Best Strawberry Picking in Connecticut and Summer Strawberry Festivals

Sunshine, fresh air, and sweet treats await with the best strawberry picking in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
Sunshine, fresh air, and sweet treats await with the best strawberry picking in Connecticut! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards
5/19/23 - By Clementina Verge

Sweet and juicy, strawberry picking is one of summer's great joys, but the Connecticut strawberry season is short!  Get those strawberries in your basket (and your kids baskets) when you visit one of these family-owned Connecticut strawberry picking farms. And because strawberry season is such a big deal around here, there are also lots of strawberry-themed festivals occuring between early June and July. These strawberry festivals are host to lots of live music, shopping, crafts and of course....strawberry shortcake everywhere.  

Be sure to also visit our Connecticut Farms and Berry Picking Guide, where you can find all of the state's best spots for pick-your-own produce, farm-fresh ice cream, and more. Fruit changes throughout the months, so make sure to call local pick lines to get updated information.

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Hartford Area - Strawberry Picking Farms

1. Dondero Orchards — South Glastonbury

Celebrating more than 100 years of history, this farm offers pick-your-own strawberries daily in June, and blueberries and raspberries in July. Fill up a basket and pay by the pound. While there, don’t forget to check out the bakery and pick up a strawberry-rhubarb pie. 

2. Rose’s Berry Farm — South Glastonbury

Luscious strawberries are ready for picking, along with a wide variety of fresh fruit and vegetables, in this scenic location. Rose's Berry Farm has strawberries in June and 40 acres of blueberry plants in July. Opened in 1908, Rose's offers a hearty old-fashioned farmers' breakfast every Sunday starting at the end of June. Relax on the deck and overlook the beautiful fields while enjoying a tasty home-cooked meal. Pack a lunch and enjoy a family picnic on the beautiful grounds. 

3. Starvish Farm — Enfield

The 2023 strawberries are ready to be picked at the end of May. Starvish Farm is pen daily from 8am-5pm, weather permitting. The farm accepts check or cash only.

4. Scantic Valley Farm — Somers (closed for strawberries in 2023)

Scenic Valley Farm is a great place to pick strawberries while enjoying an amazing view. The farm typically opens in mid-June. Scantic Farm sells farm beef and pork too.

Fairfield Area - Strawberry Picking

Image of child picking strawberries - Best Starbwrry Picking in CT 
Nothing tastes better than strawberries picked as a family! Jones Family Farm photo by Ally Noel

5. Jones Family Farms — Shelton

As the only farm in Fairfield County with pick-your-own strawberries, Jones tends to get packed on summer days. But that shouldn’t deter families from going. Strawberry picking begins in early June, and reservations are required and are good for up to 8 people. Picking in the pre-season happens at the Pumpkinseed Hill location. Prices for the strawberries are per basket.

Litchfield Area - Strawberry Picking

6. Deeply Rooted Farms — Harwinton

This family-run farm begins u-pick berries in mid-June and into early fall. Pints of pre-picked strawberries are available as well. Check Deeply Rooted farms' "News From the Field" for daily updates.

Strawberry Picking at Eastern Connecticut Farms

7. Scott’s Yankee Farmer — East Lyme

Founded in the 1960s, this 125-acre farm produces delicious strawberries. If the visit is timed right, families may even be able to pick some summer raspberries too. Strawberry picking starts in early June. No pets are allowed.

8. Buell’s Orchard — Eastford

The deliciousness of the fruit may only be surpassed by the kindness of the farmers at Buell’s Orchard. This farm is so much more than family-friendly; it is a local tradition. Buell's opens in June 2023 when the strawberry picking season begins.

Strawberry Picking at Southern Connecticut Farms

9. Bishop's Orchards — Guilford

It’s hard to miss the signs for Bishop’s up and down I-95, but that doesn’t make a trip to this Connecticut institution any less charming. Admission to the berry patch is free. Just pay by the pound for what's picked starting in June. 

Photo of child strawberry picking on a Connecticut farm. 
Admire the fruits of your work with the best strawberry picking in CT! Photo courtesy of Lyman Orchards

10. Lyman Orchards — Middlefield

This is a one-stop destination for family fun. For over a century, the Lyman family has been harvesting this land—and it shows. Make sure to check out the calendar to keep up with both the crop and events at the farm. Lyman Orchards has a beautiful location with lots of camera-worthy spots. Strawberry picking starts in early June. Call the hotline for updated picking information.

Strawberry Festivals in Connecticut

11. South Windsor Strawberry Festival — South Windsor

This is a huge, town-wide festival packed with strawberry goodness and tons of crafts. The Little Miss Strawberry Pageant is held right as the festival begins. Afterwards, kids can enjoy face-painting, the bounce house, and train-, tractor-, and and hay rides. 

12. Monroe Strawberry Festival — Monroe

 The Monroe Strawberry Festival features dozens of juried crafters and artisans. Enjoy plates full of fresh strawberries with whipped cream. Dig into strawberry pie, smoothies, jam and all kinds of good stuff. There will be live music and food too.

13. New Horizons Village Strawberry Festival — Unionville

Support a good cause by attending this evening full of strawberries. There will  be live music and vendors. The New Horizons Village Strawberry Festival is a great community event.

14. Torrington Strawberry Festival — Torrington

Coe Memorial Park is host to the Torrington Strawberry Festival and its host of delicious strawberry tastiness. Shop vendors selling handcrafted items, and stop by the food trucks for lunch. The kids will love a ride on the Strawberry Express! 

15. Strawberry Thanksgiving — Mashantucket

A Native American tradition, Strawberry Thanksgiving will be a time for storytelling, live singers, and dancers.

Photo of children at the Cheshire Strawberry Festival in CT. 
Enjoy food, games, and more at CT's strawberry festivals! Photo courtesy of the Chesire Strawberry Festival

16. Cheshire Strawberry Festival — Cheshire

Cheshire hosts a New England festival at it's finest. Get in line for the strawberry shortcake and shop the dozens of vendors. This festival is also a great way to get to know local community organizations and services.

17. Lyman Orchards Strawberry Fest —  Middlefield

Lyman Orchards is a great place for fruit picking. But when you come to the Apple Barn Market, it's a lot of fun to hear live music while savoring strawberry treats. Kids will love a hayride and seeing the animals in the petting zoo. if you want to go strawberry picking, you can do that too!

18. Strawberry Festival @ Brown's Harvest — Windsor

The Strawberry Festival has become established as one of Brown's annual festivals. The fields for strawberry picking are only a short walk from fun times for the kids. The festival features a Barrel Train Ride, jump pad, local music, food trucks, and vendors too.

19. Strawberry Fest —  East Hartford

South Church is home to the annual Strawberry event. There are some unique offerings like vendors selling plants and crafts. Dig in to some comfort food like hotdogs and hamburgs. Finish it all off with homemade strawberry shortcake and whipped cream. Yum!

20. Strawberry Festival — Wethersfield

One of the earliest strawberry festivals of the season, this community-centered event is run by the local PTO. Games like a dunk tank, raffles, food trucks, and music will be on tap in 2023. 

 

This article was first published in 2016; updated in 2022 and 2023.

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