Upcoming events.
May Daze First Friday Stroll
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our May Daze First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held in Chester Village from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exciting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music, and great shopping.
Chester Earth Day
Join us in the heart of Chester, Connecticut, for a vibrant celebration of our planet on Saturday, April 20th, 2024, from 9 AM to 5 PM.
This year, we're excited to present a lineup that will enrich your connection to our planet and its future. Main Street will be closed to vehicles from 12pm-5pm.
Schedule of events: https://www.chesterearthday.com/
April First Friday Stroll
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our monthly First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held monthly in Chester Village on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exiting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music and great shopping.
First Friday Stroll
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our monthly First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held monthly in Chester Village on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exiting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music and great shopping.
Chester Arts & Literary Weekend
As artist enclaves in Connecticut go, the village of Chester is amongst the top of the list. To celebrate that, the town is hosting a Chester Arts & Literary Weekend from February 9-11 at myriad shops and venues. On tap: readings/talks, Meet the Artists, demonstrations, workshops, jam sessions and live evening performances.
Lovers of children’s literature will want to check into Chester Public Library, where Tassy Walden Award winners, including Doe Boyle, Leslie Connor, Jeanne Ferruolo Zulik, Nancy Tandon, Kimberly Behre Kenna, Frank Dormer, and more, will be reading and sharing insight into their writing worlds.
Adult lit fans can take in talks from authors including Howard Fishman, author of “To Anyone Who Ever Asks: The Life, Music, and Mystery of Connie Converse,” flash fiction fave Paul Beckman, who’ll be talking about his new novel “Becoming Mirsky,” environmentalist Erica Cirino sharing her journey that led to “Thicker Than Water,” and Renee Bauer of “She Who Wins” fame.
Little House Brewing Company will be featuring local photographer Brenda Dunn and her series titled Veiled Void, a pop-up of local Chester artist Aidan Neely and Deep River Woodworker Nick Shkutzko of Just Wood Crafting, and New England artist and author Em Sauter of “Pints & Panels” will be signing her books “Beer is for Everyone! (of Drinking Age)” and “Hooray for Craft Beer!”
Meeting artists and learning about their process (or watching it underway) will be a mainstay of the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday at noon, Rob Walker of Atmosphere Glass will perform glass-blowing demonstrations. Just down the street, BlackKat Leather will have demonstrations throughout the weekend, as will Dina Varano of Dina Varano Gallery, who will be showcasing her timely Amore jewelry collection and creating unique cards to accompany each item. On Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., The Lori Warner Gallery will feature a Meet the Artists event with Mandy Carroll, Ann Lightfoot, and Florence Penault on board to chat with guests.
Just across the street, The Wayfinder Society will highlight a 3D printing art demonstration, and host a Meet and Greet with artist Brigid Minter, along with author readings/panels. And Leif Nilsson of Spring Street Studio and Gallery will share stories about his works of art over the weekend. On Sunday, Leif will bring his love of music into the mix when the band Arrowhead invites folk to listen to them play on Sunday between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
A double-dose of Moya Aiken is happening with Congregation Beth Shalom Rodfe Zedek (CBSRZ) welcoming Chester Arts & Literary Weekenders into her exhibition on February 9 between 10 and 3 (please call in advance, (860) 526-8920). Then, on Sunday at 3:30 p.m., Chester Gallery hosts Aiken as she shares her new memoir and does signings. To take in while there—art from both Aiken and Richard Ziemann, whose exhibition at New Britain Art Museum will be underway.
Ready to work on an art project of your own? Chester Historical Society (CHS) has you covered with both inspiration and a challenge. As CHS hastens in its 11th Annual Creative Challenge, it will be hosting a one-time-only display of Creative Challenges Past/Future at the Chester Museum at The Mill (9 Main Street, 860-558-4701), Saturday & Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm. Artifacts used in these challenges often came from early Chester manufacturers, such as Brooks and Bates, or were found materials from local properties. This year’s “Watch Out!” challenge item: antique pocket watch glasses, circa 1880s. Dive in and join this year’s challenge!
But we’re just getting started. There’s much afoot on the evenings of Chester Arts & Literary Weekend…
Evenings at Chester Meeting House (4 Liberty Street)
Acoustic Jam Session, Friday, starting at 6 p.m. Musicians are invited to join in this jam session. Audience members are encouraged to lend a voice, clap their hands, and dance their hearts out!
Connecticut Storytelling Center Presents Music & Storytelling, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. This 90-minute show filled with stories and music is a benefit for the Connecticut Storytelling Center. $10 per ticket, pre-purchase at connstorycenter.org/ or at the door the night of the performance.
Breakwater Books Presents a Series of One-Act Plays, Sunday at 5 p.m. Several Connecticut authors present their works onstage via one-act plays hosted by Breakwater Books. Meet the authors and grab their books post-show!
All events are free to the public, with the exception of the Connecticut Storytellers Center’s Saturday night show. Additional parking can be found at these locations. Stay tuned to schedule updates.
