This Weekend in New Haven: August 28 – August 30

Updated Thursday, August 27, 2026. This is our weekly recap of what's happening in New Haven this weekend — events, restaurants worth the trip, the spots that come alive on a Friday night.

The Headlines

Here's everything that landed on our calendar between August 28 – August 30:

• Marble & Make: Leather Accessories — Thursday, August 27, 10:00 PM at MakeHaven. Join this two-part workshop to learn the art of marbling leather and create your own unique accessories. It's a fun and creative way to explore leather crafting at MakeHaven.
• "Steal This Story, Please!" Screening and Talkback — Thursday, August 27, 10:45 PM at Flint Street Theater. Join Jewish Voice for Peace New Haven and Mending Minyan for a special free screening of Steal This Story, Please!, a gripping account of trailblazing journalist Amy Goodman. Engag…
• Westville Pop-Up Cinema — Thursday, August 27, 11:00 PM at Lotta Studio. Join us at Lotta Studio for the Westville Pop-Up Cinema featuring classic films like Jaws and Stand By Me. Enjoy a unique movie experience in the heart of New Haven.
• Rooted in Heritage: Art Across Yale’s Cultural Centers — Friday, August 28, N/A at Schwarzman Center. This exhibition showcases student artwork from Yale's multicultural communities, reflecting cultural identity and shared humanity.
• The View from Here: Accessing Art Through Photography — Friday, August 28, N/A at Schwarzman Center. This exhibition at Schwarzman Center features the work of New Haven youth, showcasing their perspectives through photography.
• West of the River — Friday, August 28, 7:00 AM at Schwarzman Center. In West of the River, photographer Christian Badach describes the paradoxical notions that come from being immersed in the rural landscape and these spaces' ability to act as catal…
• Cushing Center Tour — Friday, August 28, 10:00 AM at Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library. This in-person tour will guide you through the Cushing Center, discussing the rich history of Dr. Harvey Cushing, the patients he helped, and the tumor registry.
• Keeping Alive the Remembrance: Commemorating America's Founding, 1776–1876 — Friday, August 28, 10:00 AM at Yale University Art Gallery. This focused installation commemorates the nation’s 250th anniversary, showcasing works made between 1776 and 1876 that reveal how artists preserved a sense of connection to the fo…
• Beinecke Library Tour — Friday, August 28, 1:30 PM at Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library. An introductory tour of the Beinecke Library, its mission, history, architecture, collections, and services, led by a library staff or student guide.
• Exhibit | American Saints & Blesseds — Friday, August 28, 7:00 PM at Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center. This exhibit highlights the 13 Catholics canonized in America as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary.
• Glory — Friday, August 28, 2:00 PM at NXTHVN. Glory honors the aesthetics of everyday survival and the ways working class Black American families have built beauty, community, and meaning inside their homes.
• REZN - Cycles in the Infinite Dream Tour — Friday, August 28, 8:00 PM at Space Ballroom. Catch REZN live with Lockstep at Space Ballroom.
• An Artist’s America: Toward a More Perfect Union — Friday, August 28, 12:00 AM at Haas Family Arts Library, 180 York St, New Haven, CT 06511. This exhibit at Haas Arts Library features artist books that document and interrogate American political history, highlighting socio-cultural observations and experiences of Americ…
• Fall Choral Auditions — Friday, August 28, 12:00 AM at Great Hall, Sterling Divinity Quadrangle, 409 Prospect St, New Haven, CT 06511. The Yale Institute of Sacred Music invites students and community members to audition for its choral ensembles for the 2026–27 academic year. Join a welcoming community of singers…
• RUSUNUNGUKO (liberty / independence / freedom) — Friday, August 28, N/A at Schwarzman Center. Designer Nontsikelelo Mutiti's work engages with the aesthetics of hair braiding in black life, on display at The Dome Gallery in Yale Schwarzman Center.
• “Beauties of My Style”: Errata and the Printed Mistake — Friday, August 28, 4:30 PM at Sterling Memorial Library. This exhibition surveys errata alongside their companion texts from across nearly half a millennium, chronicling themes of censorship, misrepresentation, and instability tied to th…
