What’s Happening in Amherst?
Photo: public domain
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.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 16 THROUGH SUNDAY, JANUARY 18 : 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.
BEGINNING SATURDAY JANUARY 17: “CLICK! PHOTOGRAPHERS MAKE PICTURE BOOKS. New exhibit at the Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. The exhibition, guest-curated by children’s book historian Leonard Marcus, features more than 90 photographic works organized into three sections: “Real Worlds,” in which photos show the world and real-life subjects in it; “Concept Books: The Alphabet and Other Good Ideas,” in which photos illustrate concepts like numbers, the alphabet, the difference between big and small, etc.; and “Photo Theater,” in which photography is used to create fictional worlds. “Photographer-illustrators have long trained their camera eye with young people in mind,” Marcus said in a press release. “Their inventive, at times magical creations can be just what children, with their fascination both for real and imaginary worlds, crave.” Admission is $15 for adults; $10 for students, teachers and seniors (65 and up); and free for members.
SATURDAY JANUARY 17: NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL. 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. for ages 5+, 12 and 3 p.m. for ages 8+, Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. Let your little ones discover the magic of the big screen with Little Kid Flicks. Whether searching for the perfect pancake or interviewing a crocodile, these shorts are sure to enchant and delight all audiences (but especially our youngest!). Big Kid Flicks is full of challenges big and small. With obstacles like training for the Paralympics and selling ties across the countryside, this program is full of vibrancy and adventure.
SATURDAY JANUARY 17: SPECTRE FOLK WITH MARK ROBINSON AND WILLIE LANE. 8 p.m., the Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Peter Nolan was Spectre Folk before drumming and strumming in Magik Markers was his main gig. The main benefit of ghost-folk is you can play it way after you’re dead, and while you’re alive, the Spectre can haunt any decent willing body with a gift for the unreal. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Full calendar.
MONDAY JANUARY 19: SECOND ANNUAL COMMUNITY FOOD DRIVE. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Road. The Second Annual Light and Love Amherst Community Food Drive, organized by State Representative Mindy Domb (D-Amherst), will be held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Monday, January 19, 2026, to benefit the Amherst Survival Center. The food drive is inspired by Dr. King’s words: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” The food drive will collect food donations at the Amherst Survival Center, in a drive-by fashion, on Monday, January 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
TUESDAY JANUARY 20: THE LAW AND POLITICS OF U.S. INTERVENTION IN VENEZUELA AND BEYOND. 4 p.m. on Zoom. This webinar features UMass SBS faculty with expertise on Venezuelan politics, Latin American politics, and international and domestic law to make sense of the recent military incursion and arrest of Nicholas Maduro. Panelists will discuss the legal basis, or lack thereof, for the invasion and arrest. They will also what this means for Venezuelans still living in the country, those abroad, and all Americans as well as the Trump administration pursues its security, political, and economic goals. Register here.
TUESDAY JANUARY 20: NATIONAL DAY OF RACIAL HEALING COMMUNITY CONVERSATION. 5 to 7 p.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Join the Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion for a community conversation recognizing the 10th annual National Day of Racial Healing! This is the next installment in our ongoing Becoming Beloved Community series. The National Day of Racial Healing, held on the Tuesday after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, focuses on racial healing and collective action for a more equitable world. The National Day of Racial Healing is not just about recovering from the past; it is also about building a better future. Racial Healing facilitates trust and authentic relationship building that bridges the divide between real and perceived differences. The National Day of Racial Healing is an opportunity to bring all people together to contemplate shared values and inspire collective action. Registration strongly encouraged. Learn more about the National Day of Racial Healing.
THURSDAY JANUARYU 22 THROUGH SUNDAY JANUARY 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.
SATURDAY JANUARY 24: SPECIAL STORY TIME WITH MADDIE FROST. 2 to 2:30 p.m., Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. Author-illustrator Maddie Frost will read her newest book, Cats on Cats on Cats! Join us for a storytime, a peek at the making of the art, and an audience draw-along, followed by Q&A.
SATURDAY JANUARY 24: DON’T TELL COMEDY. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. No spoilers! All comedians remain unknown until the moment they take the stage. But don’t fret, we carefully curate lineups of 4-7 different comics to create a hilarious and diverse show. Tickets $27. Full calendar.
TUESDAY JANUARY 27: REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB 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 with the Representative and her team, share concerns and thoughts on state legislation, and 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 an urgent matter, please do not wait until office hours; call (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you have a time-sensitive or private matter, Representative Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or via phone at (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Please include your name, address, and contact information when contacting the office.
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 28: BAD BAD HATS WITH SMUT. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Bad Bad Hats is an indie rock band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. In their 10 years, they have toured the country many times in their trusty minivan. Their fourth album was released in April 2024 on Don Giovanni Records. Smut is the project of lyricist Tay Roebuck, guitarists Andie Minn and Sam Ruschman, drummer Aidan O’Connor, and bassist John Steiner. Their first album was “a record that explored grief through the lens of melancholic dream pop, using drum machines and layered, intricate melodies. Tickets $20, $25 at the door. Full calendar.
FRIDAY JANUARY 30: REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB OFFICE HOURS. 4 p.m., Amherst Town Hall, 1st Floor. 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 an urgent matter, please do not wait for office hours and call (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. If you are unable to attend at these times or if you have a time sensitive or private matter, Representative Domb’s office can be reached via email at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or via phone at (413) 335-1362 or (617) 722-2060. Please include your name, address, and contact information when contacting the office.
SATURDAY JANUARY 31: LAUNDRY DAY: THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE TOUR. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Laundry Day was formed in 2016 by four classmates at Beacon High School in New York City. They have been exponentially growing their audiences on Instagram and TikTok as they continue to release music and sell out venues. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Full calendar.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 5: THROUGH THE LENS WITH THE UMASS FASHION ORGANIZATION. 4 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum, 125 West Bay Road. As part of The Carle After Dark series, strike a pose with the UMass Fashion Organization and step into the spotlight during Through the Lens wearing your “I have Nowhere to Wear” outfit, an evening of photo ops, playful snapshots, and unforgettable karaoke moments with Josh Sitron.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 5: BOOK TALK ONLINE: A GILDED AGE QUEEN BATTLING ANTISEMITISM. 7 p.m. on Zoom. Eve M. Kahn will speak on her book, Queen of Bohemia Predicts Own Death: Gilded-Age Journalist Zoe Anderson Norris. Zoe, a Kentucky belle turned restless Kansas housewife turned lauded writer/reformer/publisher raged against predatory landlords, corrupt charity executives, and Ellis Island deportation forces, among other villains. Sponsored by the Yiddish Book Center. Register.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7: NATIONAL WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY CELEBRATION. 11:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Amherst College Alumni Gym, 266 South Pleasant Street. Join Amherst Recreation and Amherst College Athletics for this event that invites girls and non-binary youth in grades 4-8 to a fun-filled day of sports and fitness! National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) is dedicated to honoring the achievements of girls and women in sports and aims to recognize the power of sports and play in unlocking limitless potential. NGWSD at Amherst College will provide girls and non-binary youth in grades 4-7 with a unique and welcoming opportunity to explore various sports, play, and have fun together. The participants will be divided into smaller groups to enjoy different fundamental skills in a variety of sports (no previous experience necessary). The event will feature activities led by women’s sports teams, including: squash, golf, crew, track/cross country, soccer, field hockey, softball, and volleyball. Doors open at 11 A.M. for registration and snacks. The program will begin at 11:30 AM with a chat with current scholar-athletes followed by a dynamic stretch warm-up. Girls will then be divided into groups so they can try different sports and games through a continuous timed rotation. Parents are able to drop-off their children after 11:00 AM and pick them up at the conclusion of the event at 2:45 PM. All participants and their families are invited to cheer on the Amherst College Women’s Hockey team as they take on Colby College at 3pm in Orr Rink. Admission is free and free pizza will be provided! Register here.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: WINTERFEST. Join us for this weeklong celebration on February 14 through February 21. Amherst Recreation, in collaboration with many community partners, will host a variety of free and affordable events for residents and visitors of all ages to embrace the winter season.
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
SUNDAYS AND TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 1-17: THE BEFORE TRILOGY. 1:30 p.m. Sunday February 1, 8, and 15 and 7p.m. Tuesday February 3, 10, and 17, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Follow Jesse and Celine as they meet on a train and spend a night wandering the city in Vienna, then reconnect nine years later in Paris, and finally as a married couple on vacation in Greece. Richard Linklater’s marvelous trilogy: “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” and “Before Midnight” starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Tickets.
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+.
THURSDAYS: FIRST, THIRD AND FOURTH THURSDAYS IN JANUARY: IRISH MUSIC AT THE HARP. 4-7 P.M. 163 Sunderland Road. There may be Fiddle, Flute, Tin Whistle, Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Bagpipes, Bouzouki, Bodhran and ???. Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Flings, Polkas, Slides, and Waltz’ from around the Celtic world. Food , drink, friendship and a relentless cacophany of rhythmic tones,. Undeterred by the chaos and heartbreak of our troubled world,
As my favorite jig says, We’re always Happy to Meet and Sorry to Part. Who knows? .it might help banish misfortune for a moment
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 SATURDAY JANUARY 31: LANDSCAPES ABSTRACTS AND IMMERSIVE ART AT GALLERY A3. Gallery A3, 28 Main St 1D in the Amherst Cinema complex, will host a new exhibition of oil paintings by Gordon M. Green and Evelyn Pye. The The gallery will host an opening reception in the gallery on Friday, January 2 from 5-7 p.m. and a free art forum online on Thursday January 15 at 7:00 p.m. Register for the art forum here.
More info
NOW 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.
SUNDAYS AND TUESDAYS FEBRUARY 1-17: THE BEFORE TRILOGY. 1:30 p.m. Sunday February 1, 8, and 15 and 7p.m. Tuesday February 3, 10, and 17, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. Follow Jesse and Celine as they meet on a train and spend a night wandering the city in Vienna, then reconnect nine years later in Paris, and finally as a married couple on vacation in Greece. Richard Linklater’s marvelous trilogy: “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset,” and “Before Midnight” starring Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy. Tickets.
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.
NOW THROUGH MONDAY APRIL 27: MABEL LOOMIS TODD EXHIBIT TO BENEFIT THE EMILY DICKINSON MUSEUM. Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. The Mill District is pleased to announce its newest front window gallery installation: The Mabel Loomis Todd Exhibit. The exhibit presents a rarely seen collection of Todd’s paintings created for a book of her father’s poetry. Learn more about the exhibit.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 14 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: WINTERFEST. Join us for this weeklong celebration on February 14 through February 21. Amherst Recreation, in collaboration with many community partners, will host a variety of free and affordable events for residents and visitors of all ages to embrace the winter season.