Check out our growing list of music festivals in New England! Among the oldest and most well known-- the Newport Jazz Festival (est. 1954) and the Newport Folk Festival (est. 1959), both co-founded by legendary jazz producer, George Wein. Other popular outdoor music venues in New England include The Litchfield Jazz Festival in Connecticut, North Atlantic Blues Festival in Maine, Roots On The River in Vermont, and the Green River Festival in Massachusetts. Each year families and individuals from age 0-99 gather to enjoy live music and entertainment at one of New England's many outdoor summer music festivals. One can find arts and craft activities for kids, tasty food and good drink provided by local vendors, as well as an array of artisans selling specialty, New England-made  products and gifts. What better way to get outdoors and enjoy summer in New England?

Connecticut  Music Festivals

Connecticut Music Festivals in June:

Mystic Sea Music Festival in Mystic, CT

New England Fiddle Contest in Manchester, CT

Connecticut Music Festivals in July:

Litchfield Jazz Festival in Goshen, CT

Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in E. Hartford, CT

Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival in Bridgeport, CT

Connecticut Music Festivals in September:

Connecticut Folk Festival in New Haven, CT

Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, 2011, the Green River Festival will be celebrating its 25th anniversary as the Pioneer Valley's biggest outdoor event and music festival of the summer. Presented by the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce, the two-day festival will be held on the grounds of Greenfield Community College with more than 13,000 festival-goers expected to attend. Featuring three stages of folk, roots and country music, the Green River Festival offers up something for everyone. This is an alcohol-free, family event with lots of food and crafts from local restaurants and artisans, a dance tent, kids' activities, and a colorful display of hot air balloons with option to ride.

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Jim Olsen, president of Signature Sounds and Green River Festival talent buyer, about the Green River Festival, this year's lineup,  and his thoughts on festivals and the music industry today. Read what he has to say...

APRIL 15th, 16th and 17th 2011

There's nothing like the warm, sweet taste of pure Vermont maple syrup atop a stack of buttermilk pancakes ! Spring is here and the sap is running as sugar shacks all around New England kick into full gear to bring us this liquid gold. Come to St. Albans, Vermont for the 45th, 2011 Vermont Maple Festival April 15th, 16th & 17th. This is a family event power-packed with all sorts of things to do and see. A sampling of events include sugar house tours, pancake breakfasts, specialty foods and crafts, music and entertainment, parade and carnival rides. For more information and a full listing of events you can visit the Vermont Maple Festival website. To learn more about how maple syrup is made and for a listing of other resources and festival read our article, Maple Sugar in New England.