Manchester (Zip 06042) · Weekend of 2026-03-27

Weekend Game
Plan.

Manchester (Zip 06042) 06042

Weekend of Mar 27 - Mar 29, 2026

WEEKEND SNAPSHOT

Cold and crisp; Highs 48°F, Lows 31°F. Partly cloudy skies on Saturday.

Expect heavy traffic on I-84 Westbound towards Hartford due to NCAA-related fan activity and arena crowds.

⚡ If You Only Do One Thing

NCAA Tournament 'Hartford Watch Zone'

Friday & Saturday, 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

"With UConn expected to be a deep-run contender in 2026, the local atmosphere is electric. It is a high-energy, indoor heated experience that captures the peak of March sports culture without the cost of a tournament ticket."

PRO TIP: Arrive at least 90 minutes before tip-off if heading to Pratt Street or the XL Center area; parking garages will fill by 5:30 PM.

📅 Add to Calendar

📍 Top Spots

Hartford Wolf Pack vs. Providence Bruins

Saturday, Mar 28, 7:00 PM • XL Center, Hartford

High-intensity AHL hockey. It's a key late-season divisional matchup.

Best For: Families and hockey enthusiasts. • Cost: $20 - $55

2026 Northeast Spring Craft Expo

Mar 28-29, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM • Connecticut Convention Center

A massive indoor gathering of 200+ regional artisans, designers, and food producers.

Best For: Home decor hunters and foodies. • Cost: $12 Admission

Live at Elicit: The Weekend Session

Friday Night, 8:00 PM • Elicit Brewing Co., Manchester

Local live music in a converted industrial space with massive communal seating.

Best For: Social groups and local craft beer fans.

Choose Your Mode

Mode: High Energy

Late Night Bowling & DJ Sets $25/hour

Friday, 9:00 PM • Revolutions Bowling, Manchester

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Tip: Book lanes online by Thursday to avoid a 2-hour walk-in wait.

Mode: Quiet & Curated

Connecticut Science Center: Adult Evening Tour $25

Saturday, 6:00 PM • Downtown Hartford

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Tip: Use the attached Science Center garage for $5 flat-rate parking after 5 PM.

Weekend at a Glance

Friday Evening

Elicit Brewing Live Session

SOCIAL

Saturday Afternoon

Spring Craft Expo

SHOPPING

Saturday Night

Wolf Pack Hockey

SPORTS

Sunday Morning

Indoor Farmers Market (Wickham Park Greenhouse)

LOCAL

⚠️ Logistics Watch Outs

I-84 East/West Congestion (Exits 60-63)

Saturday mid-afternoon near Buckland Hills.

Use Tolland Turnpike or Middle Turnpike to bypass the highway bottlenecks if traveling locally within Manchester.

Downtown Hartford Parking Scarcity

Friday/Saturday nights due to NCAA fan zones.

Utilize the 'Front Street' parking garages; they are slightly further from the XL Center but significantly easier to exit post-game.

🍿 Movies

Top Box Office

Street Fighter (PG-13): The legendary gaming franchise returns to the big screen with high-octane choreography.

The Cat in the Hat (PG): Bill Hader voices the iconic Dr. Seuss character in this stylized animated adaptation.

📅 Plan Ahead

Date	Event	Action
April 18, 2026	UConn Football Blue/White Spring Game	Low - Tickets are usually free/nominal; great for a family day.

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