Bluegrass in Connecticut: Where to See It Live
Connecticut's bluegrass scene peaks in summer with the Podunk Bluegrass Festival (second weekend of August, Goshen Fairgrounds) — the state's only multi-day bluegrass fest — and the Morris Bluegrass Festival. Year-round, the Connecticut Bluegrass Association runs a circuit of shows and jams, and the folk coffeehouses host pickers all season.
For a small state, Connecticut has a passionate bluegrass community — built around a flagship festival, a dedicated association, and the same coffeehouse circuit that powers its folk scene. Here's where to find the pickin'.
The festivals
The crown jewel is the Podunk Bluegrass Festival, held the second weekend of August at the Goshen Fairgrounds in the scenic Litchfield Hills. It's Connecticut's only multi-day bluegrass festival, bringing local, regional, and national acts to multiple stages — and it was voted the state's best festival in recent years. The Morris Bluegrass Festival at South Farms in Morris is another excellent outdoor option. Both are quintessential summer-in-the-hills experiences.
Best for: a full weekend of bluegrass under the summer sky.
Never miss a bluegrass show
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Download on theApp StoreThe Connecticut Bluegrass Association & the coffeehouses
Off-season, the scene runs on the Connecticut Bluegrass Association (CTBA), which promotes bands, organizes jams, and maintains a calendar of shows and acoustic venues across the state. Bluegrass also shares the stage with the state's folk and Americana scene — the Sounding Board in West Hartford, the Branford Folk Coffeehouse, and other listening rooms regularly host bluegrass and string bands. For the smallest, most intimate rooms, see our best small venues guide.
Best for: year-round shows, jams, and finding your local pickin' circle.
Bluegrass in CT FAQ
Biggest festival?
The Podunk Bluegrass Festival (2nd weekend of August, Goshen).
Any other festivals?
The Morris Bluegrass Festival at South Farms.
Where else can I hear it?
The CTBA circuit and folk coffeehouses like the Sounding Board.
How do I find shows?
Filter by genre in the free CT Concert Center app.