Old Lyme's Midsummer Festival
Thank you to all who made our
2023 Midsummer Festival a success!
Watch for updates on our
July 26-27, 2024 Midsummer Festival!
Learn more about the 2023 Midsummer Festival below:
Our celebration of art, music, food and family fun is back!
Friday Night Concert: July 28, 2023
Saturday Festival: July 29, 2023
Get ready for this summertime favorite!
The Savage Brothers Kick Things Off Friday Night, July 28 • 7pm-9pm
The Friday night lawn concert is back when the Florence Griswold Museum welcomes The Savage Brothers. Bring your chairs or blanket and get ready for the this six-piece funkin', rockin', and rhythm group. Bring a picnic or enjoy the food truck fare. Concert sponsored by All Pro Automotive and Benchmark Wealth Management.
Midsummer Run Starts our Morning Saturday, July 29 • 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 29 • 9am-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. Find all the artists by name here.
Classic Car Show Brings the Winners Saturday, July 29 • 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 29 • 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 at this show produced by Vista Life Innovations. Dogs may register beginning at 10am for 10:45 am judging on the shady lawn at the Florence Griswold Museum. From 10am-1pm, meet artist, author, and animal lover Sylvina Rollins. Watch as she works on a pup portrait, and check out her paintings, prints, and charming book: Luna - A Tribute: Musings from the Author about her German Shepherd. Also new this year, don't miss the doggie Photo Booth on the Museum's front lawn, and stay after the show to join Old Lyme's cutest dog parade where every dog is a winner!
Kids Activities to Make Everyone Smile
Saturday, July 29 • 9am-3/4pm
New this year, Hands On-M!nds On Children's Activities will take place on the front lawn of the Old Lyme Inn. From 9am to 3pm you'll find a variety of activities by local nonprofits that will have your younger family members thinking and doing. Check out from 9am-4pm crafts and the American Art face cutouts for kids at the Lyme Art Association. Be sure to find Joe Howard, magician and Ringleader of Fun on the Museum grounds from 11am-1pm. Find a list of cultural organizations providing hands-on crafts and activities here.
Shop Super Sale
Friday and Saturday • 10am-5pm
The Shop at the Florence Griswold Museum holds its popular Midsummer Super Sale Friday and Saturday from 10am-5pm. You'll find up to 75% off great selected items including unique gifts, art books, kids books and toys, stationery, garden items, and a whole lot more!
De Gerenday's One Year Anniversary Sale
The Lyme Academy of Fine Art is celebrating the one year anniversary of De Gerenday's Fine Art Materials & Curiosities. You'll find up 20% of selected items in this shop of the finest art materials selected by the Academy's faculty of professional artists as well as exquisite giftable items.
Annual Linen Sale On Lyme Street
Friday & Saturday • 10am-4pm
Patricia Spratt for the Home is known for their beautiful table linens, pillows, and more. And locals know the annual sidewalk sale at her Lyme Street workshop is the time to stock up! The sale begins Friday, July 28 and runs through Saturday's festival from 10am-4pm each day. Stop by for great savings on beautiful home accessories, as well as preppy fashion from Love, Lilly and accessories by Ellen Raines Martin.
Free Art Exhibitions
Saturday, July 29
Now is the time to check out the Studio 80+ Sculpture Grounds (haven't you always wanted to?). You will find the Hudson Valley Art Association Show at the Lyme Art Association (9am-5pm). Be sure to make time to visit the Florence Griswold Museum's Open House (10am-5pm), with free admission to the current art exhibition, Object Lessons in American Art: Selections from the Princeton University Art Museum, and the historic boardinghouse on Saturday.
Music on the Grounds
Saturday Afternoon
You'll find our midday music sets the tone for a relaxing day. Sue Mead and John Wood will be playing at the Lyme Art Association from 1-3pm, delighting festival goers with their bluegrass and folk acoustics. At the Old Lyme Inn there will be live music on the patio throughout the lunch time hours. (Photo of Sue Mead by Judy Beisler)
Please support the generous corporate sponsors of the Old Lyme Arts District!
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsor
Platinum 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.