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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

 

 

 

August 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!

 

Festive Massachusetts!

Springfield Jazz Fest

August is a particularly perfect month to be outdoors in Massachusetts, thanks to our daily calendar of sporting events, festivals, country fairs, ethnic celebrations and maritime activities.  

Check out the Mass-Pan Challenge on bike, or the Falmouth Road Race on foot.  Enjoy ethnic pride at the Southeast Asian Water Festival in Lowell or the Portuguese heritage festival in New Bedford.  Celebrate maritime heritage in Salem, Plymouth and Gloucester, and seafood up and down the coast.  Enjoy live jazz in Salem, Springfield, Provincetown, Rockport and Martha's Vineyard.  Enjoy Massachusetts outdoors!
 
Plan your next getaway to Massachusetts! 

 

 

Featured Region: Johnny Appleseed Country

Cultivate your creative spirit in Johnny Appleseed Country! The region is a destination for cultural explorers and art lovers alike. August is the start of a vibrant festival season chock full of unique events that continues into the fall. Festivals like the Johnny Appleseed Craft Beer Festival in Leominster, Farm Fresh Fest at Wachusett Mountain, the Artsmith Festival in Fitchburg and the Appleseed Country Fair at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston will provide a lifetime of memories. Fuel your creativity while immersing yourself in great food, drink, art and music!  Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.

 

 

Martha's Vineyard 

MVAAFF is now entering its 14th year on Martha's Vineyard! The film fest has screened and promoted some of the most outstanding and emerging Feature, Documentary and Short films produced by and starring African Americans from across the world. All screenings and events take place at Martha's Vineyard Performing Arts Center (MVPAC), located adjacent to Martha's Vineyard Regional High School.  For a schedule of all Festival events, tickets and more information visit mvaaff.com.  Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.

 

 

Mohawk Trail Region

The American Civil War comes to Phillipston August 27-28! The encampment will be open to the public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. More than 250 reenactors in Confederate, Federal, Civilian, Artillery, and Cavalry camps will offer activities, with battle taking place at 2 p.m. daily. Sutlers will be selling reenacting goods and Civil War items. Food will be available at the Red Apple Farm BBQ pavilion, with hay rides between sites. Admission is $10 per car. Find more information on The Mohawk Trail Region

 

 

MetroWest

Plan a trip to MetroWest on Saturday, August 13, so that you can enjoy two of the region's signature events! At the Spirit of Hudson Food & Brewfest,
taste beers from 60 breweries and food from area restaurants. It takes place 3 to 7 p.m. at the corner of Main and South streets.  Further south, at Ashland's Mill Pond Park, the Dragonfly Festival offers a full day of performance, culture, and celebration, including food, floating fires, and live music. Find more information on MetroWest

 

 

Nantucket Island

On August 13th, join us for the 20th Annual  Boston Pops on Nantucket, a cherished island tradition! For one evening in August, 8,000 people from all walks of life come together on Jetties Beach; galvanized for a few short hours by their passion for the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and conductor Keith Lockhart, their love for this extraordinary island and their appreciation for their hospital. Every year we say to ourselves, "Wow, this was the best one yet." And every year, it's true. Find more information on Nantucket Island.

 

 

North of Boston

Celebrate America's second oldest homecoming celebration at Yankee Homecoming! An annual Newburyport tradition since 1957, Yankee Homecoming features 8 days of live music, hundreds of street vendors, food, craft shows, and so much more! Bring your family and enjoy Family Day at Maudslay or Olde Fashioned Sunday. Enjoy front row seats at the parade and nighttime fireworks spectacular. Make this tradition part of your summer traditions July 31th to August 7th in Newburyport.  Find more information on North of Boston.

 

 

Plymouth County

Test your taste buds, breathe the fresh air, and enjoy the surroundings of Plymouth Harbor on a Wine Tasting Cruise aboard Plymouth Cruises' Lobster Tales from 7 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays in August (August 4, 11, 18 and 25). Each cruise will feature a particular theme focusing on wines from around the world! Along with a fantastic sampling of excellent wines and food, you'll be entertained by interesting speakers sharing their knowledge of the origin, vineyards and history of each wine.  Before the summer slips away treat yourself to a special night out! Find more information on Plymouth County.

