Hamden Fest

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 2026 | HAMDEN TOWN CENTER PARK

11:00am – 4:00pm

Join us for the BIGGEST event that brings together; businesses, arts, culture & communities!

Business & Community EXPO

presented by: The Sponsors of Energize Connecticut, Avangrid Networks, Inc., subsidiaries United Illuminating & Southern Connecticut Gas

Get to know your local business community! Stop by the EXPO under the Big Top Tent and check out all the resources in our area. We are proud to be celebrating 21 years of the Business & Community Expo!

Interested in Exhibiting?

On line Registration Click HERE

Download EXPO Registration Form

Arts, Crafts & Civic Fair

Great shopping opportunity right in your backyard while supporting local crafters and artists. Get to know local community organizations in your neighborhood

Interesting in Exhibiting?

This is your chance to showcase your talent to thousands of visitors. This is a handmade fair only. Non-Profits and Civic organizations are welcomed.

Click HERE for online Registration

Download Exhibit Registration Form

Festival Concerts & Entertainment

Festival Hosts: Brian Smith, Pam Landry and the Z-Man, WOW Radio CT

Music Acts:

Old School 203

-Acoustic set: 12 – 1pm

-Full band: 2 – 4pm

–Dance Acts: The Joan Lynn Dance Company

Parking Information

General parking for Hamden Fest at Town Center Park is through the Middle School entrance on 2623 Dixwell Avenue. Handicap Parking is available at the Hamden Library parking lot as well as the Middle School lot. Members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) will direct all attendees to the appropriate parking area.

Vendor Set Up Information

Business & Community Expo Vendor Info: Click HERE

Arts, Craft & Civic Vendor Info: Click HERE

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Business Expo Presenting Sponsor: The Sponsors of Energize Connecticut, Avangrid Networks, Inc., subsidiaries United Illuminating & Southern Connecticut Gas

Environmental Sponsor: Regional Water Authority

Gold: Quinnipiac University | TYCO Printing + Promo | WOW Radio CT | Hearst Connecticut Media Group

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Special shout out to Hamden CERT and all their volunteers for their support of Hamden Fest! CERT has been helping us since we started the Business Expo that is now Hamden Fest since 2005. We appreciate all you do for the Town and our Chamber.

Kids & Sports Zone

Bring the kids for a full day of fun-filled activities.

Hamden Youth Services: Festivities include: face painting, mini photo stickers, give-a-ways, yard games, crafts, inflatables and many family resources.

Sports Zone: Socceroof New Haven

Hamden Fest Schedule

8:30 AM – Hamden Half Marathon
9:30 AM – 5K Road Race
10:00 AM – Hamden Library Events & Second Hand Prose Used Bookstore Sale
10:45 AM – Festival Kick Off by Emcee Brian Smith & Pam Landry from WOW Radio CT
11:00 AM – Kids Zone by Hamden Youth Service Bureau
11:00 AM – Sports Zone by Socceroof
11:00am – Friend of the Hamden Library Calming Station by the Red Barn – Refresh/Relax/Recharge! Enjoy a chance to color, decorate bookmarks, read on a blanket in a quiet space! Giveaways while supplies last.
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM Festival Opens
- 21st Annual Business EXPO
- Music & Entertainment – 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Arts, Crafts & Civic Fair
- Food & Beverage Trucks
- Local Food & Restaurant Vendors

Business & Community Expo Vendor List To Be Announced

2025 Exhibitor List:

94.3 WYBC
Abbate Insurance
Alicia Watley Photography
Arden Care Center
Ascent Climbing Gym
Bankwell
Beecher & Bennett Funeral Services
Benchmark Senior Living at Hamden
Books & Company
Boseak, LLC
Casanova Remodeling LLC
Center for Pediatric Therapy
CMC Energy
Community Health Network of Connecticut
Connex Credit Union
Cutco
Edward Jones-David Pendleton
Energize Connecticut Community Partnership Initiative
Fritz and Hawley Guild Opticians
Goldfish Swim School
GoNet Speed
Hamden Regional Chamber of Commerce
Hamden Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
Haven Coin and Jewelry LLC
Hearing Life
Hearst Media Group
Home Comfort Practice
Leafguard
Mount Carmel Fitness
New Hamden Pharmacy
Nightjar Cannabis
Nutmeg Insurance Advisors
Pearle Vision
Pristine Exteriors
Regional Water Authority
Renewal By Anderson
Tickets Sports Pub
Town of Hamden
Vista Home Improvement
Watts LCSW and Associates
Whitney Center
Willow Tree Wellness

Food Court

Hungry? We got you covered for a variety of unique culinary options while at the Fest starting at 11 AM until 4 PM…and if the music plays on, the Trucks will stay too! Hang with us, bring a blanket and chairs…enjoy the evening!

Food Trucks

Food Hub – More to come…

Ali Baba’s Kitchen, Hoffman Bread

Beverages

Flirt Cocktail Bar | Rogue Coffee Truck

Hamden Fest Half Marathon & 5K Road Race

The Hamden Fest Half Marathon & 5K will be held at Town Center Park on Saturday, June 14th. The event includes a Half Marathon and 5K. The road races will offer runners and walkers some grass and paved trail running.

NEW THIS YEAR 2026: The Half Marathon Relay

For the first time, we are introducing a relay format, allowing teams of two to conquer the 13.1 miles together. This new option is perfect for those who want to experience the race with a partner and makes the event more inclusive for runners at all levels.

How It Works:

⦁ 2-Person Teams: Each team member will run half of the course.

⦁ Relay Exchange: The relay hand-off will take place at a designated transition zone located at the halfway point.

⦁ Team Spirit: Wear coordinated outfits, plan your strategy, and enjoy the camaraderie!

Location:
Town Center Park. Enter at Hamden Middle School

Start Time

Half Marathon:
Walkers: 8:00am
General Start 8:30am

5K: 9:30am

Parking:
Parking will be available at Hamden Town Center Park. Please enter the park by Hamden Middle School and follow the parking signs. Please do not park in the Library parking lot.

Bib & T-shirt Pickup:
You can avoid the lines on race morning by picking up your race bib and shirt on Friday, June 13 from 3pm – 6pm at the race site. We also offer packet pickup on race morning from 7am to 8:15 am for the Half Marathon and 8am-9:15am for the 5K at the race site. Same day registration will be offered at bib and t-shirt pick up.

Registration includes:
-Race Entry
-Chip Timing
-Race day Parking
-Event T-Shirt*
-Our printer requires us to place our shirt order by June 1st (to ensure the shirts are ready for race day). The volume of shirts we order is based on the number of registrations. The only way to guarantee a t-shirt and/or desired size is to register before the t-shirt deadline.