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.
SINGLE DAY EVENTS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: PINE CONE GNOME MAKING AND SNOWFLAKE DECORATING. Mill DistrictLocal Art Gallery and General Store, 91 Cowls Road. Pinecone Gnome Activity 1 to 5 p.m., first come, first served. $5 per pinecone. Snowflake cutting and decorating 10 to 6 p.m. Free (donations accepted for the Amherst Survival Center).
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: SIXTH ANNUAL FIRE AND ICE WINTER FESTIVAL. 3 to 6 p.m. The culminating event to Amherst’s week-long Winter Fest 2026. Experience the beauty of ice sculptures and luminaria. Sponsored by Amherst BID, Amherst College, and Amherst Recreation.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: THIRD ANNUAL W.E.B. DU BOIS POETRY SLAM. 5 to 8 p.m., Furcolo Hall, UMass. Join us for the third annual W. E. B. Du Bois Poetry Slam, part of the Black Artistic Freedom Conference 2026. RSVP here.
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: 40TH ANNUAL HIGH SCHOOL HONOR BAND CONCERT. 7 p.m., Tillis Hall, Fine Arts Center, UMass. The University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Music and Dance will host its 40th Annual High School Honor Band on Saturday, Feb. 21. The program brings together hundreds of New England’s top wind and percussion students to rehearse with UMass faculty and perform high-caliber literature. Guest composer and conductor is Michele Fernandez, whose award-winning ensembles have won international acclaim. The concert is free and open to the public.
SUNDAY FEBRUARY 22: CHAMBER AT THE DRAKE: HORSZOWSKI TRIO. 4 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Jesse Mills, violin; Ole Akahoshi, cello; Rieko Aizawa piano. The “New Yorker” described the Horszowski Trio as “the most compelling American group to come on the scene. The trio is a vital force in the international chamber music world. They will perform “Piano Trio in G Minor, Opus 15” by Bedrich Smetana and “Piano Trio in A Minor” by Maurice Ravel. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. (students $5 in advance). Full calendar of events here.
MONDAY FEBRUARY 23: RALLY TO SUPPORT ICE ACCOUNTABILITY RESOLUTION. 5:30-6:30 p.m. In front of Amherst Town Hall. Dress warmly and bring signs. More info
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24: OFFICE HOURS WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 12:30 to 1:30 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 an urgent matter, please do not wait for office hours; you may want to 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 reaching out to the office.
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 24: DISCUSSION OF THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB. 7 p.m. on Zoom. Western Mass Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP). Is sponsoring free tickets for community members and local organizers to see The Voice of Hind Rajab now showing at Amherst Cinema. See the film now through February 19, then join JVP for an on-line discussion. Reserve a ticket for the film and find a showtime that works for you. Find a free ticket.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25: EMPOWERING YOUTH! THE GAME OF REAL LIFE. 1:45 to 3:30 p.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Designed for middle and high school students, this interactive session aims to assist students in career exploration, life management, and financial literacy. This event is part of the Youth Empowerment Programming led by the Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Inspired by the classic “Game of Life” board game, participants will be assigned a career, face unexpected life challenges, and develop essential financial skills to manage their money. Students will learn to plan a budget, understand banking, manage debt, and handle taxes — empowering them for a successful future! Food and refreshments will be provided. Registration is strongly encouraged. Register here.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25: CHRIS SMALLS LECTURE – “FROM AMAZON TO GAZA: ORGANIZING, SOLIDARITY AND CIVIC COURAGE”. 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the Great Hall of Old Chapel on the UMass Campus.
Smalls is the The Ellsberg Initiative for Peace and Democracy Activist-in-Residence for 2026. More info
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 25: HOUSTON PERSON AND THE NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. 7:30 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. With his robust sound and swinging style, tenor saxophonist Houston Person has kept the hard bop and organ-soaked soul-jazz traditions alive. Featured set at 7:30, followed by a jazz jam session. Bring your axe to sit in! Cover $10, $5 for students. Full calendar of events here.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26 THROUGH SUNDAY MARCH 1: AMHERST COLLEGE ANNUAL LITFEST. Various locations and times. Writer and Amherst College alum Dan Chiasson ’93, says being part of this year’s LitFest — the annual literary festival at the college — is more than just an opportunity to see former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg or to share his new book. It’s a homecoming to the place that fostered his writing talents. The festival’s guest speakers include Buttigieg, in conversation with writer Cullen Murphy ’74; novelist and Harvard professor emerita Jamaica Kincaid H’96, in conversation with Jennifer Acker ’00; and poets Lena Khalaf Tuffaha and Evie Shockley, in conversation with Ruth Dickey, executive director of the National Book Foundation. For information and registration, see here.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26: BECOMING A BELOVED COMMUNITY. 5:30 to 8 p.m., Large Activity Room, Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Help shape the future of Amherst! Join the Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) for a community conversation with their partners at Community Heart & Soul. Community Heart & Soul is a resident-driven process that invites people from across Amherst to share what they love most about their community, envision the future they want, and explore how to get there — together. Community Heart & Soul brings the community together to reflect on what matters most to them. Through guided conversation, participants help shape a collective vision that informs future planning and community development. All individuals, organizations, and businesses are welcome to participate and help shape Amherst’s future. A meal will be provided. Please register for the event so we can plan accordingly. Register here. Free and open to the public.
