‘Celebrate New London’ to be held July 12, Featuring Food and Music Throughout Downtown, plus the Mashantucket Pequot Thames River Fireworks

‘Celebrate New London,’ a celebration of the food, live music, art galleries, unique shops, and waterfront that make the City a diverse, culturally rich attraction in itself, is scheduled for July 12 and will culminate with the annual Mashantucket Pequot Thames River Fireworks Extravaganza.

“This is a new approach to our annual summer festival for families, and I’m thrilled with the direction our organizers have taken,” said Mayor Michael Passero. “We’re excited to celebrate the people and entrepreneurs who make New London the region’s center for culture with its wide variety of authentic menus, and eclectic mix of music, art, and historic attractions.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to once again bring this amazing event to New London and the vibrant communities of southeastern Connecticut,” said Rodney Butler, Chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. “For more than 30 years, the Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Extravaganza has been a cherished family tradition, and the highlight of the summer for the thousands of visitors who come together to celebrate, connect, and create unforgettable memories. It’s an honor and a joy to be part of something that means so much to so many.”

The event, a partnership between the City, the New London Cultural District, Garde Arts Center, and the local business community, will take place throughout Downtown and Waterfront Park with two main stages for entertainment, and more live music hosted by restaurants, clubs, and shops.

“Our aim with 'Celebrate New London' is to showcase everything that makes New London such a vibrant and special community, including our artists, musicians, small businesses and non-profits,” said Rich Martin chair of the New London Cultural District and owner of Telegraph Autonomous Zone, a longstanding downtown business on Bank Street.

“There will be live music at both Parade Plaza and Custom House Pier at Waterfront Park, and many of our downtown bars and restaurants will also have entertainment, highlighting some of our finest regional performers. A pop-up artisan village featuring artists, makers and other vendors will be open all day on lower State Street.”

The Mashantucket Pequot Thames River Fireworks Extravaganza is Connecticut’s largest fireworks display and one of the largest in New England. Eastern Connecticut’s Big 100.9, a Hall Communications FM station, will provide music synchronized to the fireworks to create a dynamic audio-visual experience. 

Mohawk Northeast, one of the East Coast’s largest maritime construction firms, will again donate the use of a barge to serve as the platform for the fireworks display.

Food trucks will be available along lower State Street and Waterfront Park to help serve the thousands of families expected in the City for the annual fireworks display.

The City of Groton is preparing as well, planning logistics for thousands of spectators planning to watch the fireworks from Ft. Griswold and along Thames Street.  

About:

‘Celebrate New London’ is envisioned as the next stage in the evolution of New London’s summer festivals dating to 1980. The first fireworks display over the Thames River was added in 1981, and since 1993 the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has made the display an extravaganza by sponsoring a world-class pyrotechnic production now produced by Garden State Fireworks as the Tribe’s “gift to the community.” The Mashantucket Pequot Tribe has continued providing this gift since then, drawing crowds estimated at 350,000 in some years.      

CelebrateNewLondon.com will have more information, including street closures, parking options, sponsors, and suggested locations for fireworks viewing. To inquire about sponsorship opportunities or to request information about vendor opportunities, email info@celebratenewlondon.com.