Ride Free to the Hartford Bonanza and the America 250 Celebration

1 hr 18 mins ago

Hartford Bonanza returns to Bushnell Park on Saturday, July 4. This event includes live music, food, family programming, an America 250 commemorative concert from the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, and the region's largest fireworks display in the evening. The festival is free and open to all ages, and CTtransit can get you there and home without paying a fare.

  • Rides are free. All CTtransit and CTfastrak buses are fare-free from 3 a.m. Saturday, July 4, through 2 a.m. Monday, July 6.
  • Expanded CTfastrak service runs on the Fourth. On July 4 only, Routes 101, 102, and 121 add extra trips into the evening to move the Bonanza crowd. Route 101 runs every 10 minutes after 2 p.m., and Routes 102 and 121 run every 30 minutes after 2 p.m., with service continuing until midnight or later. These special trips are not shown in trip-planning apps, so use the July 4 special schedules posted here.
  • Closest stops to Bushnell Park. Routes 101, 102, and 121 drop off at the Asylum Street entrance to Bushnell Park. From there it is a short walk into the festival.
  • Park and ride for free. Free first-come, first-served parking is available at Park & Ride lots along the 101, 102, and 121 corridors, as well as along local routes that offer evening service, including locations in Bristol, New Britain, Newington, West Hartford, Manchester, Windsor and Farmington. Lots at CTfastrak stations fill up quickly, so arrive with time to spare. The full list of lots and the routes that serve them is can be found here.
  • Getting home after the fireworks. Late departures are scheduled so you can stay for the show. On July 4, Route 101 runs until 12:10 a.m. and Routes 102 and 121 run until midnight from the Asylum Street stops near Bushnell Park. Several local Hartford routes also have scheduled late departures. Check the last bus times before you head out, and know your route home before the fireworks begin.

For festival programming, set times, and final fireworks timing, visit the organizer at hartfordbonanza.org. For everything about getting there and back, visit cttransit.com.

Please note: The rain date for Hartford Bonanza is Sunday, July 5. In the event the festival is postponed, extra July 4 service will also operate on Sunday, July 5.