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.
Events Search and Views Navigation
July 2020
Amelia Park Arena, Outdoors Open
Outdoor Floor Hockey is open for Private rentals or individuals. The Outdoor Rink is 65' x 170' and covered with a tile decking ideal for Inline/Roller hockey and DEK/Ball hockey. It has full glass around the boards with a new scoreboard and new LED lighting for evening play. We have made some long overdue upgrades and improvements to our outdoor rink including painting the trim around the rink, re-welded & painted the nets, relaid the tiling, and more!! DEK Rink…
Find out more »The Zoo in Forest Park, Summer!
Whether you are looking for child care for your young one or your teen has an interest in a career with animals, The Zoo offers options for almost all ages. Zoo Camp | Ages 6-13 Zoo Camp runs weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an option for before-care at 8 a.m. Campers have the opportunity to take part in limited animal care, animal enrichment activities, diet prep demonstrations, arts & crafts, scavenger hunts and much more! Click here to…
Find out more »Brunelle’s Marina, Lady Bea Cruise
The Lady Bea is now booking for family Private Event Charters starting July 1st. Celebrate your special occasion in style! Birthdays, weddings, bachelor and bachelorette parties, retirement celebrations, baby and bridal showers, and corporate events are always a great time out on the Lady Bea! We help you plan and organize the event and decorate for the occasion to make your event as stress-free as possible. Our charter menu has a variety of options and your event coordinator will be…
Find out more »Norman Rockwell Museum, OPEN!
We’re excited to welcome you back starting on Sunday, July 12, with a new slate of exhibitions and online programming designed to inspire and uplift our recovering community. Norman Rockwell’s illustrations are known for their approachable and relatable qualities, which portray American life through heartfelt intimate moments as well as the challenges that still affect society today. Thematically curated exhibitions of original Rockwell art will be joined by two new timely exhibitions, Liza Donnelly: Comic Relief,and Rose O’Neill: Artist and…
Find out more »Springfield Museums, Exhibits
The Springfield Museums is reopen to visitors with the first two hours, 10 am to noon, set aside for Seniors only (60 and older) and general public from noon to 5 pm. “We are overjoyed to welcome visitors back to the Museums,” said Kay Simpson, President and CEO of the Springfield Museums. “We have carefully prepared our Museums for reopening with visitor and staff health and well-being as our priority. We want to provide an experience that is both reassuringly…
Find out more »Old Sturbridge Village, Workshops for Kids!
Workshops for Kids! Join Old Sturbridge Village for an in-depth exploration of the 1830s from the comfort of your own home! This summer, the museum will offer fun, virtual learning opportunities for kids ages 6 to 12. Sessions will be taught by experienced museum educators and knowledgeable historians, live on Zoom. In addition to live videos, participants will consult a library of demo videos and virtual tours, available through Google Classroom. Register by July 10 at midnight! Sessions will be…
Find out more »MGM Springfield, OPEN!
We're excited to share that MGM Springfield will reopen its doors on Monday, July 13 at 10 a.m. EST. We can't wait to welcome you back, safely. MGM Springfield is excited to be opening with enhanced protocols for guest and employee heath and a safety through our Seven-Point Safety Plan. Additionally, we have enhanced the guest experience with technological enhancements. While we are eager to welcome you back, please be aware that occupancy restrictions will be in place to maintain a safe…
Find out more »Nadim’s Mediterranean Grill, 20 Years!!
Nadim's Downtown has officially been in business for 20 years! In celebration of this momentous occasion, we are offering a free dessert to all guests who order takeout or dine-in at our patio from July 13th- July 19th!
Find out more »Virtual Graduate Open House at Baypath University
Choosing a graduate program is a big decision, but if you are ready to take the next step in your career, let Bay Path University help. Join us the week of July 13th to learn more about Bay Path's graduate degree programs in Education. We will be hosting multiple online Education Info Sessions! Each session will offer program overviews and ample time for interacting with our faculty Program Directors and Admissions Counselors. Our team is ready to answer your questions. Early Childhood…
Find out more »Norman Rockwell Museum, Exhibits
Liza Donnelly: Comic Relief "Don’t let the show’s name fool you: Charged with political awareness from feminism to Black Lives Matter, Donnelly’s career is a master class in using humor to heighten and amplify a dead-serious point of view." –The Boston Globe Laugh at a fresh perspective of modern life and explore the evolution of cartoonist, children's book illustrator, and visual journalist Liza Donnelly. Featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, Forbes, and Medium, among others, Donnelly’s humorous…
Find out more »Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Homegrown
In this week's edition of Homegrown, Lori Everson, second violinist with the SSO, and her family perform a lovely version of the hymn Holy, Holy, Holy! (tune: Nicaea by John Bacchus Dykes), arranged by Lori's husband Terry Everson. Terry joins Lori on piano and piccolo trumpet in this performance, and their son Peter completes the family trio on trumpet. The SSO homegrown series will bring something new for you to enjoy each week. You will hear from maestro Rhodes, SSO musicians,…
Find out more »Brimfield Antique Flea Market, Brim it on!
