti artist, dancers, and emcees, a keynote by Hip-Hop pioneers M-1 and Umi of Dead Prez, interdisciplinary and multi-generational panels, a youth panel and independent film festival.

11:00 am: Tapping the Possibilities - Regional Water Authority

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.

At the Regional Water Authority (RWA), our purpose is to make life better for people by delivering water for life. Our employees and board members take this responsibility to the region very seriously. Water is a key element of a prosperous, healthy community. Our employees and board members take great pride in the delivery of this life-sustaining product and the services that safeguard public health, provide fire protection, support local economic growth and maintain the overall quality of life we enjoy.

5:00 pm: Savor the Legacy: Jacques Pepin - University Theatre

Join us for a special evening with Jacques Pepin, legendary French chef, author, and artist. Pepin 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 Legion d'Honneur. He'll also discuss his passion for culinary education and the Jacques Pepin Foundation. Don't miss this inspiring event with one of the most influential figures in modern gastronomy. Following the on-stage conversation is a meet and greet with Chef Pepin complete with tasty bites prepared by local chefs.

Click here to Buy Tickets

June 20, 2025

7:00 pm: Juneteenth Jamboree

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! Curated by Artsucation and the Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven, this evening promises a rhythmical blend of joyful artistry. Join us for an evening with New Haven All-Stars featuring The Keepers of the Culture Performing Arts Company, The Rahsaan Langley Project, and the legendary RandB sensation, singer Johnny King. Jose Candelario of WYBC Electric Drum will host the evening. Make sure to mark your calendar for a night that you won't want to miss!

June 21, 2025

9:00 am: East Coast Greenway South - New Haven Green

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.   representative of ECG will lead the ride and provide information and background on the trails.

Distance: 18 miles OR 28 miles

9:00 am: Mixed Surfaces

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

12:00 pm: Juneteenth Village and Marketplace

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, The Juneteenth Artist Showcase, Juneteenth Youth Zone featuring young artists, drill teams, interactive activities, music, dance, and more funtastic offerings, and our Juneteenth Marketplace! Shop together to support entrepreneurs and delight in uplifting performances and exciting events of the day!

1:00 pm: Making Memories: Neurons, Quantum Computing, and Art - Humanities Quadrangle (HQ L02)
2:00 pm: French - New Haven Green

Allons-y.  Ride with Fench Professeur Skorupa as she unveils the secret french underpinnings of New Haven from the Franch Alliance to the bicycle invention to the reinvention of how foreign language is taught.

Distance: 15 miles

3:00 pm: More Than Oysters: A Walking History of "Fair Haven East"

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, the community enjoyed a much greater say in the arrangement of streets, utilities, and amenities that soon came to be known as Fair Haven Heights. During our tour, we'll focus architecture that exemplifies the development of the borough from its roots in East Haven; through its annexation to New Haven in 1881; and its eventual consolidation with city government starting in 1897. Historic maps, newspaper articles, and photos will help us visualize changing patterns of commerce, agriculture, transportation, and housing in the borough – and some interesting stories about the residents who called it home!

4:00 pm: Keynote: Autumn Peltier - Humanities Quadrangle (HQ L02)

Autumn Peltier is Anishinaabe-kwe and a member of the Wikwemikong First Nation and an internationally recognized advocate for clean water. She is a water protector and has been called a "water warrior". Peltier addressed world leaders at the UN General Assembly on the issue of water protection at the age of thirteen in 2018.

Peltier lives on the Unceded Anishinawbe Territory on Manitoulin Island in northern Ontario. She began her advocacy on behalf of water at the age of eight and was inspired by her great aunt, Josephine Mandamin.

Peltier gained national and international notice when at a meeting of the Assembly of First Nations she presented Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with a copper water pot and although she did not have time to deliver her prepared speech she confronted Trudeau on his record on water protection and his support for pipelines. She has attended international events such as the Children's Climate Conference in Sweden.

In April, 2019 the Anishinabek Nation honoured her and raised her up to be the Chief Water Commissioner in her great aunties role. Autumn has travelled far and wide to carry the message of the importance of clean water and the Sacredness of Water. She seemingly came out of the womb already set on her path: to advocate for people's right to clean water, the rights of water itself, and the political recognition of the interdependency of the two.