• Dagwood / Callahan & Witscher / Vivian / Softwalls — Friday, August 28, 8:00 PM at Cafe Nine. Join Dagwood and other artists for a night of punk music at Cafe Nine on August 28, 2026. This event features a mix of local talent and unique sounds.
• Yale Men's Soccer vs. Quinnipiac — Friday, August 28, 10:00 PM at Reese Stadium. Come support the Yale Men's Soccer team as they take on Quinnipiac in this exciting match. Admission is free, so bring your friends and enjoy the game!
• Screening at Best Video — Friday, August 28, 7:00 PM at Best Video Film & Cultural Center. Join us for another film screening at Best Video Film & Cultural Center in New Haven.
• Screening at Best Video: Buffet Infinity (2025) — Friday, August 28, 7:00 PM at Best Video Film & Cultural Center.
• Club Lost — Friday, August 28, 11:00 PM at Lost in New Haven. A two-hour Friday night museum party unlike anything else in New Haven, featuring a continuous deep, melodic, and progressive-house set.
• Club Lost: A Music. Dance. Poetry. Social Experience. — Friday, August 28, 11:00 PM at Lost in New Haven. Join us for a unique social experience featuring music, dance, and poetry at Lost in New Haven.
• All Levels Saturday Morning Pottery — Saturday, August 29, 1:30 PM at Creative Arts Workshop. A relaxed, all-levels class for anyone interested in working with clay. Beginners will learn the basics of wheel throwing and hand building.
• Summer Saturday Water-based Printmaking — Saturday, August 29, 1:30 PM at Creative Arts Workshop. Explore print processes using safe water-soluble inks and unique plate solutions. Develop personal imagery using various printmaking techniques.
• Kayaking Opening Day — Saturday, August 29, 2:00 PM at Orange Street Canoe Launch. Kingfisher Adventures offers walk-up kayak rentals on the Mill River in East Rock Park. Enjoy a day on the water with easy access to kayak rentals.
• Exhibit | American Saints and Blesseds — Saturday, August 29, 2:00 PM at Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center. Exhibition open Wednesday through Sunday from 10am to 4pm with free parking and admission. Explore the lives of 14 Catholics canonized in America.
• Dance Meditation — Saturday, August 29, 2:00 PM at East Rock Shala. Join us for a dance meditation session that supports your intuitive connection to your body and your mindful awareness of others as you dance together.
• Val McKee: Children's Music — Saturday, August 29, 2:30 PM at Best Video Film & Cultural Center. Bring the kids for a delightful children's music performance by Val McKee at Best Video Film & Cultural Center.
• Sevendust & Theory of a Deadman: The Dead / Seven Tour — Saturday, August 29, 7:00 PM at College Street Music Hall. Catch Sevendust and Theory of a Deadman live, along with Return to Dust.
• Screening at Best Video: Buffet Infinity (2025) — Saturday, August 29, 7:00 PM at Best Video Film & Cultural Center. Join us for a screening of Buffet Infinity at Best Video Film & Cultural Center.
• Gimme Gimme Disco — Saturday, August 29, 7:30 PM at Space Ballroom. Join us for a night of disco at Space Ballroom.
• Saturday Jazz Jam ft. New Haven Jazz Underground — Saturday, August 29, 4:00 PM at Cafe Nine. Join the Saturday Afternoon Jazz Jam at Cafe Nine on August 29, 2026. Bring your instrument and enjoy a free jam session with local musicians.
• Emo Night Brooklyn — Saturday, August 29, 7:00 PM at Toad's Place. Welcome to Emo Night Brooklyn, a DJ dance party blasting the best emo and pop punk jams. Get ready to enjoy a night filled with your favorite music.
• An Artist’s America: Toward a More Perfect Union — Saturday, August 29, 12:00 AM at Haas Family Arts Library. This exhibit comments on the radical roots of America and its complex history through artist books, highlighting socio-cultural, environmental, and socio-economic observations.
• Fall Choral Auditions — Saturday, August 29, 12:00 AM at Great Hall, Sterling Divinity Quadrangle. The Yale Institute of Sacred Music invites Yale students, faculty, staff, and members of the greater New Haven community to audition for its choral ensembles for the 2026–27 academ…
• National Grief Awareness Day Community Healing Circle — Saturday, August 29, 6:00 PM at Mitchell Branch Library. Join Soaring on Angels' Wings® for our National Grief Awareness Day Community Healing Circle, a safe and supportive space for individuals and families.
