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.

SINGLE DAY EVENTS.

SATURDAY JUNE 6: GIRLS ON THE RUN 5 K RUN. 10:30 a.m., University of Massachusetts. Open to the public. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Girls on the Run is a 10-week, physical activity-based, positive youth development program that uses fun running games and dynamic discussions to teach life skills to girls in grades 3 to 8 throughout the four western counties. This spring, Girls on the Run has 1,100 participants on 73 teams, with 295 volunteer coaches. Participation in the 5K event is open to the public and all proceeds from the event will benefit Girls on the Run. Registration cost is $30 for adults and $10 for youth under 12 and includes a 5K shirt for the first 1,000 registered. More info

SATURDAY JUNE 6: CELEBRATE THE 200^TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NORTH CHURCH. 11 a.m., 1193 North Pleasant Street. The congregation of the Amherst Church of the Nazerene is inviting the wider community to join them for a secular celebration of the church’s long history. Historian Margaret Orelup will give an overview of the church’s 200 years and the 1899 church organ will be brought back to life by UMass Music Department faculty member Chris White. Afterwards, there will be a Korean lunch with food made by church members and the House of Teriyaki.

SATURDAY JUNE 6: SINGER-SONGWRITER RUPERT WATES. PIONEER VALLEY FOLKLORE SOCIETY SONG AND STORY SWAP. 7-9 P.M. First Church, 165 Main Street. Parking behind the church. $10 donation requested.
More info

SATURDAY JUNE 6, SUNDAY JUNE 7: AMHERST BALLET THEATER SPRING SHOW. 7 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton. This year’s spring show, with original choreography by our director, Mikayla Archambeau, is being developed in collaboration with a string quartet led by our music director, Geoffrey Archambeau.
Repertoire:
Amaterasu, by Sato Matsui
String Quartet No. 1, by Heitor Villa-Lobos
String Quartet in One Movement, by Amy Beach
Two Pieces for String Quartet, by Dmitri Shostakovich
Musicians:
Hillary Dumond, violin
Laura Arpiainen, violin
Geoffrey Archambeau, viola
Rebecca Hartka, cello

SUNDAY JUNE 7: ANNUAL MEETING OF THE FRIENDS OF THE JONES LIBRARY. 3 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Walk. The public is invited to the Annual meeting of the Friends of the Jones Library. The featured speaker will be sports journalist Howard Bryant.  Bryant has written 11 books including the recently published Kings and Pawns: Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson in America. Bryant will be in conversation with another local author, David Porter, a sports and investigative reporter known for his book Fixed: How Goodfellas Bought Boston College Basketball.

TUESDAY JUNE 9: JUDY BROOKS CONVERSATION: FOSTERING ACCESS FOR IMMIGRANTS IN CHALLENGING TIMES. 7 p.m., on Zoom. Laurie Millman Executive Director of the Center for New Americans will speak at this League of Women Voters of Amherst forum.

WEDNESDAY JUNE 10: PUBLIC HEARING: CABLE TELEVISION LICENSE AGREEMENT WITH COMCAST.  6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue, and on Zoom. The Town of Amherst invites the community to participate in a public hearing about our Cable Television License Agreement with Comcast. This public hearing is an opportunity for residents to provide feedback about: (a) whether the current cable operator, Comcast, is in full compliance with its  currently-existing cable license; and (b) what are the Town’s future community cable-related needs. Any person, business, or organization has the opportunity to give public comments during the hearing or submit written comments. Written comments and any questions may be submitted at any time to cable@amherstma.gov. Every 10 years, the Town conducts a comprehensive review and renewal of its cable license to ensure community needs are met and service standards maintained. Currently, Comcast is the sole provider holding a franchise agreement to provide cable services within the Town of Amherst. The current contract commenced in October 2016 and will expire in October 2026.  

THURSDAY JUNE 11: : COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND RESILIENCY CONVERSATION:BEYOND THE SILENCE: DIALOGUE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SAFETY, AND SUPPORT FACILITATED BY AMHERST POLICE SERGEANT JANET M. GRIFFIN. 5:30 to 7 p.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Part of a four-part conversation series. Other programs are on Thursdays in June. June 18: Cultural Humility in Community: Responding to Harm, Building Toward Healing, facilitated by Dayna Campbell; and June 25: Grief and Love are Sisters: Processing the Closure of Hampshire College, facilitated by Pat Romney. Register to attend any or all of these sessions at amherstma.gov/CommunityConversations. The Town will be providing a light meal and childcare during these events. Registration is required to ensure sufficient food and staff. 

THURSDAY JUNE 11: TICK TALK IN SHUTESBURY. 6:30 p.m., Shutesbury Public Library, 66 Leverett Road. Public Health nurse Sarah Fiske is talking about ticks and tickborne disease, treatment, and prevention. No registration is necessary. Bug repellent, tick identification cards, disease fact sheets, and tick removal kits will be available while supplies last.

