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.
MGM Springfield
The best of Las Vegas has come to the heart of New England. A state of the art casino, resort, and entertainment destination. MGM Springfield:
- Accommodations— A five-story boutique hotel has 252 rooms including 16 suites. Hotel rooms were designed to feature Springfield’s history, including historical building facades framing the windows and reflecting surrounding architecture, reclaimed wood tables made from trees on the former Bliss Street in the Garden and Spa Suites, and a customer chandelier made of vintage hats, inspired by Dr. Seuss in the Presidential Suite.
- The Casino– The 125,000 square foot gaming floor has approximately 2,550 slot machines, 120 gaming tables, a poker room and a high-limit VIP gaming area.
- Entertainment and Recreation– Multiple shows at the MassMutual Center across from the casino, and other downtown venues such as Symphony Hall and CityStage. Other venues at the casino include: Topgolf Swing Suite, a high-tech immersive golf simulation and lounge; a seven-screen, Regal luxury movie theater inside on the grounds (650 seats), a 10-lane bowling center; a spa; and an 8,000 square foot pool within a terraced rooftop garden.
- Open-air plaza— the outdoor plaza and public space has created with the historic, restored State Armory building at its center. The marketplace features live events, local artisans, farmer’s markets, and seasonal programming including an outdoor ice rink.
- Meetings and events— In addition to the MassMutual Center, MGM has approximately 42,500 square feet of space for business and social meetings and events.
- 3,400 space Parking Garage— free to patrons and the public.
- Buses— King Ward Coach Lines of Chicopee is the official motor coach provider in Western Massachusetts (including Franklin and Berkshire Counties), central Massachusetts (Worcester), southern Vermont, and Hartford and Middlesex Counties in Connecticut. King Ward service runs Monday through Friday. For a schedule of stops and rates visit kingward.com. More information is available from King Ward Coach Lines 413-593-3939.
- The Loop –MGM and PVTA offer bus service linking the casino, Springfield Union Station attractions like the Springfield Museums, the Springfield Armory National Historic Site and hotels. The Loop will run Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., completing a full circuit in 60 minutes during the day and in 40 minutes at night when the route is truncated because some attractions are closed.
Dining
Cal Mare
Award-winning chefs Adam Sobel and Michael Mina have partnered to bring their culinary vision to Massachusetts. Pairing fresh New England seafood with flavors of Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Cal Mare’s menu focuses on premium ingredients and simple preparations, ranging from rustic handmade pastas and brick-oven pizzas to whole grilled fish and more.
The Chandler Steakhouse
Helmed by “Hell’s Kitchen” season 14 winner Meghan Gill, The Chandler Steakhouse invites guests to savor the finest steak and seafood in this sophisticated steakhouse. Guests can watch their food be prepared on an open mesquite charcoal broiler through a glass-walled kitchen serving signature dishes such as northwest salmon, whole steamed lobster or a tomahawk ribeye.
South End Market
Adding a gourmet twist to the classic food hall, the bustling South End Market features a variety of quick-casual dining spots that deliver big on quality and convenience.
- Wicked Noodles
- Jack’s Lobster Shack
- Bill’s Diner
- Hearth Grill
- Wine & Cheese
- Gelato & Expresso Counter
- TAP Sports Bar
Lounges/Nightlife
- Commonwealth Bar and Lounge
- Lobby Bar
- The Knox Bar
Retail
The Spa at MGM Springfield
The Spa at MGM Springfield offers seven treatment rooms including one couples room as well as men’s and women’s locker rooms equipped with steam rooms and relaxation areas.
The Salon at MGM Springfield
The full-service salon offers haircuts, blowouts, updos, manicures and pedicures using products from global haircare line Goldwell. The Salon also is equipped with a barber chair dedicated to Springfield Mayor Sarno’s father Alfonso who was a lifelong barber.
Topgolf® Swing Suite
The first of its kind in the region available to the general public, MGM Springfield’s Topgolf ® Swing Suite features three high-tech golf simulators offering a selection of interactive games, including zombie dodgeball, baseball pitching and a virtual version of the popular Topgolf experience.
Kringle Candle Emporium
This unique boutique is housed in the former French Congregational Church on The Plaza and offers the signature all-white, ultra-fragrant, pure-burning candles for which the Kringle brand is known as well as gifts, keepsakes and a gourmet cafe.
Hannoush Jewelers
Guests can expect to find pieces from sought-after designers such as Tacori, Breitling, Alex and Ani, Pandora and more.
Essentials
Carrying everyday needs including resort logo and fashion apparel for men and women, logo souvenirs, sundries, snacks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
MILITARY & VETERANS PROGRAM
Active, retired military and their spouses receive special discounts on rooms, restaurants, shows and parking. LEARN MORE MILITARY & VETERANS PROGRAM
Directions:
- From Hartford and points south; Take I-91 North to Exit 6.
- From Boston/Worcester and points east: Take Mass Pike (I-90 West) to I-291 West to I-91 South to Exit 6.
- From the Berkshires/Albany, New York (and points west), take Mass. Pike east to I-291 West to I-91 South to Exit 6.
- From Vermont (and points north), take I-91 South to Exit 6.
May 2021
MGM Springfield, The Commodores
The famous Motown group will perform their most famous ballads including hits like “Three Times a Lady” and “Too Hot ta Trot.” The band will perform in front of fans inside the ARIA Ballroom at the MGM Springfield on May 21 at 8 p.m. The Commodores’ Walter “Clyde” Orange, James Dean “JD” Nicholas and William “WAK” King influenced artists with their music across genres. Up until 1982, Lionel Richie performed in the band before going on to launch his solo…
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