• NXTHVN - Block Party / "Glory" Closing / Car Show — Saturday, August 29, 7:00 PM at NXTHVN. NXTHVN is partnering with Sweet & Sounds to take over the block for an end-of-summer party! Join us for a free, family-friendly celebration for the closing of the GLORY exhibition…
• Paved Under — Saturday, August 29, 9:00 PM at Cafe Nine. Enjoy a night of DJ sets at Cafe Nine in New Haven with Paved Under. Experience a vibrant nightlife atmosphere.
• Nathan El, All the Pretty Horses, Offering Field — Saturday, August 29, 7:00 PM at Best Video Film & Cultural Center.
• Nathan El/Mother Juniper/Offering Field: Indie — Saturday, August 29, 7:00 PM at Best Video Film & Cultural Center.
• Game Garden Hot Yoga — Sunday, August 30, 2:00 PM at East Rock Brewing Company. Hot Yoga in the Game Garden 🧘‍♀️☀️🍺 Start your Sunday with movement, mindfulness and a well-earned post-flow drink. Join yoga practitioner, Tobey, for Hot Yoga in the Game Garden…
• Create Your Own Hand-Tufted Rug: Beginner Workshop — Sunday, August 30, 2:00 PM at MakeHaven. Discover the artistry of rug tufting, a creative process where participants will sketch a pattern on a cloth, then use a tufting gun to inject the yarn into the cloth. Participants…
• Craft Your Own Cutting Board: Intro to Woodworking Basics — Sunday, August 30, 2:00 PM at MakeHaven. Embark on your woodworking journey with A Cut(ting Board) Above the Rest, where the art of crafting meets the practicality of creating a custom, handmade piece. Whether you're new…
• Exhibit | Illustrating America: Columbia Magazine Covers — Sunday, August 30, 3:00 PM at Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center. Columbia, the monthly magazine of the Knights of Columbus, featured illustrated covers from 1921 until 1988, at which time color photography replaced the illustrations. This exhibi…
• Nathan El, All the Pretty Horses, Offering Field — Sunday, August 30, 7:00 PM at Best Video Film & Cultural Center. Experience a night of music featuring Nathan El and other talented artists at Best Video Film & Cultural Center.
• Salsa Sundays: Live Salsa Music & Dancing — Sunday, August 30, 5:00 PM at Cafe Nine. Join us for Salsa Sundays at Cafe Nine, featuring live salsa music by Grupo Tormenta and a beginner's salsa dance class. This monthly event is perfect for anyone looking to enjoy m…
• Knot Just Knitting: Crochet, Embroidery and more — Sunday, August 30, 4:00 PM at MakeHaven. Calling all textile enthusiasts! Join us at MakeHaven for our monthly gathering dedicated to the joys of fiber arts. This recurring event offers an opportunity to engage with fello…
• Sunday Trivia Nights at Bobbi’s — Sunday, August 30, 10:00 PM at Bobbi's. Trivia at Bobbi’s runs about 90 minutes and is played over five rounds. The game features a slideshow format with image-based and puzzle categories, making it engaging and fun for…

Friday Night

If you're looking for the move on Friday night, the answer almost always lives downtown. Start at one of the legendary bars on Crown Street — BAR, Ordinary, or one of the newer cocktail rooms — and let the night go where it goes. If you're a one-stop crowd, Wooster Square remains the most reliable single-block dinner-and-walk loop in the city.

For a quieter Friday: head up to East Rock for dinner at one of the neighborhood spots, then walk it off along Orange Street.

Saturday

Morning. The market at Wooster Square if it's running, otherwise Atticus or Willoughby's for coffee and a slow read.

Lunch. Apizza day, obviously. Frank Pepe's, Sally's, or Modern depending on the line. Our full pizza guide covers the rest.

Afternoon. The Yale University Art Gallery is the most underrated free museum in New England. Or, if the weather's right, East Rock summit by foot or car.

Dinner. If you want something special, the date-night list is where to start. If you want something easier, the general dinner guide has dozens of options.

Sunday

Sunday in New Haven is for slow brunches and longer walks. Our brunch picks are the working list. If the weather turns, the rainy day list has indoor backup plans.

Looking Ahead

Want the always-current version of this list? Bookmark /things-to-do/this-weekend — it auto-refreshes with the latest events. Or check all upcoming events for the bigger picture.

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