Upcoming Events In Western Mass
We strive to post the most current and accurate event information but changes and cancellations do occur so please check the official event website to confirm all details.
When you think back to some of your favorite childhood moments, very few of them probably happened when you were sitting at home watching TV. Instead, your most poignant memories probably revolve around that time you ended up with the home run ball at a baseball game, and the crowd cheered and you felt like a rock star, or at least like Babe Ruth.
Or maybe it was that time your family attended The Big E together and your dad bought you cotton candy and let you get all sticky-faced, and you watched your mom beat the midway games, and you felt like your heart was going to overflow with contentment and happiness.
In Western Massachusetts, events bring us together to celebrate our successes and recollect on our heritage. We’ve put together a list of some of the top yearly events in Massachusetts, things we and our local friends love doing to feel connected to our area and our community.
Top Yearly Western Massachusetts Events
Because of the beautiful area where we live, there are distinct Western Massachusetts-specific events that take place in each and every season. From leaf peeping in the fall to river rafting in the spring to skiing in the winter, you can find a wide range of things to do throughout the year, and some of our local events reflect the joyous beauty of our seasons.
Top Western Massachusetts Events for Spring
Springfield Annual Pancake Breakfast
Does anything scream “neighborly get-together more than a pancake breakfast? If your mouth is already watering over the thought of fluffy, buttery, syrupy goodness, you’re not going to want to miss the Springfield Annual Pancake Breakfast, typically hosted in May in downtown Springfield.
Bring your appetite, because it’s billed as the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast, and be ready to feast on both good food and friendly conversation.
Paradise City Arts Festival (Northampton)
This Paradise City Arts Festival is ranked among the best in the country, and includes exhibits from more than 250 artists in all mediums. Artists flock to Western Massachusetts from around the country to be part of this visually dazzling display.
Come out to enjoy the weather that’s not quite summer, not quite spring, and stay to buy way too much from the vast selection of contemporary art pieces on display.
Brimfield Outdoor Antique Show
With spring in the air, you’ll want to get out and enjoy the largest outdoor antique and collectible show in the country. The Brimfield Outdoor Antique Show features over 5000 dealers throughout the quaint country town of Brimfield. And once is never enough – they do this in July and September, too!
Top Western Massachusetts Events for Summer
Baseball Season Opening Night
Baseball is the quintessential American pastime, and there’s really nothing that can top the nostalgia of being present on opening night.
The Westfield Starfires and Valley Blue Sox will kick off their seasons right at the start of the summer, and both promise to bring plenty of excitement to the community. Be sure you arrive ahead of gametime to root, root, root for the home team.
Yankee Candle Christmas in July
We love the unforgettable scents of the holiday season. Fir and balsam, spicy gingerbread, warm apple cider – the list could go on and on.
So naturally, Christmas in July is a must. At the flagship Yankee Candle Village, you can enjoy the holiday season, snap selfies with Santa (who might have traded in his traditional red velvet for a more relaxed Hawaiian shirt vibe) and enjoy crafting with Mrs. Claus.
It’s just what you need to get a little dose of holiday spirit and deal with the fact that you probably won’t be decorating your tree for at least a couple more months.
Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement
Meet Basketball’s best in the birthplace of the sport! Each summer, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame enshrines the best in the sport in Springfield. Rub elbows with the greatest to play the game and save time for a tour of the Hoop Hall.
Top Western Massachusetts Events for Fall
The Big E
Would this even be a reliable listing of Western Massachusetts events if The Big E weren’t included? The community gathering, more formally known as the Eastern States Exposition, is the biggest and best county fair you could imagine.
Every fall, The Big E brings together amazing food, parades, musical entertainment, agricultural exhibitions, car shows and more. There’s so much to see, do and taste – you’ll need more than one day to fully enjoy all The Big E has to offer.
Six Flags New England’s Fright Fest
Each autumn, Six Flags New England transforms into a fright-filled funzone for teens and adults. You’ll find scary shows, walk-through attractions and thrill rides that make the most of the season.
Top Western Massachusetts Events for Winter
Springfield, Parade of the Big Balloons
Can’t quite make it to New York City for the Thanksgiving parade? We’ve got you covered, with the Parade of the Big Balloons in downtown Springfield.
Enjoy bands, community gatherings and balloons that represent the best Western Mass has to offer – our favorite is definitely the 75-foot Cat in the Hat balloon.
Bright Nights at Forest Park
Holiday memories are made at Bright Nights at Forest Park. It’s just not the holiday season until you’ve driven through this holiday lighting extravaganza! Look for Santa’s Magical Forest, Dinosaur World and Seuss Land – it’ll become an annual tradition after the first mile.
Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Run, walk or float over to the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This celebration of Irish heritage brings more than 400,000 guests to the community for a parade, music, food and fun.
It also includes traditional performances by the Holyoke Caledonian Pipe Band and the Road Race, Western New England’s largest race (featuring a 10k, a 2 mile walk and a Kids Fun Run).
Community events help us to celebrate what we have in common – a love of the arts, of sport, of nature. The human connection these events create is so important to both mental and physical well-being.
If you’d like to learn more about these community events and dozens of others coming up in Western Mass, or about the top yearly events in Massachusetts, check out our Events listings and customize a schedule just for you. Or, contact us, and let our team of knowledgeable locals help you prepare for a fun and unforgettable Western Mass adventure.
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Old Sturbridge Village, Home School Day
September 11 @ 9:30 am - 4:00 pm EDT
Home School Day will look a little different from past Home School Days. While we are not able to offer in-person workshops at this time, we encourage you to visit the Village and try out some fun, outdoor activities on your own. For those who are unable to join us at the Village (or, if you want to get the best of both worlds), try out an interactive virtual workshop taught by the museum’s talented educators. In addition, we’ll have craft kits available for pre-purchase you can pick up during your visit so you can try out some of our favorite Village crafts at home.
Activities to do in the Village (including with Village admission or membership):
- Letterboxing
- Try out a new, no-touch letterboxing adventure around the Village! Pick up a list of clues at the Visitors Center and put on your problem-solving cap. Intrepid puzzle solvers who either take a photo of each mystery spot or records the correct answers can win a prize!
- Sketching in the Village
- Pick up some sketch paper and a pencil at the Visitors Center and sketch one of the Village’s buildings. Share your sketches with us via social media using the hashtag #OldSturbridgeVillage.
- Journaling and Storytelling Prompts
- The Village is an inspirational place! We’ll have storytelling and journaling prompts available to help your creativity flow. Make sure to share your writings with us!
- Crafts
- Pick up a journal, trinket box, or thaumotrope with a lesson plan that you can work on at home, free of charge. Other craft kits will be available for pre-purchase. See below for more information.
Craft Kits
If you would like to try one of our favorite crafts at home, purchase a craft kit to pick up while you visit on Home School Day! Each craft will include a comprehensive lesson plan and all the supplies you need to create a fun, handcrafted item. Please note: these kits must be pre-purchased prior to your visit. Supplies are limited. You can pick your kit up at the Visitor Center when you arrive on Home School Day.
Wooden Sailboat Kit | $8 | Purchase kit here.
Kit contains: wooden boat pieces, dowel, tack, string, wood glue, and cardstock sail
Make your Own Marbles | $5 | Purchase kit here.
Kit contains: large ball of air-dry clay, booklet of marble games, paper bag to decorate for marbles, glue stick
Cardboard Loom | $8 | Purchase kit here.
Kit contains: cardboard loom with warp, small ball of yarn, shuttle
Things to Know for your In-Person Visit:
- Cost is $10 per child 3 and over for full-day admission to Old Sturbridge Village. One adult per child is admitted at the rate of $15. Additional adults pay the full price rate. All guests are required to purchase/reserve tickets in accordance with Massachusetts Reopening Guidelines. Click your preferred time slot to reserve your tickets.
- Read more about the Village’s COVID-19 ticketing policies and safety precautions here.
- Visitors during the September 11 Home School Day will not be able to enter through the Museum Education entrance. Only the Visitors Center entrance and parking lot will be open at this time.
- The Museum Education building will be closed to the public.
We want to thank you for your support. Old Sturbridge Village relies on donations big and small to deliver the best experiences and programming to our community both in-person and online, as well as to preserve our historic buildings and collections. We hope you will consider a donation today. Give online here.