First Friday Stroll
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our monthly First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held monthly in Chester Village on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exiting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music and great shopping.
First Friday Stroll -
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our monthly First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held monthly in Chester Village on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exiting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music and great shopping.
Chester Holiday Market
Discover the shops, restaurants, galleries, and businesses of Downtown Chester and find the perfect gifts for your friends and loved ones at Chester’s Holiday Market every Sunday from November 27th - December 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Please remember that Main Street is not closed for the Holiday Market so we ask you be sure to keep your children and dogs close by at all times.
Many of our regular Chester Sunday Market vendors will be there but we are also opening up the sidewalks to other vendors as well. If you are interested in joining our market please contact us directly.
We will be updating our vendors as they sign on. Stay tuned... Holiday Market Vendors
Chester Holiday Market
Discover the shops, restaurants, galleries, and businesses of Downtown Chester and find the perfect gifts for your friends and loved ones at Chester’s Holiday Market every Sunday from November 27th - December 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Please remember that Main Street is not closed for the Holiday Market so we ask you be sure to keep your children and dogs close by at all times.
Many of our regular Chester Sunday Market vendors will be there but we are also opening up the sidewalks to other vendors as well. If you are interested in joining our market please contact us directly.
We will be updating our vendors as they sign on. Stay tuned... Holiday Market Vendors
Chester Holiday Market
Discover the shops, restaurants, galleries, and businesses of Downtown Chester and find the perfect gifts for your friends and loved ones at Chester’s Holiday Market every Sunday from November 27th - December 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Starry Night’s Illumination Celebration
The Chester Stars will continue to delight on-lookers as a star-burst of over 150 glowing sculptures illuminated a wave of twinkling light along Main Street.
The 2022 season saw the addition of the Wish Booth, a permanent installation on Main Street, where you can deliver your wishes and dreams to the universe!
This season’s Starry Night’s Illumination Celebration will take place on the First Friday - December 1st - at 5:45 p.m. in Chester Village!
Chester Holiday Market
Discover the shops, restaurants, galleries, and businesses of Downtown Chester and find the perfect gifts for your friends and loved ones at Chester’s Holiday Market every Sunday from November 27th - December 18th from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
First Friday Stroll
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our monthly First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held monthly in Chester Village on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exiting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music and great shopping.
Final Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
First Friday Stroll
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our monthly First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held monthly in Chester Village on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exiting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music and great shopping.
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
First Friday Stroll
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our monthly First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held monthly in Chester Village on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exiting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music and great shopping.
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
Chester Block Party!
We've asked you to save the date and now we can finally tell you all the good reasons why: Little House is turning FIVE on August 12th! Can you believe it? 5️⃣🥳🎊🎉🍻
On 8/12, starting at noon, our big-time bash will take place alongside the first ever downtown Chester Block Party 🎉 This event will be a celebration of all the wonderful merchants, artists and restaurants in our community - and of course, your favorite Chester brewery will be partying extra hard! 🥰
🍺Limited edition beer releases, including our annual birthday cake imperial stout "Cookin' by the Book" as well as a special keg of Basil Hayden's barrel-aged birthday beer from last year (served on nitro)
👕Live T-shirt printing of LHBC and Chester designs from My Print Shop Live
🍻 BEER BOOTH - beer available both inside and outside the taproom 👀
🍕Food from many of the wonderful Chester restaurants, including Otto Pizza, River Tavern and The Pattaconk
🍻Super limited LHBC Five Year Anniversary glassware release (limit 1pp) plus other merch offered at our merch booth outside.
🧁Double chocolate stout cupcakes from The Drunk Alpaca as per tradition. One free with your first beer, while supplies last
🍦Ice cream drop from our amazing neighbors at Honeycone Ice Cream, made with our anniversary stout!
🎡 Shi**y prize wheel returns! #iykyk
🤽DUNK TANK - For a small fee you can try and dunk your favorite LHBC staff and other characters into an ice bath, again and again!
🎶Live music on the front porch of our neighbors at The Wayfinder Society
And so much more - including Chester merchant pop-ups all over a blocked-off Main Street!
*NOTE: There will be NO rain date for the Block Party event (i.e. street closed, merchant pop-ups etc). However, weather permitting, our birthday fun will still go on!
PARKING: Please carpool if you can. Public Parking lots are located at Water St, Maple St, and the cemetery on Main St. Street parking is available were applicable. Please respect business parking and posted signage.
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!
First Friday Stroll
Please join the Merchants of Chester for our monthly First Friday celebration.
First Fridays are a family-friendly event held monthly in Chester Village on the first Friday of every month from 5-8pm. These lively strolls often feature new art exhibitions, exiting seasonal menus & ice cream flavors, live music and great shopping.
Chester Sunday Market, 2023 Season
Held every Sunday through October 16th, 2022 from 10am - 1pm on Main Street in Chester Village. Local produce, fish, bakery items, pizza truck, live music and more! Great for the whole family!