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Clockwise from top left: Strange Fruit, Outside the Box festival; Thomas Ortiz Dance, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival; Redcoats & Rebels, Old Sturbridge Village; Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Pow Wow; Lowell Folk Festival  

  

 

 

July 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!

 

Food, Fun & Celebration!

Summer is in full swing, and Independence Day festivities are turning the fun factor up a notch this month. Patriotic events range from the ever-popular Harborfest and Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, to fun-for-all activities like hot air balloon rides and pie eating contests in Amherst, and even the longest running Powwow on the East Coast. For a more cerebral experience, book lovers and transcendentalists will delight in Thoreau's Bicentennial, with a number of Thoreau-centric events to partake in well into fall. It's also a great time to relish in the culinary bounty of that is Massachusetts seafood. Join in the conversation by tagging your favorite seafood dishes and spots to dine #seafoodMA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Additional foodie happenings can be found in the MOTT July culinary calendar.

Be sure to check out additional 4th of July celebrations throughout the Commonwealth, and special ways to enjoy the summertime in MA at massvacation.com.

 

 

Featured Region: Franklin County

Green River Festival will be held July 14-16 at the Greenfield Community College campus in Greenfield! The Green River Festival is Western Massachusetts' signature summer event. For one weekend every July, enjoy a truly outrageous celebration of world class music, great local food, beer & wine, a handmade craft fair, and lots of family games and activities. It's all topped off with four hot air balloon launches and a spectacular Saturday night balloon glow. The festival features performers from many genres of music, from folk to indie rock, reggae to Cajun & Zydeco, Alt. Country to blues and everything in between. This musical smorgasbord unfolds with over 30 bands on three stages featuring easy access plus great sound and sight lines. You're guaranteed to discover your next favorite band! Book a balloon ride here. Find the festival line up here.

Find more information on Franklin County.

 

 

Greater Boston

Boston POPS in July! So much so that July should be 2 months long! Harborfest & Fireworks Spectacular kick off the official start of summer followed by countless outdoor markets, festivals, feasts and bona fide fun. Missed the Tall Ships? Then catch Ocean Liners at the PEM, a more terra-firma experience at the Sand Sculpting Festival, or any number of sightseeing, music and culinary cruises for on deck experiences. TD Garden hosts Tom Petty for 2 nights, the Landmarks Orchestra debuts its' Esplanade series on July 19, NKOTB score at Fenway Park and WICKED casts its spell through July 23.  Several venues will be showing classic, comedy and family-friendly films outdoors; and a contemporary Romeo & Juliet appears on Boston Common from July 19-August 6. And the Greenway's  cultural experiences extend from the 2-day FIGMENT Festival, to zip-lining 220' across the parkland to frolicking in the fountains! Find more information on Greater Boston

 

 

Cape Cod

Hydrangeas are the signature flower of Cape Cod, and the annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Fest 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 7-16. Festival highlights include private garden tours organized by (and benefiting) local nonprofits and museums, workshops presented by leading international horticulturalists, a hydrangea-inspired Cocktail Trail, and other special hydrangea-themed events & promotions. Find the full line-up of Hydrangea fun at CapeCodHydrangeaFest.com!  Find more information on Cape Cod.

 

 

Greater Springfield

"60 Days of Summer" at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame: Daily at 1 pm through August 30, the Hall hosts various appearances, autograph signings, magicians, trick dribblers and jugglers, mascots, giveaways and much more, totally FREE of charge to all museums guests! These appearances are updated daily so be sure to check the date of your visit and see what exciting programming the "60 Days of Summer" and all of Western Mass has to offer! Find more information on Greater Springfield.

 

 

Hampshire County

In July, Hampshire County's  hills, valleys and downtowns explode with music!  Klezmer music lovers will flock to Yidstock, a festival of new Yiddish music, July 13-16 at the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst. Stroll through our downtowns in Amherst, Easthampton, Northampton and South Hadley for weekly summer music concerts. Enjoy a sunset concert from the top of the Holyoke Range July 14-16, the Green River Festival is Western Massachusetts' signature summer event. an outrageous celebration of world class music. Click to find more reasons to visit the other side of Massachusetts. Find more information on Hampshire County.

 

 

Johnny Appleseed Country

Admit it. You've always wanted to peek into someone else's attic, to see the antiques and ephemera that might be lurking there. How about poking into the attics of entire communities? Summer is a great time to visit local historical societies, whose collections span ages and interests. Examine Iver Johnson bicycles in Fitchburg. See decades of wedding dress fashions in Gardner. Learn about the furniture, lamp and pail industries that fueled Ashburnham's growth. Go ahead, take a peek. History awaits your visit! Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.

 

 

Martha's Vineyard 

First Friday in Vineyard Haven will be held Friday, July 7 from 4 to 8 p.m. The Vineyard Haven Harbor Cultural District celebrates as artists partner with retailers for a street lined with art, live music, design, creation and imagination! Stroll the shops and galleries, meet artists and see their most recent works on display. For all your Martha's Vineyard info, visit MVY.com. Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.

 

 

Mohawk Trail Region

Visit the Village of Shelburne Falls, home of the world-famous Bridge of Flowers, the glacial potholes, excellent restaurants, and beautiful galleries. The magic of Shelburne Falls brings visitors back again and again to experience the fabulous events throughout the summer, including the Bridge of Flowers Classic Road Races 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

 

 

MetroWest

The second half of July really heats up in MetroWest, with favorite annual events taking place throughout our geography! The Natick Center Cultural District's ArtWalk on July 20 caps off Restaurant Week with art, music, and commerce flowing through the downtown. The four-day Franklin Cultural Festival showcases the artistic, musical and culinary talent in a half-dozen locations, July 26-29. On July 29-30, at the entertaining Race of the Century, horses, vintage autos, stagecoaches, and other historic transportation vie to win!  Find more information on MetroWest.

 

 

Nantucket Island

Grab a mat and join the Nantucket Yoga Festival July 7-9 - classes will be held under tent at Bartlett's Ocean View Farm. From July 12-15, don't miss the laughter! The Nantucket Comedy Festival welcomes top acts to the Dreamland Theater to fundraise for Stand Up & Learn (a program for the island's comedic youth.) Register now for the annual Nantucket Triathlon, participate in either the sprint or the children's triathlon. Find more information on Nantucket Island.

 

 

North of Boston

Marblehead Festival of Arts takes place July 1-4! Celebrate the arts at this festival of music, visual arts, written and film arts and plenty of other events for family fun and enrichment.  Northshore Music Theatre presents Disney's Beauty and the Beast July 11-July 30; this musical is based on the 1991 Academy Award-winning animated film Disney's Beauty and the Beast, a classic story about finding love in unexpected places. Find more information on North of Boston.

 

 

Plymouth County

The Onset Summer of Love Concert Series will be held at the Onset Band Shell every Wednesday evening June 28-August 30 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. FREE and family friendly! The lineup for July includes: July 5 - Daddy O! (50's, 60's Swing);  July 12 - Just Like That (Eclectic Rock Covers); July 19 - Double bill with Movin' On/Ultimate Benetar-Bad Co. Tribute/Pat Benetar/Heart Tribute; and July 26 - Groovy Afternoon-A Tribute to the Woodstock Era, '69-'72. Find out more here! Find more information on Plymouth County.

 

 

Southeastern Mass

Head to New Bedford on July 8-9 for the Annual New Bedford Folk Festival, voted one of "New England's Greatest Celebrations" by The Boston Globe. Enjoy two full days of the best in contemporary, Americana, traditional, blues and Celtic folk music. More than 100 artists will perform on nine stages throughout historic downtown New Bedford - ranging from the 1,200 seat Zeiterion to the intimacy of the Meet-The-Performer stage! Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts

 

 

The Berkshires

Edith Wharton's beloved home, The Mount, is located in the Berkshires of Western Mass. Wharton designed and built The Mount as a country retreat. Her days there were filled with writing, picnics, and strolls in the gardens. The evenings were for intimate dinners with friends and lively discussions on the terrace. Today, The Mount offers tours of the house and gardens, including a Backstairs tour and our popular Ghost tour. Special events include music, theater, readings and an outdoor sculpture show! For directions and hours, visit EdithWharton.org.  Find more information on The Berkshires

 

 

Greater Merrimack Valley

The Longest Running "Free" Folk Festival in America celebrates 31 years on July 28-30, 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

Be a part of a lifetime baseball experience and attend the 41st USA vs. Japan Collegiate All-Star Series baseball game at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field on July 13th. Head on down to Lake Quinsigamond and participate in the Woo Town WakeFest running from July 14-16. Reconnect with local farmers and attend the Annual Lettuce Be Local Farmer Dinner, a 100% local dining experience on July 23rd. Learn more about exciting summer events in Central Massachusetts here. Find more information on Central Massachusetts.

 

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Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism