Events

Make time to visit Bushnell Park

Get out and enjoy a picnic in the park, ride the carousel, visit the playground, run, walk, do yoga, or just relax….
Scroll down for more info on Tree Tours, Arch Tours, and Carousel Tours.
Looking for Carousel hours? Click here.

Free Movies in the Park returns Friday, August 14, with a fun ’80s throwback, “The Goonies”!

A group of young misfits called The Goonies discover an ancient map and set out on an adventure to find a legendary pirate’s long-lost treasure. 118 minutes, rated PG for intense action, danger, and language.

📍 East side of the park by the Pump House.
⭐️ Movie starts at Sunset (approximately 8pm)
🎠 Carousel open until 8pm, $2/ride
🏰 Free Arch Tours 6pm – 7:30pm
🍦 Capital Ice Cream will be selling scoops & cones from 6pm – 8pm

Bring your chairs, blankets, family, friends, picnic supper, and bug spray. Dogs on leashes are welcome in the park.

Free Movies in the Park are supported by Suzanne Hopgood in memory of Frank Lord.

Rain Date TBD.

Future dates:
September 4 – A League of Their Own
September 12 – Selena
September 26 – Cool Runnings

CT Rail Family Day Out

Get ready for a fun-filled day on Saturday, August 22, with train rides, carousel rides, and family adventures in downtown Hartford for just $5.

Your ticket includes:
🚂 Round-trip travel on CTrail Hartford Line
🎠 Free rides on the historic Bushnell Park Carousel
🎒 Kids’ activity packs & CTrail swag

Space is limited, so don’t wait!

Tree Tales Tours
Second Fridays all Summer, 12:00 – 1:30 pm, FREE

Join us for the second season of Tree Tales, our lunchtime learning series featuring Hartford’s City Foresters and Bushnell Park Conservancy staff.

These free public talks explore the history, character, and stories behind Bushnell Park’s iconic trees, and highlight how we are caring for them as an essential part of Hartford’s urban forest.

Click the link below for dates and to pre-register.

This series is proudly sponsored by the Betty Knox Foundation, whose support helps us share the rich natural heritage of Bushnell Park with the community.

While attendance is free, we’ll kindly ask that you sign up in advance to help us plan for the gathering.

Tours of the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch
Thursdays, May-October – 12:00-1:30 pm, FREE
An iconic symbol of the City and Bushnell Park, the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch is Hartford’s monument to its 4,000 residents who fought in the Civil War.

Our volunteer Arch Guides will share the interesting history of the design and construction of the Arch and explain its symbolic carvings and statuary. Tours last 15-30 minutes. No pre-registration required.

Have only a few minutes? Skip the tour and climb the 96 steps to the top for the beautiful view of the Park and the State Capitol.

Please note:

• If the weather looks iffy, our website will note if tours have been canceled for that day.
• There is ample street parking around the Park… just remember to pay at the kiosk.
• If your group is 6 or more, send an email (manager@bushnellpark.org) to reserve a date and time.

Carousel Tours
Third Fridays all Summer – 12:00-1:00 pm, FREE

Step back in time with a FREE one‑hour guided experience inside one of Hartford’s most beloved treasures. Our Carousel Tours invite guests to explore the rich history, craftsmanship, and enduring charm of the 1914 Bushnell Park Carousel, one of the last remaining Stein & Goldstein carousels in the country.

Your tour begins with a lively, story-filled walk through the carousel’s origins, its journey to Bushnell Park, and the artistry behind its hand-carved horses. You’ll learn how this historic ride has delighted generations and why it remains a centerpiece of the park today.

The experience concludes with a complimentary ride on the carousel, a joyful reminder of why this whimsical machine continues to capture hearts of all ages.
Perfect for families, history lovers, and anyone who wants to see Bushnell Park from a new perspective.

While attendance is free, we’ll kindly ask that you sign up in advance to help us plan for the gathering.

2026 Special Events of Interest

Please click on links for more information, as these are not Bushnell Park Conservancy events.  All information should be on organizers’ websites or Hartford.com. 

Hartford Dance Festival – June 6

Hartford Bonanza/America 250 – July 4

Paul Brown Monday Night Jazz – July 6 through August 10

Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz – July 17 -19

West Indian Independence Celebration – August 8

Ballet Hartford Awakening Festival – August 29

Puerto Rican Day Parade & Festival de Coqui – Date TBA

Eversource Marathon – October 10

Winterfest Hartford – November 27 thru early January

WEEKLY EVENTS

Mondays & Wednesdays April thru mid-October – Free yoga with Yoga In Our Cities

Tuesdays April thru October – Running or Walking with EightSixGo

Tuesdays April thru October – Kids Running with 2-4-1 Hartbeat Youth Run Club

Thursdays April thru October – Kids Fencing with 2-4-1 Sports

Are you interested in booking your own event in the Park?

Whether you are planning a company meeting, wedding, birthday party, shower, concert, or festival, America’s first publicly funded park makes a beautiful backdrop for your gathering. Visit our event planning page for information on renting the Carousel, Pump House, or other park venues.