Jam-Packed Litchfield Hills Road Race Weekend: June 6-8
The 48th running of the Litchfield Hills Road Race is Sunday, June 8, and Road Race Weekend is a cultural phenomenon in Litchfield.
The race begins at 1 p.m. in Litchfield center, and the awards ceremony takes place on the Green at approximately 2:45 p.m. Observers can watch from many vantage points along the 7-mile route and are advised to arrive early and park strategically if they want to leave shortly after the race. The parking lots behind Town Hall on West Street, across from Litchfield Center School, and behind St. Anthony of Padua Church on South Street are good options.
Registration continues until 12:45 on the day of the race. Look for road race booklets around town with all the race details and follow the LHRR on Instagram for up-to-date notices. See the road race website for more.
Whether or not you run or watch the race, don’t miss other special events over the weekend. Here are some of the highlights.
Road Race Weekend: Friday
The Bantam Community Farmers Market takes place each Friay through October from 3 – 6 p.m. at Alain White Field on Route 209. The market has nearly 20 vendors, including Eagle Eye artisan pizza, and there’s also music. See the vendors here and the music schedule here.
Walking Tour – Litchfield Remembers: Celebrations and Commemorations
A Litchfield Historical Society walking tour that begins at 4 p.m. on June 6 at the Litchfield History Museum (7 South St.) will focus on how the town has marked moments of celebration and commemoration.
The walking tour is being held in conjunction with the Litchfield Historical Society’s newest exhibit, Litchfield Remembers: The American Bicentennial & Beyond, and guests are invited to arrive early to see the exhibit.
The walk lasts approximately an hour. Walking tours are free for members and $10 for non-members. Registration is requested and may be done here.
Road Race Weekend: Saturday
During the day Saturday, the Litchfield Marketplace, a craft and vendor fair, takes place on the Green. from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine.
It’s run entirely by volunteers, with all proceeds going to local charities, and free and open to the public.
This year there will also be music during the event, as well as demonstrations from local groups. See the website to learn more.
Learn to Row Day
The Litchfield Hills Rowing Club and Litchfield CT Park & Recreation are teaming up to introduce folks to rowing on Saturday, June 7 as part of National Rowing Day.
The event from 9 a.m. to noon is free. Walk-ups are accommodated if there’s room, but it’s best to pre-register here. Use the Show All Categories menu to find the event.
Participants will learn the fundamentals of rowing on one of the rowing machines, known as ergs, and then hop into a boat and experience Bantam Lake from a new angle while learning the sport from the rowing club’s athletes and coaches.
Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market
The Litchfield Hills Farm-Fresh Market recently moved from its indoor late fall/winter/early spring location at Litchfield Community Center to its summer spot through in the Center School parking lot on Woodruff Lane, just below Litchfield center and the Green. It takes place each Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
A Hike Along the Lake Trail to Butternut Brook
Join Gerri Griswold of White Memorial for a guided hike along the Lake Trail to visit the old ice house ruins, and then over to Butternut Brook, as part of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s Trails Day.
The free hike of approximately 2.5 miles begins at 10 a.m. and is easy and mostly level, but guests are advised to bring a hiking pole and sturdy shoes. It wraps up around 11:30. Meet in the White Memorial Conservation Center gift shop and pre-register here: CT Trails Day Butternut Brook Registration
Learn more here about Connecticut Trails Day, part of a two-day national event the first weekend in June.
Grill Days at Ace Hardware
Join Ace Hardware from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 7 for the annual Grill Days event, which will include demos on the Weber, Big Green Egg, and Traeger grills, special guests @peachesncreamct, @norbrookfarm, and @litchfielddistillery. Radion station @973wzbg will be broadcasting live there will be a build-a-bouquet with @chrisellafarms.
Guests can enter to win a Weber Spirit E-210 grill (no purchase necessary).
Architecture Walking Tour of Litchfield History
The Litchfield Historical Society’s June 7 walking tour offers the perfect way to discover the town’s vibrant history and explore the celebrated Historic District, where the history and stories of old Litchfield are preserved in the architecture.
The walk will begin at 1 p.m. at the Litchfield Historical Society (7 South Street) and last approximately one hour. Guests should wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. Walking tours are free for members and $10 for non-members. Registration is requested and can be done here.
Grand Opening at Rifugio Litchfield Hills
Rifugio Litchfield Hills, a new hub for bikes, trails, and the active outdoors located near White Memorial at 461 Bantam Rd., is having a grand opening Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a curated lineup of rides, runs, family-friendly activities, and après-style gathering on the patio.
Go here or full details and to RSVP.
Rock the Block Party
The Park & Rec free Rock the Block Party takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Litchfield Green and will feature music by Future Heavies. It’s family friendly.
Road Race Weekend: Sunday Extra
A limited number of tickets are left for a special performance featuring 2025 GRAMMY Award-winning pianist Zaccai Curtis, along with Luques Curtis and Anton Kot on June 8 in the Milton section of Litchfield.
Milton Music & Litchfield Jazz are presenting the CuBop Lives! performance by the Zaccai Curtis Trio from 4 to 6 p.m. at Milton Congregational Church, located at 548 Milton Road in Litchfield.
Curtis won a 2025 GRAMMY Award for Best Latin Jazz Album.