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.
SINGLE DAY EVENTS.
FRIDAY MAY 1: FULL MOON HIKE TO MOUNT NORWOTTUCK. 6:30 to 10 p.m., Kestrel Land Trust House, 37 Bay Road. Hiking at night can change your perspective of what it means to spend time outdoors. Come experience a guided night hike on Friday, May 1st, 6:30-10:00 PM, for a moon-rise climb to the top of Mount Norwottuck on the Mount Holyoke Range. The full moon in May is called the Flower Moon. This hike, is in partnership with Adventure East. Register. $40, $32 for members.
FRIDAY MAY 1: BILL T. JONES/ARNIE ZANE COMPANY. 8 p.m., Tillis Performance Hall, UMass Fine Arts Center. Contemporary dance’s legendary innovators perform a pair of their most acclaimed works, “Collage Revisited” and “Story/”. Tickets start at $40, $20 for students.
FRIDAY MAY 1: DON’T TELL COMEDY ALL-STARS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. SHHHH! We’re hosting Don’t Tell Comedy. A unique lineup of heavy hitters straight from our Secret Sets. You’ve seen the clips blow up online—now catch these legends live and unfiltered. Tickets $37 in advance (ages 21+). Full calendar of events here.
SATURDAY MAY 2: BREAKFAST AND BIRDING WITH EXPERT DAN ZIOMEK. 7 to 10 a.m., Foxcroft Farm, 908 South East Street. Celebrate spring with birdsong, good company, and nourishing food! Join us on Saturday, May 2nd, at Foxcroft Farm in Amherst to explore and learn about migratory and resident birds. Local ornithologist and birding expert birder Dan Ziomek will lead us on a stroll around hay fields and beaver ponds to look for the season’s avian visitors. Registration required. Sliding scale.
SATURDAY MAY 2: 5K RUN TO BENEFIT PROJECT REMEDY. 10 a.m. Frost Library, Amherst College. $10 entry. Proceeds benfit Project Remedy, a national criminal justice advocacy organization working to combat the human rights crisis. register and more info here.
SATURDAY MAY 2: AMHERST COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS SPRING PARTY AND MOVIE PREMIERE. 1 to 3 p.m., 256 North Pleasant Street. Join us for Amherst Community Connections documentary premiere and spring party. See “Who We Are” a documentary about us, celebrating 16 years of internships! Food and drink, art and fun, community gathering.
SATURDAY MAY 2: GALA CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF AMHERST MEDIA. 6 to 10 p.m., UMass Student Union Ballroom. Celebrate 50 years of Amherst Media with dinner and dancing. US Representative Jim McGovern will be honored with the Jean Haggerty Award for Community Engagement and Social Justice. Emceed by Monte Belmonte and featuring hip hop artist and activist Tem Blessed. Tickets $100 includes a full catered meal.
SATURDAY MAY 2: ACOUSTIC SONGS OF THE SIXTIES TRIBUTE BENEFIT FOR THE PIONEER VALLEY FOLKLORE SOCIETY. First Church, 165 Main St., Amherst at 7:00 p.m Free parking is available behind the church. The event is free and open to all with a suggested donation of $5-$10 to benefit the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society and its monthly Song and Story Swap. Performers are invited to sign up to sing up to two songs from the 1960s. Instruments should be of the acoustic variety (guitars, harmonicas, tambourines, etc.). Electronic keyboards and direct lines are OK. Microphones for instruments and vocals will be available. Performers are asked to register at https://www.facebook.com/events/26156977410651565/ or to email Paul Kaplan
at paulkaplanmusic@gmail.com. Appearance slots and song choices will be first come, first served.
SATURDAY MAY 2: “WE MET AT GROSSINGER’S”: PIONEER VALLEY JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL. 8 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street. We Met at Grossinger’s is a nostalgic, immersive journey through the Jewish Catskills—once known as the Borscht Belt—told through the rise and fall of its most beloved resort: Grossinger’s Resort and Hotel, the real-life inspiration for Dirty Dancing. Built by three generations of trailblazing women, Grossinger’s Resort and Hotel stood at the center of a world Jews built for themselves after being shut out of America’s mainstream resorts and clubs. At its heart was Jennie Grossinger, the formidable matriarch who transformed a humble boarding house into an iconic institution. A refuge for Jews and other marginalized communities, Grossinger’s became—quite literally—a stage for the transformation of Jewish American identity and the evolution of American entertainment. This engaging film brings to life a mid-century cross-communal phenomenon that united immigrants, sports legends, politicians, comedians, and movie stars—among them Jackie Robinson, Eddie Fisher, and Eleanor Roosevelt—around a lasting belief that inclusivity, creativity and leisure lie at the heart of what it truly means to be American. (Print source: Bungalow Entertainment) Director: Paula Eiselt | USA | Documentary | 2025 | English | 104 minutes. Tickets $14.
SUNDAY MAY 3 THROUGH THURSDAY JUNE 25: FEMME LOCALE “CHARMED”: FRONT WINDOW GALLERY EXHIBIT. Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Exhibits by 30+ local women-identifying artists. Bringing up themes of controlling our world or achieving things as if by magic, we are keenly aware of how as women we need to walk a line and use our charms in the world that is designed for and by men. Curated by Christine Texiera and Alexia Cota. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Mondays.
SUNDAY MAY 3 THROUGH SATURDAY MAY 9: THIRD ANNUAL MASS KIDS’ LITFEST. Various places and times. We’re bringing a week of interactive author events to communities across the four counties of Western Mass. Events include everything from protest sign-making and animal-themed storytimes to writing workshops and youth open mics, in partnership with libraries, museums, nature centers, and public schools. The Festival overlaps with Children’s Book Week and focuses on connecting kids with books at a time when reading engagement is in decline. We nearly tripled our footprint in 2025, reaching around 1200 young people and their families through more than two dozen events, and we’re positioned to grow even more in 2026. Events in Amherst include: Rise Up! An author event and protest sign making workshop with Rachel Katz from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at the Mead Art Museum, Once Upon a Picture Book from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday May 8 at the Eric Carle Museum, Storytime:Talia Aikens-Nunez at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Eric Carle Museum, and “Yoshi’s Big Swim” storytime and turtle meet and greet with author Mary Wagley Copp at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Hitchcock Center. Find a schedule of public events, and a list of partners on our website.
SUNDAY MAY 3: AFRICAN MASS AND POTLUCK DINNER. 4:30 p.m., St. Brigid’s Parish, 122 North Pleasant Street. Everyone is welcome, all nationalities and faiths. Celebrate African culture with friends, food, and more!
WEDNESDAY MAY 6: “THE SOUNDMAN:” NEW ENGLAND PREMIERE. 7 p.m., Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity Street. On the eve of the German invasion in 1940 Belgium, a tender attachment forms between a gifted young radio apprentice and a rising Jewish actress, their hopes colliding with a world edging toward war. Inside Brussels’s famed Flagey Building, 18-year-old Berre—an introverted talent with a magical ear—rises from intern to sound engineer, crafting transportive live radio drama soundscapes that captivate Elza, a luminous on-air performer seeking joy in uncertain times. As their fragile bond deepens amid air-raid sirens and rising antisemitism, the radio studio becomes a haven where imagination and escape push back the gathering darkness. Through lyrical visuals, sumptuous period detail, and breathtaking use of sound, this singular prewar tale delivers an immersive WWII-era drama unlike any other. (Print source: Atlanta Jewish Film Festival). Post-film discussion with Simon Sibelman, Professor Emeritus of French and Holocause Studies at University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Part of the Pioneer Valley Jewish Film Festival. Tickets.
THURSDAY MAY 7: MOBILE DENTAL CLINIC RETURNS. SPOTS AVAILABLE. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointment required. Call 413-259-3060 Services offered include blood pressure screening, oral cancer screening, clinical assessment, and teeth cleaning. Referrals given if additional work is needed. MassHealth: free, other or no insurance: $80, denture rate: $30 All participants leave with a goodie bag and info sheet explaining and next steps. This service is part of Amherst’s Open Government to the MAX! initiative.
THURSDAY MAY 7: NORTH AMHERST COMMUNITY FARM: UMASS PERMACULTURE DESIGN CLASS PRESENTATION. 3 to 5 p.m., North Amherst Library. Members of the North Amherst community are invited to a public meeting at the North Amherst Library to hear a recommendation regarding the future of the North Amherst Community Farm. Students in the UMass Permaculture Design class will present the results of their analysis and design recommendations. The NACF Board is interested in feedback on the recommendations from community members.
THURSDAY MAY 14: PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCAL CABLE TELEVISION. 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall. This is an invitation for the public to have input into Amherst’s local television which broadcasts public events, educational meetings, and governmental meetings on its three channels in preparation for drafting its new contract with the town. There will be a second public hearing on Wednesday, June 10 in the Town Room.
THURSDAY MAY 7: RISE UP! AN AUTHOR EVENT AND PROTEST SIGN-MAKING WORKSHOP WITH RACHEL KATZ. 4 to 5 p.m., Mead Art Museum, Amherst College. Join the Jones Library and Mead Art Museum for a special program with award-winning children’s author Rachel C. Katz. Her inspiring new book, Rise Up!: Powerful Protests in American History, introduces young readers to 25 pivotal protests that shaped the United States—from the Boston Tea Party to modern activist movements—showing how ordinary people have stood up to demand justice and change. After Rachel’s presentation, attendees can celebrate the issues that they believe in with a hands-on protest sign-making workshop. This event is part of Kids Lit Fest. Free.
THURSDAY MAY 7: THE WAILERS. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The Wailers celebrate 50 years of Rastaman Vibration marking a defining moment in reggae history and honoring one of Bob Marley & the Wailers’ most influential albums. This special tour highlights select cuts from Rastaman Vibration alongside the timeless classics that continue to unite audiences across generations. Tickets $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Full calendar of events here.
FRIDAY MAY 8: SPRING GARDEN DAY 2026. Two sessions, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street. Come celebrate the beauty of spring during Garden Day at the Emily Dickinson Museum! As spring temperatures arrive in Amherst, Emily’s garden begs to be tended. Join Museum staff and fellow volunteers to aid in the cultivation and growth of the historic Dickinson family landscape. On Garden Day, participants will help to weed, divide older perennials, plant new perennials and annuals, edge flower beds, and more! Register for one or both sessions.
FRIDAY MAY 8: AN EVENING IN SUPPORT OF AMHERST MOBILE MARKET. 5 to 7 p.m., Amherst Women’s Club, 35 Triangle Street. A special evening featuring light hors d’oeuvres and a glass of wine, live music and a silent auction to benefit the Amherst Mobile Market– a space where community is built every week, rooted in dignity equity, and care. The Amherst Mobile Market supports children, adults and seniors by increasing access to fresh, healthy food and promoting overall well-being in our community. In 2025, the market served over 70 low-income families weekly from June through October, reaching an average of 350 individuals with free, fresh, locally grown vegetables. Tickets $30.
SATURDAY MAY 9: GRACE CHURCH SPRING GARDEN SALE. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Grace Church, 14 Boltwood Avenue. Plants, shrubs, pots, tools, decorations, and more! Proceeds will go to maintain the gardens at Grace Church. Donations gratefully accepted at the church May 7, 4 to 6 p.m. and May 8, 9 a.m. to noon.
WEDNESDAY MAY 13: URBAN BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS. 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., West Cemetery. Join Assistant Town Manager Dave Ziomek and Kestrel Conservation Manager Lee Halasz. We hope to see migrant warblers, as well as resident birds typical of a New England downtown, such as Fish Crow and the local nesting pair of Red-tail hawks. This event is appropriate for all abilities. You’ll learn how to spot birds, use binoculars, and identify some common birds by song. Our birding conversation will include discussion about how birds like chimney swifts and nighthawks use urban spaces. Registration required. Sliding scale donation to Kestrel Land Trust welcome.
THURSDAY MAY 14: PUBLIC HEARING ON LOCAL CABLE TELEVISION. 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall. This is an invitation for the public to have input into Amherst’s local television which broadcasts public events, educational meetings, and governmental meetings on its three channels in preparation for drafting its new contract with the town. There will be a second public hearing on Wednesday, June 10 in the Town Room.
SATURDAY MAY 16: THE EMILY DICKINSON POETRY WALK 2026. 10 a.m., The Emily Dickinson Museum, 280 Main Street. Honor of the 140th anniversary of the poet’s death, join the Emily Dickinson Museum for the annual Poetry Walk through downtown Amherst, the town she called “paradise.” This year’s Walk explores Amherst’s cultural landscape and its significance to the poet herself. Take the walk at your own pace, but be sure to head to Dickinson’s grave in West Cemetery in time for the 12pm final poems and a lemonade toast to our favorite poet! The Walk takes approximately 40 minutes to complete. Participants begin at the Homestead at any time between 10am and 11am to pick up their Poetry Walk map and daisies to lay at the grave. The Walk stations close at 11:45am so that all participants can make it to the final stop at noon in West Cemetery. Free, Registration required.
