Woodbury Fire Department Carnival Returns for Labor Day Weekend 2026
Three evenings of carnival rides, firefighter-cooked favorites, community tradition and Saturday night fireworks return to Hollow Park September 3–5.
There are certain events that become part of the rhythm of a town, marking the seasons as much as the calendar does. In Woodbury, Connecticut, the annual firefighters’ carnival is one of them.
The 2026 Woodbury Fire Department Carnival returns to Hollow Park for three evenings over Labor Day weekend, bringing carnival rides, food prepared and served by local firefighters, a community raffle and a Saturday night fireworks finale.
Hosted by the Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department, the carnival runs Thursday, September 3 through Saturday, September 5, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. each evening at Hollow Park, 43 Hollow Road, Woodbury, Connecticut. General admission is free. Both the Fire Department and Town of Woodbury currently list the same dates and hours.
For longtime residents, it is a familiar end-of-summer tradition. For visitors—and for people exploring Woodbury as a possible place to call home—it is also an opportunity to experience the community beyond its homes, countryside and Main Street storefronts.
Woodbury Fire Department Carnival 2026: Dates, Times and Details
Event Detail | 2026 Information |
|---|---|
Dates | Thursday, September 3–Saturday, September 5, 2026 |
Hours | 6:00–10:00 p.m. nightly |
Location | Hollow Park, 43 Hollow Road, Woodbury, CT 06798 |
Host | Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department |
Admission | Free |
Rides & attractions | Separate nightly payment; one payment covers rides and sideshows for that evening |
Saturday raffle | Drawing takes place immediately before the fireworks |
Fireworks | Saturday, September 5 at approximately 9:15 p.m. |
Fireworks sponsor | Woodbury Parks & Recreation Department |
The Fire Department’s current 2026 announcement does not state the price of the nightly ride package, so visitors should avoid relying on pricing from previous years. The department confirms that a single payment each evening covers the rides and sideshows supplied by Rainbow Amusements of Newtown.
A Community Tradition Supporting Woodbury's Firefighters
The carnival is more than a seasonal midway.
The Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department was officially recognized in 1928 and today responds to approximately 450 calls for assistance and emergencies each year, according to the Town of Woodbury.
In announcing the 2026 carnival, Fire Chief Janet B. Morgan described the event as an opportunity for firefighters to spend time with their neighbors after a busy summer. The department also states that the event does not cost local taxpayers and that any profit generated by the carnival goes toward equipment purchases.
That community connection is part of what distinguishes the event from a larger commercial fair. Many of the people cooking, serving and working throughout the weekend are also volunteers who respond when the community needs them.
What to Expect at the 2026 Woodbury Firefighters Carnival
Carnival Rides and Midway Attractions
Rainbow Amusements of Newtown, Connecticut will provide the rides and sideshows for the 2026 carnival.
Admission to Hollow Park is free. Visitors who want to participate in the midway attractions can purchase the evening's ride option separately.
The arrangement also makes it possible to stop by simply for dinner, the atmosphere or Saturday's fireworks without purchasing a ride package.
Firefighter-Cooked Carnival Favorites
Food remains an important part of the Woodbury carnival tradition, with firefighters once again doing the cooking and serving.
The confirmed 2026 menu includes pulled pork, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries and corn on the cob, along with the returning carnival favorite of deep-fried Oreo cookies.
It is straightforward carnival fare, but in this case the people behind the counter are as much a part of the event as the menu itself.
Saturday Night Brings the Raffle and Fireworks
Saturday, September 5 brings the three-night carnival to a close with its raffle followed by the traditional fireworks display.
One of this year's more unusual raffle prizes marks the return of an experience that had been on hiatus for five years: the winner receives a firetruck ride to the department followed by a dinner prepared and served by Woodbury firefighters, with steak, chicken or fish among the choices described by the department.
The Fire Department has also confirmed a $1,000 outdoor grill from Aubuchon Hardware in Woodbury among the raffle prizes.
What Time Are the Woodbury Carnival Fireworks?
The Woodbury Parks & Recreation Department is sponsoring the fireworks, with Pyrotecnico providing the display.
The show is scheduled to begin at approximately 9:15 p.m. Saturday, September 5, immediately following the raffle drawing.
Visitors coming primarily for the fireworks may want to arrive earlier in the evening to enjoy the carnival beforehand and allow additional time for increased Saturday attendance.
Visiting Woodbury for the Carnival
Because the carnival does not open until 6:00 p.m., visitors coming from outside Woodbury can easily make an afternoon of the trip.
Woodbury's Main Street corridor and surrounding countryside offer an opportunity to explore the town before heading to Hollow Park. For those considering relocating to the area, combining an event with a drive through town can also provide a more natural sense of the community than seeing Woodbury only during a scheduled home showing.
Explore More Upcoming Events in Woodbury This Fall
The firefighters’ carnival may signal the unofficial close of summer, but Woodbury's community calendar continues well into fall. Several additional 2026 events have already been confirmed by their organizers or the Town of Woodbury.
Manville Kettle Hike | September 19
Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust currently lists a guided Manville Kettle hike for Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 a.m.
The approximately one-mile, 60-minute hike explores the Manville Kettle property near School Street and Judson Avenue in Woodbury. Flanders describes the walk as easy. Participation is complimentary, but registration is required.
Woodbury Fall Festival | September 20
Just a few weeks after the carnival, Hollow Park hosts another community gathering.
The Woodbury CT Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival takes place Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Hollow Park. The Chamber identifies it as its third annual Fall Festival and confirms free admission, with vendors, food, children's activities and more planned for the day.
The First: Witchcraft in Connecticut | October 3
For something distinctly tied to Connecticut history, The Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden presents The First: Witchcraft in Connecticut on Saturday, October 3 at the Old Town Hall, 5 Mountain Road in Woodbury.
Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with the approximately two-hour program beginning at 5:30 p.m. The museum currently lists tickets at $25 in advance and $30 at the door and recommends advance purchase because seating is limited. Due to the program's content and length, the museum does not recommend it for children under 14.
Woodbury Trunk or Treat | October 31
Woodbury Parks & Recreation is also scheduled to host Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 31, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hollow Park.
The event appears on the Town of Woodbury's current 2026 community calendar. Additional program details may be added closer to Halloween, so check with Parks & Recreation before attending.
The Town notes that new community events are added to its calendar regularly, making the official calendar a useful resource as the fall season develops.
Before You Go
The 2026 Woodbury Fire Department Carnival takes place Thursday, September 3 through Saturday, September 5, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Hollow Park, 43 Hollow Road, Woodbury, Connecticut.
General admission is free. A separate nightly payment covers carnival rides and sideshows. The Fire Department has not published the 2026 ride-package price in its current announcement.
Saturday's raffle will be followed by fireworks beginning at approximately 9:15 p.m.
At the time of publication, the Fire Department's announcement does not specify general parking arrangements or a rain date. Because outdoor events and fireworks can be affected by weather or other circumstances, confirm details before leaving home.
Official Woodbury Volunteer Fire Department Carnival Information
Town of Woodbury Community Events Calendar
Woodbury Fire Department Carnival 2026 FAQ
When Is the Woodbury Fire Department Carnival in 2026?
The carnival runs Thursday, September 3 through Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. each night.
Where Is the Woodbury Firefighters Carnival?
The carnival is held at Hollow Park, 43 Hollow Road, Woodbury, CT 06798.
Is Admission to the Woodbury Carnival Free?
Yes. General admission is free. Rides and midway attractions require a separate payment. The current 2026 announcement does not publish the price.
What Time Are the Woodbury Carnival Fireworks?
The fireworks are scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m. Saturday, September 5, immediately following the raffle. They are sponsored by Woodbury Parks & Recreation.
Is the Carnival Held on Labor Day?
The carnival is held during Labor Day weekend, but the event itself runs September 3–5. Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026.
Exploring Life and Real Estate in Woodbury, Connecticut
For residents, the carnival is part of a familiar community calendar. For someone considering moving to Woodbury, buying a home in Litchfield County or relocating to western Connecticut, events like this can offer something more difficult to capture online: a chance to experience how a town gathers and what everyday community life feels like.
If you're attending the carnival this year, what is your favorite Woodbury carnival tradition, the rides, firefighter-cooked food, raffle or Saturday-night fireworks? Share your recommendations or memories in the comments.
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