Discover Central Massachusetts is pleased to invite you to the City of Worcester’s Annual Independence Day Celebration, presented by M&T Bank. The free, family-friendly event will begin at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1 at East Park (Cristoforo Colombo Park), located at 180 Shrewsbury Street, Worcester, MA. The rain date is Wednesday, July 2. The annual event includes a Food Court, Sponsor Exhibits & Giveaways, WXLO Entertainment, and Activities for Kids. There is live music featuring MA-based American Idol contestant Kamryn Richard, and the fireworks show features synchronized music broadcast on WXLO 104.5. Kids will love the splash park, playground, and bouncy house, plus cotton candy and more! Bring a picnic blanket and chairs to enjoy this fun family event.

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Soak up the summer with a paddle adventure at Billy Goat Boats in Orange! Located on the serene Millers River, this family-run gem offers kayak, canoe, SUP, and paddleboat rentals starting at just $16/hour. Whether you’re seeking a peaceful solo float or a fun family outing, Billy Goat Boats makes it easy to get on the water and make memories. Open daily all summer long— reserve ahead or just show up and paddle out!

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Photo: Kyle Klein

Boston Harborfest will be held July 2-4! Harborfest features hundreds of family-friendly activities at Boston’s most iconic landmarks, making it one of the country’s largest Fourth of July celebrations. Activities include the annual opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, reenactments, art markets, Chowderfest, live music, fireworks, and so much more!

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Hydrangeas are the signature flower of Cape Cod, and the annual Cape Cod Hydrangea Fest will celebrate these beautiful blooms and local gardens at their peak! Tour some of Cape Cod's most spectacular private gardens during the 10-day summer garden celebration, happening July 11-20. In addition to garden tours benefiting local nonprofits, highlights include workshops by leading horticulturalists, promotions at participating nurseries, and painting demos by renowned local artists. Get a guide to all the flowery fun that awaits here, or find the line-up at CapeCodHydrangeaFest.com!

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The annual Springfield Jazz & Roots Festival is a family-friendly free festival that amplifies the rich culture of Western Mass, drawing thousands of visitors annually. The event begins on July 11 with the historic Second Line Parade leaving from the steps of Springfield City Hall at 11:30 am and dancing its way through the streets until hitting Stearns Square and the Charles Neville Main Stage for the kick-off performance. The world-class entertainment continues through Saturday, July 12.

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Photo: Lynne Graves Photography

Soak up summer with these outdoor music series: Bands on Brewster brings Thursday concerts to a sidewalk stage at Northampton Brewery! Get in the groove every Sunday with dance lessons at Salsa in the Plaza, or dine out at Summer on Strong and enjoy live music Thursday through Sunday. Bring your lawn chairs to the Amherst Summer Concert Series, or enjoy the monthlong Jazz in July program. At The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the Northampton Jazz Festival brings live jazz on Thursdays to Summer Nights at The Carle. Find your groove in Hampshire County!



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Celebrate summer in North Central Massachusetts! Head to Fitchburg Civic Days for a patriotic parade, then cheer on your duck in the Amazing Duck Race. Pick berries and enjoy live music at Red Apple Farm’s Blueberry Jamboree and Hollis Hills Farm’s Berry Festival. Dance the night away at Winchendon Community Park’s Neon Party, paddle with Nashoba Paddler, camp at Pine Acres Family Camping Resort, golf at Gardner Municipal Course, and cool off with local ice cream delights!



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July’s Martha’s Vineyard— no place is as sweet! Beaches; cycling/hiking trails to explore; al fresco dining at island eateries; kayak/SUP, fish, surf, sun. Find summer-wear at boutiques, art and home/office decor at local galleries/shops. Experience events — July 4th fireworks on Edgartown Harbor; Murdick’s Run the Chop 2025 (7/4); MVCMA Flea Market (7/5); Tisbury Street Fair (7/8); Sound of the Vineyard (Wednesdays 7/9 -9/3 Grange Hall); Vineyard Cup Regatta (7/11+7/12); OB Bluewater Classic (7/13-18); Possible Dreams Auction w Seth Meyers (7/20). Drum roll … JAWS at 50:A Deeper Dive exhibit! It’s all HERE in July!

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Downtown North Adams is the Place to be this Summer! At the Eagle Street Beach Party on July 19, they don’t need an ocean to have a beach, as more than 250,000 pounds of sand is spread - curb to curb - the entire length of Eagle Street. The 28th Downtown Celebration on August 13 features bands playing everything from Dixieland to Rock and Roll. Delicious aromas fill the air as local restaurants and vendors provide all kinds of wonderful food! And the 13th Annual Motorama welcomes all things motorized on Sunday, August 24.

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Star Spangled Fun! From dazzling fireworks in Bellingham to a lively parade in Sudbury, check out the local 4th of July Celebrations and Fireworks around MetroWest! Support young artists at the Ashland Comics Fest on July 13. Join New England Botanic Garden on July 13 for Midsummer Magic, an evening of opera and circus where soaring voices meet sky-high acrobatics in an unforgettable open-air spectacle. Catch Rachel Dratch and an all-star cast at Bluebird Improv, live at TCAN on July 30–31!



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Nantucket, America’s best-preserved seaport, is a July joy with festivals galore! July 4th, Nantucket Garden Festival (7/8-10); Nantucket Dance Festival (7/8-13); Nantucket Comedy Festival (7/10-12); Nantucket by Design (7/14-17); AAN Annual Art Auction & Gala (7/19); Nantucket Triathlon (7/19); 14th Farm-Fresh-Feast for Sustainable-Nantucket (7/23); Maria Mitchell Stargazer Gala (7/24); 50th NISDA Sandcastle & Sculpture Day (7/26). Stunning beaches; pristine cycling/hiking trails; museums, Nantucket Cultural District, high-end boutiques/shops; kayak, SUP, sail, surf, island tours await. Lovely hotels, inns/B&Bs; delectable dining. The Wave bus’ routes ALL FREE for everyone!

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Marblehead Festival of Arts, July 3–6, hosts a wide range of art exhibits, outdoor music concerts overlooking Marblehead Harbor, Film Festival, Street Festival, Children’s Festival, Artisans Marketplace, and many other cultural activities designed to provide a fun and enriching experience for the entire family. Yankee Homecoming Celebration is a family tradition, taking place July 26–August 3, in Newburyport. Events include live music, historic walking tours, outdoor markets, art shows, a parade, and fireworks!

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Tony Award-winning fairy tale adventure Shrek the Musical will take center stage at Priscilla Beach Theatre July 2-19. The Summer of Love Concert Series in Onset features free, live music at the Bandshell Onset Waterfront on Wednesdays in July and August! Legendary artist Graham Nash will headline at Plymouth Memorial Hall at 7:30 pm on July 18. From the launch of the British Invasion to the birth of the Laurel Canyon movement stands the litany of songs that Nash has written and introduced to the soundtrack of our lives for nearly six decades. Find all See Plymouth July events here.



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Southeastern MA

To kick off the month of July, join the City of Fall River's July 4th Waterfront Celebration, including Battleship Massachusetts July 4th Fireworks Viewing! On July12 in Taunton, take a Cemetery Tour with Old Colony History Museum. From July 16-20, enjoy the Westport Mass 69th Annual Agricultural Fair. Also in Westport on July 26 is the Westport Rivers Vineyard Vine to Table Dinner . On July 24 in New Bedford don't miss the Underground Railroad Walking Tour. July 25 is the Dueling Pianos Show @ Nasketucket Bay Vineyard Fairhaven, July 26 is the Padanaram Summer Festival, and July 31 is the 109th Feast of the Blessed Sacrament. New this year: take SouthCoast Rail on the Boston to New Bedford Feast special event tour.

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On Saturday, July 19, at 2 pm, a life-size bronze sculpture of W.E.B. Du Bois - created by nationally acclaimed sculptor Richard Blake - will be unveiled in front of the Mason Public Library in the Berkshires. The sculpture sits on a custom marble bench, part of a larger community-led effort to honor Dr. Du Bois in his hometown of Great Barrington. The unveiling ceremony is open to all! For more information, please visit https://webduboissculpture.org/.

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The Lowell Folk Festival returns July 25–27, bringing one of the nation’s largest and longest-running free folk festivals to downtown Lowell. Visitors will experience a rich tapestry of music, dance, crafts, and international cuisine—all set against the backdrop of Lowell’s historic mill city charm. This beloved cultural event attracts thousands annually and offers an unforgettable summer experience for all ages. For details and planning resources, visit lowellfolkfestival.org.

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