It shouldn’t be a surprise that both summer months have 31 days… there’s just SO much to do. Seriously we recommend canceling the airfare and telling the in-laws you won’t be visiting the beach house this year – who needs to travel beyond Western Mass for vacation when there is something for everyone right in these four counties? Not from the area? Come on over!

August is so full of fun we cannot list everything, but our calendar has the full list so check it out for several beer gardens, farmers markets, LOTS of live music, baseball fun, movies under the stars, and museum tours galore!

11th Annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival in Turners Falls (8/3 & 8/4): a Native American cultural celebration, speak with elders, enjoy music, drumming, storytelling, Native American fare, and crafts. 

Old Sturbridge Village Redcoats & Rebels at Sturbridge Village (8/3 & 8/4): the largest military re-enactment in New England with hundreds of costumed Revolutionary War reenactors, both soldiers and civilians. Tour camps, witness recreated battles, and enjoy fife and drum music. Pre-registration highly recommended. 

Hilltown History Trail (8/3): Hilltown historical societies in Ashfield, Buckland, Cummington, Plainfield, and Shelburne Falls will open their museum doors to the public on the same day for a free day of exploring. Hop in your vehicle and ride the trail!

Hockeyday at the Eastern States Exposition (8/3): lots of former players from the Kings, Indians, Whalers, Falcons, and T-birds, plus some VIP’s. Also awesome auction prizes & raffles, mascots, a team bus, speakers, tables of vintage hockey gear and amazing jerseys, and everyone gets a free Hockeyday program!

Brew At The Zoo in Springfield (8/3): a fundraiser at (& to benefit) The Zoo in Forest Park featuring unlimited craft beer samples from local breweries, a home brew competition, live music, food trucks, games and, of course, animal interactions. * 21+ 

Greenfield Triathlon (8/4): the longest running triathlon in New England! Situated in the heart of Franklin County, the course includes the picturesque back roads of Greenfield, the Historic Eunice Williams Covered Bridge, and swimming in the Green River. Proceeds benefit the Greenfield Recreation Department. 

Monument Mountain Hike in Great Barrington (8/4): celebrate the day in 1850 that Melville met Nathaniel Hawthorn on a hike up Monument Mountain by doing a guided similar hike and reading of local poet William Cullen Bryant’s Monument Mountain and share sparkling wine.

Annual Middlefield Fair (8/9-8/11): the old-time country fair, established in 1855, includes a petting zoo, children’s bike giveaways, home-style meals, a pancake breakfast on Sunday, plus music, horse pulls, oxen pulls, square dancing, antique engines and Kids Pie Eating Contest.

East Coast Gem, Mineral And Fossil Show at the Eastern States Exposition (8/9-8/11): the largest show of this kind east of the Mississippi, over 130 retail dealers (separate venue with 45 wholesale dealers). Discover minerals from Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Morocco, Madagascar and other distant lands.

Lego “Brick Convention” at MassMutual Center (8/10-8/11): see massive models, meet professional LEGO artists, build with thousands of LEGO bricks at the hands-on building zones, plus Shop Hard-to-Find LEGO sets, accessories, and more!

Tax Free Weekend at Holyoke Mall (8/10-8/11): Shop your favorites and save big during the State’s tax-free holiday weekend. 

44th annual Bridge of Flowers Classic Road Race in Shelburne Falls (8/10): since 1979, the race has been drawing hundreds of people each year to the scenic town for a 3k & 8k, all to benefit Dial/Self Youth & Community Services.

City Grass Open at Volleyball Hall Of Fame (8/10): a 2-day, fun filled, event for players of all ages and skill levels competing for amazing prizes in the largest grass volleyball tournament in Western Mass! Multiple divisions ensure you can find the skill level that best suits you, from recreational play for fun all the way up to open/pro.

Star Wars Day at Connecticut Science Center (8/10): get your lightsabers and get ready for a day of galactic fun including interactive LIVE science demonstrations, themed activities, and special guest appearances. Plus don’t forget to dress up as your favorite Star Wars character.

Celebrating Meat Loaf at MGM Springfield (8/10): experience Meat Loaf’s hit songs performed brilliantly by The Neverland Express plus American Idol winner, Caleb Johnson. This is the only show that was officially endorsed by Meat Loaf.

