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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Springfield Thunderbirds are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League affiliated with the National Hockey League’s St. Louis Blues. Based in Springfield, Massachusetts, the Thunderbirds play their home games at the MassMutual Center.
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.
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.
SPACE IS LIMITED and most days have already FULL - BOOK NOW!! With three different zip line canopy tours featuring some of North America’s longest zip lines, Berkshire East Canopy Tours is New England’s largest zip line destination. Whether you are getting a taste of zipping on our Base Area Tour or seeking an adrenaline […]
Ai Weiwei: Tradition and Dissent July 17, 2021–January 2, 2022 D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts Ai Weiwei: Tradition and Dissent features selections from three decades of work created by internationally renowned artist and social activist Ai Weiwei (Chinese, born 1957). One of today’s most versatile creative minds and a vocal critic of the Chinese government, Ai creates work […]
Disconnect from the day-to-day and reconnect to each other on our unique 3-hour Zip Line Canopy Tour. 11 zip lines, 2 sky bridges and 3 rappels. We offer a one-of-a-kind zipline experience at Zoar Outdoor. Our three-hour canopy tour consists of 11 zip lines, 2 sky bridges and 3 rappels that whisk you through a […]
From October 3 through October 26, Wistariahurst will host Melange d’Art, a photo-art exhibit by Emikan Sudan in the Wistariahurst Gallery. This exhibit presents a photographic collection that portrays various experiences during different periods of the artist’s life be they capturing a performer’s expressions on stage, social justice expressions that reflect a moral imperative or […]
How about some festive cakes for the spooky season. Store Hours Monday - Sunday 7am to 8pm
Enter our Virtual Halloween Costume Contest 10/15 – 10/31! Show us your cutest or most original costumes for a chance to win a $50 Gift Card to your favorite Holyoke Mall Store!! How To Enter: Follow @HolyokeMall on Instagram “Like” Holyoke Mall’s Virtual Costume Contest Post Post a photo of your cutest or most original […]
FINAL WEEKS!! Explore the magical grounds and discover original sculptures by regional contemporary artists inspired by the special exhibition Enchanted: A History of Fantasy Illustration. Enter the realm in costume or as yourself! Journey from the Middle Ages through ancient mythology, fairy tales, and heroes and villains to contemporary artwork from Game of Thrones and The Lord […]
The Springfield Museums present a new, free online astronomy experience: AstroQuest Online, from 7-8:15 pm, via ZOOM. As the universe expands, be sure that your knowledge and appreciation of all things astronomical expands along with it! This monthly virtual series features a Q&A segment on a topic in astronomy as well as a tour of […]
The 46th Anniversary of the New England Equitation Championships. Championship horse show showcasing the best Junior and Adult riders from all over New England. New England Equitation Championships offers FIVE days of top level finals competition for qualifying Junior and Adult riders every October at Eastern States Coliseum in West Springfield, Massachusetts. HOURS: 8am-5pm ADMISSION: Free LOCATION: Coliseum
Enjoy an evening paddle along the Connecticut River bathed in the light of the stars and the full moon as we make our way from Sunderland to the Hatfield Boat Ramp. This 6 - mile excursion is already quite gorgeous, but paddling under the stars at night makes this experience even more special. There's nothing […]
Join us for an exciting evening under the stars as we climb to the top of Norwottuck Mountain on the Mount Holyoke Range in Amherst to soak up the rays of the full moon. We'll start our hike at the new Kestrel Land Trust headquarters located at the foot of the beautiful Mount Holyoke Range, […]
Don’t fear…Halloween is here! Grab your tickets for this season’s most haunting outdoor experience, Phantoms & Fire at Old Sturbridge Village. Explore the museum after hours where you will find spooky delights from bats and bonfires to cauldrons and candy, from ghosts and guitars to horror and…maybe even…a headless horseman! Take your entire family, as […]
Join Fleet Feet Longmeadow on Wednesday for a pub run with Max Burger! Runners will meet in front of Fleet Feet at 6:30 P.M., go out for a 3 or 5 mile easy run/walk, then enjoy food and drinks for 10% off at Max Burger Longmeadow! Registration is free! To sign up, head to fleetfeetlongmeadow.captyn.com
Come check out our new exhibitions, enjoy storytime at The Carle or online, or create something in the Art Studio. Now open Thursday through Sunday! Book your visit ahead online and learn more here. Color | Joy | Eric Carle September 10, 2021 - March 6, 2022 West Gallery Celebrate the gifts of art and story […]
DON’T MISS MGM SPRINGFIELD’S ONE POINT TWO MILLION DOLLAR WIN FALL WEEKENDS! NOW THROUGH NOVEMBER 27TH, MORE THAN ELEVEN HUNDRED PLAYERS WILL WIN A SHARE OF ONE POINT TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN CASH, FREEPLAY AND NINE BRAND-NEW CARS! Drawings take place on Thursday’s and Saturday’s from 4pm-10pm with the Grand Prize drawings each Saturday night […]
The 46th Anniversary of the New England Equitation Championships. Championship horse show showcasing the best Junior and Adult riders from all over New England. New England Equitation Championships offers FIVE days of top level finals competition for qualifying Junior and Adult riders every October at Eastern States Coliseum in West Springfield, Massachusetts. HOURS: 8am-5pm ADMISSION: Free LOCATION: Coliseum
Spend some time holding and interacting with reptiles where turtles, frogs, or lizards are just a short car ride away. As if the butterflies weren’t enough, we have plenty of other critters here at Magic Wings! Among our various bugs and lizards that can be observed - and even held - we have some small […]
The Farmers Market at The Longmeadow Shops is returning for another season! Stroll the shops and the Farmers Market every Thursday, through October 28th from 12-6 P.M. Expect to find local produce, flowers, bakery items, milk, honey, butter, cheeses, and more. The Farmers Market accepts cash or card payment, minimum purchase required when using a […]
Our lunchtime series returns. Join us in-person or online! Our popular lecture series returns! In person tickets available at the Welcome Center on the day of the lecture; virtual registration (recommended in advance) at SpringfieldMuseums.org. If you plan to attend in person at the Museums, tickets are available on the day of the lecture in […]
The Western New England University (WNE) School of Law will host a talk by Judge Nancy Gertner titled “Incomplete Sentences: Judging in the Era of Mass Incarceration” on Thursday, Oct. 21 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. as part of the fall 2021 Clason Speaker Series. This free event will take place in the Law School […]