SUNDAY MAY 17: ULYSSES STRING QUARTET. 4 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The Ulysses Quartet has been praised for their “textural versatility, grave beauty, and the kind of chemistry many quartets long for, but rarely achieve” (the Strad), as well as their “avid enthusiasm [with] chops to back up their passion” (San Diego Story), delivered with a blend of exuberance and polished artistry” (The Buffalo News). The quartet “promise to bring as much sophistication, imagination and vitality to Beethoven’s other quartets as they will to music by a panoply of composers from long ago and today” (Gramophone). Tickets $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Students $5.
WEDNESDAY MAY 20: SAY GOODBYE TO WILDWOOD WALKING TOUR. 4 p.m., Wildwood Elementary School, 71 Strong Street. The final community walkthroughs of the Wildwood Elementary School building are coming up this spring. Principal Estes will lead tours on March 18, April 15, and May 20 at 4 p.m., offering community members a chance to take a last look, ask questions, and reflect on the building that has meant so much to so many.
SATURDAY MAY 23: THE GARDEN CLUB OF AMHERST PLANT SALE. 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Town Common. Fabulous woodland and native plants, perennials, shrubs, trees, grasses, plants for shade and sun, plants for everyone!
SATURDAY MAY 23 AND SUNDAY MAY 24: 6th ANNUAL ODENOG POWOW. Beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 5 p.m. on Sunday. Amherst Regional High School, 21 Mattoon St. Come out for another wonderful powwow full of singing, dancing, food, vendors, and more. We are honored to have this opportunity for members of so many different communities to come together in celebration of Native American, First Nations, and Indigenous American cultures. The Odenong Powwow is free, open to the public, and in a disability-accessible space. All ages are welcome to this fun, family-friendly, and educational cultural event! More info
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
WEDNESDAYS APRIL 1, 8, AND 15: THE HEART OF THE SEASON: SPRING. 6 to 8 p.m., Hitchcock Center, 845 West Street. Explore the seasonal themes of spring through the lenses of Chinese medicine and other Earth-based spiritual practices. In this three-week class, Dave Eyerman will guide participants in understanding how this season affects their body, emotions, and energy through a mix of teaching, group discussion, time outdoors, and guided meditation. Sliding scale registration cost, $60 to $90 for the series.
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.
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.
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.
NOW THROUGH SUNDAY MAY 10: RACIAL EQUITY HABIT-BUILDING CHALLENGE. Over the 21 days of the challenge (April 20 – May 10), you’ll receive daily email prompts, including short readings, videos, and reflection questions, designed to build the skill, will, and courage to advance racial equity in our food system and beyond. It’s 10-15 minutes a day, at your own pace. This is the 12th year of the Challenge, now hosted by the Interaction Institute for Social Change (IISC). More than 30,000 people have participated since 2015! This year, The Jones Library is IISC’s inaugural institutional sponsor. Register for free as an individual, using the code JONESLIBRARY100 at checkout.
SUNDAY MAY 3 THROUGH SATURDAY MAY 9: THIRD ANNUAL MASS KIDS’ LITFEST. Various places and times. We’re bringing a week of interactive author events to communities across the four counties of Western Mass. Events include everything from protest sign-making and animal-themed storytimes to writing workshops and youth open mics, in partnership with libraries, museums, nature centers, and public schools. The Festival overlaps with Children’s Book Week and focuses on connecting kids with books at a time when reading engagement is in decline. We nearly tripled our footprint in 2025, reaching around 1200 young people and their families through more than two dozen events, and we’re positioned to grow even more in 2026. Events in Amherst include: Rise Up! An author event and protest sign making workshop with Rachel Katz from 4 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 7 at the Mead Art Museum, Once Upon a Picture Book from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday May 8 at the Eric Carle Museum, Storytime:Talia Aikens-Nunez at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Eric Carle Museum, and “Yoshi’s Big Swim” storytime and turtle meet and greet with author Mary Wagley Copp at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 9 at the Hitchcock Center. Find a schedule of public events, and a list of partners on our website.
SUNDAY MAY 3 THROUGH THURSDAY JUNE 25: FEMME LOCALE “CHARMED”: FRONT WINDOW GALLERY EXHIBIT. Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Exhibits by 30+ local women-identifying artists. Bringing up themes of controlling our world or achieving things as if by magic, we are keenly aware of how as women we need to walk a line and use our charms in the world that is designed for and by men. Curated by Christine Texiera and Alexia Cota. Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Mondays.