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 Thunderbirds
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.
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
April 2021
The Zoo in Forest Park, Open for the Season
The Zoo in Forest Park’s spring operating schedule begins Saturday, April 10. Visit your favorite animals seven days a week (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All guests, including members, need a timed-ticket to enter. Click here to reserve tickets for April. Grain cones are back! Our barnyard friends demanded we bring back grain cones for the 2021 season and we had no choice but to listen. Grain cones can be purchased for $2/cone at the ticket booth.…
Find out more »Storrowton Village, Tours
Learn about the history of New England and Storrowton Village on a visit to our museum! Take a guided tour on Tuesdays to Fridays at 11am. Museum Tours last approximately 90 minutes. Looking for a different time or day? Contact us at 413.205.5051 or [email protected] and we'll do our best to accommodate your family or group. Tickets $8. Child Under 6 Free! Tour time slots must be picked in advance and have limited capacity due to social distancing guidelines. All museum…
Find out more »Storrowton Village, STEAM Tours
STEAM tours provide an opportunity to share our history through the lens of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The mid-19th century was rich with change, innovation, and the start of industrialization. This tour seeks to bridge between the early days of American industrialization and the fast-paced, tech-heavy world we are in today. This tour is geared for ages 7-12 but all ages are welcome to learn. Visitors will receive activity packs at the start of their tour and museum…
Find out more »Northfield Mountain, Talk
Songbird Migration A Virtual Program with Jessica Tatten Join Jessica Tatten on Tuesday, April 13th from 5:30 until 6:30 p.m. for an update on her recent research exploring songbird migration in the Connecticut River Valley. The Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge provides an important place for migratory birds to rest and refuel on their way north to their breeding grounds. Jessica's research explores where these songbirds stop, what types of habitat they use, what influences their decisions,…
Find out more »MassWildlife, Online
April 13: Turkey Calling Basics Online Seminar – Join MassWildlife's Learn to Hunt Program and calling experts from the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) for an online class all about turkey calling! The class will be held on Zoom from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. You will learn about the different types of turkey calls and when to use them. NWTF calling experts will demonstrate different calls and calling techniques. The seminar is free, but space is limited and…
Find out more »Yiddish Book Center, Lecture
GREAT JEWISH BOOKS LECTURE | Magical Thinking: Isaac Bashevis Singer’s novel, "The Magician of Lublin" with Anita Norich "The Magician of Lublin" is the story of a performer who, like Houdini, is adept at getting himself out of seemingly impossible situations including affairs with several women, poverty, criminality, and more. I.B. Singer wrote in Yiddish under the name Yitzhak Bashevis (and other pen names), an adaptation of his mother’s name taken in order to distinguish himself from his brother, I.J.…
Find out more »Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Online Program
Book Share with Yuyi Morales and Warren Binford In Hear My Voice/Escucha mi voz, the largely untold stories of individual children detained at the US-Mexico border are told in their own words in both English and Spanish. Compiled by international children’s advocate Warren Binford for Project Amplify, this moving picture book for older children and families compassionately introduces this difficult topic while providing an urgent call to action and simple steps to help. Join Pura Belpré Medal and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Yuyi…
Find out more »Zoar Outdoor, Zipline Canopy Tours
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 breathtakingly scenic landscape high above the Deerfield River Valley in the northern Berkshires. Our friendly professional guides help you navigate your aerial trek through the…
Find out more »Zoar Outdoor, Gap Rafting
Take your family, office, church, or scout group rafting on the Deerfield River's most popular rafting section, Zoar Gap. With a minimum age of 7, these Class II whitewater rapids with one Class III rapid are ideal for beginner rafters. Our full day ten-mile white water rafting trip on Zoar Gap begins at Fife Brook Dam in Florida, Massachusetts. Rapids such as Microwave, Freight Train, and Pinball allow crews to hone their skills in preparation for the exciting class III…
Find out more »The Zoo in Forest Park, Open for the Season
The Zoo in Forest Park’s spring operating schedule begins Saturday, April 10. Visit your favorite animals seven days a week (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All guests, including members, need a timed-ticket to enter. Click here to reserve tickets for April. Grain cones are back! Our barnyard friends demanded we bring back grain cones for the 2021 season and we had no choice but to listen. Grain cones can be purchased for $2/cone at the ticket booth.…
