Easter Weekend in Hartford: Here's What's On

This weekend in Hartford: a major arena concert, Yard Goats opening weekend with fireworks and Bluey, one night of Wolf Pack hockey (2 if you're willing to drive to Bridgeport), a brewery egg hunt in South Glastonbury, and a pair of LGBTQ+ community events. Here is what is worth your time.

April is off to a strong start. This weekend has more going on across Hartford County than a typical spring Friday and Saturday, and the range is wide — from a Grammy-winning arena headliner to a family afternoon at the ballpark to an adults-only egg hunt at a South Glastonbury brewery. There is something here for most people.

Here is what is on.

Cardi B — Little Miss Drama Tour

Friday, April 4 at 8:00 PM. PeoplesBank Arena, 1 Civic Center Plaza, Hartford.

This is the headliner of the weekend. The Little Miss Drama Tour is Cardi B's first full headline arena run, and Hartford is one of the stops. PeoplesBank Arena sits in the center of downtown, which makes it easy to build a full night around — dinner or drinks at one of the nearby restaurants before the show, then walk in.

If you are newer to the area, this is worth paying attention to beyond the concert itself. Hartford draws bigger events than people expect for the size of the city. That is part of what makes living near Hartford work well for a lot of people — you get real access to live music, sports, and regional culture without paying Boston or New York housing prices for it.

Tickets are available at PeoplesBank Arena.

Hartford Yard Goats — Opening Weekend

Friday, April 3 at 7:00 PM and Saturday, April 4 at 1:00 PM. Dunkin' Park, 1214 Main St, Hartford.

The Yard Goats are back for opening weekend, and the two games have very different things going on.

Friday night is built around promotions. The first 500 fans receive a free jersey giveaway with mixed surprise styles. There is a character appearance tied to a recent movie release with photo opportunities, and the night ends with one of the first fireworks shows of the season. Gates open at 5:30 PM.

Saturday is the family game. Bluey will be at the ballpark for meet-and-greets with a valid game ticket, and Bark in the Park lets you bring your dog along with a separate add-on ticket. Gates open at 11:30 AM. It is a slower, more relaxed crowd than Friday, which is its own appeal depending on what you are looking for.

Dunkin' Park is one of the more underrated things about living in or near Hartford. A well-run ballpark in the middle of downtown that draws a real mix of people — and a good place to understand what everyday life here actually looks like.

If you are considering a move to West Hartford or any of the surrounding towns, an afternoon at the ballpark is a reasonable way to get a feel for the area.

Full event details and links are on the events calendar.

Hartford Wolf Pack — Two Games This Weekend

The Wolf Pack are on the ice both nights.

Friday, April 3, they travel to Bridgeport to face the Islanders at Total Mortgage Arena — two Connecticut AHL teams, a good in-state rivalry. Saturday, April 4 at 6:00 PM, the home game is at PeoplesBank Arena against the Hershey Bears. If you are already planning to be downtown Saturday evening, it is an easy addition to the night.

Saturday tickets at PeoplesBank Arena.

Beer-ster Egg Hunt at Hops on the Hill

Saturday, April 4 at 2:00 PM. Hops on the Hill Brewery, 275 Dug Rd, South Glastonbury.

This is the fourth annual adult egg hunt at Hops on the Hill. Every hidden egg in the farm field contains a prize — Annual Mug Club Memberships, gift cards, free merch, candy, and more. No fee, no registration required. One egg per person while supplies last. Participants need to be 21 or older, though families are welcome at the brewery.

The brewery is open 1–6 PM. Rolling Smokehouse Food Truck is serving BBQ all afternoon. Live music runs 2–5 PM. Pop-up vendors are on site throughout the day.

South Glastonbury is one of those pockets of Hartford County that people outside the area often overlook. It sits on the rural, farm-adjacent side of Glastonbury, which feels very different from the town center. If you are exploring the county and curious about what that side of things looks like, this is a reasonable excuse to make the drive.

More information on the Facebook event page.

LGBTQ+ Events This Weekend

Two community events happening Friday night, both worth knowing about.

Pride on Tap at Johnny's Grill in West Haven is back for a second run after a strong first turnout. Friday, April 3 at 7:00 PM at 437 Campbell Ave. No cover. All are welcome. Details on Facebook.

RuPaul's Drag Race Season 18 Watch Party is at Parkville Market, 1400 Park St, Hartford. Doors open at 7:00 PM and the show starts at 8:00 PM in The Local. More information at Parkville Market.

Parkville has become one of the more interesting parts of Hartford over the past few years. If you have not been to Parkville Market, it is a food hall that has turned into a real community gathering place. I cover LGBTQ+ community resources, events, and neighborhoods across Connecticut in more depth in my LGBTQ relocation guide, which is worth a read if you are figuring out where you want to put down roots.