The outdoor Brimfield show is cancelled this July so we’re bringing Brim it on to you. This July, @thebrimfieldshow is taking the best antique show and flea market in America to Instagram, filling your feed with fresh antique and vintage finds during Brimfield Week. @thebrimfieldshow is a week-long online antique and vintage flea market on Instagram. We host FIVE live and fast-paced antique and vintage shows over virtual Brimfield Week, each with a different flavor: flea market finds, high-end design,…
Find out more »Virtual Graduate Open House at Baypath University
Choosing a graduate program is a big decision, but if you are ready to take the next step in your career, let Bay Path University help. Join us the week of July 13th to learn more about Bay Path's graduate degree programs in Education. We will be hosting multiple online Education Info Sessions! Each session will offer program overviews and ample time for interacting with our faculty Program Directors and Admissions Counselors. Our team is ready to answer your questions. Early Childhood…
Find out more »The New England Air Museum, “Open Air” Museum
The New England "Open Air" Museum - designed for maximum fun and safety. While the museum's indoor spaces will be open, the wide open hangar doors will make everyone feel as though they are still outdoors in the fresh air. The outdoor space will remain open with 10 aircraft, and visitors can see another 50 aircraft indoors, plus dozens of engines and exhibits on various aspects of aviation history. Featured Activities Outdoor Games Tent When: Daily from 10:30 a.m. to…
Find out more »The Longmeadow Shops, Farmers Market
Stroll “The Shops” and the Farmers Market every Thursday from 12 PM-6 PM. Every week you will find a great assortment of locally grown fruits and veggies, baked goods, honey, milk, cheeses, flowers, and more! Vendors include Berry Knoll Farm, Valley View Acres, Sweet Pea Cheese, and Blossoming Acres. *Please respect social distancing guidelines, practice good hygiene, stay home if you are sick, and follow government recommendations regarding masks, etc. Thursdays – October 29th, 12 p.m.- 6 p.m.
Find out more »Uno Pizzeria & Grill, Courtyard Concerts
Here’s our music line-up for Summer Courtyard! Live music every night on the patio. We’re so happy to welcome everyone back! The music runs 6-10 p.m. each night, weather permitting. There is no admission charge for the series, which is held on the outdoor courtyard patio. Mondays feature Tom Ingram acoustic, as the veteran area musician plays a wide array of genres. Tuesdays see longtime favorites Eagle Eyes churning out a steady diet of contemporary hits under the stars. Wednesdays,…
Find out more »Yiddish Book Center, Talk
Jews in Hollywood, with Kenneth Turan Kenneth Turan is a retired film critic for the "Los Angeles Times" and National Public Radio's "Morning Edition," a former staff writer for the "Washington Post," and director of the "Los Angeles Times" Book Prizes. In this program, he will touch on aspects of some of the great movies that speak to the Jewish-American experience. This live event will be presented via Zoom and will stream live on the Yiddish Book Center's Facebook page.…
Find out more »The New England Air Museum, “Open Air” Museum
The New England "Open Air" Museum - designed for maximum fun and safety. While the museum's indoor spaces will be open, the wide open hangar doors will make everyone feel as though they are still outdoors in the fresh air. The outdoor space will remain open with 10 aircraft, and visitors can see another 50 aircraft indoors, plus dozens of engines and exhibits on various aspects of aviation history. Featured Activities Outdoor Games Tent When: Daily from 10:30 a.m. to…
Find out more »Connecticut Trolley Museum, Storytime
Stories come alive for children when they are read to aloud aboard our vintage operating trolleys. Every Thursday and Friday throughout the summer hop aboard the Storytime Trolley, featuring stories about the adventures of trolleys and trains. The reading will be inside one of our historic trolleys and a trolley ride will follow. Every story is different and all ages are welcome! Storytime is included with admission. Make sure to arrive early to get your tickets as the Storytime Trolley…
Find out more »Storrowton Village, Family Fun
Do some Family Fun Activities at Storrowton Village on Fridays and Saturdays. Each week will have different themes. Activity time slots must be picked in advance and have limited capacity due to social distancing guidelines. All museum tour and activity tickets must be purchased by 4PM the day prior to your visit date. 7/17 + 18 - Little House Trades 7/24 + 25 - Little House Homesteading 7/31 + 8/1 - Archaeology 8/7 + 8/8 - Nature & Art 8/14…
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