The Ultimate Guide to Eastern European Festivals in New England (2026–2027)
- Jeanette Robinson
- Aug 27
- 5 min read
New England Cultural Festival Series
Part 1: Mediterranean & Western European Festivals in New England (Portuguese • Italian • Greek • French Canadian & Acadian)
Part 2: Celtic & Northern European Festivals in New England (Irish • Scottish • German • Scandinavian)
Part 3: Eastern European Festivals in New England (Armenian • Polish • Ukrainian • Lithuanian • Russian)
The Ultimate Guide to Eastern European Festivals in New England (2026–2027)
Part 3: Eastern European Festivals
Armenian
Polish
Ukrainian
Lithuanian
Russian
Eastern European traditions have helped shape New England for generations, bringing with them vibrant churches, colorful folk costumes, timeless music, handcrafted traditions, and recipes lovingly passed from one generation to the next. Across the region, Armenian, Polish, Ukrainian, Lithuanian, and Russian communities continue to celebrate their heritage through lively festivals that welcome visitors of every background.
Whether you’re enjoying handmade pierogi at a Polish festival, watching Ukrainian folk dancers in brilliant embroidered costumes, tasting Armenian pastries, exploring Lithuanian traditions, or experiencing the rich music and cuisine of a Russian cultural celebration, these festivals offer an authentic glimpse into some of Europe’s oldest and most enduring cultures.
This guide brings together many of New England’s largest and most memorable Eastern European festivals into one easy-to-use resource. Organized by culture and season, it’s designed to help you discover authentic traditions, remarkable food, beautiful music, and unforgettable weekend adventures throughout New England.
Come hungry, bring your camera, and prepare to experience a side of New England that many travelers never knew existed.
Armenian Festivals
📍 Watertown, Massachusetts
📅 May 15–16, 2026
⭐ One of New England’s premier Armenian celebrations featuring authentic Armenian cuisine, shish kebab, losh, choreg, paklava, Armenian pastries, live entertainment, cultural exhibits, and family activities.
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📍 Watertown, Massachusetts
📅 June 7, 2026
⭐ One of the region’s largest Armenian festivals featuring traditional Armenian music, folk dancing, shish kebab, chicken kebab, pastries, artisan vendors, and church tours.
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📍 New Britain, Connecticut
📅 August 23, 2026
⭐ Authentic Armenian specialties including lamb shish kebab, losh burgers, tabbouleh, paklava, live music, folk dancing, cultural exhibits, and a lively Armenian marketplace.
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📍 Armenian Heritage Park, Boston, Massachusetts
📅 September 20, 2026
⭐ A vibrant celebration featuring Armenian music, traditional dance performances, authentic cuisine, artisans, cultural exhibits, and family-friendly activities in Boston’s waterfront Armenian Heritage Park.
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📍 Armenian Church of Our Saviour, Worcester, Massachusetts
📅 October 3–4, 2026
⭐ One of New England’s largest Armenian festivals featuring homemade Armenian cuisine, pastries, live music, church tours, cultural presentations, and warm Armenian hospitality.
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📍 Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, Providence/Cranston, Rhode Island
📅 November (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Traditional Armenian dinners, pastries, dancing, music, church tours, cultural exhibits, and holiday shopping.
Polish Festivals
📍 New Britain, Connecticut
📅 June 14, 2026
⭐ The largest Polish cultural festival in New England, featuring authentic Polish cuisine, pierogi, kielbasa, folk dancers, live music, carnival rides, artisan vendors, and one of the region’s largest Polish heritage celebrations.
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📍 Falcon Field, New Britain, Connecticut
📅 August 29–30, 2026
⭐ Celebrate Poland’s traditional harvest festival with folk dancing, live music, authentic Polish cuisine, cultural exhibits, handcrafted goods, and family-friendly entertainment.
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📍 New Haven, Connecticut
📅 September (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Homemade pierogi, golabki, kielbasa, Polish pastries, polka music, church tours, cultural demonstrations, and traditional family celebrations.
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📍 Three Saints Parish, Fall River, Massachusetts
📅 September (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Authentic Polish favorites, live entertainment, traditional dancing, artisan vendors, homemade desserts, and one of southeastern New England’s largest Polish heritage celebrations.
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📍 Hartford, Connecticut
📅 October 4, 2026
⭐ One of New England’s largest Polish heritage celebrations featuring marching bands, colorful floats, Polish organizations, cultural pride, and festivities honoring General Casimir Pulaski.
Ukrainian Festivals
1. Boston Malanka (Ukrainian New Year Ball)
📍 Quincy, Massachusetts
📅 February 7, 2026
⭐ Celebrate the Ukrainian New Year with elegant dining, live music, traditional dancing, cultural performances, and one of New England’s longest-running Ukrainian celebrations.
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2. World Vyshyvanka Day Celebration
📍 Boston Public Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
📅 May 21, 2026
⭐ Hundreds gather wearing traditional embroidered Ukrainian clothing while enjoying music, cultural performances, community celebrations, and Ukrainian pride in one of Boston’s most beautiful parks.
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3. Ukrainian Classical Music Celebration
📍 Lexington, Massachusetts
📅 June 5, 2026
⭐ A celebration of Ukraine’s rich musical heritage featuring classical performances, cultural presentations, and authentic Ukrainian hospitality.
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4. Sunflower Fest
📍 Ukrainian American Educational Center, Jamaica Plain (Boston), Massachusetts
📅 June 27, 2026
⭐ One of New England’s largest Ukrainian festivals featuring authentic cuisine, folk dancing, live music, handcrafted goods, children’s activities, and vibrant cultural exhibits.
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📍 Jamestown, Rhode Island
📅 August 22, 2026
⭐ Celebrate Ukrainian Independence with traditional food, embroidery, music, dancing, artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities overlooking beautiful Narragansett Bay.
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6. Ukrainian Independence Celebration
📍 New Britain, Connecticut
📅 August 22, 2026
⭐ A lively community celebration featuring Ukrainian cuisine, folk music, traditional dance performances, cultural exhibits, and festivities honoring Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Lithuanian Festivals
1. Lithuanian Independence Celebration
📍 Boston, Massachusetts
📅 February 16, 2026
⭐ Celebrate Lithuania’s Independence Day with traditional music, folk dancing, authentic Lithuanian cuisine, cultural presentations, and community festivities honoring one of Europe’s oldest nations.
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2. Lithuanian Day at Camp Neringa
📍 Putnam, Connecticut
📅 July (official 2026 date announced annually)
⭐ One of New England’s largest Lithuanian cultural gatherings featuring folk dancing, traditional songs, authentic cuisine, crafts, youth performances, and family activities in a beautiful woodland setting.
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3. Lithuanian Parish Festival
📍 St. Casimir Church, Worcester, Massachusetts
📅 August (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Enjoy traditional Lithuanian favorites including cepelinai, kugelis, homemade pastries, live music, folk dancing, and cultural demonstrations celebrating Lithuanian heritage.
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4. Lithuanian Harvest Festival
📍 Putnam, Connecticut
📅 September (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Celebrate Lithuania’s harvest traditions with authentic cuisine, amber jewelry, folk art, live music, dancing, artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities.
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5. Lithuanian Christmas Fair
📍 Putnam, Connecticut
📅 November (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Shop for handcrafted Lithuanian gifts while enjoying traditional holiday foods, pastries, music, cultural performances, and festive Christmas traditions.
Russian Festivals
1. Russian Heritage Festival
📍 Holy Epiphany Russian Orthodox Church, Roslindale (Boston), Massachusetts
📅 June (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Enjoy authentic Russian cuisine, homemade pirozhki, blini, pastries, church tours, cultural exhibits, traditional music, and family-friendly activities celebrating Russian heritage.
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2. Russian Summer Festival
📍 St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, Enfield, Connecticut
📅 July (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ A festive celebration featuring Russian specialties, baked goods, folk music, cultural displays, artisan vendors, and warm Russian hospitality.
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3. Russian Festival
📍 St. Xenia Russian Orthodox Church, Methuen, Massachusetts
📅 September (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Authentic Russian food, traditional desserts, cultural demonstrations, church tours, music, and family activities celebrating Russian heritage.
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4. Russian Autumn Festival
📍 St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Church, Woonsocket, Rhode Island
📅 September (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Traditional Russian cuisine, pastries, music, cultural exhibits, handcrafted items, and one of Rhode Island’s best opportunities to experience Russian traditions.
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5. Russian Christmas Bazaar
📍 Boston Metropolitan Area, Massachusetts
📅 December (official 2026 dates announced annually)
⭐ Celebrate the holiday season with Russian Christmas pastries, handcrafted gifts, ornaments, traditional foods, choir performances, and festive cultural displays.
Keyword
Eastern European festivals New England
Keywords
Armenian festivals New England
Polish festivals New England
Ukrainian festivals New England
Lithuanian festivals New England
Russian festivals New England
ethnic festivals New England
cultural festivals New England
European festivals New England
New England travel guide
things to do in New England
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