What’s Happening in Amherst?

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 AUGUST 1: WATERSHED WOODS WALK. 9 a.m. to noon, Notch Visitors Center, 1500 West Street. Join MA Department of Conservation & Recreation and Kestrel Land Trust for a moderate guided 2 to 3-mile hike. Learn how watersheds shape our landscape. Hike along Sweet Alice Brook to observe native brook trout and the streams that feed Plum Brook Pond. The program concludes at Kestrel Land Trust Headquarters with a seated discussion on how forest and open-space conservation protect clean water and wildlife. Registration  required. Free.

SATURDAY AUGUST 1: FUN SATURDAY MORNINGS: SUMMER SEND-OFF CARNIVAL. 10 a.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Join us for Fun Saturday Mornings at UMass Downtown! Free and open to the public, these family-friendly programs take place Saturdays from July 11 through August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each week features a different hands-on activity designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and summer fun for children and families. The perfect send-off to a summer of Fun Saturday Mornings! In partnership with Amherst Rec, come enjoy games, treats, and music. Pick your favorite craft from the summer to take home and keep!

SATURDAY AUGUST 1: REGIONAL TIBETAN ASSOCIATION CANDLELIGHT VIGIL. Downtown Amherst, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Part of the Global Day of Action for Pawo Lobga Rangzen. More info

SATURDAY AUGUST 1: SMELLS LIKE NIRVANA PERFORMS MTV UNPLUGGED. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Celebrate the legendary sounds of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain’s classic MTV Unplugged performance with Smells Like Nirvana tribute as they perform songs from the MTV UNPLUGGED album plus other versions of songs from Nevermind, In Utero, Bleach, and more acoustically. Tickets $25. See complete schedule here.

TUESDAY AUGUST 4: RAINBOW COFFEE HOUR. 9:30 to 11 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Join us the first Tuesday of every month for a LGBTQIA+ social coffee group for ages 50+ and allies. This is a welcoming space to socialize: no format, no agenda, just community. We’ve created a safe and welcoming space where you can connect with like-minded individuals, share stories, and combat loneliness.

TUESDAY AUGUST 4: PUBLIC SHADE TREE COMMITTEE POTLUCK PICNIC. 5:30 p.m., North Common in front of Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. The Amherst Public Shade Tree Committee is inviting tree lovers, both in town and from other communities, to the celebration. The committee is also developing and maintaining a pollinator garden outside Town Hall, designed to support bees, butterflies, beetles and birds with native flowers and shrubs. Amherst has been a pollinator-friendly community for more than six years and is responsible for providing pollinators with safe, secure habitats on town-owned land.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5: PRIVATE FREEWRITING IN AND BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: WHAT UNEDITED, UNSURVEILLED WRITING DOES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND THEIR WELLBEING.
6:00- 7:30 P.M. UMass Downtown 108 N. Pleasant St. With Miranda Lutyens. When was the last time you wrote for ten minutes, by hand, without stopping for any reason—especially not to check your phone? This is how Miranda’s first-year writing students begin every class session, yet they never revise, turn in, or share that writing.Instead, they reflect on the experience of private freewriting. Join us to learn more about this practice and how, according to this research, it may be impacting students’ relationship to writing, to others, and to themselves. Free and open to all. Pre-register here.

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 5: AN EVENING WITH KARRIN ALLYSON, VOCALS, FREDDY BRYANT, GUITAR, MIRO SPRAGUE, PIANO, AND NANNY ASSIS , DRUMS. 6:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Join us for an evening of jazz with an all-star lineup plus special guests! Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. See complete schedule here.

THURSDAY AUGUST 6: SUNSET THURSDAY AT THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM WITH STAR CATS ELECTRIC JAZZ TRIO. 4-8 p.m. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road. Free with a museum admission or for museum membeers. As part of Summer at The Carle, the Museum stays open late on Thursdays to bring the community together for lively, intergenerational evenings of art and live music. As the sun begins to set, the grounds come alive with outdoor jazz performed by local musicians curated by Northampton Jazz Festival, along with artists of all ages drawing together, hands-on art activities, storytimes, local food vendors, and more. More info

THURSDAY AUGUST 6: AOS BIRD BAND JAM. 7 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Please join us for the American Ornithological Society 2026 Bird Band Jam: Feathers and Frequencies tour. Enjoy a rousing night of music, dancing, and celebrating our collective hope for birds with colleagues and friends!. Tickets $10, $5 for students. See complete schedule here.

