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.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 13: BRINGING OUR HEADS AND HEARTS TO CLIMATE CHANGE. Kestrel Trust, 37 Bay Road, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Climate change, due to its complexity, is one of the most significant and far-reaching challenges we are facing on our planet. Its impacts are already evident and have the potential to disrupt life as we know it, from food security and health to economics and geopolitical stability. Understandably, we can feel despairing and distressed; we can experience difficultly thinking and talking about it, let alone expressing emotions about it. Neuroscientists are now weighing in on the question of why it’s so difficult for our brains to grasp the immensity of the climate crisis, which also weighs heavily on our hearts. If you are feeling any amount of “climate anxiety,” you are not alone, and you don’t have to grapple with it alone. Connecting in community can help us build resiliency in the face of uncertainty and reduce feelings of overwhelm and resignation. A conservation-minded presentation to expand our perspectives about the climate crisis will ground our time together, followed by a discussion by a trained climate cafe facilitator and an optional nature walk around Plum Brook Pond (15 minutes). Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public. Pre-registration required. More info
SATURDAY DECEMBER 13: “THE FIFTH STEP” (NATIONAL THEATRE LIVE). 12:30, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Olivier Award-winner Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, DUNKIRK) is joined by Emmy and BAFTA-winner Martin Freeman (Sherlock, THE HOBBIT) in the critically acclaimed and subversively funny new play by David Ireland. After years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James becomes a sponsor to newcomer Luka. The pair bond over black coffee, trade stories and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences. But as Luka approaches step five—the moment of confession—dangerous truths emerge, threatening the trust on which both of their recoveries depend. Finn den Hertog directs the provocative and entertaining production filmed live from @sohoplace on London’s West End. Tickets.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 13: GLORY TO THE NEWBORN KING: A BLACK GOSPEL CELEBRATION. 2 p.m., Wesley United Methodist Church, 98 North Maple Street, Hadley. The Amherst Area Gospel Choir presents “Glory to the Newborn King: A Black Gospel Celebration.” Suggested donation $5 to $10.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 13: TAYLOR SWIFT DANCE PARTY: 36TH BIRTHDAY BASH. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Step into your favorite era and dance the night away at the ultimate Taylor Swift Dance Party. Celebrate every iconic song, lyric, and memory from the world’s biggest pop star. From Fearless sing-alongs to Midnights anthems, it’s a night made for Swifties to scream, dance, and relive every album together. !8 + event. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door.
SATURDAY AND SUNDAY DECEMBER 13 AND 14: AMHERST BALLET PRESENTS “THE SNOW MAIDEN.” 3 p.m., Amherst Regional High School Theater, 21 Mattoon Street. Get ready to experience a magical winter tale come to life in an enchanting performance by Amherst Ballet set to 3 works by Tchaikovsky. Join Amherst Ballet for The Snow Maiden, a folk tale with roots in pre-Christian Northern Europe. Our retelling is set to selections from three works by Tchaikovsky: The Serenade for Strings, Symphony No. 1 in G-minor (Winter Reverie), and Incidental Music for the play, “The Snow Maiden.” Tickets.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 16: STATE REP MINDY DOMB COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS. 12:30 p.m. Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. This is an opportunity for constituents of the Third Hampshire District to speak to the Representative and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and to seek assistance. There is no need to schedule an appointment, constituents can stop by anytime during the hour to speak to Representative Domb or a member of her staff. If this is a time-sensitive matter, please do not wait for office hours and call (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Representative Domb’s office can also be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov. Please include your name, address, and contact information when contacting the office. Rep. Domb holds community office hours every month in the district.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 16: PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED EAST AMHERST LOCAL HISTORIC DISTRICT. 6 p.m. (check town calendar for location).
TUESDAY DECEMBER 16: FINAL PUBLIC FORUM FOR CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE. 7 p.m. Town Room of Town Hall and on Zoom. The 2024 Charter Review Committee recently completed their Initial Report and expects to have its final, preliminary report published by Monday, December 8. The Committee will hold its final Public Forum in hybrid format to hear residents’ input on the Preliminary Report on Tuesday, December 16.
TUESDAY DECEMBER 16: ARHS JAZZ (rescheduled from December 2). 7 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Amherst Regional High School Jazz Workshop comes to the Drake. Showcasing a variety of student groups and jazz combos. Tunes will range from American Songbook classics to soul hits and contemporary songs. Open to All. Free, but all donations will benefit the ARHS Jazz program.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17: NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP WITH KARRIN ALLYSON. The Drake, 44 N. Pleasant Street. Karrin Allyson, 5-‐time Grammy nominated jazz vocalist, pianist, and songwriter is widely recognized as one of the most gifted voices of her generation. She has built a mastery of The Great American Songbook, blues, pop, be-‐bop, Brazilian, and French chansons, to name a few. Tix: $ 12 ADV, $15 at the door. More info. Full calendar.
THURSDAY DECEMBER 18: FOURTH ANNUAL SIP ‘N STROLL. Horse-drawn carriage rides, shop boutique and unique independent retail. Prix-fixe meals at your favorite local restaurants. Pop-up Makers and artisans’ market. 4-9 p.m. in downtown Amherst. More info
THURSDAY DECEMBER 18: CANDLELIGHT: CHRISTMAS CLASSICS. 6 p.m., First Church Amherst, 165 Main Street. Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Amherst. Get your tickets now to discover the music of Christmas Classics at First Church Amherst under the gentle glow of candlelight. Tickets $26-$28.
THURSDAY DECEMBEER 18: ART AND HEALING GALLERY A3 ART FORUM 7:30 p.m. online. As part of the Art and Healing Program sponsored by The Friends of Cooley Dickinson, eleven artists from the local cooperative Gallery A3 exhibited their work in the hospital’s North Gallery. Beginning and ending 2025, six artists exhibited work during January and February, while the other five had work on display in November and December. They will join for a free online discussion. Pre-registration required. Register and more info at: www.gallerya3.com
THURSDAY DECEMBER 18: PUBLIC HEARING: COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT. 7 p.m. on Zoom. This public hearing and public meeting of the CDBG Advisory Committee is an opportunity for the community to hear updates on current activities from recent grants and give input on the FY 2026 application process including community priorities, community development strategy, target areas, and project proposals. Any person, business, or organization has the opportunity to give public comment during the hearing or submit written comments. Written comments and any questions may be submitted any time to Planner Walker Powell (powellw@amherstma.gov). Reasonable accommodations such as language translation services can be provided if requested seven (7) days before the meeting via a written request to the Town Manager’s Office (townmanager@amherstma.gov).
FRIDAY DECEMBER 19: STATE REP MINDY DOMB COMMUNITY OFFICE HOURS. 3:00 p.m. Amherst Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Walk. This is an opportunity for constituents of the Third Hampshire District to speak to the Representative and her team and to share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and to seek assistance. There is no need to schedule an appointment, constituents can stop by anytime during the hour to speak to Representative Domb or a member of her staff. If this is a time-sensitive matter, please do not wait for office hours and call (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Representative Domb’s office can also be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov. Please include your name, address, and contact information when contacting the office. Rep. Domb holds community office hours every month in the district.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 20: 41ST ANNUAL WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION. 6:30 p.m., Cherry Hill Co-Housing, 120 Pulpit Hill Road. Storytellers, Singers, Musicians. Contributions will benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the American Civil Liberties Union. You are invited to bring canned goods for the Amherst Survival Center. Suggested donation $15. No one will be turned away because of inability to pay.
SATURDAY DECEMBER 20: LANTERNS FOR LUCE: A FUNDRAISER FOR THE LUCE IMMIGRANT JUSTICE HOTLINE. 4:30 p.m., Markert’s Pond South Lawn, Pondview Drive. Speakers from LUCE, Music from Show Up, Sing Out!, Lantern parade. More info
SUNDAY DECEMBER 21: A 21ST CENTURY NUTCRACKER. 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., Bowker Auditorium UMass. Let’s play with tradition! Join the Center Dance for an exciting spin on a wintertime classic—dance styles from across the globe (and right next door) set to Tchaikovsky’s timeless score. Tickets $24. Children 12 and under $19.
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.
NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 23: DECEMBER HOLIDAY SALE AT GALLERY A3. Affordable and fun…. Gallery A3’s annual December Holiday Show & Sale SMALL WONDERS features small-scale works created by current members of the contemporary fine art cooperative gallery located in downtown Amherst. Original artwork includes paintings, prints, photographs, collages, and assemblages. All pieces are in the range of 12” by 12” or smaller and affordably priced, from $50 to $150. And all are “cash and carry”, making them ideal for unique holiday gifts. Gallery hours 2–7 p.m. Thursday–Sunday and extended holiday hours on Wednesday, December 17 plus Monday–Tuesday, December 22–23. Stop by the gallery to check out an array of mini-scaled artworks and colorful curiosities. Support local artists and discover perfect gifts for family or friends, or give yourself a small treat this Holiday Season. Gallery A3 is located 28 Amity Street, 1D. More information at www.gallerya3.com
NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 27: FREE PARKING ON SATURDAYS IN DOWNTOWN AMHERST. The Town of Amherst is suspending parking enforcement in all metered spaces and public lots in downtown Amherst on Saturdays through the end of December.
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 APRIL: SPRITES, SPELLS, AND SPLASHES: MAGICAL BEINGS IN PICTURE BOOK ART. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The Eric Carle Museum opens its new exhibition on Saturday, November 22. The show includes picture book artwork of fantasy creatures like mermaids, fairies and wizards from more than 40 classic and contemporary books. “From the brownies of the British Isles to the djinns of the Middle East, magical beings abound in folklore. These creatures exist in a parallel world within and alongside humans,” said Isabel Ruiz Cano, associate curator. “Picture book art can be a powerful bridge between cultures, a keeper of stories, and a source of wonder that allows us to see the invisible. Although we may not always be able to spot these creatures, the artists in this exhibition bring their mysterious forms to light.” The museum is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m.
THURSDAY THROUGH SUNDAY JANUARY 15-18 AND 22-25: AMHERST COMMUNITY THEATER’S “THE WIZARD OF OZ”. 7:30 p.m. and 1 p.m. matinees on Saturday and Sunday, Bowker Auditorium UMass. We invite you to click your heels and follow the Yellow Brick Road to UMass for The Wizard of Oz! Join Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion as they journey to the Emerald City singing favorites like “Over the Rainbow” and “If I Only Had a Brain.” With dazzling costumes, stunning effects, and a heartwarming story about friendship, courage, and self-belief, this beloved classic will remind everyone that there truly is no place like home. Tickets $27, $22 seniors, $17 for children under 10.