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 26: HEAT PUMP INFORMATION PROGRAM. 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Zoom. Join this virtual information session to learn more about the Amherst Heat Pump Incentive Program! The Amherst Heat Pump Incentive Program provides financial assistance, expert guidance, and education to help homeowners install energy-efficient heat pump systems which provide clean heating and cooling. Heat pumps are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional heating and cooling systems. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $3,500 in financial incentives to offset the cost of installation. This information session will be facilitated by representatives from our partners at CET who will explain the benefits of heat pumps, the Town’s financial incentives, and how the program works. We’ll also hear testimony directly from a resident who recently participated in this program! There will be a Q&A session at the end of the presentation.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27: JONES LIBRARY TOPPING OFF CEREMONY. 2:30 p.m. , behind the Strong House, 67 Amity Street. Celebrate a milestone in the Jones Library Renovation and Restoration Project by joining us for the Topping Off Ceremony. All members of the public are welcome to attend. A Topping Off Ceremony is a customary way to celebrate a significant milestone during the construction of a new building, when one of the last steel beams is put in place. The ceremonial beam (painted white) will be placed in the Amity Street parking lot directly across from the Library beginning on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Community members can sign the beam on Wednesday and Thursday (February 25 and 26) at their convenience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the public to literally put their mark on the newly renovated and restored Jones Library. On Friday, February 27, the beam will be returned to the construction site.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27: OFFICE HOURS WITH REPRESENTATIVE MINDY DOMB. 4 to 5 p.m., Town Hall, First floor, 4 Boltwood Avenue. 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. You may want to 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 reaching out to the office.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 27: PAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY. 8 p.m., Frederick Tillis Performance Hall, UMass. The Paul Taylor Dance Company has been a presence in Fine Arts Center seasons since 1978. One of the most revered and dynamic ensembles in modern dance, the company has been innovating and transforming dance since 1954. With a history of multidisciplinary collaborations, passionate expression, and thrilling athleticism, the company continues boldly into the future under Artistic Director Michael Novak. For this performance, the company will bring us a classic work by its founder, Speaking in Tongues (1988) along with How Love Sounds, a 2025 commission by Hope Boykin, who currently serves as artistic advisor for art education at the Kennedy Center and whose celebrated career as a dancer included Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Philadanco, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. Tickets start at $40, Students $20.
THURSDAY MARCH 5: CARLE AFTER DARK: SPLASHES AND SPELLS. 4 to 8 p.m., Eric Carle Museum of Picturebook Art, 125 West Bay Road. As part of The Carle After Dark series, join us for an evening of live music with Rob Fontana and Vernon David, color mixing, potions, and alchemy-inspired creations. Free with museum admission.
THURSDAY MARCH 5: MADISON CURBELO. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Madison Curbelo is a singer songwriter with Latin roots based in Massachusetts. Her warm vocals and storytelling earned her a spot on the Top 9 of Season 25 of The Voice, where she was mentored by country superstars Dan & Shay. Influenced by Olivia Dean, Stevie Nicks, Bruno Mars, and Paul Simon, Madison writes songs that feel like scenes in motion. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Full calendar of events here.
SATURDAY MARCH 7: PETER BERNSTEIN QUARTET. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Peter Bernstein has been playing and recording since 1990. His recordings have featured musicians such as Brad Mehldau, Christian McBride, Greg Hutchinson, Jimmy Cobb, Bill Stewart, Larry Grenadier, Gerald Clayton, Sullivan Fortner, Peter Washington, Doug Weiss, and Joe Farnsworth, among other. His latest recording is “Better Angels” and features Brad Mehldau, Vincente Archer, and Al Foster. He is appearing at the Drake as part of the Northampton Jazz Festival with Aaron Goldberg, Vincent Archer, and Joe Farnsworth. Tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Full calendar of events here.
SUNDAY MARCH 8: CHAMBER AT THE DRAKE: JOHNNY GANDELSMAN. 4 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. Grammy-winning violinist and producer Johnny Gandelsman integrates a wide range of creative sensibilities into a style unique among today’s violinists. He is a founding member of Brooklyn Rider and a member of the Silk Road Ensemble. Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Full calendar of events here.