6:00 pm: Factory International: City of Floating Sounds - New Haven Green

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, make your way through the streets of New Haven listening to fragments of Huang Ruo's meditative new work.

As you get closer to the Green – and other audience members – the sound will expand, revealing more parts of the work. An opportunity to explore New Haven in a new light – the path you take and who you meet on your journey can all change what you hear.

7:00 pm: City of Floating Sounds

Experience a magical summer evening on the New Haven Green with the International Festival of Arts and 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 Ruo's City of Floating Sounds on their phones will converge at the Green, creating a unique tapestry of sound. As the sun sets, the New Haven Symphony will take the stage to perform a vibrant program that honors the voices and stories of our community.

June 22, 2025

9:00 am: Secret Societies - New Haven Green

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

2:00 pm: The Murals of Fair Haven presented by Lee Cruz - New Haven Green

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, these public works of art share a common thread: their existence within the vibrant tapestry of Fair Haven, a culturally and ethinically diverse neighborhood.  Join Lee Cruz on this bike ride where you will see murals and other public works of art.

Distance: 10 miles

5:45 pm: DJ Kasey Cortez

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. Most recently, DJing has become her favorite way to connect, express, and move through the world.

6:30 pm: Sons of Mystro

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 and a drummer. They are winners of the Emerging Artist Under 21 Years Old award at IRAWMA (International Reggae and World Music Awards). Curated by Artsucation, Official Juneteenth Coalition of Greater New Haven, and the International Festival of Arts and Ideas.

June 23, 2025

5:00 pm: Whitman on Walls! (WoW!) - Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library

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 performers from around the world.

WoW! is a touring event that unites communities and their local poets and musicians with Colombari performers on film; a movie screening meets a poetry slam. Each film is followed by responses from local poets from various backgrounds and ages who "talk back to Whitman" in their own words, challenging or quarreling with him, blending cinema and live recitation and expanding the Whitmanic vision of democratic interdependence. In collaboration with institutional partners and living poets across the globe, WoW! activates us in our communities toward freedom. For this New Haven performance, the poetic responses will feature New Haven Poet Laureate Sharmont Influence Little and other local poets.

June 24, 2025

2:00 pm: The Path of Memory, the Space Within: From Synapses to Quantum Physics - Festival Center

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 painted paper and copper wires, playing on different types of memory: from biological systems and synapses to quantum memory and information stored in qubits.

8:00 pm: Mireya Ramos: GUERRERA - University Theatre

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 RandB. Her performances reflect her Dominican and Mexican heritage, while honoring the strength of women in music.

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June 25, 2025

12:30 pm: Sketching in the Galleries - Yale University Art Gallery

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 Festival of Arts and Ideas, New Haven. Generously sponsored by the Martin A. Ryerson Lectureship Fund.

5:30 pm: New Haven Picnic Basket - New Haven Green

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

7:00pm: That's Funny: Stories That Make You Laugh

"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.

In a world with so much uncertainty, we invite you to bring your troubles and hear stories that make you say, "That's Funny!" Our tellers will delight you with stories of joy and sadness, success and failures, agreements and conflicts. And all of them are stories that will make you laugh. Come join us as we laugh our troubles away.

Our featured teller is Jamie Brickhouse.

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June 26, 2025

11:00 am: CAES: The Nation's Oldest Agricultural Experiment Station Turns 150! - The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station

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 findings to people trying to solve agricultural, public health, and environmental problems. If you're a nerd and love learning, this is the tour for you!

6:00 pm: HHTTS (Hang Him To The Scales)

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.

After spending a year refining their sound in a $180/month rehearsal studio, the band made its live debut in mid-2022. As an all-Asian group, they quickly stood out in New York City's indie music scene. Since then, they have performed at numerous venues in NYC and beyond, including two sold-out shows. Their growing presence has earned them spots at festivals such as the New Colossus Festival 2023, Moonvibez MusicFest 2023, and Bacchanalia Festival 2022. In May, they released their debut EP, Poutine.

7:00 pm: Christine Tassan et les Imposteures

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.

True pioneers in a field usually reserved for men and precursors of the manouche wave that swept over Quebec, these four musicians reinvent with the singularity that we know them a music that, far from being frozen in time, adapts on the contrary to all kinds of new ideas. From covers to compositions, the arrangements of the Impostors innovate, dust, give way to the unbridled creativity of four experienced musicians.

The group's reputation is no longer to be done, with 7 albums to its credit and more than 700 theatrical and festival shows, including multiple tours in Quebec, Canada, Europe, the United States and China. We saw Christine Tassan and the Impostors at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, the Django Reinhardt Festival in Samois-sur-Seine (France), the Django Festival in Liberchies (Belgium) and the North-West Django Fest (USA). The album "Entre Félix et Django" received the Opus Award for jazz album of the year in 2017 and was nominated in the Show of the Year category in 2018. Since 2020, the group has presented a special holiday show entitled "Django Belles", which has become an annual tradition.

8:00 pm: Joshua Redman (Quartet) - University Theatre

Joshua Redman is one of the most acclaimed and charismatic jazz artists to have emerged in the 1990's. Born in Berkeley, California he is the son of legendary saxophonist Dewey Redman and dancer Renee Shedroff. In 1991 Redman graduated from Harvard College summa *** laude and had already been accepted by Yale Law School, but deferred entrance for what he believed was only going to be one year. Instead, he moved to New York City and immediately found himself immersed in the city's burgeoning jazz scene. Five months later Redman was named winner of the prestigious Thelonious Monk International Saxophone Competition. Since then, Redman has worked and played with a vast array of jazz luminaries, released over twenty albums (Warner and Nonesuch), and has garnered top honors in critics and readers polls of DownBeat, Jazz Times, The Village Voice and Rolling Stone.

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June 27, 2025

11:00 am: MakeHaven: A Hub for Makers, Artists, and Innovators

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 their ideas to life, from art installations to product prototypes. Whether you're a seasoned maker or just curious, this tour will inspire new possibilities.

6:00 pm: Seny Tatchol Camara

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 class and performance. Whether he's leading a drum circle or performing on stage, Seny Tatchol Camara creates powerful connections through music, movement, and community.

7:00 pm: Sol and The Tribu

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.

Sol and The Tribu - "tribu" means tribe - has seven members, but more than 20 musicians and creatives form the Tribu Collective. Together, they curate and produce original material that represents the 305 and its cultural diversity.

The band is led by Sol Ruiz, a Grammy-nominated international recording artist and multi-instrumentalist. Hailing from Miami, Ruiz sings and writes in her native tongue, Spanglish, and has toured in Europe, Canada and the Caribbean. Ruiz was a featured performer in an indie opera developed and produced by the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Beth Morrison Projects.

The band's most recent EP, Positive Vibration Nation, released in fall 2020, was created during the coronavirus pandemic. Conceptually, it encourages positive thinking and is an uplifting portrait of the band in times of uncertainty. Sol and The Tribu was a recipient of the Arsht Center's Heart of Art commissioning award for their "Corona Conga Online" video in 2020.

June 28, 2025

9:00 am: East Shore Greenway - New Haven Green

Did you ever wish there was a way to travel Eastward on the shoreline by bike? The Shoreline Greenway Trail shares that vision to build a 25-mile trail for bikers, walkers and outdoor enthusiasts. Learn of the plans to connect the East Coast Greenway to the Shorline Greenway trail and ride the East Haven and Branford sections of the Shoreline Greenway Trail

Distance: 25 miles

2:00 pm: Whodunnit? A New Haven Murder Mystery on Your Two Wheels. - New Haven Green

Solve the unsolvable murder mystery in New Haven. Or just come along for the ride. Prizes for solving the murder.

Distance: 15 miles

3:00 pm: Alice Washburn in Westville

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 when we talk of Home. But even among these others, Washburn's houses stand out for their sensitive planning and their distinctive yet familiar detailing.

6:00 pm: Caribbean Festival

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 heart and soul of Caribbean music and dance. The festival begins at 2PM on the New Haven Green, followed by a 6PM concert filled with energy, excitement, and Caribbean spirit!

Date:
April 21 - June 28, 2025

Location:
Various Venues in New Haven, CT

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