*Last updated 7/11 1:58pm
Saturday July 11, 2026
Live Music Schedule:
Parade Plaza
(2pm) Legalized
(3:15pm) The Pneumatics
(4:30pm) The Scatter Bandits
(6pm) DJ & Salsa Lessons / Con-Fusin Grupo Musical
Custom House Pier
(2pm) Red Lion
(3:30pm) John Fries Band
(2pm) Red Lion
(3:30pm) John Fries Band
(5pm) Suave-Ski & Smoke The World
(6pm) The Hempsteadys
(7:30pm) The Franklin Brothers
Hygienic Art Park
(Folk Fest - 2 stages)
(3:30pm) Frank Critelli / Steve Elci
(Folk Fest - 2 stages)
(3:30pm) Frank Critelli / Steve Elci
(4pm) Brad Bensko
(4:45pm) Anne Marie Menta / Bruce Thorndike
(5:15pm) Brian Gore & The Tender Fritters
(6pm) Mike Iula & Hugh Birdsall
(6pm) Mike Iula & Hugh Birdsall
(6:30pm) The Rivergods
(7:15pm) American Elm / Lauren Agnelli
(7:45pm) Goodnight Moonshine
(8:45pm) Sarah Mac, John Fries & Corina Malbaurn
(9:30pm) The Hope Collective
Creative Village Vibes
DJ Frank Lo
DJ Frank Lo
Thames River Gallery
(1-4pm) Ken Atkins & The Honky Tonk Kind
Telegraph Autonomous Zone
(2-9pm) DJ Sir Round Sound, Lord Lewis,
Heavy Sound & Vision
Tuskers
(3-6pm) Andre & Friends
(3-6pm) Andre & Friends
(6-9pm) Melaena Band
The Social
(back lot)
(3:30pm) A Former Friend
(4:30pm) Sunnie Redwing
(5:30pm) Straight To VHS
(6:30pm) Smoke The World: local hip hop showcase
(7:30pm) Llama Tsunami
(7:30pm) Llama Tsunami
Golden Owl
(7pm) Rah Rah Rabbit / Sam Slick / Ryan Harrison
Oasis Pub
(9:30pm) DJ Chumzilla (after fireworks)
Tox Brewing
(9:30pm) Brad Bensko (after fireworks)
33 Golden
(9:30pm) DJ Brian Carter & Friends (after fireworks)
Family fun, food, art, and more than 30 bands will be on tap when the second annual ‘Celebrate New London!’ festival kicks off July 11 from noon to 10 p.m., featuring Connecticut’s largest fireworks display, the Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Extravaganza.
A ‘Creative Village’ will transform Downtown’s Bank Street into a street fair atmosphere of artists and artisans offering original work and interactive opportunities. Nearby at Waterfront Park, a full day of music including reggae, blues, hip hop, ska and rock plus food trucks and other vendors will generate the ideal summer vibe against the backdrop of the dynamic Thames River. Parade Plaza in the heart of the downtown will also feature a variety of live performances culminating in the popular Salsa on Parade Plaza complete with professional salsa lessons, a fiery live band, and open dancing for all. This year’s festival coincides with the inaugural ‘New London Folk Fest’ at Hygienic Art Park, which features fifteen artists on two stages. Other Bank Street sites planning entertainment include Thames River Gallery, The Social, Telegraph Autonomous Zone, Tuskers restaurant and more. For those who want to work up an appetite before hitting the food trucks, the Whaling City Run Club is planning a 5k run and walk ahead of the festivities. Check them out on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok for details. So yes, there will be something for everyone at Celebrate New London! A wildlife rehabilitation exhibit outside Thames River Gallery is sure to keep kids entertained as will a scavenger hunt that will include photo challenges, fun facts about the city and prizes at the end. Capping off the day will be the ever-popular Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Extravaganza, one of the largest fireworks displays in New England, generously sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, Foxwoods Resort Casino, and WONDR Nation for more than three decades. Police and other law enforcement agencies will have a significant presence during the event. No coolers, large containers, backpacks or pets will be allowed in Waterfront.