Find out more »Storrowton Village, Tours
Learn about the history of New England and Storrowton Village on a visit to our museum! Take a guided tour on Tuesdays to Fridays at 11am. Museum Tours last approximately 90 minutes. Looking for a different time or day? Contact us at 413.205.5051 or [email protected] and we'll do our best to accommodate your family or group. Tickets $8. Child Under 6 Free! Tour time slots must be picked in advance and have limited capacity due to social distancing guidelines. All museum…
Find out more »Smith College Museum of Art, Talk
Spend your lunch break with SCMA students to hear what they have been working on during these unprecedented times. SCMA student workers Charlie Diaz ‘22 and Ariella Heise ‘22 will be discussing what projects they have been working on with Martha Ebner, Acting Associate Director of Marketing and Communications. Online Register here
Find out more »Springfield Technical Community College, Diversity Series
Jasmine M. Cho is a Pittsburgh-based artist, author, and cookie activist most known for using portrait cookies to elevate representation for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders. She is also a Food Network Champion (“Christmas Cookie Challenge” Season 3, Episode 8) and the Founder of Yummyholic. Her cookie activism has been featured internationally on various media outlets that include NPR, HuffPost, CBS This Morning, and The Korea Daily. In 2019, Jasmine gave a TEDx talk on her work that immediately went…
Find out more »Storrowton Village, STEAM Tours
STEAM tours provide an opportunity to share our history through the lens of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The mid-19th century was rich with change, innovation, and the start of industrialization. This tour seeks to bridge between the early days of American industrialization and the fast-paced, tech-heavy world we are in today. This tour is geared for ages 7-12 but all ages are welcome to learn. Visitors will receive activity packs at the start of their tour and museum…
Find out more »The Eric Carle Museum, Exhibits
We miss you! Come check out our three 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. Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement through Children's Books This exhibition is the first of its kind to delve into the events, people, and themes of the civil rights movement as told through picture books. More than 80 artworks…
Find out more »Zoar Outdoor, Gap Rafting
Take your family, office, church, or scout group rafting on the Deerfield River's most popular rafting section, Zoar Gap. With a minimum age of 7, these Class II whitewater rapids with one Class III rapid are ideal for beginner rafters. Our full day ten-mile white water rafting trip on Zoar Gap begins at Fife Brook Dam in Florida, Massachusetts. Rapids such as Microwave, Freight Train, and Pinball allow crews to hone their skills in preparation for the exciting class III…
Find out more »The Zoo in Forest Park, Open for the Season
The Zoo in Forest Park’s spring operating schedule begins Saturday, April 10. Visit your favorite animals seven days a week (weather permitting) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All guests, including members, need a timed-ticket to enter. Click here to reserve tickets for April. Grain cones are back! Our barnyard friends demanded we bring back grain cones for the 2021 season and we had no choice but to listen. Grain cones can be purchased for $2/cone at the ticket booth.…
Find out more »Storrowton Village, Tours
Learn about the history of New England and Storrowton Village on a visit to our museum! Take a guided tour on Tuesdays to Fridays at 11am. Museum Tours last approximately 90 minutes. Looking for a different time or day? Contact us at 413.205.5051 or [email protected] and we'll do our best to accommodate your family or group. Tickets $8. Child Under 6 Free! Tour time slots must be picked in advance and have limited capacity due to social distancing guidelines. All museum…
Find out more »Springfield Museums, à la Carte Lectures
The popular lecture series explores art, history, and science. Sometimes it features a dramatic production or a musical presentation. All lectures will take place via the video conferencing app ZOOM. The Museums ask all to register in advance at springfieldmuseums.org. The cost is $2 Members, $4 nonmembers. Remote Easter Island and its Intriguing Giant Statues April 15 @ 12:15 pm– 1:00 pm Museums a la Carte Lecture on Zoom Presentations will take place via the video conferencing app ZOOM. Please…
Find out more »Storrowton Village, STEAM Tours
STEAM tours provide an opportunity to share our history through the lens of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The mid-19th century was rich with change, innovation, and the start of industrialization. This tour seeks to bridge between the early days of American industrialization and the fast-paced, tech-heavy world we are in today. This tour is geared for ages 7-12 but all ages are welcome to learn. Visitors will receive activity packs at the start of their tour and museum…
Find out more »