MONDAY MARCH 9: “BELFAST, MAINE:” A DOCUMENTARY DIRECTED BY FREDERICK WISEMAN. 6:30 p.m. March 9 and 11 a.m. Saturday, March 14, Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. BELFAST, MAINE is a film about ordinary experience in a beautiful old New England port city. It is a portrait of daily life with particular
emphasis on the work and the cultural life of the community. New 4K
restoration. This Spring the Amherst Cinema will present four films by one of the most respected and influential documentarians in film history. Tickets $12.25.
SATURDAY MARCH 14: “BELFAST, MAINE:” A DOCUMENTARY DIRECTED BY FREDERICK WISEMAN. 11 a.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. BELFAST, MAINE is a film about ordinary experience in a beautiful old New England port city. It is a portrait of daily life with particular emphasis on the work and the cultural life of the community. New 4K restoration. This Spring the Amherst Cinema will present four films by one of the most respected and influential documentarians in film history. Tickets $12.25.
WEDNESDAY MARCH 18: BOOK READING: WHEN A LOVED ONE IS DYING: CONVERSATIONS ABOUT CARE, CONNECTION, AND COPING. 12 noon, Venture Way Collaborative, 200 Venture Way, Hadley. Amherst’s Hospice of the Fisher Home invites all to a free presentation by Maureen Groden, an experienced hospice nurse, who will read from her newly-released book When a Loved One is Dying and facilitate a discussion on end-of-life care and the emotional and practical challenges families face. Light refreshments will be provided.
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
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
EVERY WEDNESDAY IN FEBRUARY AND MARCH: SOUTH CHURCH SUPPER AND CALMING, CANDLELIGHT MUSICAL SERVICE. 5:30 p.m. supper, 6 to 6:30 p.m. service, South Church, 1066 South East Street. South Church is offering a special series of community suppers and calming, candlelit, musical services every Wednesday in February and March. You can come for just the supper, just the service, or both! 5:30 p.m.: A friendly community supper with soup, salad, and bread fresh from the famous South Church kitchen. Vegetarian & gluten-free options, donation optional. RSVP’s for supper appreciated but not required, email office@amherstsouthchurch.org .6:00–6:30 p.m.: Calming, candlelit, musical service based on the practices of the Taizé Community in France, including live music, prayer, and time for quiet reflection. It’s like yoga for the soul! The Taizé Community was formed to promote peace and understanding
after WWII. All are welcome.
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: 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.
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.
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 THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 21: POKEMON WEEK AT THE JONES. 101 University Drive. Celebrate February school break week with drop-in Pokémon activities around the kids’ room. Explore self-directed activities ranging from art projects to scavenger hunts. Work on our community Pokémon coloring sheet, design your own Pokémon cards, and check out some books!
NOW 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. Full schedule of events here.
NOW THROUGH SATURDAY FEBRUARY 28: WINTER GARDEN- A GROUP EXHIBIT AT GALLERY A3. The month of February is short, but nights are long, temperatures are low, and winter seems to go on forever. To counter these dark times, Gallery A3 presents WINTER GARDEN, a group show of work by members of this local fine art cooperative gallery. Paintings, prints, photographs, collage, and mixed media, mostly two-dimensional but some three-dimensional pieces, the art collectively aims to suggest and to celebrate the new light and cycling life of a garden.There will be an opening reception at the gallery from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, February 6, and a free, online art forum on Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. (register here). Gallery A3 is located at 28 Amity Street 1D in the Amherst Cinema Complex. Gallery hours are Thursday through Sunday, 2-7 p.m. More info
NOW THOUGH THURSDAY MARCH 21: ART EXHIBITION – ANTHONY DISCENZA’S DAEMONOMANIA. Heter Art Gallery at Harold F. Johnson Library Center, Hampshire College, 893 West Street. Encompassing a diverse range of appropriated materials, Discenza’s Daemonomania centers on how operative metaphors drawn from occult and supernatural belief inform our relationship to technology. Across a variety of media, the exhibition contemplates the complex entanglements of mass consumption, resource exploitation, thermodynamic expenditure, and wish fulfillment that mark our contemporary moment.
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.
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 FEBRUARY 26 THROUGH SUNDAY MARCH 1: AMHERST COLLEGE ANNUAL LITFEST. Various locations and times. Writer and Amherst College alum Dan Chiasson ’93, says being part of this year’s LitFest — the annual literary festival at the college — is more than just an opportunity to see former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg or to share his new book. It’s a homecoming to the place that fostered his writing talents. The festival’s guest speakers include Buttigieg, in conversation with writer Cullen Murphy ’74; novelist and Harvard professor emerita Jamaica Kincaid H’96, in conversation with Jennifer Acker ’00; and poets Lena Khalaf Tuffaha and Evie Shockley, in conversation with Ruth Dickey, executive director of the National Book Foundation. For information and registration, see here.