Enjoy our wide-ranging events and public programs!
Using its beautiful grounds, historic home, and incomparable collections, Hill-Stead Museum operates as a center of excellence for the benefit, education, and cultural enrichment of all. Rotating exhibitions, artistic performances, festivals, workshops, lectures, and special events provide our visitors with positive experiences in the arts and nature, encouraging their appreciation, developing creativity and community, and enhancing overall wellbeing.
Hill-Stead may have the perfect indoor or outdoor venue for you and your audience. To start the conversation, please complete the public programs contact form and we will be in touch soon.
For more information, see Public Program Partnerships or contact Susan Orred, Director of Public Programs at orreds@hillstead.org or 860.677.4787 x131
Gala Dinners
These stunning affairs include multi-course dinners with wine pairings, top-notch entertainment, and post-reception house tours.
Upcoming Events
Come Fly Away – Gala Dinner
These stunning affairs will include sumptuous multi-course dinners with wine pairings, live music and a live and silent auction.
Find out more »Come Fly Away – Gala Dinner
These stunning affairs will include sumptuous multi-course dinners with wine pairings, live music and a live and silent auction.
Find out more »May Market
Celebrate the arrival of Spring at May Market, our annual home and garden event.
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events at this time
From the Porch
Our multicultural performing arts series is a diverse and dynamic showcase featuring music, dance, theater, and more! From the Porch not only brings arts to the public but acts as a fundraiser for the Museum to sustain the dynamic cultural destination well into the future.
Upcoming Events
Monday Night at the Opera in the Garden! – From the Porch
Opera Connecticut returns to Hill-Stead’s Sunken Garden with their cadre of talented sopranos, tenors, mezzos, and basses, for an evening of favorite selections from operas old and new.
Find out more »Hartford Symphony Orchestra Spring Splash! – From the Porch
The Hartford Symphony Orchestra brings the HSO String Quartet to Hill-Stead as part of their Spring Splash! Series.
Find out more »Vocal-guitar duo Kristen Renehan & Jim Mastrianni – From the Porch
Vocal-guitar duo Kristen Renehan and Jim Mastrianni bring their time and talent to Hill-Stead.
Find out more »Capital Classics Presents Shakespeare’s “As You Like It: Festive Songs and Famous Speeches” – From the Porch
Capital Classics Theatre Company returns with a program of music and merriment: "Shakespeare's As You Like It: Festive Songs and Famous Speeches," featuring performances of the songs and famous speeches from Shakespeare's romantic comedy, As You Like It.
Find out more »Ballard Chamber Collective – From the Porch
The Ballard Chamber Collective, a quartet comprised of professional musicians (and neighbors) Ari Isaacman Beck, violin; Jaroslaw Lis, violin; Nicholas Borghoff, viola; and Ignacy Gaydamovich, cello; return to the porch for an evening of selected chamber works.
Find out more »Sunny Train Family Music Show
Sunny Train's a-comin' this way! All aboard to sing, dance, and play! Kids and grown-ups alike will adore the toe-tapping happy harmony-filled original songs, traditional tunes, and catchy jams.
Find out more »Boyd Meets Girl – From the Porch
Boyd Meets Girl pairs Australian classical guitarist Rupert Boyd with American cellist Laura Metcalf. The duo performs an eclectic and engaging range of repertoire, from Bach to Beyoncé.
Find out more »An Evening of Storytelling with Speak Up – From the Porch
Speak Up brings their widely acclaimed storytelling show to Hill-Stead’s Veranda. Founder Matthew Dicks will serve as one of the featured professional and amateur storytellers sharing true stories from their lives.
Find out more »Ed Fast & Conga Bop – From the Porch
Ed Fast & Conga Bop bring Afro-Cuban influenced rhythms and hard-bop harmony fused to create unique, soulful originals and creatively arranged jazz standards.
Find out more »The Guys, a play by Anne Nelson – From the Porch
Presented by Herstory Theater. On the 20th anniversary of 9/11, Hill-Stead Museum will pay tribute to first responders and all lives lost that day by hosting a production of Anne Nelson’s “The Guys.”
Find out more »Sunken Garden Poetry
One of Hill-Stead’s most popular annual events, the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival celebrates celebrate poets laureate, Pulitzer Prize winners, and prestigious award recipients.
Upcoming Events
Young Poets Day
This evening at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival features readings by Chen Chen and the winners of the Fresh Voice Poetry Competition. In-person and livestream tickets are available.
Find out more »Sunken Garden Poetry Festival – Nick Flynn
This evening at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival features Nick Flynn
Find out more »Sunken Garden Poetry Festival – Poets on the Almighty Dollar
This evening at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival features poem-writing workshops, a panel discussion, and readings by contributors to The Poetry of Capital, an anthology released in 2021.
Find out more »Sunken Garden Poetry Festival – Poets and the Earth
The day will include poetry workshops and readings by a selection of poets from Waking Up to the Earth: Connecticut Poets in a Time of Global Climate Crisis, a new anthology.
Find out more »