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Clockwise from top left: The Working Waterfront Festival, New Bedford MA; The Boston Symphony Orchestra, Boston MA; Hilltop Orchards, Richmond MA; FreshGrass Festival at MASS MoCA, North Adams MA; Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth MA

  

 

 

February 2017

 

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!

 

A Time to Love and Celebrate!

The air maintains a familiar chill this month, but our hearts are warm and spirits eager to rejoice. For Valentine's Day, let romance be your guide as you spend more time with that special someone: catch a performance of Once at The Hanover Theatre, channel your inner Moore & Swayze a la Ghost with a pottery class, or strut through the "Shoes: Pleasure and Pain" exhibit at the PEM. Join in the tail end of Chinese New Year festivities with colorful parades, traditional music, and incredible food. Black History, too, is of special note. With such a rich collection of historic sites and celebratory events, there's no better time to discover them! For more details and to plan your adventures in Massachusetts, visit massvacation.com/events.
 

Plan your next getaway to Massachusetts.  

 

 

Featured Region: Plymouth County

Pilgrim Hall Museum opens for the season on February 1st!  Here is your chance to touch an authentic piece of Plymouth Rock and view actual 17th-century Pilgrim possessions, including William Bradford's Bible, Peregrine White's cradle and Myles Standish's sword.  Enjoy a 15-minute film telling the dramatic story of the Mayflower Pilgrims, their voyage across the Atlantic and their courageous early years in Plymouth. Young visitors enjoy a Treasure Hunt in the galleries with a prize at the end!

As Plymouth nears its 400th Commemoration in 2020, you'll find the current Tercentenary exhibit a valuable experience. Enjoy the museum shop, free on-site parking, air-conditioning and full accessibility. Pilgrim Hall Museum is located at 75 Court Street in Plymouth and open 7 days a week! Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the museum is a private, non-profit educational institution.

Find more information on Plymouth County.

 

 

Southeastern Mass

Celebrate National Black History Month in Southeastern Massachusetts! The National Black Doll Museum in Mansfield features an exhibit "Celebration of President of Barack Obama."  Attend the illustrated talk "Abolitionists and Freedom Seekers: New Bedford and the Underground Railroad" on February 9th the New Bedford Public Library. And join New Bedford Historical Society on February 12th for the 17th Annual Frederick Douglass Community Read-a-thon. Looking for more events around Southeastern Massachusetts? Check here. Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts

 

 

The Berkshires

The 6th Annual 10x10 Upstreet Arts Festival in Downtown Pittsfield - located in the Berkshires of Western MA - promises to be the biggest and best fest yet!  The Festival takes place February 16-26 and features music, art, theater, dance, comedy, film and more.  There is something for the entire family, from Barrington Stage's 10x10 New Play Festival and 10 days of play at the Berkshire Museum to a fireworks extravaganza at the Pittsfield Common and a Dance Ten performance showcasing 10 Berkshire dance companies. Find more information on The Berkshires

 

 

Greater Merrimack Valley

 

Mark your calendars for the "must attend" event of the region - The 16th Annual Taste of Nashoba Valley! Nashoba Valley Chamber anticipates over 40 vendors, offering everything from tender and tangy bbq pulled pork sliders to crispy lobster dumplings to dense and delicious whoopee pies. Event to be held on Tuesday, March 21st at Lawrence Academy in Groton.  Tickets and details at nvcoc.com. Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley. 

 

 

Central Massachusetts

This February, discover love in Central Massachusetts! Music Worcester has you covered for the perfect date night with a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine at Mechanics Hall on February 17th. Bundle up with your sweetheart and go to the Worcester Common Oval for $5 ice skating and be sure to check out the Oval Calendar of Events for an updated list of special guests and happenings! If you both are looking to satisfy your inner foodie, join the Hanover Theater for the Performing Arts and Discover Central Massachusetts in welcoming Worcester native and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian for an evening of culinary conversation on February 27th! Find more information on Central Massachusetts.

 

 

Franklin County

"Into the Woods: Crafting Early American Furniture" is on exhibit
through December 2017 at Flynt Center of Early New England Life in Deerfield. Experience this dazzling array of masterworks by famous American cabinetmakers!  Learn about antique furniture from the inside out, and gain a new understanding of the materials and craftsmanship that went into the creation of these spectacular objects through graphics, before-and-after views of conservation treatments, and innovative "exploded view" display techniques. More info here! Find more information on Franklin County.

 

 

Greater Boston

February in Boston promises you that there's so much to do- You'll have to stay over! Theatre fans will enjoy the Irish black comedy Beauty Queen of Leenane, Bob Fosse's legendary Cabaret and The Night of the Iguana. The BSO performs weekly at Symphony Hall, Boston Ballet presents genius William Forsyth's Artifact and the Red Hot Chili Peppers bring their funk to TD Garden. The grape is celebrated at the Boston Wine Expo, while beer is revered at the Extreme Beer Festival. Boston museums and attractions open their doors extra wide for February School Vacation Week activities and Disney On Ice skates into town.  Hockey buffs can cheer on their favorite college team at The Bean Pot, while those less skilled can practice figure-8s on Frog Pond or at the new Boston Winter on City Hall Plaza. Black History can be celebrated all month long.  Find more information on Greater Boston

 

 

Cape Cod

On February 3-5, the 11th Annual Boatbuilders Show on Cape Cod returns to the Resort and Conference Center at Hyannis! Explore a large selection of unique, custom and limited-production boats in wood and fiberglass. On Saturday, February 4th, the quaint Osterville village of Barnstable sweetens the season with Osterville Chocolate Fest, featuring a chocolate dessert contest, dog parade, chocolate manicures, book signings, retail promotions and more. And the Cape Symphony Orchestra lines up the best of the best February 18-19 for its "Swingin' into the 60s" concert, including all the top 40 hits of the late '50s and early '60s!  Find more information on Cape Cod.

 

 

Greater Springfield

Cats in Hats is on display through April 30, 2017 at Springfield Museums' D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts! Over two dozen feline-focused illustrations, plus a special "Cat Walk" scavenger hunt highlighting hidden cats located around the Museums' campus, a Cat "Paw-trait" Wall-Selfie Photo Booth, Cat-Toons cartoon area and more.  Rockin' Road to Dublin - a breathtaking display of classic Irish tunes accented by rock 'n' roll riffs, electrifying dancers and a dynamic light show - will be performed February 10th at Symphony Hall in Springfield. Find more information on Greater Springfield.

 

 

Hampshire County

Winter weather doesn't stop us from having fun outside! Coinciding with February's Arts Night Out in Northampton is the 7th Annual Ice Art Festival. Beginning early on Friday, February 10th, artists get to work on transforming a block of ice into a work of art just in time for Art Walk to begin at 5 p.m.  The next day, Saturday, February 11th, Winterfest Amherst and Easthampton WinterFest both take place, offering fun for the whole family. Find more information on Hampshire County.

 

 

Johnny Appleseed Country

Got the winter blues? Shake them off with a bit of music, love and laughter! Fitchburg's theatrical icon, the Stratton Players, presents "From Stratton, With Love" - a dinner theater fundraiser, just in time for Valentine's Day.  The venerable Fay Club is the setting for this romantic evening, featuring two short love stories, cocktails and dinner. As February winds down, let Theatre at the Mount in Gardner lift your spirits with that divine musical comedy," Sister Act."  It's a lively and warm way to say farewell to winter! Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.

 

 

Martha's Vineyard 

The 20th Annual Martha's Vineyard 20-Miler and Amity Island Relay
will be Saturday, February 18th at 11 a.m. A must for die-hard runners of many levels! Great for runners to test their marathon readiness, or simply to enjoy the chance to combine a visit to one of the most beautiful shore communities with a race on a fast, USATF sanctioned course. Not up to the 20-mile challenge? Grab a partner and enter the Amity Island Relay!  Info at http://mv20miler.com  Find more information on Martha's Vineyard
.

 

 

Mohawk Trail Region

The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace will celebrate her birthday with a visit from her colleague Lucy Stone on February 12th at 3 p.m. at the Adams Free Library. As portrayed by Judith Black, Lucy Stone will share her experiences as an abolitionist/suffragist through an interactive presentation. Come and become part of her story! This free presentation is sponsored partly by Mass Humanities and entitled "Overcoming the Impossible: A Speaker Series on the Era of Reform".  Find more information on The Mohawk Trail Region

 

 

MetroWest

Three days of round-the-clock indoor bluegrass! At the annual Joe Val Bluegrass Festival February 17-19 at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel & Conference Center, the Boston Bluegrass Union has lined up national and regional talent, expanded workshops, Kid's Academy, music vendors, and constant jamming. See Jerry Douglas & The Earls of Leicester, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Grascals, Becky Buller Band and more! Workshops for banjo, mandolin, fiddle, rhythm guitar, flatpick guitar, dobro, and more. Find more information on MetroWest.

 

 

Nantucket Island

The Artists Association of Nantucket is delighted to announce the opening of a special exhibition, "Art For Heart's Sake" with a celebratory mid-week, sweet-treats reception on February 8, 5-7 p.m.
A bright spot during the cold, dark days of a winter, we invite you to enjoy pieces by our local artists.  Featuring festive and amusing small works-bright colors and warm reds-one-of-a kind jewelry, photographs, carved wooden bowls, and ceramics. Find more information on Nantucket Island.

 

 

North of Boston

Salem's So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival will be celebrated February 10-12 - enjoy delectable chocolate, sparkling ice sculptures, and Valentine's Day shopping. Newburyport and Amesbury host the Merrimack River Eagle Festival on February 18th - a full day celebrating the return of our Bald Eagles! And don't miss the New England Winter Blues Festival on Saturday, February 11th at the Blue Ocean Music Hall in Salisbury. Find more information on North of Boston.

 

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Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism