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Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend 2025 in Connecticut: Best Things To Do with Kids

Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend 2025 includes celebrations of culture and family fun in CT. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend 2025 includes celebrations of culture and family fun in CT. Photo courtesy of the Mystic Seaport Museum
10/8/25 - By Jennifer Coe

Looking for the best things to do this Indigenous Peoples Day Weekend 2025 in Connecticut? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.

Still may feel like Summer, but it's definitely Fall - the leaves are changing and it's Indigenous People's Day/Columbus Day! Commemorate Connecticut's first people at the Institute of American Indian Studies' Indigenous People's Weekend at IAIS. Learn about Quinnetukut's history and see the replica of an Algonkian village.  Enjoy the New Canaan Nature Center Fall Fair or head to pizza-town for the New Haven Chalk Art Festival.

To get your Halloween fix, see the entertaining Annual Witch Paddle and Coat Drive in Mystic or bring your kiddos to a Not So Spooky Movie Night in Groton.

To see what else is happening around the state, browse the Mommy Poppins Events Calendar. For the latest and best family-friendly activities, subscribe to our weekly newsletters. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Have a wonderful fall weekend with your family!

More Things to do in Connecticut this Week with Kids 

 

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Best Things to do in Connecticut this Weekend with Kids

Mayhem Market at Parkville Market

Hartford
Friday, October 10, 2025
Get ready for a mystical and magical experience at the Mayhem Market. This event will be filled with a diverse array of vendors and activities that will delight your senses and spark your curiosity. READ MORE

New Haven Night Market

New Haven
Friday, October 10, 2025
The New Haven Night Music, a fun family-friendly evening bazaar, taking place in different downtown locations and gathering all to celebrate the vibrant New Haven and Connecticut community’s entrepreneurs, art, music, food, drink, culture and more! READ MORE

K Pop Demon Hunters Kids Night Out at Fun with Nature

North Haven
Friday, October 10, 2025
Looking for a night out? Drop the kids off for an evening filled with fun while you enjoy some much needed adult time (or self care time!). READ MORE

Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert at The Oakdale

Wallingford
Friday, October 10, 2025
Celebrate 20 years of Avatar: The Last Airbender with a one-of-a-kind concert event at Toyota Oakdale Theatre. Experience a live orchestra performing Jeremy Zuckerman’s iconic score, perfectly synced to your favorite scenes on a full-size cinema screen. READ MORE

New Canaan Nature Center Fall Fair

New Canaan
Friday to Sunday, October 10-12, 2025
Join the New Canaan Nature Center for three days of traditional family fun at their Annual Fall Fair. READ MORE

Indigenous People's Weekend at IAIS

Washington
Friday to Sunday, October 10-12, 2025
Indigenous Peoples' Day weekend is a great time to visit our museum. Learn about the more than 12,000-year history of Connecticut’s Indigenous inhabitants, as well as their vibrant contemporary cultures. Museum educators and docents will be offering introductory tours of the museum and replicated Algonkian village. READ MORE

Not So Spooky Movie Night in Groton

Groton
Friday, October 10, 2025
Prepare yourself free movie and S’mores and enjoy Hotel Translyvania. On the Back Lawn of the Zbierski house at Eastern Point Beach. READ MORE

New Haven Chalk Art Festival

New Haven
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Enjoy a day of music, art and family entertainment in celebration of the local community in the heart of downtown New Haven and Yale University. The Shops at Yale invites all professional and amateur artists, students, and artist groups to participate in the 7th New Haven Chalk Art Festival. READ MORE

Annual Witch Paddle and Coat Drive in Mystic

Mystic
Saturday, October 11, 2025
Wear your favorite Witch or Halloween Costume and come paddle in this Spooktacular  Event on the Mystic River. You must provide your own Paddleboard or Kayak, PFD, Paddle and Leash.  READ MORE

Pumpkin Palooza at Stew Leonard's

Norwalk
Saturday to Monday, October 11-13, 2025
Those who buy a pumpkin at Stews in Nowalk on October 11th, 12th and/or 13th between 11:00AM and 5:00PM are invited to a complimentary pumpkin painting event outdoors under the tent. READ MORE

The Nightmare Before Halloween at the Bijou

Bridgeport
Sunday, October 12, 2025
Bring your little ghouls and goblins for a morning filled with magic, music, and Halloween fun! Join us on Sunday, October 12th for the kids event inspired by the pumpkin king classic. READ MORE

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day at Mystic Seaport Museum

Mystic
Monday, October 13, 2025
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates and honors the culture and traditions of Indigenous People around the world. Join Mystic Seaport for an educational experience that illuminates indigenous cultural practices, including an open-hearth cooking demonstration. READ MORE

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About the Author

Jenny Coe
Jenny Coe is a longtime Mommy Poppins writer and contributor and full-time mom to three boys. Jenny has also been a contributor at Patch and The Reminder (Hartford Courant). Here at Mommy Poppins, Jenny writes about great things for kids to do in Connecticut and New England, affordable fun, and nature experiences (her favorite!).
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