Why We Love It

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2024 Cherry Blossom Festival

On Sunday, April 14th, residents and visitors will come together to celebrate spring in Wooster Square at the 51st Annual Cherry Blossom Festival. Taking place from noon to 4:30 pm in Wooster Square Park, the festival celebrates the day the neighborhood’s famous cherry blossoms are in peak bloom. The event will feature live music, delectable treats from food trucks, and more surprises throughout the day. To learn more about one of the city’s most beautiful festivals, check out this blog post.

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A Chat with Eiress Hammond, Owner of MINIPNG

MINIPNG, Downtown’s premiere destination for all things interesting, has spent its first year of business outfitting New Haven locals with carefully curated vintage clothing and hand-painted signature artwork. This month, we sat down with the Owner of MINIPNG, Eiress Hammond, who has earned the title of “The Vivienne Westwood of New Haven,” to discuss all things vintage and her experience as a Downtown business owner. On the origins of MINIPNG: “In 2019, I was studying pre-law at Ohio State University, and I felt like the creative side of me was being stifled. I had always wanted to pursue fashion but... View Article

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Valentine’s Day in Downtown 2024

While we’re on the topic of love, let’s talk about what awaits new love in the Elm City. Valentine’s Day is not only reserved for long-term lovers with gold rings. The romance holiday can also be an excellent opportunity to inspire new love, and where better to do that than downtown? For those planning a stellar first date this month, check out our blog to see our top five unique first date ideas, all right here in New Haven. Spoiler: we’re talking saltwater floating or hitting a Bulldogs game with a potential love connection. If your V-Day style is better met... View Article

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Mark Your Calendar for these Annual Celebrations in 2024

Another year in our rearview mirror, another year ahead. Each month, neighbors and visitors visit downtown New Haven for foodie events, community gatherings, and small business shopping. While we don’t yet know exactly what 2024 will hold for us, we’ve got a few things on the books. Read on and mark your calendar for the return of the Elm City’s most popular annual events. 2024 CELEBRATIONS CALENDAR FEBRUARY Yale-China Association’s Lunar Fest MARCH Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade JUNE Freddy Fixer Parade St. Andrew’s Society Italian Festa Caribbean Heritage Festival AUGUST Ecuadorian Civic Parade Puerto Rican Festival SEPTEMBER... View Article

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New Haven Chalk Art Festival [2023]

On October 21, local artists will convene in Downtown for the annual New Haven Chalk Art Festival. Taking place from 12-4 PM at The Shops at Yale, the day will be one marked by live music, impressive art, and family-friendly entertainment. Across the Chapel and Broadway districts, more than 75 of New England’s most talented artists will come together to create elaborate and stunning chalk art designs, all of which will be voted on by attendees to select the best of the best, crowning a first, second, and third place winner as well as a best amateur.  After strolling and... View Article

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New Haven Pride 2023

Drum roll, please. New Haven Pride will return to the Elm City on September 23! The annual block party will take place on Orange and Crown Streets from 12 – 6pm and feature small businesses, community members, and an all LGBTQ+ roster of performing talent. Organized by the The New Haven Pride Center – one of Connecticut’s leading LGBTQ+ non profits and the only organization focused on LGBTQ+ representation in the arts – the local-loved annual event creates a space to empower Greater New Haven LGBTQIA+ individuals to thrive and uplift each other.

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The Merry Wives of Windsor [Elm Shakespeare Company -2023]

Thanks to the Elm Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare in the Park returns to New Haven this month. Completely free to visitors, the company will perform The Merry Wives of Windsor in Edgerton Park from August 17 to September 3. Pack a picnic and head to the park early to mingle with your fellow theater-goers. Performances begin at 7:30 PM – shall we seeth thee th’re?

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Lighthouse Point Park

Hit the beach at Lighthouse Point Park, known across New England for its stretches of warm sand and cool ocean water, splash pads and shaded pavilions, beloved bird sanctuary, and functioning vintage carousel, one of the only left in existence. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, the park is a gem of natural beauty and a meeting ground for the community of New Haven, welcoming lifelong residents and summer tourists alike. The park is open from 7 AM to sunset, and features on-duty lifeguards all summer long, restrooms, and free parking for New Haven registered vehicles.... View Article

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St. Andrew’s Society: Italian Festa

New Haven is a city steeped in rich history, as  The New York Times highlighted earlier this year. Our history is a patchwork fabric of cultures and identities, coming together to form one collective haven. Established in 1900 by the St. Andrew’s Society, this Wooster Square neighborhood’s annual event is among the oldest celebrations in New England. The open-air festa honors the neighborhood’s Italian roots and celebrates cultural diversity. This time-honored event has grown to attract thousands of people from around the region, and this year’s Italian Festa will feature live music, food, dance, and more.

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QRiverfest

New Haven is a city steeped in rich history, as  The New York Times highlighted earlier this year. Our history is a patchwork fabric of cultures and identities, coming together to form one collective haven. Established in 2015 by the Chatham Square Neighborhood Association, Fair Haven neighborhood, this event celebrates the historic Fair Haven waterfront and diverse community.  The festival features local vendors and creatives, live music, performers, food, tours, and more each year.