Blue Monday Concert series returns to Mystic River Park for 20th anniversary season

The Blue Monday Concert series will return to Mystic River Park this summer, featuring four free performances beginning July 6. The 2026 season marks the 20th anniversary of the series, which serves as a fundraiser for the Stonington Education Fund and the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center.

The concerts are scheduled for every Monday in July from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The lineup begins on July 6 with Ward Hayden & The Outliers, performing in support of their new album, Little by Little. The series continues on July 13 with Mystic-based Loaded Wagon, followed by the diverse blues styling of Sugar Ray & The Bluetones on July 20. The season concludes on July 27 with Sugar, a staple of the New England music scene for more than two decades.

In 2025, the series raised over $10,000 through individual donations and sponsorships. The proceeds were split between the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center food bank and the Stonington Education Fund to support music programs within Stonington’s public schools.

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Organizers describe the events as family-friendly and invite the public to picnic in the park while enjoying the live music. The series maintains a no-alcohol policy for all performances.

The 2026 Blue Monday schedule is as follows:

July 6: Ward Hayden & The Outliers
July 13: Loaded Wagon
July 20: Sugar Ray & The Bluetones
July 27: Sugar

Updates and additional information are available on the series’ Facebook and Instagram pages.

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May events at Fairfield Theatre Company

5/12 – The Lone Bellow
5/14 – Andrew Duhon
5/16 – Graham Parker
5/16 – Buckethead
5/17 – FTC Short Film Festival
5/18 – Second Wind
5/20 – Joanna Chang
5/21 – Arrival from Sweden
5/22 – Als Fest
5/22 – Drayton Farley
5/23 – Pangea Worldbeat
5/27 – Suzy Bugguss
5/28 – Steve Forbert
5/29 – Adrenalize: Def Leppard Tribute
5/30 – Goodnight Moonshine

Click here for more information & order tickets.

May events at PeoplesBank Arena

5/24 – Journey, click here to purchase tickets
5/29 -Don Toliver, click here to purchase tickets
5/30 – LA Sparks vs Connecticut Sun, click here to purchase tickets

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