James Merrill Centennial Festival

Frequently Asked Questions

We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Stonington for the James Merrill Centennial Festival. Below you’ll find information to help make your festival weekend easy and enjoyable.

A FEW TIPS FOR A GREAT FESTIVAL WEEKEND

• Arrive 15 minutes early for your session, especially for larger events. Sessions will start and end right on time. 

• Allow extra time for parking and walking between venues.

• Look for James Merrill Centennial Festival yard signs outside official venues.

• Keep your registration confirmations accessible on your phone.

• Check the schedule before heading out each day.

• If you can no longer attend an event, please let us know so we can release your spot to someone else. Email director@jamesmerrillhouse.org.

• If you’re dining out, make reservations in advance whenever possible.

• Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking between venues and exploring Stonington.

• Stop by the NESS Centennial Hub to pick up your tote bag, ask questions, or get help.

Most of all, enjoy the weekend! We hope you’ll take time between events to explore Stonington, visit the waterfront, browse the shops, have a meal, and experience the village that James Merrill called home for more than forty years.

We look forward to celebrating James Merrill’s life, work, and legacy with you.

 

1. WHERE AND WHEN

WHEN IS THE FESTIVAL 

Friday, October 2–Sunday, October 4, 2026.

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WHERE IS THE FESTIVAL

The festival takes place throughout Stonington Borough, with daytime venues within walking distance of one another. The Celebration Dinner on Saturday evening takes place at The Hounds, a short distance from the Borough.

Please check the ticket website for your session venue. 

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CENTENNIAL HUB

The Centennial Hub is at NESS, 70 Water Street.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

The Hub is your festival home base. Stop by to:

• Pick up your festival tote bag and complimentary keepsake program (one per couple and until they run out!)

• Ask questions and get help with the schedule

• Get directions to venues

• Find festival volunteers

• Visit the Bank Square Books pop-up bookstore

• Browse festival merchandise

• Meet speakers who may be stopping by to sign books

• Have coffee and a morning treat

• Pick up lunch if you have purchased a lunch ticket

If you have a question during the festival, start at the NESS Hub. Our volunteers will be happy to help.

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BOOKS AT THE CENTENNIAL HUB

Bank Square Books will host a pop-up bookstore at the Centennial Hub at NESS.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

The bookstore will feature books by festival speakers as well as works by James Merrill.

Speakers will be coming in and out of the Hub throughout the weekend, and some will be available to sign books.

You can also pre-order books through Bank Square Books and arrange to have them delivered to your home or to the NESS bookstore for pickup during the festival.

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QUESTIONS & HELP DURING THE FESTIVAL

Who do I contact if I have a question?

During the festival, your best place to start is:

Centennial Hub at NESS
72 Water Street

You can also get help at:

James Merrill House Visitors Center
107 Water Street

Or ask any festival volunteer wearing a James Merrill House Festival name badge. Volunteers will be stationed throughout the festival and can help with directions, schedules, tickets, venues, and other questions.

If you have a true medical emergency, call 911.

 

2. TICKETS & REGISTRATION

Do I need to register to attend an event?

Yes. Registration is required for festival events, including free programs, because venues have limited capacity.

Please register through the festival website for the events you would like to attend. Your name will be on the check-in list. Students should bring a Student ID.

Will I receive a ticket after I register?

After you register, you will receive a confirmation email (NOT physical ticket).  Keep it handy on your phone so you can show it at check-in.

If you have already registered, you will receive your confirmation again by email on Monday, September 28, so don’t worry if you can’t find the original email.

If you have trouble locating your confirmation, visit the Centennial Hub at NESS or ask a festival volunteer wearing a name badge.

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Can I register on the day of an event?

Yes, if space is still available.

Register through the festival website and show your confirmation on your phone at check-in. Some events may sell out, so advance registration is strongly encouraged.

What if an event is sold out?

Please add your name to the waitlist. Spots may become available closer to the festival.

What if I registered but can no longer attend?

Please let us know as soon as possible at jmhprograms@gmail.com.

We cannot issue refunds, but letting us know allows us to release your spot to another attendee. Thank you for helping us make the most of our limited event capacity.

 

3. LUNCH & FOOD

MORNING COFFEE

Coffee and small donuts will be available at the NESS Centennial Hub.

Saturday: 8:00–10:30 a.m.
Sunday: starting at 9:00 a.m.

This is coffee and a morning treat rather than a full breakfast.

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FESTIVAL LUNCH 

Festival lunches at NESS are ticketed events.

If you did not purchase a lunch ticket in advance, lunch is sold out and we cannot accommodate additional guests due to space limitations.

There are many restaurants nearby if you need lunch on Saturday or Sunday.

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Nearby restaurants and cafés

In and around Stonington Borough:

• Milagro Café

• Indulge Coffee

• Noah’s

• Dogwatch Café

• Breakwater

• Stonington Pizza Palace

• BackDoor Pizza at the Velvet Mill

• Masa & Meryl at the Velvet Mill

• Zest Bakery at the Velvet Mill

• Dock 9 at the Velvet Mill

The festival weekend is expected to be busy, so reservations are recommended whenever possible.

FESTIVAL DINNER

The Celebration Dinner will take place Saturday evening at The Hounds.

Tickets are $175 and must be purchased by Sunday, September 27.

There are also many restaurants in Stonington, Mystic, and Westerly. Reservations are recommended.

 

4. PARKING & GETTING AROUND

Where can I park?

There is street parking throughout the Borough, as well as several public parking lots. Look for red festival parking signs and arrows directing you to available parking.

Public parking is available at:

• Wayland’s Wharf — Church Street

• Town Docks — 4 Cross Street

• DuBois Beach / Stonington Point — 1 Water Street

• Stonington Borough Fire House — 100 Main Street

• La Grua Center / Stonington Commons North Lot — 32 Water Street

Please pay close attention to posted parking signs, including two-hour parking restrictions.

There is also parking along Main Street near Dogwatch Café. Please do not park in Dogwatch Café’s private lot unless you are a customer.

Do not block driveways, emergency access areas, private parking spaces, or restricted areas.

Whenever possible, consider carpooling. Once you are in the Borough, most festival venues are within walking distance. The exception is Stonington Cemetery, which is outside the center of the Borough. Allow extra time to drive or walk there.

 

5. TOURS

Where do I meet for the cemetery tour?

For the Stonington Cemetery / Poets Corner Tour, meet at the main entrance:

Stonington Cemetery
345 North Main Street

Where do I meet for the literary walking tour?

For the Stonington Village Literary Walking Tour, meet at:

Stonington Lighthouse
7 Water Street

Where do I meet for the James Merrill Apartment tour?

The James Merrill Apartment is located at:

107 Water Street

Please note that the apartment is accessible by stairs only.

 

6. GETTING TO STONINGTON

How do I get to Stonington?

Stonington is located in southeastern Connecticut, near the Rhode Island border.

By car: Stonington is easily accessible from Interstate 95, Exit 91. Follow signs toward Stonington Borough.

By train: Amtrak and Shore Line East serve nearby stations in Mystic, Westerly, and New London. From Mystic, you can arrange a taxi or rideshare to Stonington Borough.

By air: The closest major airports include T.F. Green International Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island, and Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

 

7. WHERE TO STAY

Where should I stay?

There are hotels, inns, B&Bs, and vacation rentals in Stonington Borough and surrounding communities.

October is a popular time to visit southeastern Connecticut, so we strongly recommend booking accommodations as soon as possible.

If you cannot find lodging in Stonington, consider nearby Mystic, Pawcatuck, Westerly, or Groton.