*Last updated 7/12/25 10:45am
Sat July 12, 2025
New London Cultural District
Join us on Saturday, July 12 for a celebration of all things New London, culminating in the largest fireworks display in New England over the Thames River brought to you by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe.
Enjoy live music at two outdoor stages and various venues throughout the Cultural District.
Visit our downtown businesses for diverse cuisine or hit some of the food trucks scattered throughout the festival.
Shop and experience our Creative Village, a collaboration between The Annex, The Golden Owl and The New London Arts Council. This marketplace on State Street near Parade Plaza will feature the work of area artisans and makers, live painting, and other interactive experiences.
Celebrate New London will feature 2 stages for a wide variety of live music on Saturday July 12 starting at 2pm and running through 9pm. One stage will be located at Custom House Pier on the downtown waterfront. The second stage will be at Parade Plaza across from the strain station at the intersection of State and Bank streets. Admission is free of charge. Food trucks will be available at both venues. Alcohol will not be served. No open alcohol is permitted.
Parade Plaza Stage
(1pm) Coast Guard Jazz Band presents The Beacons
(2:30pm) Brad Bensko Band
(2:30pm) Brad Bensko Band
(3:30pm) Pencils Down
(4:20pm) Smoke The World & Friends
(5:30pm) The Pretty Graves
(6:30pm) Taino Productions Presents Salsa on Parade with Jovanny & Roberto ys su Orquesta,
(4:20pm) Smoke The World & Friends
(5:30pm) The Pretty Graves
(6:30pm) Taino Productions Presents Salsa on Parade with Jovanny & Roberto ys su Orquesta,
DeeJay Leo and dance lessons by Jason Pepin
Custom House Pier Stage
(2pm) Soulshot w/ Andy Bassford & Duke Robillard
(3:30pm) Bank Street Groove
(5pm) Frank Colmenares
(6pm) Apathy presents Shorelife
(7:45pm) Braiden Sunshine & The Collective
(2pm) Soulshot w/ Andy Bassford & Duke Robillard
(3:30pm) Bank Street Groove
(5pm) Frank Colmenares
(6pm) Apathy presents Shorelife
(7:45pm) Braiden Sunshine & The Collective
Lower State Street
(12-8pm) Creative Village: (Live Art / Interactive Activities / Music)
DJ Frank Lo / DJ Sir Round Sound / DJ Ben Jammin'
(12-8pm) Creative Village: (Live Art / Interactive Activities / Music)
DJ Frank Lo / DJ Sir Round Sound / DJ Ben Jammin'
Diamond Pizzeria
DJ's (all day)
Thames River Gallery
(12-3pm) The Toneshifters
(12-3pm) The Toneshifters
Blue Duck
(2-3:30pm) Don Diederich & Friends
(2-3:30pm) Don Diederich & Friends
(4-7pm) Big Lux & Tony Marshall
(7pm) DJ Cribb
Hygienic Art Park
(3pm) Steve Elci & Friends
(8pm) What Up Funk Band
(3pm) Steve Elci & Friends
(8pm) What Up Funk Band
Telegraph Autonomous Zone
(3-8:30pm)
DJ Lord Lewis
Grumpy Danger Sound
DJ Charlie Chaplin
Heavy Sound Vision
Tuskers
(21+)
(3-6pm) Andre & Eddie
(3-6pm) Andre & Eddie
(6-9pm) The Metromatics ft. Ron Donovan
The Social
(7:30pm) Geoff Mitchill Band (outside back lot bar)
(7:30pm) Geoff Mitchill Band (outside back lot bar)
(8pm) The Franklin Brothers (inside)
(9:45pm) Xenos (outside back lot bar)
Lighthouse Inn
(6-9pm) Sean Higgins
(6-9pm) Sean Higgins
Golden Owl
(7pm) Natalie Paige & Meera Raphael
(7pm) Natalie Paige & Meera Raphael
On The Waterfront
(7pm) Dave Schena
(7pm) Dave Schena
Tox Brewery
(21+)
(Before & after fireworks) Brad Bensko
33 Golden
(21+)
(21+)
(9pm-2am) DJ Brian Carter w/ opening set by DJ PupStar
Oasis Pub
(21+)
(After fireworks) DJ Chumzilla & DJ Frank Lo
(21+)
(After fireworks) DJ Chumzilla & DJ Frank Lo