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Header Photos

 

Clockwise from top left: Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College, Amherst; JFK Hyannis Museum on Cape Cod, credit Paul Scharff; Magic Wings Butterfly Conservancy and Gardens, South Deerfield; Rainbow Fleet at Brant Point, Nantucket, credit Michael Galvin; Leroy Maddix - Grass Dancer, credit North American Indian Center of Boston

 

 

 

July 2016

 

Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more!

 

Celebrating Independence of Summer

So much to celebrate in July - starting with Independence Day, with parades, fireworks and community cookouts all across Massachusetts.  

July also marks the high season of outdoor festivals, with seasonal venues like Cape Cod Melody Tent, the Cohasset Music Circus, Lowell Music Series, the Maudslay Arts Center in Newburyport putting on the best summer sounds.

And did you notice how fresh the food is in July - fruits and vegetables from farm to table, fishing boats bringing in fresh catches.  And plenty of clam shacks, lobster rolls and to go around.

Wherever you go in Massachusetts, enjoy your summer!

Plan your next getaway to Massachusetts! 

 

 

Featured Region: Hampshire County

Try something new in The Other Side of Massachusetts! Look Park is a destination for every day, especially in the summer,  but this July check out special events at the park like the 23rd Annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on July 16 or the first-ever Pioneer Valley Beer and Wine Festival on July 30. In bustling downtown Northampton, enjoy the sounds of summer at the Northampton Arts Council's Summer Concert Series on Fridays or our annual Sidewalk Sales July 28-31. Head to the hills for your fill of hands-on arts experiences. Take a class at Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program - it's essentially like Art Camp for Adults! Or visit artist studios along the Hilltown6 Pottery Tour the weekend of July 23 & 24.  Find more information on Hampshire County.

 

 

Johnny Appleseed Country

Wave the flag and watch the fireworks! The Fourth of July is a great time to enjoy community gatherings throughout Johnny Appleseed Country. The fun begins on July 2 just keeps going. Fitchburg pulls out all the stops, with a downtown block party and fireworks on Saturday and parade on Monday. For an old-timey celebration, swing by Templeton, where the Declaration of Independence is read in a historic church, followed by an ice cream social on the common. It's time to celebrate America in Johnny Appleseed Country! Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.

 

 

Martha's Vineyard 

Martha's Vineyard is delighted to announce the inaugural season of two fabulous performance series: the MV Concert Series features Paula Poundstone, Alan Cummins, The Moth, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Capitol Steps, David Sedaris and more!  Broadway @ the Performing Arts Center features Tony winners Audra MacDonald and Kristen Chenoweth, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, Patti Lupone and more! For everything Martha's Vineyard, including Last Minute Lodging, visit MVY.com.  Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.

 

 

Mohawk Trail Region

The enchanting Bridge of Flowers attracts visitors from around the globe to the iconic Village of Shelburne Falls.  Folks return to take in other fabulous events throughout the summer, including the Bridge of Flowers Classic 10k race and 3k Charity Run & Walk attracting over 1,000 participants (August 13) and the festive Iron Bridge Dinner serving 400+ patrons dining al fresco on the Iron Bridge (August 21).  Find more information on the Mohawk Trail Region. Find more information on The Mohawk Trail Region

 

 

MetroWest

Three late-July events combine the best of MetroWest: art, gardens, food, and history! Natick Center Cultural District's 9th annual ArtWalk on July 21 caps off Restaurant Week, with 50 artists and restaurants stationed outside local businesses and studios, 5-8:30 pm. At the Gardens at Elm Bank's Arts on the Green on the 28th, walk through the gardens' summer splendor to visit artists set up throughout the grounds, 5-8pm, in Wellesley. On July 30-31, vintage racecars, stagecoaches, biplanes vie against horseback-riders in Race of the Century in Stow. Find more information on MetroWest

 

 

Nantucket Island

Join us on Nantucket Sunday, July 3rd for an unforgettable seaside fireworks display! The morning of the 4th begins with a reading of the Declaration Of Independence held on idyllic Main Street. Enjoy traditional morning activities afterward including face painting, watermelon and pie eating contests.  Try your hand at the dunk tank witness the epic water fight between rival fire departments. Evening games including three legged, wheel barrow, potato sack races and the famous tug of war all take place at Children's Beach. Find more information on Nantucket Island.

 

 

North of Boston

Come celebrate the 51st annual Beverly Homecoming celebration. With over 40 events over the course of 10 fun-filled days for everyone to enjoy all around Beverly!  Homecoming celebrations begin on Friday July 29th and end with music and fireworks on August 7th. Make this tradition part of your summer traditions.  Find more information on North of Boston.

 

 

Plymouth County

For over 30 years, Cultural Survival Bazaars have brought together Indigenous artists and craftspeople from around the world. Brimming with colors, sounds, and art, the Bazaars are a celebration of the world's cultural diversity. On Saturday and Sunday July 23rd & 24th, Plymouth will have its very first Bazaar in Pilgrim Memorial State Park on the waterfront. Buy traditional and contemporary crafts, meet the makers, get lost in the mesmerizing sounds of various Native bands, and enjoy a summer day by the water! Learn more!  Find more information on Plymouth County.

 

 

Southeastern Mass

Head to New Bedford on July 9th and 10th for the 21st Annual Folk Festival, voted one of "New England's Greatest Celebrations" by Boston Globe. Celebrate women artist with the Narrows newest exhibit, The Frame of Influence. Each exhibiting artist has been asked to share the origins of their creative process with the viewer through statement and documentation.  Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts

 

 

The Berkshires

Photo by Kevin Sprague

Shakespeare & Company presents its 39th season, featuring the works of Shakespeare in repertory with classic and contemporary plays, on 4 stages in Lenox, located in the heart of the Berkshires. Productions include Merchant of Venice, Two Gentlemen of Verona and Twelfth Night from the Bard, and contemporary offerings from award-winning playwrights Liz Duffy Adams (Or,) Nilo Cruz (Sotto Voce), and Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone). Come and revel in memorable theater and be sure to also enjoy our lectures, backstage tours, studio readings, and free community events. Find more information on The Berkshires

 

 

Greater Merrimack Valley

 

The Longest Running "Free" Folk Festival in America celebrates 30 years on July 29-31, 2016 on five stages in Downtown Lowell! Join us at the Lowell Folk Festival for Traditional Music & Dance from National & International Cultures, enjoy Ethnic Cuisine, and learn from Master Crafters. Visit LowellFolkFestival.org. For more fun things happening in the Greater Merrimack Valley this summer, visit merrimackvalley.org. Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley.

 

 

Central Massachusetts

Celebrate Summer to the fullest in Central Mass! If you're a pinball fan be sure to check out New England's first ever Pintastic Pinball & Game Room Expo in Sturbridge, July 7 -9! The expo is fun for the whole family and kids will have a blast with a caricature artist, face painting, balloon animals, magic, and a bouncy house! For more adult fun, check out Worcester's Beer, Blues & BBQ Fest on July 23 and enjoy local restaurant and food truck fare paired with craft brews and some of the city's favorite blues musicians!  Find more information on Central Massachusetts.

 

 

Franklin County

Green River Festival will be held July 8-10 at Greenfield Community College (easy access from I-91 and Route 2).  Good music, good food, good fun for all ages!  Line-up includes Tedeschi Trucks Band, NRBQ, Los Lobos, Margo Price, Charles Neville and many more. Hot air balloon ride reservations available by calling 413-773-5463 or at franklincc.org.  Off-site camping, parking and shuttles available. Festival tickets and details at greenriverfestival.com.  Find more information on Franklin County

 

 

Greater Boston

July in Boston always starts with a very big bang and rightly so when the annual Harborfest and the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular celebrates the nation's birthday and Boston's pivotal role in our
country's history. Make plans throughout the month to enjoy outdoor movies, farmer and artisan markets, open-air concerts, fairs, feasts and festivals across the city- many of which are free. More
freebies include Free Fridays at area museums, Outside the Box Boston, Shakespeare on the Common and the International Sand Sculpting Festival. Stroll the Greenway taking in special events, especially the Ai Wei sculpture, or simply relax and enjoy this stunning urban park.  Find more information on Greater Boston

 

 

Cape Cod

Hydrangeas are the signature flower of Cape Cod, and the inaugural Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival will celebrate these beautiful blue, pink and white blooms at their peak! Take a glimpse into some of Cape Cod's most spectacular private gardens during the 10-day Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival, from July 8-17. Festival highlights include over 90 garden tours organized by local nonprofits and museums, a hydrangea-inspired Cocktail Trail, and other special hydrangea-themed events & promotions. More at CapeCodHydrangeaFest.com!  Find more information on Cape Cod.

 

 

Greater Springfield

Star Spangled Springfield - Fireworks, live music and food. Riverfront Park, Springfield. Entertainment by Falcetti Music then Maxxtone at 7 pm. Fireworks start at 9:30 pm on Monday July 4.  Indian Motocycle Day - The Springfield Museums celebrate America's first motorcycle, the classic Indian "motocycles" (they spelled it without the R) that were manufactured in Springfield from 1901 to 1953. Come see over 60 classic Springfield-built Indians, vendor booths and more.  Sunday, July 24, 9 am-3 pm.  Go to VisitWesternMA.com for more great ideas for July!  Find more information on Greater Springfield.

 

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Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism