What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: istock
by Art and Maura Keene
You can help us make our events calendar more comprehensive by sending us your listings and including contact information and/or a link for more information. Send events listings to amherstindy@gmail.com.
SINGLE DAY EVENTS (more or less)
FRIDAY JUNE 6: NU-FOLK ARGENTINE ARTIST MICA FARÍAS GÓMEZ. Cherry Hill Co-Housing, 120 Pu;piut Hill Road in the Great Room of the Community Building. 7 p.m. Donation $15-$30. Following her electrifying performance on May 17 at The Drake, Argentinian singer/composer/producer and performer Mica Farías Gómez will present an acoustic set on Friday June 6 as part of the First Fridays concert series at Cherry Hill Cohousing in North Amherst. Farías Gómez will perform with her partner, percussionist/drummer Manuel Uriona. Singer and Songwriter Nina Mankin will do a short opening set. More information.
SATURDAY JUNE 7: ANNUAL PUFFER’S POND PANCAKE BREAKFAST. 8:30 to 11 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area. The Friends of Puffer’s Pond is holding its famous pancake breakfast to raise funds that will help care for this special place we all love. All you can eat pancakes and coffee. $12 for adults, $10 for kids, $6 for sausage.
SATURDAY JUNE 7: PIONEER VALLEY FOLKLORE SOCIETY PRESENTS ACOUSTIC DYLAN. 7 p.m., First Church, 165 Main Street. June’s Song and story swap is a tribute to the acoustic music of Bob Dylan. Come to sing or just to listen. Performers are invited to sign up to sing up to two songs written by or related to Bob Dylan. Instruments should be of the acoustic variety (guitars, harmonicas, etc.). Electronic keyboards and direct lines are OK. Microphones for instruments and vocals will be available. Performers are asked to register at https://www.facebook.com/events/723284640272885 or to email Paul Kaplan at paulkaplanmusic@gmail.com. Appearance slots and song choices will be first come, first served. Scott Cadwallader, Orlen & Gabriel, and Laura Dowling are among the first wave of musical acts to sign up to perform. Suggested donation $5 to $10. The Acoustic Dylan event is open to members of the public of all ages.
SATURDAY JUNE 7: INDIE SINGER/SONGWRITERS JAKE KLAR, ARDEN LLOYD, NORA MEIER. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Jake Klar and Arden Lloyd hail from Western Massachusetts. Nora Meier is from Oregon and lives in Boston. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. See full calendar here.
SUNDAY JUNE 8: THE SOUL REBELS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The eight-member collective The Soul Rebels have appeared twice on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and were featured on NPR’s Tiny Desk series. They built a career around an eclectic live show that harnesses the power of horns and drums in a party-like atmosphere. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. See full calendar here.
SUNDAY JUNE 8: 43RD ANNUAL LAKE WYOLA ROAD RACE AND WALK. 9:30 a.m., Lake Wyola Association Building, 6 Shore Drive, Shutesbury. Enjoy a challenging 4.8 mile walk or run around scenic Lake Wyola on paved and dirt roads. This is an iconic community event with lots of refreshments, prizes and a raffle. For the less ambitious, there is a 1.6 mile fun run at 10:10 a.m. The race serves as a primary fundraiser for the nonprofit Lake Wyola Association. And you can take a swim at the nearby state beach afterward. Information and registration at https://secure.getmeregistered.com/LakeWyolaRoadRace. Indy staffers Art and Maura Keene are the race directors.
SUNDAY JUNE 8: YOUTH HERO AWARDS AND RACE AMITY DAY. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. The Human Rights Commission will be hosting the annual Youth Hero Awards in conjunction with Race Amity Day. The event will feature a proclamation from Town Council, performances from local groups, and the recognition of this year’s Youth Heroes. Lunch will also be provided to all attendees. All members of the community are invited to celebrate the day promoting understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of different races and cultures. Free.
SUNDAY JUNE 8 THROUGH THURSDAY JUNE 12: RESTAURANT WEEK. Amherst Restaurant Week is a community-wide dining celebration happening June 8–12, 2025 in the heart of Downtown Amherst. Join us for a week of special menus, limited-time deals, and one-of-a-kind offers from many of Amherst’s local restaurants, cafés, dessert spots, and bars. From breakfast to dinner—and everything in between—there’s something for everyone. Come hungry, explore local, and discover your new favorite spot! How to Participate: Visit any participating downtown business during Restaurant Week. Enjoy their special offer, menu, or deal. Tag @AmherstDowntown on Instagram or Facebook during your visit, or scan a QR code that will be presented with your check for a chance to win gift cards to your favorite downtown stores! Participating businesses at: https://www.amherstdowntown.com/restaurantweek
TUESDAY JUNE 10: AMHERST SENIOR CENTER PERFORMANCE. 10 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Join the Amherst Senior Center for an upcoming performance on Tuesday, June 10 at 10:00 a.m. in the Bangs Community Center! Singer-songwriter Jess Martin and poet-naturalist Kim Hoff, both based in Northampton, are embarking on a unique creative journey with Echoes of Nature: Hampshire County, an arts-driven exploration of the region’s landscapes through original music and poetry. With the support of local cultural councils in Amherst, Belchertown, Easthampton, and Williamsburg, this initiative brings artistic performances to local communities while fostering environmental stewardship and inclusivity in outdoor spaces. Having embarked on and completed intentional, reflective hikes and subsequent creative sessions, Martin and Hoff have crafted original works inspired by six distinct natural areas across Hampshire County. The project culminates in a series of live performances of their original works at libraries, community centers, and public gathering spaces, designed to engage audiences in both artistic expression and ecological appreciation. About the Artists: Jess Martin is a queer singer-songwriter blending punk blues with folk. Their evocative lyrics explore identity, belonging, and nature. Kim Hoff is a poet, essayist, and environmental educator whose work examines the intersection of community, identity, and the natural world.
TUESDAY JUNE 10: DR. JANE FOUNTAIN: AI BIAS AND PUBLIC POLICY: WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT ALGORITHMS. 6:30 p.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. As part of UMass Downtown’s “Politics and Policy” series, Dr. Jane Fountain, Director of the School of Public Policy and Distinguished professor, will give a lecture focusing on AI, or artificial intelligence and its growing use in policy and politics. AI uses computational algorithms with the potential to improve public policy and civic life. But some algorithms are based on biased data and encode those biases into decision making models. During this session, Dr. Fountain will discuss some of the remedies proposed to enhance the prospects for fair, transparent, and equitable systems.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 11: SOUTH AMHERST SCHOOL REDEVELOPMENT VISIONING SESSION. 5 to 7 p.m., Monson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. The Town of Amherst, in partnership with Joy Squared Architects, is exploring possible redevelopment options at the South Amherst School at 1001 South East Street. This process will incorporate community input, which will be combined with zoning considerations, existing physical features, and documented housing needs to develop three distinct concepts. These concepts will be presented to Town stakeholders for feedback and prioritization, guiding more formal development efforts in the future. At this visioning session event, Joy Squared will gather community input and ideas to launch the process.
THURSDAY JUNE 12: PLANNING BOARD INTERVIEWS. 3 p.m. on Zoom. The Community Resources Committee of the Town Council will interview five candidates for three positions on the Planning Board. Read the statements of interest of the candidates here.
THURSDAY JUNE 12: AMHERST PRIDE PRESENTS R.I.P.: WHODUNNIT?—A DRAG PRODUCTION. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. For two years, the story of Andrew Curran’t Personal Poltergeist has led his drag career in Western Massachusetts. While Andrew is the body and brain for her, Magnolia Masquerade is anything she needs to be, but at her core she’s a ghost of Victorian glamor who transcends time. She performs alongside local legend Lividity. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. See full calendar here.
THURSDAY JUNE 12: BUILDING AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT: INFORMATION SESSION. 5 to 6:30 p.m., Munson Library, 1046 South East Street. Curious about adding a small apartment, backyard cottage, or converting space within your home? Join the Town of Amherst Affordable Housing Trust and participating partners to learn about new regulations, building tips, financing options, and more.
FRIDAY JUNE 13: CUPPA JOE WITH HOUSING COORDINATOR GREG RICHANE. 8 to 9:30 a.m., Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street. Interested in learning more about the Town of Amherst’s housing initiatives? Join us for our next Cuppa Joe with Paul featuring Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Greg Richane, Associate Planner and Housing Coordinator. The Town is leading several innovative and impactful housing initiatives that Richane will share and answer questions about including updating the Housing Production Plan, exploring shelter and housing concepts for the former VFW site and South Amherst School, developing affordable apartments on South East Street and Belchertown Road, and providing resources to expand housing options such as accessory dwelling units. Learn more about some of these initiatives on the Amherst Municipal Affordable Housing Trust Fund webpage. The “Cuppa’ Joe with Paul” events are monthly and rotate locations around Town. Each time, Paul is joined by a different Town department head or official who provides insights into their area of focus. Residents and others are welcome to share their concerns, offer suggestions, or just get to know each other.
FRIDAY JUNE 13: “THICKLY SETTLED” (FILM SCREENING) WITH TAYLOR VAN CLEAVE. 7 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Be a part of our local film test screening and live music event. Be the first to screen the director’s cut of our locally shot narrative “Thickly Settled” featuring music by Taylor Van Cleave. The short narrative film questions the paths we are on versus the paths not taken. Written and directed by Jordan Brooks and Brian Jones, the film was shot in Shutesbury, Wendell, and Orange over a period of six days in early March. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See full calendar here.
SATURDAY JUNE 14: SPRING NATURE WALK AT FORT RIVER. 9 A.M. – 11.A.M. The Fort River Trail in the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge in Hadley is a little over a mile in length. Its flat, crushed rock surface is wheelchair accessible and winds through varying habitats, with frequent access to benches and shelters. Join naturalist John Green for a leisurely walk looking for songbirds in the trailside shrubs and trees, ducks in the Fort River, and hawks soaring over the open fields. Sponsored by Mass Audubon. $15 members. $20 non-members. Directions and more information
SATURDAY JUNE 14: FIFTH ANNUAL ANCESTRAL BRIDGES JUNETEENTH LEGACY CELEBRATION. Beginning at 10:30 a.m. at various locations. Families, residents, and visitors from near and far are invited to immerse themselves in the rich history, resilience, vibrancy, struggles, and triumphs of Amherst’s historic Black community and its Juneteenth roots, which have shaped our town over the years. The day’s events are a tribute to heritage, culture, arts, the human spirit, and include a range of new experiences for all ages. Schedule of events: 10:30 a.m. Engage with descendants at Ancestral Bridges, 29A Triangle Street; 11:30 a.m. Civil War re-enactment and tribute to Black and Afro-Indigenous Amherst residents who served, West Cemetery; 12:30 p.m. Poetic lunch at The Emily Dickinson Museum, 220 Main Street; 2:30 to 4 p.m. Live jazz at UMass Downtown 108 North Pleasant Street. All events are free and open to all.
SUNDAY JUNE 15: JUNETEENTH SERVICE AT HOPE CHURCH. 10 to 11:30 a.m., Hope Church, 16 Gaylord Street. Free and open to all.
MONDAY JUNE 16: ARHS TRACK AND FIELD GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY . 4 p.m. at the ARHS track.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 18: WANDA HOUSTON: NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Wanda Houston is the lead vocalist for Heth, Bradley and Houston, the Wanda Houston Big Band, and Big and Bigger. She has also appeared in musical theater. Tickets $10 at the door, $5 for students. Free for jam participants. See full calendar here.
THURSDAY JUNE 19: JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION. 5 to 9 p.m., St. Brigid’s Church, 43 North Prospect Street. The Black Business Association of Amherst Area (BBAAA) in collaboration with Sankofa Gumbo invite the public to a family-friendly, free event to celebrate the sixteenth annual Juneteenth Jubilee on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at St. Brigid’s Church, 43 North Prospect Street from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with doors opening at 4:30 p.m. The event will feature live musical performances, poetry, dance, vendor marketplace, educational tabling by community partners, keynote speaker, kids’ activities, annual youth excellence award, book signing session by local authors, black cultural cuisine from Henryne Catering and African Bowl restaurant.
FRIDAY JUNE 20 THROUGH SUNDAY JUNE 23: VALLEY PLAYERS PRESENTS “A WALK IN THE WOODS.”. 7 p.m., First Congregational Church, 165 Main Street. Praised by New York Magazine as “a minor miracle,” Time as “a work of passion and power,” and Drama-Logue as both “a marvelous piece of theater” and “a great treatise on the nature of mankind,” A Walk in the Woods follows the evolution of the personal and professional relationship between two nuclear disarmament negotiators—a Russian and an American—who meet informally in the woods outside Geneva over the course of a particularly tense year. Set in the waning days of the Cold War, Lee Blessing’s play is a witty and moving exploration of conflict and coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy, and the critical role that making connections plays on the path to peace. Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly encouraged. A reservation will guarantee admission, but seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis and doors open for seating 30 minutes before curtain. The play runs approximately 2 hours, inclusive of a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can scale starting at $15 and are available here. Valley Players’ mission is to support the community through community theater, and half of net ticket revenue will be donated to the Amherst-based Peace Development Fund.
SATURDAY JUNE 21: QUEER ARTISAN MARKET. 10 a.m. to 4p.m., Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road.. Celebrate Pride in North Amherst, MA and join us for our annual Queer Artisan Market on Saturday, June, 21st, 2025 from 10am-4pm. This outdoor market hosted by The Mill District General Store & Local Art Gallery will feature 30+ community artisans in the parking lot of 91 Cowls Road, North Amherst, MA. ADA Accessible Parking Lot & Bathrooms are available on site. This is an outdoor smoke-free market, scents should be minimal. Masking encouraged. FREE ADMISSION & Family Friendly. RSVP for event notifications & updates at our Eventbrite ticket link! There is no rain date for this event. Eventbrite URL: https://annualqueerartisanmarket.eventbrite.com
SATURDAY JUNE 21: DWIGHT DAY EVENTS. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Dwight Chapel, 885 Federal Street, Belchertown. Come discover the magic, people and history of the extraordinary village of Dwight, Massachusetts, including a portrayal of poet Emily
Dickinson and music with Tracy Grammer & Jim Henry who perform at 4 p.m.
Dwight Day will feature nature talks with the Kestrel Land Trust and MassWildlife, children’s activities, food, trivia, live music, antique autos, a cemetery tour, and history of the once well-known,nineteenth-century railroad destination and farming community in North Belchertown. Among invited guests are Heidi Dollard, Pollinator Network Steering Committee Co-Chair; Lee Halasz, Conservation Manager, Kestrel Land
Trust; Meghan Crawford, Community Engagement Biologist, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife; and Tom Ricardi, Birds of Prey Rehabilitation Center; and Brianne Zulkiewicz, Trivia Host and Public Historian. Other presenters include Michael Carolan, History Writer and Correspondent for The Springfield Republican; Amy Lanham Historical Interpreter, and Elizabeth Pols, Artist and Local Historian. Children’s activities will include performances by Magician Fran Ferry. Food by Antonio’s Pizza and burgers by Austin Brothers Valley Farm. The event is free and open to the public.
SUNDAY JUNE 22: AMHERST’S FIRST PRIDE PARADE AND CELEBRATION. 12 to 3 p.m. Amherst Town Common. Parade will begin at 12 p.m. at Amherst-Pelham Regional High School, 21 Mattoon Street. The Town of Amherst, dedicated Amherst Pride Volunteers, and the Downtown Amherst Business Improvement District announce the first-ever Amherst Pride, a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Set to take place on Sunday, June 22 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., the event will feature a festive parade, an empowering rally, and a community resource fair. Interested parade participants, resources, and vendors are invited to register online by Friday, June 13.
FRIDAY JUNE 27 THROUGH SUNDAY JUNE 29: VALLEY PLAYERS PRESENTS “A WALK IN THE WOODS.”. 7 p.m., June 27 and 28, 2:30 p.m. June 29, First Congregational Church, 165 Main Street. Praised by New York Magazine as “a minor miracle,” Time as “a work of passion and power,” and Drama-Logue as both “a marvelous piece of theater” and “a great treatise on the nature of mankind,” A Walk in the Woods follows the evolution of the personal and professional relationship between two nuclear disarmament negotiators—a Russian and an American—who meet informally in the woods outside Geneva over the course of a particularly tense year. Set in the waning days of the Cold War, Lee Blessing’s play is a witty and moving exploration of conflict and coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy, and the critical role that making connections plays on the path to peace. Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly encouraged. A reservation will guarantee admission, but seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis and doors open for seating 30 minutes before curtain. The play runs approximately 2 hours, inclusive of a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can scale starting at $15 and are available here. Valley Players’ mission is to support the community through community theater, and half of net ticket revenue will be donated to the Amherst-based Peace Development Fund.
TUESDAY JULY 22: VIRTUAL FORUM ON EXHIBIT ON NORTH AMERICAN INDIGENOUS PICTURE BOOK ARTISTS. 6 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. The Carle is developing an exhibition celebrating and centering North American Indigenous picture book artists and their contributions to children’s literature. Curating the exhibition is Dr. Lee Francis IV, Ph.D. (Pueblo of Laguna) aka Dr. IndigiNerd, Founder of the Indigenous Imagination Workshop, Indigenous Comic Con, Native Realities, and Red Planet Books and Comics. Dr. Francis will be in MA next week, and we welcome members of the Indigenous community to join us online at: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/dsud2oFKRquetzVcU_zRsA
ONGOING AND MULTI-DAY EVENTS
EVERY MONDAY EXCEPT HOLIDAYS: AUTOHARP WORKSHOPS. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Join Marie Hartwell-Walker and autoharp players throughout the country who participate on Zoom. Participants on Zoom also welcome.
EVERY TUESDAY: RACIAL JUSTICE VIGIL 4:00 p.m. -4:30 p.m., downtown Amherst in front of the Bank of America.
FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: COUNCIL ON AGING SENIOR LUNCH. Noon. Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk.
FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. RAINBOW COFFEE HOUR. 10-11 a.m. Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Rainbow Coffee Hour is a new LGBTIA+ social coffee group for ages 50 and above. Join us for this welcoming space to socialize. No format, no agenda, just community. The July coffee hour will be held on July 11, due to July 4 being the first Tuesday of the month.
SECOND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH: ARTIST SOCIAL AND CRITIQUE. 6 to 8 p.m., Local Art Gallery, Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. All local artists, both beginners and established, are invited to attend our Artist Social and Critique that meets every 2nd Thursday of the month in The Local Art Gallery from 6-8pm. Help us create a safe space for a supportive and constructive artistic feedback while expanding your connections to other artists. Artist social time from 6 to 6:30 p.m., Artist critique from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Share digital images by emailing to gallery@cowls.com in advance. For information, contact Shannon Borrell at gallery@cowls.com or 413-835-0966.
EVERY WEDNESDAY : CAFE. Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Are you or a loved one experiencing memory loss? At the Amherst Senior Center, we understand memory changes and have developed a new program based on the popular Memory Café format. Our Café offers fun, relaxation, and of course, snacks. This program is perfect for caregivers, people with mild memory loss, or anyone in the community who enjoys good conversation and strong coffee. Each Café opens with a coffee and conversation hour, followed by a group activity. Join us on Wednesday, November 30th for a performance by our special musical guests, “Healing Hearts with Harmony” at 11:00am. Come for the coffee, stay for the connections! Email seniorcenter@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3060 with questions.
EVERY WEDNESDAY: WEEKLY WEDNESDAY MARKET. 10 to 11:30 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Since its launch in May 2024, the Wednesday Market has served over 700 community members. The Market is open to all, and there’s no registration and no questions asked. Just come and enjoy. We distribute fresh produce, dairy, prepared food, and delicious treats.
EVERY WEDNESDAY IN APRIL: DROP-IN VACCINE CLINIC. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Amherst Public Health Department, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Free flu and COVID shots while supplies last. Individuals over 65 are eligible for a COVID booster this spring. Protect yourself and others. Stay healthy! For more information, email publichealth@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3077.
EVERY WEDNESDAY: BEGINNER BIRDING. 9:00-9:30 a.m. Notch Visitor Center, 1500 West Street. For ages 12 and up. An easy, level, 1/4-mile guided hike to discover more about birds: their behaviors, needs, habitats and significance. Listen, observe, sketch, photo or journal. Free
LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH (EXCLUDING JULY AND JANUARY): NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. The Drake. 44 North Pleasant Street. 7:30 p.m. Free (donations accepted). Featuring the Green Street trio with a special guest. Featured set at 7:30 followed by an open jam session. Bring your axe. Full calendar of events here.
LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: CRAFT AND CONVERSE. Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Are you tired of creating in solitude? Looking to connect with other artistic individuals? Grab your sketchbook, knitting bag, or water color gear and join our monthly coworking group! Craft and converse, hosted by Easthampton artist Kaia Zimmerman, is held the last Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This welcoming, intentional space is designed for community members to come together for a casual, social evening while pursuing their own creative projects. Drop-ins welcome, but registration encouraged for any weather-related changes in schedule. Bring your own arts or crafts project (BYOA) to work on. Ages 16+.
WEDNESDAYS, THURSDAYS, AND SATURDAYS JUNE THROUGH NOVEMBER: AMHERST MOBILE MARKET. Wednesdays 3 to 6 p.m. in North Amherst, Thursdays 3 to 6 p.m. at Colonial Village, and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at East Hadley Road. The Amherst Mobile Market not only makes affordable produce available within walking distance of residents who struggle to access healthy food, but also puts decision-making in the hands of low-income, BIPOC community members and builds the capacity of those community members to take on leadership roles.
EVERY THURSDAY : AMHERST ARTISANS’ MARKET. 3 to 7 p.m., front lawn of the Amherst History Museum, 67 Amity Street. The Amherst Artisans’ Market features local artists, crafters and food vendors.
EVERY THURSDAY: STITCH CIRCLE. 4 to 6 p.m. Mill District Local Art Gallery and General Store, 91 Cowls Road. Grab your needles, venture to the General Store, and join us for our first Stitch Circle. Knitters, quilters, embroidery artists, and crocheters are all invited. Free.
EVERY FRIDAY: HANDS OFF OUR STUDENTS STANDOUT. 4 pm – 5:30 p.m., Kendrick Park, Amherst. https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/778646/
FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH: VETERAN’S COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FOR ALL -8 a.m – 9 a.m. Large Activity Room, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. At each breakfast (bagel/donut/coffee), a veteran or veteran ally, will tell his or her personal story regarding military service. Generation after generation reveals that those going to war to defend our country come back spiritually and morally wounded, regardless of the bodily consequences of combat. We want to bring veterans together for food and friendship to help coalesce a spirit of camaraderie to enable authentic, veteran-oriented communities to flourish. WELCOME: Veterans, Spouses, Caregivers, Amherst Community Members. Let’s Build a Thriving Veterans Community. There are 387 Veterans in town! Sponsored by CRESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION: CALL THE CRESS OFFICE, (413) 259-3370 OR GENE HERMAN, VIETNAM VETERAN, (240) 472-7288 – CRESS VETERAN’S OUTREACH VOLUNTEER.
EVERY SATURDAY THROUGH NOVEMBER 23: AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Town Common. Established in 1972, the Amherst Farmers’ Market is widely recognized as one of the best places for local food, fun, and community offering farm to table produce and selections from your local growers and Valley producers. Come out for the food, music, events, and community offerings.
SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS: LIVE JAZZ AND GOOD EATS AT THE BLACK SHEEP. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street. Frist and third Saturdays: Masala Jazz, Second, Fourth and Fifth Saturdays: Simmer Music Presents, Sundays: the Catalytics. Tip Jar..
THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH MAY THROUGH OCTOBER: CARS AND COFFEE AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 8 to 11:30 a.m., Mill District, Cowls Road. Cars and Coffee is back—and it’s bigger than ever! This FREE community event invites car lovers of all ages to enjoy an exciting morning filled with cool cars, coffee, and family fun. Spectators get a free drip coffee token and information on entering our raffle for a $50 gift certificate to the Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery. There will also be an on-site playground and coloring activities to keep the kids entertained. Trophies awarded for the top cars in several categories. Pre-register your vehicle here.
NOW THROUGH TUESDAY JUNE 10. AR[T]HS 2025, ANNUAL JURIED ARHS STUDENT ART SHOW. The 17th annual juried exhibition of outstanding student artwork produced at Amherst Regional High School (ARHS) this year, will run from June 5 – June 10 at The Hampshire College Art Gallery. The Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily with a special opening reception on Thursday June 5 from 5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. On the Hampshire Campus in the Harold Johnson Library, 25 Kenall Drive.
NOW THROUGH THURSDAY JUNE 26: FEMME LOCALE: SEEN—SCENE—CENE EXHIBITION. Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Seen—Scene—Cene is a group juried exhibition of artwork by trans women, cis women, intersex, genderqueer, genderfluid, and non-binary people within 39 miles of Amherst, on view in the Front Window gallery of the Mill District Local Art Gallery from Sunday, May 4 through Thursday, June 26. It is curated by Christine Texiera and Alexia Cota.
NOW THROUGH JUNE 30: PAINTINGS BY LOCAL ARTIST CELESTE SZE. Town Hall Art Gallery, 4 Boltwood Avenue. 8 a.m. – 4 :30 p.m. M-F. Focusing on themes of Native American and the American West.
NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 7: PORTRAITS IN RED: MISSING AND MURDERED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE BY NAYANA LAFOND. D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield Museums. In her powerful series of portraits, artist and activist Nayana Lafond sheds light on the crisis affecting Indigenous peoples, particularly women, who are eleven times more likely to go missing than the national average. Each portrait depicts a missing or murdered Indigenous person, a family member, or an advocate, rendered in shades of gray and marked by a vivid red handprint—the only color visible to spirits—to raise awareness, inspire action, and honor the lives and stories of those impacted by this crisis. Lafond, a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario, graduated from Amherst High School and lives in Western Massachusetts. After studying at the Massachusetts College of Art, she became a full-time painter and has served as a curator and community arts organizer for over twenty years. Visit her website.
SUNDAY JUNE 8 THROUGH THURSDAY JUNE 12: RESTAURANT WEEK. Amherst Restaurant Week is a community-wide dining celebration happening June 8–12, 2025 in the heart of Downtown Amherst. Join us for a week of special menus, limited-time deals, and one-of-a-kind offers from many of Amherst’s local restaurants, cafés, dessert spots, and bars. From breakfast to dinner—and everything in between—there’s something for everyone. Come hungry, explore local, and discover your new favorite spot! How to Participate: Visit any participating downtown business during Restaurant Week. Enjoy their special offer, menu, or deal. Tag @AmherstDowntown on Instagram or Facebook during your visit, or scan a QR code that will be presented with your check for a chance to win gift cards to your favorite downtown stores! Participating businesses at: https://www.amherstdowntown.com/restaurantweek