 

 

Southeastern Mass

August 6-7 will be the 9th Annual Art Drive, with 34 Dartmouth and Westport artist opening their studios from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. With only 15 miles separating the studios, visitors will enjoy a scenic drive through this picturesque area with ample time for a picnic lunch at the beach or dinner at one of the many area restaurants. For more information about the drive or happenings in Southeastern Massachusetts, visit visitsemass.com. Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts

 

 

The Berkshires

Come out and enjoy some world class jazz in the Berkshires this fall at the City Jazz Festival from 10/7-10/16! This festival is presented by Berkshires Jazz, who engages in year-round programming through its twofold mission to present jazz events and promote jazz education in our area. Jazz aficionados and music lovers alike should be sure to visit the Berkshires for this festival, as well as check out all the other great programming Berkshires Jazz offers throughout the year. Find more information on The Berkshires

 

 

Greater Merrimack Valley

3 days and 3 nights of culinary experiences that are Made In Lowell! We invite you to experience the beauty and friendliness of Lowell and its unique culinary culture through Lowell's signature celebration of food and libations. At TLFWF 2016 you will meet local culinary talent, vintners, brewers and artisans, as well as guest chefs from the Merrimack Valley for fantastic culinary celebration. Tickets available now! Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley.

 

 

Central Massachusetts

POW! WOW! Worcester, a 10-day celebration of art and culture, will take place August 24-September 4.  It is one of the first festivals of its kind on the East Coast, offering national and international artists local building facades to design, along with musical performances, artist talks, outdoor celebrations, and more! Or check out the largest military re-enactment in New England at Old Sturbridge Village August 6-7.  With 1,000+ soldiers, mock battles, musket drilling, and cannon demonstrations, the Village is transformed into a military camp from the time of the War for Independence.  Find more information on Central Massachusetts.

 

 

Franklin County

The 3rd Annual Pocumtuck Homelands Festival will be held Saturday, August 6th from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Unity Park Waterfront in Turners Falls. This celebration of Native American culture and history includes live music, Penobscot hoop dancers, elder teachings, demonstrations, children's activities, storytelling, powwow, and a wide array of Native American crafts. Free and appropriate for all ages.  Find more information on Franklin County

 

 

Greater Boston

James Taylor, Pearl Jam, Billy Joel and the Zac Brown Band score at Fenway; Gillette Stadium goes country when Kenny Chesney performs in Love's Labour's Lost on Boston Common. Get wrapped up in Tentacles, leap into Frogs: A Chorus of Colors, or circle Ai Weiwei's Animal/Zodiac Heads at Rings Fountain. Classic movies- al fresco - play the Hatch Shell, the Prudential Center Garden, Christopher Columbus Park and the Boston Harbor Hotel. Fun and food await at the Boston Seafood Festival, Boston GreenFest, North End Feasts and the Caribbean Carnival. Equally appetizing is the biannual Dine Out Boston, when over 150 area restaurants serve cool meals at very cool prices! Find more information on Greater Boston

 

 

Cape Cod

Music is in the air this August on Cape Cod! The Citizens Bank 31st Annual Pops by the Sea outdoor concert will be held on the Hyannis Village Green on Sunday, August 14th. Relax to the sounds of the Boston Pops and delight in this year's special celebrity guest conductors, the Blue Man Group! Order tickets today. Music lovers will also enjoy the beats of the 12th Annual Provincetown Jazz Fest on August 11th at The Crown & Anchor in Provincetown and on August 15th at the Cotuit Center for the Arts. Featuring renowned jazz musicians from around the world!  Find more information on Cape Cod.

 

 

Greater Springfield

Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival on Saturday, August 6th will feature world class musical performances by the legendary Taj Mahal, Erik Krasno, Jose Gonzalez & Banda Criolla, Terri Lyne Carrington Group, Samirah Evans & Her Handsome Devils, Heshima Moja & Ofrecimiento, Joey DeFrancesco Trio and others! The festival also includes dance, theater and spoken-word performances, free workshops for musicians and music-lovers, local foods, handmade arts and crafts, and eco-friendly resources.  Location: GPS 2 Court Street, downtown Springfield.  Find more information on Greater Springfield.

 

 

Hampshire County

This summer, see the grounds of the Emily Dickinson Museum in Amherst in a whole new way with Saturday morning yoga classes in Dickinson's famous garden. Under the instruction of Matthew Andrews from Yoga Center Amherst, practitioners of any level can explore Dickinson's poetry through yogic movement. Classes are every Saturday through August 20 from 10:30-11:45 a.m., weather permitting. Friday, August 12 is also the Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Friday at the Dickinson Museum.  Find more information on Hampshire County.

 

Regional Tourism Councils  

   
Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism