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May 2018
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!
We HEART Massachusetts!
For a state of the art getaway, look no further than the Bay State. Arts and culture adventures are trending in Massachusetts (cheers to award-winning festival ArtWeek!), and the recent launch of the Massachusetts Masterpiece Trail makes the discovery of art easy, fresh, and fun-for-all. The trail links 24 works, from the world-renowned to the all-but-forgotten masterpieces of Massachusetts, spanning the gamut of subjects, styles, mediums, and time periods. For fans of Dr. Seuss, Eric Carle, and Norman Rockwell, check out the Iconic Illustrator's Trail - a great day trip option! These experiences are just the tip of the arty iceberg. Dig into additional arts and culture gems at massvacation.com.

For more on what to see + do in Massachusetts, visit massvacation.com.
Featured Region: North of Boston
On May 19, the Motif No.1 Day Festival celebrates Rockport's iconic fishing shack on Bearskin Neck, which is known and recognized throughout the world! Celebrate Amesbury's 350th Anniversary with events all month long.  "PlayTime" (through May 6) at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem features three tactile interactive works, including an immersive balloon room installation by Turner Prize winner Martin Creed. On May 27, celebrate the season in downtown Newburyport at Newburyport Spring Fest! Enjoy great live music, art, fine crafts, food from Newburyport's best restaurants & children's entertainment. On May 12, view or participate in the Essex River Race - a 5.5+ mile open water event from Essex to Ipswich and back. Find more events and information for North of Boston.
Plymouth County

Snug Harbor Community Chorus presents "Sojourn" in early May! Performances will be at 7:30 pm Saturday, May 5 at the Duxbury Performing Arts Center, and at 3 pm on Sunday, May 6 at the 1st Congregational Church in Rockland. Tickets are available at The Studio & Westwinds Bookshop, as well as at PAC Box Office on the night of concert. For information, visit snugharborcc.org. Find more events and information for Plymouth County.
Southeastern Mass

Southeastern Massachusetts is home to the Xfinity Center, an outdoor amphitheater located right in Mansfield! The venue has hosted many notable performances over the years, including Aerosmith, Pearl Jam, Nickelback and many more. On Saturday May 26, American Country music singer Jason Aldean will be performing on his latest tour - High Noon Neon! The tour has special guests Luke Combs and Lauren Alaina. Get your tickets today by clicking here! Find more events and information for Southeastern Massachusetts
The Berkshires

The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center in Great Barrington presents a jam-packed summer season of performing arts that you do not want to miss! Some of the highlights include Melissa Etheridge,  Ani DiFranco,  Aimee Mann,  Pat Metheny and Air Supply. Also, be sure to get your tickets now for their 2018 Gala, which will feature Whoopi Goldberg. To learn about all their shows and get tickets, visit mahaiwe.org. Find more  events and information for The Berkshires
Greater Merrimack Valley

Linger in Lexington this spring! Ride the Liberty Ride, browse for unique gifts at the Lexington Visitors Center and step back in time by visiting the three Historic Houses! Attend a comedy show at Cary Hall or catch a movie at Lexington Center's charming theater. Enjoy the Lexington Symphony Community Music Festival And The Music From The Movies Concert on Saturday, May 19. Check out the Minuteman Bike Way by renting a bike from the Minuteman Bike Share. Find more events and information for Greater Merrimack Valley. 
Central Massachusetts

Spring is a great time to visit Central Massachusetts! Embrace your inner warrior and participate in the Spartan Race at Treasure Valley Scout Reservation in Rutland from May 12-13. Looking to watch spring grow in your own backyard? Buy some plants at the Regional Environmental Council's Spring Garden Festival & Plant Sale on May 19 or attend the Asparagus & Flower Heritage Festival in West Brookfield on the same date! Find more events and information for Central Massachusetts.
Franklin County
See signs of spring at the Turners Falls Fish Way, located behind Town Hall in Turners Falls, from mid-May through mid-June! The Turners Falls Fish Way gives you an underwater view of fish swimming upstream during the spawning season, including shad, lampreys, and Atlantic salmon. The fish climb a series of rising pools (ladders) much the same way as they would overcome the natural rises in the river before dams were built. Wednesday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Get more info here! Find more events and information for Franklin County.
Greater Boston
Spring might be taking a little longer to make an appearance, but nothing else is on hold in Boston. Theatres offer contemporary classics ( Top Girls, The Wiz), the tragic and triumphant stories of immigrants in Juanita Peters, I M Possible and Step Afrika's The Migration, a highly percussive genre of forced migration on the African people and the power of true love in Boston Ballet's The Sleeping Beauty. Museum exhibitions include (Un) Expected Families at the MFA, the inventive works of TC Cannon at the PEM, the diverse sculptural works of Kevin Beasley at the ICA and the return of SOWA Sundays. The Greenway entertains with weekly Artisan Markets, Boston Calling Block Parties and public art and horticulture every day! Boston Calling calls from May 25-27 and there's still time to get creative at ArtWeek! Find more events and information for Greater Boston
Cape Cod
Cape Cod's maritime heritage is legendary. Come, hear and experience this wonderful lore at the 25th Annual Cape Cod Maritime Days, a celebration of the Cape's rich maritime history happening throughout May! There is an exciting line-up of Cape-wide events, from lighthouse tours and nautical art exhibits to guided kayak excursions and walking tours. And check out our new maritime-themed itineraries around the region! Find all the events at CapeCodMaritimeDays.com. Find more events and information for Cape Cod.
Greater Springfield
The Asparagus & Flower Heritage Festival (May 19 from 10 am to 4 pm on the West Brookfield town common) promises all things asparagus and  family fun a-plenty. The Springfield Pancake Breakfast is held Saturday May 12 from 8 to 11 am; it's a great way to meet neighbors and friends. Clifford the Big Red Dog is the focus of an expansive "hands-on" exhibits commencing May 19 at the Springfield Museums. Visit a colossal nine-foot high Clifford, find "bone"-afide treasures and more! For more things to do, visit ExploreWesternMass.com. Find more events and information for Greater Springfield.
Hampshire County
In western Massachusetts, the month of May is when all the senses bloom like crazy! Imagine the scent of 4 acres blooming with 200 varieties of lilacs. LilacLand in Pelham, near Amherst, is a secret garden of one of the greatest collections of rare lilacs anywhere. Visitors are welcome and, at no charge, can wander the property that Robert Frost once did while in residence at Amherst College. On Friday, May 11, take a 2-hour culinary walking tour of Downtown Northampton to taste local specialties of award winning cheeses, pasture-raised meats, artisan bread, ciders and beers. On Memorial Day weekend, Yankee Magazine writes "the Northampton visual arts scene explodes at the Paradise City Arts Festival, "3 days of astounding visual arts. Click here for a guide to spring and all seasons in our corner of western Massachusetts. Find more events and information for Hampshire County.
Johnny Appleseed Country
It's the merry month of May - and the perfect time to battle pirates, listen to old-world music, enjoy a bit of comedy or tragedy or cheer with gusto at a jousting match! Where, pray tell, can you do all this - and more? At Robin Hood's Faire at the Bolton Fairgrounds, of course! Come in costume. Become a knight. Sip tea with princesses. Watch craft demonstrations. Step back in time in Johnny Appleseed Country! Find more events and information for Johnny Appleseed Country.
Martha's Vineyard 
The Vineyard Artisans Annual Spring/Memorial Day Weekend is  May 26 and 27 at Grange Hall in West Tisbury! Come and enjoy all the new works that Island artists have been creating all winter long. More than 50 local artisans will be on display! Great food, free parking and admission, and a playground for kids. 10 am to 4 pm.  For everything Martha's Vineyard, visit MVY.com or find @VisitMV on Facebook and Twitter. Find more events and information for Martha's Vineyard .
Mohawk Trail Region
MASS MoCA's 26 former factory buildings house nearly 4 miles worth of art, which expands infinitely when you step into one of James Turrell's light installations, Laurie Anderson's virtual realities, or Sol LeWitt's maze of wall drawings. Year-round performances round it all out, with everything from Ray LaMontagne (June 29) to Blondie (Aug 3) to the annual FreshGrass Bluegrass and Roots Festival (Sept 14-16) - this year featuring over 50 bands. Find more events and information for The Mohawk Trail Region
MetroWest

MetroWest has renewed spring in our step, as we prepare to celebrate the incredible towns in the area. Put on your walking shoes for Celebrate Milford on May 19, beginning with a festive youth parade, followed by music, food & drink, and booths from 100+ vendors. Also on May 19, Medway Middle School hosts Medway Pride Day, another town celebration featuring food, drink, and revelry. Lastly, don't forget to visit Holliston Food Fest on May 13 to pack on those post-hibernation calories. Find more events and information for MetroWest.  
Nantucket Island

Let the festivities begin! Don't miss the opening pop of Veuve Clicquot and raise your glass to toast the annual Nantucket Wine and Food Festival May 16-20. Join award-winning restaurants and chefs, world renowned wineries and vintners, esteemed sommeliers & presenters along with wine & food enthusiasts for this collection of over 70 prestigious events, held around Nantucket Island. Find more events and information for Nantucket Island.
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