FRIDAY AUGUST 7: VETERAN’S BREAKFAST FOR ALL: UNDERSTANDING YOUR END-OF-LIFE CARE OPTIONS. 8 to 9 a.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Join the Town of Amherst for our Veterans Breakfast for All! This breakfast will be focused on Planning Ahead: Understanding Your End-of-Life Care Options with featured speaker Jeffrey Zesiger, Medical Director of the Fisher Home and a palliative care specialist. All are welcome. This breakfast is free and open to to all veterans, spouses, caregivers, and community members. Breakfast usually consists of bagels, donuts, and coffee. Sponsored by the Town of Amherst Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS). For information, contact Hermane@amherstma.gov.

FRIDAY AUGUST 7: KIMAYA DIGGS SUMMER CONCERT. 5:30 p.m. Emily Dickinson Museum, 220 Main Street. Part of the Summer Concert Series. The concerts are organized by the Amherst Business Improvement District in partnership with New England Public Media and Amherst Center Cultural District.

SATURDAY AUGUST 8: KIDS’ END OF SUMMER READING CELEBRATION. 10:30 to noon, Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. Join staff of the Kids Room and Munson Library for our end of summer reading party! Come build a bouquet of locally grown flowers from Old Friends Farm to celebrate our summer reading theme Plant a Seed, Read. We will also have activities, fun facts about farming with Amherst Historical Society, photo opportunities, and enthusiastic librarians who love hearing about what you have been reading. All ages welcome! This is the last day for kids (ages 0 – 10) to turn in their reading log and receive an entry to the grand prize drawing. The Kids Summer Reading prize drawing will be on Monday, August 10! Kids Summer Reading Logs will still be accepted until Tuesday, August 25 to receive a nature observation kit.

SATURDAY AUGUST 8: ICE CREAM AT GROFF PARK. 2 to 3 p.m., Groff Park, 83 Mill Lane. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads.Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).

SATURDAY AUGUST 8: WORLD PREMIERE OF “I WAS A HURRICANE.” 8 p.m., Town Common. World premiere of a documentary about ultimate frisbee at Amherst Regional High School. This miniseries has been in the works for the past five years. See the trailer here.

SUNDAY AUGUST 9: PODCAST PARLOR. 6 p.m., Amherst Coffee, Amity Street. Join us for a fun event celebrating three amazing podcast creators from Amherst Media. Hear stories from Milan Clark, Amina Daviatshoeva, and Jamahl Jackson and learn about the process of making a podcast. Register here. $20. Light food provided. Drinks available for purchase.

MONDAY AUGUST 10 THROUGH FRIDAY AUGUST 14: YOUTH SUMMER WORKSHOP: LOCAL MEDIA MATTERS. 10 a.m., Amherst Media, 101 University Drive. Learn how to investigate a topic in town, develop a story, and complete a finished mini doc like a real journalist. Skills include camera, editing, writing, and interviewing. For ages 7-11. Register here. Sliding scale $75 to $375.

MONDAY AUGUST 10 THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER: EXHIBIT BY LOCAL ARTIST AMY DAWN KOTEL Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. Amy Dawn Kotel is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path spans dance, puppetry, education, and fitness, all of which inform her vibrant fine art practice. Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, Kotel’s work invites viewers into richly layered worlds where countless forms converge to create expansive landscapes, dreamlike narratives, and unexpected connections. After years working in movement-based and community-centered arts, Kotel returned to visual art as a primary outlet, using drawing, painting, collage, and upcycled fabric sculpture to explore her inner world. Her work is characterized by bold color, dynamic movement, and intricate compositions built from small shapes that form larger images. Blending elements of nature, abstraction, and surrealism, her pieces often oscillate between expressing emotional depth and imagining beauty, inviting viewers into a space that is at once playful, heartfelt, and introspective. In addition to Kotel’s large art life, she is also a mom, wife, community organizer, tree hugger, and educator. 

THURSDAY AUGUST 13 – SUNSET THURSDAY AT THE ERIC CARLE MUSEUM WITH ROB FONTANA AND VERNON DAVID. 4-8 p.m. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road. Free with a museum admission or for museum membeers. As part of Summer at The Carle, the Museum stays open late on Thursdays to bring the community together for lively, intergenerational evenings of art and live music. As the sun begins to set, the grounds come alive with outdoor jazz performed by local musicians curated by Northampton Jazz Festival, along with artists of all ages drawing together, hands-on art activities, storytimes, local food vendors, and more. More info

FRIDAY AUGUST 14: CUPPA JOE WITH NEW SENIOR SERVICES DIRECTOR DAN GARCIA. 8 to 9:30 a.m. Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street.  Dan began as the new Director of Senior Services in July. He brings more than two decades of experience in education, community engagement, and human services leadership to the role. Throughout his career, he has focused on helping individuals access resources, overcome barriers, and achieve their goals while building partnerships that strengthen communities. Prior to this role, he served as the Program Manager for Amherst’s Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS) Department, where he managed a major grant and developed community outreach initiatives, strategic partnerships, and supported residents through trauma informed and equity-centered services. As Director of Senior Services, Dan will oversee programs and services designed to support Amherst’s older adults and ensure the Senior Center remains a welcoming and inclusive community hub. His priorities include expanding programming for active and younger seniors; strengthening partnerships with organizations such as the Council on Aging, Friends of the Amherst Senior Center, and Amherst Neighbors; addressing food insecurity; improving transportation options; and reducing the social isolation that many older adults experience. Join Dan and Town Manager Paul Bockelman for coffee and conversation.

FRIDAY AUGUST 14: TUNES AT NOON: MASALA JAZZ TRIO AT THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER.  12-1 p.m., Amherst Survival Center. 138 Sunderland Road. Masala Jazz Trio is a mixture of several musicians and a fusion of musical expressions with a foundation in jazz and blues. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

FRIDAY AUGUST 14: PURPLE HEART COMMUNITY DESIGNATION CEREMONY. 3 to 4 p.m. in front of Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. The Town of Amherst is proud to announce that it has officially become a designated Purple Heart Community, joining more than 100 municipalities in Massachusetts and hundreds more nationwide in recognizing those wounded or killed in combat for their country. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this special ceremony celebrating the designation. The event will include remarks from town officials and community leaders, a proclamation reading, unveiling of the new signs, and recognition of Purple Heart Recipients. Please RSVP to the ceremony here.

Purple Heart Communities are cities and towns that officially dedicate themselves to honoring and remembering local military service members who’ve earned a Purple Heart. The Purple Heart is the nation’s oldest military medal, awarded to U.S. Armed Forces Service members who were wounded or killed in combat. To be declared a Purple Heart Community, a municipality with living or deceased Purple Heart Recipients must issue an official proclamation. In March 2026, the Amherst Town Council passed the “Town of Amherst Proclamation Declaring Amherst a Purple Heart Community” and the Military of the Purple Heart subsequently approved the designation.

In becoming a Purple Heart Community, the Town of Amherst will recognize August 7 as “Purple Heart Day,” and actively encourages all residents and organizations to participate in displaying the American Flag and other public expressions to honor and recognize the devotion of Amherst’s Purple Heart recipients.

SATURDAY AUGUST 15: ICE CREAM AT MILL RIVER. 2 to 3 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals:

·       Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks.

·       Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads.

·       Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).

SATURDAY AUGUST 15: AMHERST COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT. 6:30 to 8 p.m., Sweetser Park, Lessey Street. Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family to enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. This free event is open to all and celebrates the spirit of our downtown community. More details to come. Rain Location: St. Brigid’s Parish Hall at 43 North Prospect St, 

SUNDAY AUGUST 16: ICE CREAM AT KENDRICK PARK. 2 to 3 p.m., Kendrick Park. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads.Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).

THURSDAY AUGUST 20: PHOSPHORESCENCE CONTEMPORARY POETRY SERIES. 6 p.m. on Zoom. August’s program features poets Aimie Whittemore, Aimee Nezhukumatathil, and Amy Wright. Produced by the Emily Dickinson Museum, the Phosphorescence Contemporary Poetry Series celebrates contemporary creativity that echoes Dickinson’s own revolutionary poetic voice. The Series features established and emerging poets whose work and backgrounds represent the diversity of the flourishing contemporary poetry scene. Join us on a Thursday evening each month to hear from poets around the world as they read their work and discuss what poetry and Dickinson mean to them. Registration required. Free.

FRIDAY AUGUST 21: VETERAN’S BREAKFAST FOR ALL.  8 to 9 a.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70b Boltwood Walk. Join the Town of Amherst for our Veterans Breakfast for All! At each breakfast, a veteran or veteran ally will tell their story regarding military service or a related topic. All are welcome. This breakfast is free and open to to all veterans, spouses, caregivers, and community members. Breakfast usually consists of bagels, donuts, and coffee. Sponsored by the Town of Amherst Community Responders for Equity, Safety, and Service (CRESS).

FRIDAY AUGUST 21: “THE SOUND OF MUSIC” AT THE AMHERST SURVIVAL CENTER. 12 to 3 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. Follow the story of Maria, a young novitiate who proves too spirited for convent life in 1930s Austria. She is sent by her abbess to serve as a governess to 7 children during World War II.

FRIDAY AUGUST 21: RECEPTION FOR AMY DAWN KOTEL EXHIBIT. 5 to 7 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. Refreshments will be served, and music will be performed by the Amherst Autoharp Workshop. Amy Dawn Kotel is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path spans dance, puppetry, education, and fitness, all of which inform her vibrant fine art practice. Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, Kotel’s work invites viewers into richly layered worlds where countless forms converge to create expansive landscapes, dreamlike narratives, and unexpected connections. After years working in movement-based and community-centered arts, Kotel returned to visual art as a primary outlet, using drawing, painting, collage, and upcycled fabric sculpture to explore her inner world. Her work is characterized by bold color, dynamic movement, and intricate compositions built from small shapes that form larger images. Blending elements of nature, abstraction, and surrealism, her pieces often oscillate between expressing emotional depth and imagining beauty, inviting viewers into a space that is at once playful, heartfelt, and introspective. Free.

SATURDAY AUGUST 22: ICE CREAM AT PUFFER’S POND. 2 to 3 p.m., Puffer’s Pond, 171 State Street. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads. Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).

MONDAY AUGUST 24: FIRST DAY CELEBRATION FOR AMHERST PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Kendrick Park, rain location at the Amherst Regional Middle School Cafeteria. Amherst Regional Public School students can meet the Superintendent, principals, and central office staff and connect with local firefighters, paramedics, CRESS responders, and police officers. Activities and much more. Sensory-friendly hour 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY AUGUST 25: FEED DEMOCRACY WITH REP. MINDY DOMB. 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road.Join Rep. Mindy Domb for a convo about issues that matter the most to you. Submit your questions ahead of time to Miranda at the Center.

THURSDAY AUGUST 27: SENIOR SIPS AT GINGER GARDEN. 4 to 6 p.m., Ginger Garden, 351 Northampton Road. Join local seniors 60+ to connect with neighbors, discover local happenings, and learn about available resources! Snacks will be provided; attendees are responsible for their own beverages. This event is sponsored by the Amherst Council on Aging (COA), Amherst Business Improvement District (BID), Friends of the Amherst Senior Center, and Amherst Neighbors.

FRIDAY AUGUST 28: TUNES AT NOON AT THE SURVIVAL CENTER: FRENCH PRESS. 12 to 1 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. French-accented blend of traditional music from Québec, Brittany, and France for fiddle, accordion, guitar and banjo. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

SATURDAY AUGUST 29: ICE CREAM AT COMMUNITY FIELD AND WAR MEMORIAL POOL. 2 to 3 p.m., War Memorial Pool, 167 Triangle Street. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals: Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads. Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).

SATURDAY AUGUST 29: SALSA IN THE PARK. 6 to 9:30 p.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Get ready for Salsa in the Park! Join us under the pavilion for outdoor dancing, great music, and food. Rain or Shine! Hosted by: Salsa con Tacos Dance. Sponsored by: Amherst Recreation. Funded by: Amherst Cultural Council & Mass Cultural Council. Free and open to all.  Schedule: 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Free Salsa Rueda de Casino Lesson by Celadry
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Free Latin Dance Social (Salsa, Bachata, Merengue) with DJ Picu

SUNDAY AUGUST 30: HISTORIC BLACK CHURCHES UNITED SERVICE. 11 a.m., Goodwin Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 41 Woodside Avenue. Goodwin Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church will host a joint worship with two other historic African Methodist Episcopal Zion congregations from western Massachusetts — Gardner Memorial of Springfield and Price Memorial of Pittsfield. The gathering is intended to strengthen ties between faith communities across Hampden, Hampshire and Berkshire counties, and is part of a broader effort by the New England District of the A.M.E. Zion Church to bring local Black churches together to share resources and launch ministries serving people in need across the region.

SUNDAY AUGUST 30: ICE CREAM AT GROFF PARK.  2 to 3 p.m., Groff Park, 83 Mill Lane. The Town of Amherst and the Fort River Watershed Association present Ice Cream in the Park! Join us for free ice cream and coloring books for kids! Parents are invited to share their experiences with local flooding and to help identify problematic culverts and road washouts. Your local knowledge is crucial to help us identify problem areas and develop plans for a resilient future. Come for ice cream. Stay for community. Help protect our watershed! This event is part of a regional project spearheaded by the Town of Amherst, in partnership with Hadley, Belchertown, Pelham and Shutesbury, that aims to protect the Fort River Watershed. The Fort River Watershed Culvert Improvement & Prioritization Plan Project focuses on Critical Infrastructure, Climate Resilience, and Environmental Stewardship to achieve these goals:  Improve flood resilience for the Town to prevent road damage and assess safety risks. Improve Aquatic Habitat Connection under roads.Work toward a townwide Culvert Prioritization Plan (all stream crossing culverts and bridges assessed for conditions and aquatic connection).

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 13: MILES FOR MUSIC. The Drake and the Iron Horse are launching an 8.1 mile run, walk, or relay from downtown Amherst to downtown Northampton with live music along the Norwottuck Rail Trail and a finish-line celebration at Taste of Northampton. Learn more and register at https://www.runreg.com/miles-for-music.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 17: 13^th ANNUAL BLOCK PARTY. 5 to 9 p.m., North Pleasant Street, downtown Amherst. This beloved community event promises an evening of fun, entertainment, and celebration of all things Amherst.  The Annual Block Party is a cherished tradition, drawing thousands of residents and visitors to our dynamic downtown. This year’s event will feature an exciting lineup of live music and performances, showcasing local talent and captivating acts. Attendees can look forward to aerialists, acrobats, stilt walkers, jugglers, and a variety of street performers that will delight audiences of all ages.  In addition to the entertainment, local restaurants and retailers will line both sides of North Pleasant Street. Downtown Amherst boasts a diverse array of dining options and unique shops and services, making it the perfect destination for a night out. Whether you’re enjoying a meal, discovering a new favorite store, or simply soaking in the lively atmosphere, there’s something for everyone at the Block Party.  This event is FREE and open to all!   

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 We Stand for Peace and Justice Amherst. 4-4:30 p.m. in the center of town in front of the Bank of America Building (1 S. Pleasant St.) Join Amherst community members from various affiliations, who come together every Tuesday to stand out in downtown Amherst for social justice, peace, and in support of our immigrants neighbors in danger. We often sing while standing together, accompanied by a guitar or drum. More info

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

TUESDAYS, THURSDAYS, SATURDAYS, AND SUNDAYS: DROP IN PICKLEBALL. 8 a.m. to noon, Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Drop-in to play pickleball at Mill River Recreation Area. Nets are available on-site to put up and play! Free and open to the public. Sponsored by Amherst Recreation.

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

EVERY WEDNESDAY : CAFE. Bangs Community Center, Room 101, 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. Pastries provided generously by Atkins Farms Country Market. 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 Wednesdays, 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. 

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+.

EVERY THURSDAY: IRISH MUSIC AT THE HARP. 4 to 7 p.m., The Harp, 163 Sunderland Road. Banish the cold and damp of the past months with Irish music. There may be Fiddle, Flute, Tin Whistle, Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Bagpipes, Bouzouki, Bodhran and ?.  It’s always a surprise who shows up. Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Flings, Polkas, Slides, and Waltz’ from around the Celtic world.  Food, drink, friendship and a relentless cacophony of rhythmic tones. Undeterred by the chaos and heartbreak of our troubled world, As a favorite jig of mine says, We’re always Happy to Meet and Sorry to Part.  Who knows? .it might help banish misfortune for a moment. And, you may find out what a Luachrachan is.  Or how to pronounce “Cuil Aodh.”  I hope to see you. 

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 IN JULY, BEGINNING JULY 10: SUMMER CONCERT SERIES. 5 to 8 p.m., Town Common. Kick off your weekends with live music on the Amherst Town Common! The Summer Music Concert Series returns Friday, July 10 and continues on July 17, 24, and 31 from 5–8 PM. Free and open to all, these concerts feature local and regional artists bringing the community together for music, dancing, and summer fun.
Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family, and enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. Free. Sponsored by the Amherst Business Improvement District.

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 FROM APRIL 18 THROUGH NOVEMBER 21: AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. 8 to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Town Common, Boltwood Avenue. The Amherst Farmers Market is widely known 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 in Downtown Amherst. Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm during the 2026 season of April 18 – November 21

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.

SUNDAYS SANDLOT BASEBALL. 4 to 6 p.m., Amherst Regional Middle School field, Chestnut Street. Get your bat, gum, and cleats ready to play some sandlot baseball! Every Sunday, from 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, at the Amherst Middle School field you are invited to play with enthusiasts of the sport. Remember, this is for fun, open to all skills levels! $5 Drop-In Fee.  Remember, this is for fun, open to all skills levels! 

THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER: CARS AND COFFEE AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 91 Cowls Road. The free car show for all! 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.

MONDAY AUGUST 10 THROUGH FRIDAY AUGUST 14: YOUTH SUMMER WORKSHOP: LOCAL MEDIA MATTERS. 10 a.m., Amherst Media, 101 University Drive. Learn how to investigate a topic in town, develop a story, and complete a finished mini doc like a real journalist. Skills include camera, editing, writing, and interviewing. For ages 7-11. Register here. Sliding scale $75 to $375.

MONDAY AUGUST 10 THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER: EXHIBIT BY LOCAL ARTIST AMY DAWN KOTEL Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. Amy Dawn Kotel is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative path spans dance, puppetry, education, and fitness, all of which inform her vibrant fine art practice. Bursting with color, movement, and imagination, Kotel’s work invites viewers into richly layered worlds where countless forms converge to create expansive landscapes, dreamlike narratives, and unexpected connections. After years working in movement-based and community-centered arts, Kotel returned to visual art as a primary outlet, using drawing, painting, collage, and upcycled fabric sculpture to explore her inner world. Her work is characterized by bold color, dynamic movement, and intricate compositions built from small shapes that form larger images. Blending elements of nature, abstraction, and surrealism, her pieces often oscillate between expressing emotional depth and imagining beauty, inviting viewers into a space that is at once playful, heartfelt, and introspective. In addition to Kotel’s large art life, she is also a mom, wife, community organizer, tree hugger, and educator.