Joshua Hall

On July 4, our country will celebrate its 250th Birthday, commemorating the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Connecticut was one of the 13 original colonies (founded in 1636) and became the fifth state in the Union (January 9, 1788). With our state playing an important role in our country's founding, it's no surprise that Connecticut - and our Capital City of Hartford - would celebrate with events to commemorate this special occasion. 

Hartford Bonanza, produced by First Night Hartford, Inc., is ready to host its sixth annual free Independence Day community festival on Saturday, July 4, in Bushnell Park. Highlights include legendary bassist Doug Wimbish and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra to co-present a spectacular America 250 Connecticut Commemorative Concert, before the region’s largest Independence Day fireworks display.

The Hartford Bonanza features a full day of arts, culture, food, community, civics, history, recreation, and commemoration in Bushnell Park from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The rain date for the Hartford Bonanza is July 5.

Entertainment Line-Up:

Main Stage, Performers from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - DJ Dana Game, the Nat Reeves Quartet with Joshua Bruneau, the Hartt Salsa All-Stars, and Dom McLennon with special guests. 

7:30 p.m. - The headlining concert will be performed in three sets: a symphonic set by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, a WimBash band set led by Doug Wimbish featuring artists across generations from his groundbreaking career, and a collaborative set featuring HSO and WimBash artists together. Featured artists are Doug Wimbish, Bernard Fowler, The Powell Brothers with Zyyayre Williams, Briana Maia, Jme Strchild, Dave Koltai, Corey Glover, Khaiim the RapOet, and the Hartford Symphony Orchestra with the Hartford Chorale. 

Trinity Street Stage, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. - A second stage added for this year’s festival as part of expanded programming for the America 250 Connecticut celebration, will feature live music, poetry, improv, history talks, and a live DJ. Connecticut State Troubadour Charlie Widmer kicks off the festival at noon, followed by Ava Grom, Poetry Hour featuring Laugh, Versatile Poetiq, and Nzima Hutchings, Sea Tea Improv, Mixashawn, and DJ Ch'Varda. Historian John Mills will give an engaging talk on Stories of Connecticut’s Black Patriots, and historian Beverly Gage will highlight her new book This Land is Your Land: A Road Trip Through U.S. History. 

 9:30 p.m.- Fireworks over the Capitol

In addition to the Hartford Bonanza/America 250 Celebration, Hartford is also hosting "The Long Weekend: America Turns 250 and Hartford Answers." For five days, Hartford is set to become a living stage. From Wednesday, July 1, through Sunday, July 5, this city-wide festival celebrates history through the lenses of film, art, music, culture, and technology. It's a modern gathering rooted in the place where America first learned to write itself into existence.

Events are set to take place at Mortenson Riverfront Plaza, the Wadsworth Atheneum, CT Museum of Culture and History, the Old State House, Bushnell Park, the Bushnell Courtyard, Colt Park, Pratt Street, The Stowe Center for Literary Activism, Hartford Public Library, West Indian Social Club, TheaterWorks, Parkville Market, Burr Mall, the State Capitol, Artists Collective, the First "Center Church" of Christ, the Hartford House, and Hartford Stage. In all, a total of 75 events are taking place over the course of five days. 

Not all events will require passes - there are free activities as well, including a World Cup watch party, CT Sun Fan Fest, Art Night Out, fireworks, a block party, and more. 

You can filter events by each day once you click on the event schedule. The Long Weekend includes a total of 75 events you can participate in.

To find out more about events happening around the state to commemorate America 250, click the button below.