Annual Downtown Celebration in North Adams (8/14): an all-ages street fair with local restaurants and food vendors, bands playing everything from Dixieland to Rock and Roll, and more. (rain date 8/15)

Pups & Pints Party On The Plaza at the Connecticut Science Center (8/15): tails will be wagging at this bark-tastic event. Mingle with fellow dog enthusiasts and have a howling good time with ice-cold brews from local breweries, delectable treats, live music, and paws-itively awesome vendors. * 21+

National Roller Coaster Day at Six Flags New England (8/16): from record-breaking daredevil drops on Wicked Cyclone all the way down to a beginner buzz on the Great Chase – and everything and more in between – you’ll find what you need with 13 amazing and unique coasters, to honor this special day.

262nd Hardwick Community Fair (8/16-8/17): a traditional Colonial-style country fair with an agricultural theme there’s numerous agricultural and creative exhibits, demonstrations, food, live music and dance, children’s games, wagon rides, an antique tractor parade, and so much more!

96th Annual Westfield Fair (8/16-8/18): featuring agricultural and livestock exhibits, amusement rides, games, entertainment, an antique tractor pull, the annual Miss Westfield Pageant, dairy and beef shows, a craft barn and farm museum, kid’s pedal tractor pull, balloon sculpture, goat show,  petting zoo, and mud bog on Sunday.

106th Heath Agricultural Society Fair (8/16-8/18): pulls & draws: antique tractor, truck, lawn tractor, horse and oxen; agricultural tent; sheep, poultry, rabbit and cow shows, herd dog demo and sheep shearing demo, Midway with fair food and local arts and crafts, beer tent, and Horse Gymkhana event returns on Sunday!

Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonnée (8/17): Many have hailed D2R2 as the hardest, most beautiful, fun, traffic-free, unique, and overall best ride they’ve ever done. The courses use the narrowest, oldest, twistiest, quietest, and most-scenic roads available. A fundraiser for the Franklin Land Trust’s efforts to preserve land in the region.

6th Annual Springfield Thunderbirds Street Hockey Tournament in Westfield (8/17): teams consist of a minimum of four players, with games played at 3-on-3 plus one goalie. The fun happens at Amelia Park Ice Arena’s outdoor rink. Registration is open now. 

Jurassic Park In Concert at Tanglewood (8/17): if you’re a fan of the massive blockbuster don’t miss the visually stunning imagery and groundbreaking special effects, the action-packed adventure of prehistoric predators is taken to the next level when the iconic score is performed live to picture by The Boston Pops Orchestra.

Comedy Night at the Irish Cultural Center (8/22): “Jokes My Irish Father Told Me!” with comedian Dave Kane is a night filled with jokes, one liners and stories that celebrate the warmth and resilience of the Irish sense of humor. 

Annual Cummington Fair (8/22-8/25): food to munch on, music and entertainment for all, midway rides and games, square dancing, cruise night and antique cars, craft barn, and a hall showcasing adults and kids talents such as growing vegetables, making jam, flower arranging, painting. Knitting, and photography.

New England Green River Marathon (8/25): one of the most scenic races in New England, it runs along the Green River from Marlboro College in VT to Greenfield Community College in MA. Raising funds for the Connecticut River Conservancy’s efforts to preserve and clean-up the Green River. Spectators welcome.

12th Annual Motorama in North Adams (8/25): created to give all lovers of motorized vehicles from classic cars, tuner cars, fire trucks, race cars, snowmobiles, go karts, & more, a place to come together and show off their own goods. 

207th Three County Fair in Northampton (8/30-9/2): one of the longest consecutive running agricultural fairs in the country – it features livestock and agricultural contests & exhibits, top musical entertainment, farm museum, delicious food vendors, demolition derbies, exciting midway with rides & games for all ages!

Annual Blandford Fair (8/30-9/2): midway rides, giant pumpkin display, barnyard petting zoo, 4 wheel drive truck pulls, dairy cattle show, corn husking contest, scare crow contest, hay bale toss, family tug of war, pony rides, nail driving contest, car show, demolition derby and more.

GET A CLUE at The Mark Twain House & Museum (8/31): Who killed that varmint Pap Finn? Was it Tom Sawyer in the Library with the Wrench? The Prince (or the Pauper) in the Bedroom? We need YOU to solve this mystery! Inspired by the classic murder-mystery board game, this funny evening is perfect for kids ages 10 to 110.