When I first came to Hartford, I thought, why is it so quiet for a capital city? I wondered where everyone was on the weekend.

However, after spending a couple of years here, I realized that this town isn't empty; people tend to show up when there are events happening.

If you don't know the dates in advance, you'll find yourself looking at photos later and saying, "Oh my, they had this?"

As summer begins, the first event to check out is the Hartbeat Music Festival.

It's a free music festival featuring local musicians, with music playing all day on multiple stages.

Rather than a large concert, it's a vibe where locals sit on the grass, listen to music, and enjoy food. The fact that it's free is a big plus.

July is when Hartford suddenly gets busy. During the Independence Day season, there are fireworks events around the Connecticut River. People flock to Riverfront Plaza and the Great River Park across the river, transforming the usually quiet riverside.

What I look forward to in July is the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz. It's a large free jazz festival held in Bushnell Park, and it's been around long enough that people come from other areas specifically for it. You can bring a chair, find a spot under a tree, and enjoy the music, thinking, "Hartford has this kind of charm too."

In August, the atmosphere changes completely. Hartford has a significant population from Caribbean regions like Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, so events like the West Indian Independence Celebration are quite large.

As the parade goes by, music plays, and people dance in colorful outfits, the image of a quiet New England town disappears.

Events like Taste of the Caribbean also take place in the summer, allowing you to enjoy Caribbean food and music. Don't be afraid to try new foods; there's fun in sampling one dish at a time. It's hard to pass by the smell of jerk chicken.

Additionally, the Riverfront area hosts food events like the Food Truck Festival in the summer. With various food trucks gathering, it's a great outing for families to have dinner together. No need to argue over whether someone wants tacos or barbecue.

In the fall, New England's foliage is an event in itself, even without festivals. Just a short drive outside Hartford, the colors of the trees change completely. This is a great time to enjoy weekend drives in the countryside.

In winter, you don't want to be outside for too long. During this time, it's worth checking out Christmas and holiday events held in indoor spaces like the Connecticut Convention Center. There have been years when events like GLOW Hartford, featuring large lights and a Christmas atmosphere, were held, which families with kids would enjoy. However, these seasonal events can vary each year, so it's best to check the schedule for that year before going.

Hartford isn't like New York, where something is happening every day just outside your door. Instead, if you mark a few dates on your calendar and explore, you'll find it surprisingly enjoyable.

At first, I thought, "What do people even do here?" but later, I found myself looking up when the jazz festival in July was happening.