What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: Shutterstock
by Art & 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.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3: OPENING RECEPTION FOR PERSPECTIVES:JOIN THE POLITICAL AND THE PRESONAL AT GALLERY A3. Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street 1D. Gallery hours are Thursday–Sunday, 2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. In PERSPECTIVES Join the Political and the Personal at Gallery A3, Rochelle Shicoff and Diane Steingart invite viewers into their diverse visual worlds. Shicoff’s series of paintings express her responses to the current conflict in Gaza while Steingart’s process-driven paintings explore an inner world of emotions, memories, and dreams. More information
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3: SINGER SONGWRITER COSY SHERIDAN AT CHERRY HILL COHOUSING. Friday October 3, at 7 p.m. Doors open 6:30 p.m. at Cherry Hill Cohousing 120 Pulpit Hill Road in North Amherst. Tickets are $15-25 sliding scale. Seating is first come, first served. Eric Phelps will open with old favorites and original songs.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 3: MORRISEY BLVD.: 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Morrisey Blvd. is a sibling trio from New Bedford, Massachusetts known for their heartfelt lyrics and high-energy live shows. Their music dives into themes like heartbreak, growth, and learning to let go. Grand View Point opens. Tickets $15 in advance, $18 at the door. See full calendar here.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4. HIKE FOR HUNGER GUIDED GROUP HIKE. 9 to 11 a.m. Join the Kestrel Land Trust and support the Amherst Survival Center with a guided hike to Mount Norwottuck, the highest peak on the Mount Holyoke Range. This is part of the Survival Center’s monthlong Hike for Hunger, a fun, month-long opportunity to explore outdoor spaces while raising funds for ASC to ensure our neighbors have access to healthy food. For more information & to register, go to the Kestrel Land Trust website. MORE.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: LAKE WALLACE FALL FESTIVAL. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 Whitlock Way, Belchertown. Learn about Nipmuc land stewardship and the effort to rematriate Lampson Brook Farm. Hear indigenous voices and live music. Celebrate inclusive outdoor recreation. Speakers at 10:30 a.m.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: UMASS HOMECOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS. On Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., community members can explore campus with a UMass Pass, a self-guided adventure to six campus landmarks. Along the way, they’ll enjoy candy apple decorating, treats from award-winning UMass Dining, face painting, and exclusive giveaways like UMass playing cards, hats and crossbody bags. UMass Athletics fans can gather at the Cheer Garden at McGuirk Stadium from 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., for games, a la carte food and drink offerings, music provided by WMUA, inflatables, giveaways and more. At noon, men’s soccer hosts Denver at Rudd Field, followed by the Homecoming football game at McGuirk at 2:30 p.m. against Western Michigan—UMass’s first home Mid-American Conference (MAC) matchup of the season. The day wraps up with UMass hockey at 7:30 p.m., as the Minutemen take on Northern Michigan at the Mullins Center. MORE
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: TERRY KITCHEN AT SONG AND STORY SWAP. 7 p.m., First Church, 165 Main Street. Singer Songwriter Terry Kitchen will be featured at the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society’s October Song and Story Swap. Parking is available in the lot behind the church. There is no admission fee – a hat is passed during the guest artist’s performance for donations, all of which go to the artist with a suggested minimum donation of $7.50. Attendees at this Song and Story Swaps will be invited to contribute a song or story on the topic of “Dreams” during an opening round of sharing.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: LISTENING SESSION. AMHERST YOUTH SPEAK TO PROGRESSIVE CANDIDATES FOR TOWN COUNTI AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The event will be held on the Amherst North Common on Saturday, October 4 from 3-4 p.m. No experience is required to attend, and light refreshments and snacks will be served. Organizers emphasized that they want to share perspectives of all young people and that includes high school and college students. More information
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: SALSA IN THE PARK. 6 to 9:30 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Head to the pavilion at Mill River Recreation Area for outdoor dancing, great music, and food from the Thai Chili food truck. Rain or shine! Saturday 6:00-7:00 pm, free salsa lesson with Ray & Rebeccah of Salsa Worcester; 7:00-9:30 pm, free Latin Dance Social (Salsa, Bachata, Merengue) with DJ Picu. This is the final Salsa in the Park this year.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 4: EMO NIGHT BROOKLYN. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Welcome to Emo Night Brooklyn, a late-night DJ based dance party blasting the best emo and pop punk jams. We may even invite some of your favorite artists and bands to surprise you and join the party. Get ready to scream your lungs out, mosh, and dance to your favorite songs with all of your favorite people and experience the awesomeness that is Emo Night Brooklyn. 18+ event. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See full calendar here.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 7: WILDWOOD REMEMBERS: FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED, CEMETERIES, AND THE GARDENESQUE. 7-8 p.m. UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Join us for the first installment of our three-part series: Wildwood Remembers – UMass Connections to Wildwood Cemetery. Dr. Ethan Carr, Professor of Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, and Rebecca Fricke, General Manager of Wildwood Cemetery, will discuss Frederick Law Olmsted, Cemeteries, and the Gardenesque. Free and open to all. More information
TUESDAY OCTOBER 7: WATER FROM YOUR EYES: IT’S A BEAUTIFUL PLACE. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. “It’s a Beautiful Place” opens with zero-gravity instrumental “One Small Step”—a fitting prelude for what is one giant leap for New York duo Water from Your Eyes. The album is a gleaming megalopolis, a satellite view of eras and musical forms, a reframing of the y2k songbook that is at once awe-struck and mindful of its place in the vastness. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See full calendar here.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8: THE DYNAMICS OF HEALTH AND AGING. 5 p.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. People are living longer these days. As a result, many of us can expect to spend 20 or more years in retirement. How can we make the most of those 8000 days? Join a panel of local experts to learn about the tools and resources that can help you and your family navigate the aging process. Explore important estate planning steps that everyone should be taking as they get older and other options for specific situations that might apply to you, including minimizing estate taxes, avoiding the need to involve the probate court process, and protecting assets from long-term care. Learn how you can make minor adjustments to your space now so you can enjoy it for years to come. And more!
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 8: “PHOTOGRAPHIC JUSTICE: THE CORKY LEE STORY.” 7 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Amherst Cinema presents a screening of the documentary, PHOTOGRAPHIC JUSTICE: THE CORKY LEE STORY. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Director Jennifer Takaki and Executive Producer George Hirose, and moderated by C.N. Le, Senior Lecturer of Sociology and Director of the Asian & Asian American Studies Certificate Program at UMass Amherst.This event is presented in partnership with the Office of Equity andInclusion at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Tickets are available through Amherst Cinema’s website, or in person at the Amherst Cinema box office.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 9: MASSIVE DESK CONCERT SERIES: CHEEZ AND KEIRA DOYLE. 7-8 p.m. UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Get to know some MASSively talented up-and-coming UMass musicians in this chill concert series. Artist line-up coming soon! Presented in partnership with the UMass Songwriting and Production Club, the MASSive Desk Concert Series is free and open to all.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 9: OPEN MIC NIGHT AT THE DRAKE WITH TANK HOOD. 6 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Sign-ups start at 5:30 p.m., five-minute slots. Be respectful—we will not tolerate any discriminatory content or depictions of graphic violence. Host Tank Hood has toured the country in a jamband and performed or recorded with many artists. Free admission. See full calendar here.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 9: HAMED SINNO: POEMS OF CONSUMPTION. 7:30 p.m., Bowker Auditorium. As a Lebanese American gay and nonbinary artist, Sinno has long been a powerful voice for LGBTQ+ rights and global justice. With “Poems of Consumption,” they turn their lens to the urgent subject of consumer culture—drawing on text from Amazon product reviews to illustrate themes of surveillance capitalism, heartbreak, boycotts, and Orientalism. Tickets $35, $20 for students.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 10: CUPPA JOE WITH THE NEW SENIOR SERVICES DIRECTOR LISA BORCHETTA. 8:00 to 9 a.m., Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street. Join us for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and the new Director of Senior Services Lisa Borchetta on Friday, October 10 from 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM at the Black Sheep Deli. Lisa is eager to connect with the broader community to discuss how to make Amherst an even better place for older adults to thrive, focusing on expanded programming and new intergenerational initiatives. Learn more about Lisa Borchetta. 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 OCTOBER 10. AMHERST HISTORICAL SOCIETY: IN DEFIANCE. 1 to 1:30 p.m., Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Explore stories of 20 abolitionists you were never taught in school with authors Tom Weiner and Dr. Amilcar Shabazz. This engaging talk highlights overlooked voices, connects past to present, and invites audience questions. A thoughtful downtown program that pairs well with a stroll through the History Center galleries at 45 Boltwood Walk.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 11: FIRE STATION OPEN HOUSE. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Fire Station, 98 North Pleasant Street. The Amherst Fire Department (AFD) will host their Annual Open House to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week on Saturday October 11 at the Central Fire Station, 98 North Pleasant Street. Activities will include meeting firefighters, taking photos with Sparky the Fire Dog and Smokey Bear, checking out new equipment, and – new this year – watching a live fire safety demonstration at Noon. The event is free and open to all.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 11: AMHERST COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SWEET 16 CELEBRATION AND OPEN HOUSE. Amherst Community Connections, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing social services to the Amherst community and the surrounding areas, is celebrating its Sweet 16 with a special Open House and Community Arts Showcase on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at its new office, located at 256 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, MA. The event is free and open to the public. Guests will enjoy:Light refreshments, a talent show and an exhibit of arts and crafts created by community members, celebrating their creativity, tenacity, and talents. Interactive activities, include a community art wall and memory jar.Tour the new and greatly improved office space and meet the workers and volunteer. MORE
SATURDAY OCTOBER 11: WALKING TOUR: BRUTALIST UMASS: CAMPUS ARCHITECTURE AS SANCTUARY. 2 to 3:30 p.m., Lincoln Campus Center Lower Level. Tour Guides: Timothy M. Rohan, Ph. D., Chair and Associate Professor, History of Art and Architecture Department, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Ludmilla Pavlova-Gillham, FAIA, Senior Campus Planner and Architect. Tour: Join us for a special tour that invites the UMass community and the public to experience our campus through the eyes of the students. See it not just as a place of learning or a collection of buildings, but as a living sanctuary. Explore the campus as a “third place” — where students find support, belonging, and community — through the highlighting of three iconic Brutalist buildings: The Lincoln Campus Center (Marcel Breuer, 1970) – the social heart of campus, The W.E.B. DuBois Library (Edward Durell Stone, 1972) – an academic sanctuary, and The Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts (Kevin Roche, 1973) newly renovated, a cultural haven, now featuring the beautifully renovated Arts Bridge. Discover how these architectural landmarks and surrounding spaces shape the core of UMass Amherst. This will be a unique opportunity to experience the campus not just as it is, but as it feels. Free and open to the public. Register here.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 12: UNRWA GAZA 5K. 10 a.m., Groff Park, Mill Lane. Valley Families for Palestine is organizing a local 5K run/walk at Groff Park. We are participating as a virtual team in the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) 2025 NYC 5K for Palestine, raising funds to make mental health care accessible for all Palestinian refugee children in Gaza. Join us to raise money for mental healthcare for Palestine refugee children in Gaza.
TUESDAY OCTOBER 14: PAUL BEAUBRUN. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Beaubrun is the son of Theodore “Lolo” and Mimerose “Manze” Beaubrun, both founding members of the internationally celebrated mizik rasin (Haitian roots music) band Bourkman Eksperyans. Like his parents, whose music has always been policically charged, Beaubrun is outspoken in his advocacy for his home and its working people. In song and speech alike, he pulls no punches in his assessment of the role U.S. imperialism has played in creating and exacerbating problems in Haiti. Part of the UMass Fine Arts Center Codemakers series. Tickets $35 in advance, $20 for students. See full calendar for the Drake here.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 15: CANDIDATE FORUM FOR DISTRICT 1 AND AT-LARGE TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES. 6:15 to 9 p.m., Amherst Regional High School Library, 21 Mattoon Street. These forums are sponsored by the League of Women Voters and each forum is scheduled for 7:00-9:00pm at the Amherst Regional High School Library and preceded at 6:15 by a meet and greet with the candidates–light refreshments available. The schedule is Wednesday, October 15– Districts 1, 2,3 & 4 candidates for Town Council. Thursday, October 23– at large candidates for Town Council and Candidates for School Committee. Each candidate will answer questions submitted by Amherst voters. . Audience members are encouraged to submit questions either in advance by emailing them to lwva@lwvamherst.org (by the day before the forum) or those in attendance can write their questions on index cards provided, which will be read to the candidates. The events will be recorded and available on You Tube.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 16: MASSIVE DESK CONCERT SERIES: LAINE TRULY AND MARLEY BROWN. 7-8 p.m. UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Get to know some MASSively talented up-and-coming UMass musicians in this chill concert series. Artist line-up coming soon! Presented in partnership with the UMass Songwriting and Production Club, the MASSive Desk Concert Series is free and open to all.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 17: 51ST ANNUAL MULTIBANDS POPS CONCERT. 7:30 p.m., Tillis Performance Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. Since its inception in 1975, the Multibands Pops Concert has been introducing local school students to a wide range of music genres while showcasing the entire spectrum of its student ensembles. Thirteen ensembles of various sizes from the department will present wind, jazz, orchestral, choral, percussion and chamber music in a fast-paced 65-minute first half. As is tradition, the second half will feature the UMass Minuteman Marching Band performing highlights from their 2025 Field Show, complete with color guard and twirlers. In total, more than 700 students will take part in the performance. Tickets $25, $18 for students, seniors, and faculty.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 18: CRANBERRY FAIR AT FIRST CHURCH. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. First Church Amherst, 165 Main Street. The ultimate church fair–part tag sale, part bake sale, part silent auction, and all-out fun and amazing bargains–is happening for the first time in three years–AND a month earlier than usual. Come early to snag the best clothes, books, treasures, tools and baked goods. Stay for lunch and to bid on scores of Silent Auction items.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 18: 53RD ABC WALK/FALL FOLIAGE AND CIDER RUN. 10 a.m., Town Common. The 5k Fall Foliage and Cider Run is a community celebration of Amherst A Better Chance, a residential high school program that prepares academically talented young men of color from educationally underserved school districts for college and future leadership roles. Run or walk to support Amherst A Better Chance. The walk/run starts at Amherst Town Common, partly circles Amherst College campus and enters the woodlands of The Amherst College bird sanctuary, highlighted by a beautiful view over the Pelham Hills. Finally, it follows the Norwottuck Rail Trail back to the campus. Upon completion, runners and walkers are invited to enjoy a cup of cider and healthy snacks while we await the results and then award prizes. Register.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 18: THE COMMON SCHOOL CHILDREN’S CARNIVAL. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 521 South Pleasant Street. Join us for a fun-filled day of games, rides, and activities for the whole family!
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19: AMHERST COMMUNITY LAND TRUST 6TH ANNUAL FALL WALK. 2 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. We will meet near the pavilion at the Mill River Recreation Area, at 95 Montague Road. We will gather just long enough to share some trail mix and describe the choices for our easy walk and a more challenging one, both on the Mill River Conservation Trails. Rain date is Sunday, October 26. RSVP if you can, but are also welcome to just come if you find on the day that you can. We look forward to enjoying the fall colors with you. Here’s hoping for crisp clear air, autumnal sun and a shower of red, orange, yellow and tawny hues all around! All are welcome.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19: WALKING TOUR OF DOWNTOWN AMHERST ARCHITECTURE. On October 19, 2025, the Amherst Historical Society & Museum will host a guided architectural tour of downtown Amherst. The tour will be led by architect Steve Schreiber FAIA and Chair of the Department of Architecture at UMass. It will explore the exteriors and surroundings of old and new buildings in the central business district, and will include stops at infrequently seen places. The buildings included in this tour will be chosen by Professor Schreiber. PRE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. REGISTRATION INFORMATION COMING SOON.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19: “EVA’S PROMISE”. 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street. This powerful documentary tells the story of Heinz Geiringer’s hidden artwork and his sister Eva’s vow to recover it—revealing a legacy overshadowed by the better-known story of Anne Frank, who posthumously became Eva’s stepsister. Purchase tickets
TUESDAY OCTOBER 21: VACCINE CLINIC FOR SENIORS. 2 to 5 p.m., Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Covid-19 vaccines for people age 65 and over and flu vaccine for all ages. Register at http://northamptonma.gov/2219/vax or call 413-259-3077 or email publichealth@amherstma.gov
TUESDAY OCTOBER 21: NATIONAL MOVEMENT VOTER PROJECT HOUSE PARTY. 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. online. The online MVP parties like this one are especially powerful because of the presentations by diverse, well-informed, fiercely committed younger activists who are also working in alliance with each other, and funded by MVP. They provide a political education something like what we experienced with the North Carolina Cabarrus County folks: a gritty sense of what’s it’s like on the ground in red and purple states, what they accomplish, and exactly how our support enables them to do it better. I’m blown away and energized every time I listen to them. It will do your heart good to be there! Register here.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22: RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY: NORTH COMMON REVITALIZATION PROJECT. 12 p.m., 4 Boltwood Avenue. The Town of Amherst set out on a mission to transform the North Common into a more inviting and vibrant destination for residents and visitors alike. The vision was to create a lively gathering place that would draw people to Downtown Amherst for community events, civic activities, shopping, and dining at our local small businesses. This project has been a collaborative journey spanning several years, supported by various Town departments, boards, committees, and community members. After more than a decade of public engagement, thoughtful design, and careful construction, the North Common Revitalization Project is officially complete. Please join us in celebrating the official opening of this dynamic community space! RSVP by October 19.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22: WESTERN MASS PEOPLES FORUM ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. Online. 6:30-8:00 p.m. Western Massachusetts area residents will gather together on zoom to have conversations about the education we want for our children. What should students know and be able to do by the time they graduate from high school? How should students demonstrate their readiness to graduate? How can schools, pre-K to 12, support these goals. Register and more information here.
WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 22: ECONOMIST NANCY FOLBRE ON THE IMPACT OF TRUMP’S POLICIES ON FAMILIES. Pelham Town Library, 7 p.m. Nancy Folbre, UMass Professor of Economics emerita, will speak on the impact of President Trump’s recent social policies on individuals, families, and our communities.in the Ramsdell Room of the Pelham Town Library. Parking is nearby. This forum is sponsored by the Pelham Town Democratic Town Committee and is open to all people regardless of political outlook or party affiliation. Her talk on this occasion if entitled, “Trump, Family, and the Care Economy.”
THURSDAY OCTOBER 23: MASSIVE DESK CONCERT SERIES: SEAN KASTANTIN AND MAGGIE GEARAN. 7-8 p.m. UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Get to know some MASSively talented up-and-coming UMass musicians in this chill concert series. Artist line-up coming soon! Presented in partnership with the UMass Songwriting and Production Club, the MASSive Desk Concert Series is free and open to all.
THURSDAY OCTOBER 23: CANDIDATE FORUM FOR DISTRICT 1 AND AT-LARGE TOWN COUNCIL CANDIDATES. 6:15 to 9 p.m., Amherst Regional High School Library, 21 Mattoon Street. These forums are sponsored by the League of Women Voters and each forum is scheduled for 7:00-9:00pm at the Amherst Regional High School Library and preceded at 6:15 by a meet and greet with the candidates–light refreshments available. The schedule is Thursday, October 23– Candidates for at large Town Council and School Committee. Each candidate will answer questions submitted by Amherst voters. . Audience members are encouraged to submit questions either in advance by emailing them to lwva@lwvamherst.org (by the day before the forum) or those in attendance can write their questions on index cards provided, which will be read to the candidates. The events will be recorded and available on You Tube.
FRIDAY OCTOBER 24: MEET THE ECLIPSE CHASERS. 1 p.m., Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Mabel Todd turned their travels into magazine articles and three books about astronomy which included descriptions of remote tribal people and exotic landscapes – jungles, deserts, and volcanoes! In this way, Mabel supported her husband’s research expeditions and helped him achieve national recognition, and Millicent was inspired to pursue scientific studies leading to a PhD in geography from Harvard. Amherst Historical Society History Bites lunch time series.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: PUMPKIN PAINTING FOR AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Local Art Gallery at the Mill District, 91 Cowls Road. Join us in The Local Art Gallery for drop-in, Free, Family-Friendly Pumpkin Painting on Saturday, October 25 from 11am-2pm. RSVP. We will provide all the materials while supplies last. While we are using tempura paint, be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting paint on. Prepare to take home your wet pumpkin with some newspapers! Great for all ages! Children under 14 must be actively supervised at all times. Help us to support Amherst Survival Center (ASC). Donate directly to Amherst Survival Center: https://amherstsurvival.org/donate
SATURDAY OCTOBER 25: HALLOWEEN PAWTY AT THE AMHERST DOG PARK. 2 to 4 p.m., Amherst Dog Park, Old Belchertown Road. The 4th annual Halloween dog costume “pawty” is set for October 25. Bring your spooky and adorable dogs. Prizes for best dog costumes and best dog/human duo for both big and little dogs. Also raffles, food, and lots of fun. Suggested donation $5. Rain date is Sunday, October 26.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 26: YIDDISH BOOK CENTER OPEN HOUSE. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Yiddish Book Center 1021 West Street. October marks the second anniversary of the Yiddish Book Center’s landmark exhibition Yiddish: A Global Culture. To celebrate, we’re hosting a full day of activities, including pop-up performances, public tours, a scavenger hunt, and the launch of the exhibition’s catalog, Yiddish: A Global Culture: Bold Lives, Boundless Creativity (White Goat Press). Learn more.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 26: DOWNTOWN HALLOWEEN AND SPOOKTACULAR. 12 to 3:30 p.m. Get your costumes ready! Families can enjoy downtown trick or treating from 12 to 1 p.m., a costume parade from 1:15 to 1:30, and a haunted house with a kids’ carnival from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Presented by Amherst Recreation with the Jones Library. This free community celebration brings friendly frights, sweet treats, and plenty of photo moments, all within a short stroll of your favorite downtown shops and cafes.
MONDAY NOVEMBER 3: WALKING TOUR: THE WOMEN OF WEST CEMETERY. 1 to 2:30 p.m., West Cemetery, Triangle Street. Stroll through over three centuries of history in downtown Amherst’s West Cemetery and learn about the women who’ve inhabited this town–from women whose names and stories have been lost to time to those who are internationally renowned like poet Emily Dickinson. This 90 minute tour will examine how Amherst women from different backgrounds have lived, died, and been remembered. Led by Sarah Zureick-Brown, cemetery tour guide and creator of The Silent Sod. PRE REGISTRATION REQUIRED. REGISTRATION INFORMATION COMING SOON.
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8: HOLIDAY ARTS MARKET AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., 91 Cowls Road. Join us for a festive celebration of creativity at our Annual Holiday Arts Market. Local artists, makers, food vendors, and community partners contribute to this beloved North Amherst tradition. (Rain date: Sunday, November 9).
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 8: DEMOCRACY: AMERICAN MUSICAL. Two shows, 1 p.m. and 7 p.m., ‘Bernie Dallas Room, Goodell Hall, 140 Hicks Way, UMass. The University of Massachusetts Theater Guild will present a concert performance of Democracy: American Musical by John McDonnell Tierney on Saturday Nov. 8, with two shows at 1:00 and 7:00 pm. This work is a powerful statement on the vital importance of defending and supporting democratic values in the face of a growing shift toward autocracy. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information visit: www.jackmct.com.
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9: FRIENDS OF THE JONES LIBRARIES PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT. Bay Road Multisport Center. Registration is now open for the second annual tournament. Register now through October 11 for one of 6 divisions for all levels. Information and registration here. $60 a person.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 6 THROUGH SUNDAY NOVEMBER 9: VALLEY LIGHT OPERA PRESENTS HMS PINAFORE. November 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m., November 8 and 9 at 2 p.m., Academy of Music, Northampton. Valley Light Opera celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a stunning production of Gilbert and Sullivan’s HMS Pinafore – the show that started it all! With the charm, manners, and romance of a Jane Austen novella, this beloved story about social status, rank, forbidden love, and societal pressures has transcended time for all the best reasons. Replete with gorgeous music, accompanied by a full orchestra, we’ll meet a cast of characters that are at turns funny, poignant, mysterious, haughty, and altogether fun to watch. With a charmingly nautical set and VLO’s famously beautiful costumes, this production will be a feast for the ears, eyes and heart. Tickets.
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. 9:30-11 a.m. Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Rainbow Coffee Hour is a LGBTIA+ social coffee group for ages 50 and above. Join us for this welcoming space to socialize. No format, no agenda, just community. More information
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: 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.
THURSDAYS SEPTEMBER 11 THROUGH OCTOBER 2: INTRODUCTORY DRAWING WITH DAVID DICKINSON. 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. If you have been craving an in-depth class to learn drawing basics, this is the class for YOU! Students will learn via lectures demonstrations, and homework. Join accomplished artist and instructor, David Dickinson, at The Local Art Gallery Thursday mornings this fall for an Introductory Drawing Class. This class will meet four times on Thursday mornings: 9/11,
9/18, 9/25, 10/2 from 10:30am-12pm. Deadline to sign up: September 1, 2025. Limited seating .$100, includes supplies. Ages: 14+.
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 LIVES 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 FRIDAY OCTOBER 31: WHO ARE YOU? WHO AM AI?: ART, TATTOOS, AND IDENTITY. Augusta Savage Gallery, 180 Infirmary Way, UMass. Alex Leon Sherker’s art show focuses more on the philosophical concepts behind tattooing as a means of building and representing identity, rather than getting “too caught in the tattoo-ness of the show.” He said, “Tattooing is whole mythologies of life and the human journey.” The exhibition consists of 18 large pieces, created by hand but aided by AI software. Sherker lives in Austin, Texas, but graduated from UMass in the 90’s. There is an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 3.
NOW THROUGH FRIDAY OCTOBER 31: HIKE FOR HUNGER TO SUPPORT THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. Kestrel Land Trust is partnering with Amherst Survival Center (ASC) to support their Hike for Hunger: Register to participate in the Hike for Hunger, then head out on any trails at any time during the entire month of October and connect to the land! Once registered, you’ll be able to access your own fundraising page to start collecting donations from family and friends.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1: NEW AT GALLERY A3: PERSPECTIVES JOIN THE POLITICAL AND THE PERSONAL In PERSPECTIVES Join the Political and the Personal at Gallery A3, Rochelle Shicoff and Diane Steingart invite viewers into their diverse visual worlds. Shicoff’s series of paintings express her responses to the current conflict in Gaza while Steingart’s process-driven paintings explore an inner world of emotions, memories, and dreams. The exhibit at Gallery A3 opens on Thursday, October 2 and will run through Saturday, November 1. There will be an opening reception at the gallery on Friday, October 3 from 5-7 p.m. There will be a free Art Forum Online on Thursday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. Pre-register here. Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street 1D. Gallery hours are Thursday–Sunday, 2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. More Information
NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 1 : A SOMETHING OVERTAKES THE MIND: A MULTIMEDIA VISUAL ART AND POETRY INSTALLATION BY LIGIA BOUTON AND MATT DONOVAN. Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street. A Something Overtakes the Mind is a multimedia visual art and poetry installation created by Ligia Bouton and Matt Donovan for the Emily Dickinson Museum. Through explorations of domestic objects, biographical details, found poetry, and community testimonials, the exhibition seeks to find new ways of engaging with the poet’s life and legacy. The exhibition, free to the public during museum open hours, will be installed in the ground floor of the Homestead in the house’s woodshed, laundry room, and kitchen. Visitors to the installation must first check in at the carriage house tour center.
NOW THROUGH FRIDAY DECEMBER 5: NATURAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS: STRANGE BUT TRUE. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Morrill Science Center II, 627 North Pleasant Street. The UMass Natural History Collections presents: Strange but True. From the world’s smallest “elephant” to the world’s largest brain, meet some of our most interesting specimens. Weekdays, 9am to 5pm, until December 5.
NOW THROUGH SUNDAY JANUARY 4: RETROSPECTIVE: THE ART OF GRACE LIN: MEETING A FRIEND IN AN UNEXPECTED PLACE. Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. Grace Lin’s first picture book, The Ugly Vegetables, was published in 1999 to glowing praise. Twenty-five years later, she has created more than 30 titles, including board books, early readers, and middle grade novels, garnering Caldecott, Newbury, and Geisel honors along the way. Lin is a dedicated advocate for diversity in children’s book publishing, with a popular TEDx talk, “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf” and created the video essay, “What to do when you realize classic books from your childhood are racist?” for PBS News Hour and New England Public Radio. This career retrospective of more than 80 works celebrates all aspects of Lin’s creativity with original art, sketches, manuscripts, and videos.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1: NEW AT GALLERY A3: PERSPECTIVES JOIN THE POLITICAL AND THE PERSONAL In PERSPECTIVES Join the Political and the Personal at Gallery A3, Rochelle Shicoff and Diane Steingart invite viewers into their diverse visual worlds. Shicoff’s series of paintings express her responses to the current conflict in Gaza while Steingart’s process-driven paintings explore an inner world of emotions, memories, and dreams. The exhibit at Gallery A3 opens on Thursday, October 2 and will run through Saturday, November 1. There will be an opening reception at the gallery on Friday, October 3 from 5-7 p.m. There will be a free Art Forum Online on Thursday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. Pre-register here. Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street 1D. Gallery hours are Thursday–Sunday, 2:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m. More Information