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Header Photos
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lockwise 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
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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!
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Celebrating Independence of Summer
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So much to celebrate in July - starting with Independence Day, with parades, fireworks and community cookouts all across Massachusetts.
July also marks the high season of outdoor festivals, with seasonal venues like Cape Cod Melody Tent, the Cohasset Music Circus, Lowell Music Series, the Maudslay Arts Center in Newburyport putting on the best summer sounds.
And did you notice how fresh the food is in July - fruits and vegetables from farm to table, fishing boats bringing in fresh catches. And plenty of clam shacks, lobster rolls and to go around.
Wherever you go in Massachusetts, enjoy your summer!
Plan your next getaway to Massachusetts!
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Featured Region: Hampshire County
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Try something new in The Other Side of Massachusetts!
Look Park is a destination for every day, especially in the summer, but this July check out special events at the park like the 23rd Annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival on July 16 or the first-ever Pioneer Valley Beer and Wine Festival on July 30. In bustling downtown Northampton, enjoy the sounds of summer at the
Northampton Arts Council's Summer Concert Series on Fridays or our annual Sidewalk Sales July 28-31. Head to the hills for your fill of hands-on arts experiences. Take a class at
Snow Farm: The New England Craft Program - it's essentially like Art Camp for Adults! Or visit artist studios along the
Hilltown6 Pottery Tour the weekend of July 23 & 24. Find more information on
Hampshire County.
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Johnny Appleseed Country
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Wave the flag and watch the fireworks! The Fourth of July is a great time to enjoy community gatherings throughout Johnny Appleseed Country. The fun begins on July 2 just keeps going.
Fitchburg pulls out all the stops, with a downtown block party and fireworks on Saturday and parade on Monday. For an old-timey celebration, swing by Templeton, where the Declaration of Independence is read in a historic church, followed by an ice cream social on the common. It's time to celebrate America in Johnny Appleseed Country! Find more information
on
Johnny Appleseed Country.
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Martha's Vineyard
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Martha's Vineyard is delighted to announce the inaugural season of two fabulous performance series: the
MV Concert Series features Paula Poundstone, Alan Cummins, The Moth, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Capitol Steps, David Sedaris and more!
Broadway @ the Performing Arts Center features Tony winners Audra MacDonald and Kristen Chenoweth, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, Patti Lupone and more! For everything Martha's Vineyard, including Last Minute Lodging, visit
MVY.com. Find more information
on
Martha's Vineyard.
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Mohawk Trail Region
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The enchanting Bridge of Flowers attracts visitors from around the globe to the iconic Village of
Shelburne Falls. Folks return to take in other fabulous events throughout the summer, including the Bridge of Flowers Classic 10k race and 3k Charity Run & Walk 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. Find more information on
The Mohawk Trail Region.
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MetroWest
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Three late-July events combine the best of MetroWest: art, gardens, food, and history! Natick Center Cultural District's 9th annual
ArtWalk on July 21 caps off Restaurant Week, with 50 artists and restaurants stationed outside local businesses and studios, 5-8:30 pm. At the
Gardens at Elm Bank's Arts on the Green on the 28th, walk through the gardens' summer splendor to visit artists set up throughout the grounds, 5-8pm, in Wellesley. On July 30-31, vintage racecars, stagecoaches, biplanes vie against horseback-riders in
Race of the Century in Stow. Find more information on
MetroWest.
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Nantucket Island
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Join us on Nantucket
Sunday, July 3rd for an unforgettable seaside
fireworks display! The morning of the 4th begins with a reading of the Declaration Of Independence held on idyllic Main Street. Enjoy traditional morning activities afterward including face painting, watermelon and pie eating contests. Try your hand at the dunk tank witness the epic water fight between rival fire departments. Evening games including three legged, wheel barrow, potato sack races and the famous tug of war all take place at Children's Beach. Find more information on
Nantucket Island.
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North of Boston
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Come celebrate the 51st annual
Beverly Homecoming celebration. With over 40 events over the course of 10 fun-filled days for everyone to enjoy all around Beverly! Homecoming celebrations begin on Friday July 29th and end with music and fireworks on August 7th. Make this tradition part of your summer traditions. Find more information on
North of Boston.
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Plymouth County
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For over 30 years,
Cultural Survival Bazaars have brought together Indigenous artists and craftspeople from around the world. Brimming with colors, sounds, and art, the Bazaars are a celebration of the world's cultural diversity. On Saturday and Sunday July 23rd & 24th, Plymouth will have its very first Bazaar in Pilgrim Memorial State Park on the waterfront. Buy traditional and contemporary crafts, meet the makers, get lost in the mesmerizing sounds of various Native bands, and enjoy a summer day by the water!
Learn more! Find more information on
Plymouth County.
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Southeastern Mass
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Head to New Bedford on July 9th and 10th for the
21st Annual Folk Festival, voted one of "New England's Greatest Celebrations" by Boston Globe. Celebrate women artist with the Narrows newest exhibit, The Frame of Influence. Each exhibiting artist has been asked to share the origins of their creative process with the viewer through statement and documentation. Find more information on
Southeastern Massachusetts.
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The Berkshires
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Photo by Kevin Sprague
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Shakespeare & Company presents its 39th season, featuring the works of Shakespeare in repertory with classic and contemporary plays, on 4 stages in Lenox, located in the heart of the Berkshires. Productions include Merchant of Venice, Two Gentlemen of Verona and Twelfth Night from the Bard, and contemporary offerings from award-winning playwrights Liz Duffy Adams (Or,) Nilo Cruz (Sotto Voce), and Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone). Come and revel in memorable theater and be sure to also enjoy our lectures, backstage tours, studio readings, and free community events.
Find more information
on
The Berkshires
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Greater Merrimack Valley
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The Longest Running "Free" Folk Festival in America celebrates 30 years on July 29-31, 2016 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.
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Central Massachusetts
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Celebrate Summer to the fullest in Central Mass! If you're a pinball fan be sure to check out New England's first ever
Pintastic Pinball & Game Room Expo in Sturbridge, July 7 -9! The expo is fun for the whole family and kids will have a blast with a caricature artist, face painting, balloon animals, magic, and a bouncy house! For more adult fun, check out
Worcester's Beer, Blues & BBQ Fest on July 23 and enjoy local restaurant and food truck fare paired with craft brews and some of the city's favorite blues musicians! Find more information on
Central Massachusetts.
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Franklin County
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Green River Festival will be held July 8-10 at Greenfield Community College (easy access from I-91 and Route 2). Good music, good food, good fun for all ages! Line-up includes Tedeschi Trucks Band, NRBQ, Los Lobos, Margo Price, Charles Neville and many more. Hot air balloon ride reservations available by calling 413-773-5463 or at
franklincc.org. Off-site camping, parking and shuttles available. Festival tickets and details at
greenriverfestival.com. Find more information on
Franklin County
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Greater Boston
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July in Boston always starts with a very big bang and rightly so when the annual
Harborfest and the
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular celebrates the nation's birthday and Boston's pivotal role in our
country's history. Make plans throughout the month to enjoy
outdoor movies, farmer and artisan
markets, open-air concerts, fairs, feasts and
festivals across the city- many of which are free. More
freebies include
Free Fridays at area museums,
Outside the Box Boston, Shakespeare on the Common and the
International Sand Sculpting Festival. Stroll the
Greenway taking in special events, especially the
Ai Wei sculpture, or simply relax and enjoy this stunning urban park. Find more information on
Greater Boston.
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Cape Cod
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Hydrangeas are the signature flower of Cape Cod, and the inaugural
Cape Cod Hydrangea Festival 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 8-17. Festival highlights include over 90 garden tours organized by local nonprofits and museums, a hydrangea-inspired
Cocktail Trail, and other special hydrangea-themed events & promotions. More at
CapeCodHydrangeaFest.com! Find more information on
Cape Cod.
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Greater Springfield
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Star Spangled Springfield - Fireworks, live music and food. Riverfront Park, Springfield. Entertainment by Falcetti Music then Maxxtone at 7 pm. Fireworks start at 9:30 pm on Monday July 4.
Indian Motocycle Day - The Springfield Museums celebrate America's first motorcycle, the classic Indian "motocycles" (they spelled it without the R) that were manufactured in Springfield from 1901 to 1953. Come see over 60 classic Springfield-built Indians, vendor booths and more. Sunday, July 24, 9 am-3 pm. Go to
VisitWesternMA.com for more great ideas for July! Find more information on
Greater Springfield.
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