FRIDAY JUNE 12: CUPPA JOE WITH DEI DIRECTOR PAMELA NOLAN YOUNG. 8:00 to 9:30 a.m., West Street Coffee and Tea, 450 West Street. Join us for coffee and conversation with Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman and Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pamela Nolan Young. All community members are welcome to join this informal event to connect with some of our town leaders. Established in 2022, the Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) focuses on fostering and maintaining a safe and welcoming community through educational trainings, vibrant programming, ensuring equitable access to services, and overseeing relevant town boards and committees. This year, the department is celebrating the second year of hosting the Amherst Global Village Festival and the upcoming Amherst Pride Parade and Celebration on June 28. They also host a variety of community conversations and youth empowerment programming throughout each year. The department supports the Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Community Safety & Social Justice Committee, Human Rights Commission, and the Amherst Black Reparations Committee.   Join us to talk about these and any other town-related topics! 

FRIDAY JUNE 12: A MAGICAL MIDSUMMER’S NIGHT: LIGHT UP THE NIGHT! 5:30 p.m. Don’t miss out on the party of the year. It’s not too late to purchase tickets for this evening of fine food, dancing, and a live auction to benefit Family Outreach of Amherst. Tickets start at $150.

FRIDAY JUNE 12: AMHERST PRIDE PRESENTS; CAMP DRAKE. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. A summer camp themed drag production by Lividity and Magnolia Masquerade, with performances by our camp counselors Psyclops, Forrest Fleur, and Blu Berri Moore. Tickets $15 in advance, $20 at the door.

SATURDAY JUNE 13: ANNUAL PANCAKE BREAKFAST FOR PUFFER’S POND. 8:30 to 11 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Join the Friends of Puffer’s Pond for their annual Pancake Breakfast to raise funds that will help care for this special place we all love. All you can eat pancakes and coffee! Multigrain pancakes will be made with ingredients by local farms. There will also be gluten free pancakes and local sausages available. And, as usual, we will have real maple syrup, live music, fabulous raffle prizes, and tons of community spirit! Donations: $12 for adults, $10 for children, $6 extra for sausage. Learn more about how this event helps to keep Puffer’s Pond Conservation Area clean and safe.

SATURDAY JUNE 13: HOW TO RESPOND AS A COMMUNITY IN THE FACE OF HATRED AND BIGOTRY. 2 to 4 p.m., Unitarian Society of Amherst, 121 North Pleasant Street. On April 29, a racist letter was distributed in Amherst. Bridge4Unity (B4U), a grassroots organization devoted to interracial and intercultural dialogue to advance democracy, will hold a public dialogue to explore how we want to respond as a community in the face of hatred and bigotry.

SUNDAY JUNE 14: 44TH ANNUAL LAKE WYOLA ROAD RACE: 9:30 a.m. 6 Shore Drive, Shutesbury. Not an Amherst event but directed by Indy stalwarts Art and Maura Keene. Scenic 4.8 mile road race and walk around Lake Wyola or a 1.6 mile fun run. Prizes and a raffle for all participants. All proceeds benefit the Lake Wyola AssociationThis is Art and Maura’s 16th and final year as race directors. Come bid them farewell and enjoy a great day at the lake. Benefits the Lake Wyola Association’s conservation efforts. Registration and more info

SUNDAY JUNE 14: RACE AMITY DAY AND YOUTH HERO AWARDS. 11 a.m., Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road, Amherst. The event is free, open to all, and will include a celebration of the winners of the 2026 Amherst Human Rights Youth Hero Awards. Race Amity Day offers a day of food, fun, fellowship, stories, music, dance, and the reading of a town council proclamation, and is open to all. A free lunch will be provided. The event is sponsored by the Town of Amherst, the Amherst Human Rights Commission, the League of Women Voters Amherst, and the Interfaith Opportunities Network. Watch the town website for a listing of the day’s events.

SUNDAY JUNE 14: 6^TH ANNUAL ANCESTRAL BRIDGES JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION. 12 to 3 p.m., West Cemetery, and Ancestral Bridges 29A Cottage Street. A homecoming 160+ years in the making. Join Ancestral Bridges as we honor the Black and Afro-Indigenous soldiers from Amherst who served in the Massachusetts 54th Regiment and 5th Cavalry during the Civil War. This Juneteenth, we remember and celebrate them together. This event calls us to reflect on the return of Black and Afro-Indigenous soldiers from Amherst who served in the Massachusetts 54th Regiment and the 5th Cavalry during the Civil War, many of whom were neither welcomed nor recognized. Together, we will honor their legacy, uplift the generations that followed, and create a space that reflects the kind of community we want to be today. We will celebrate with a homecoming in their honor on the 161st anniversary of their walk home. Come with us as we move from an invigorating remembrance at West Cemetery to a homecoming celebration at Ancestral Bridges, featuring Avery Sharpe with a Juneteenth jazz set in tribute to Gil Roberts and Dr. Fred Tillis.  This year, we welcome Pam Tillis, who will share memories of her father, Amherst musician and Ancestral Bridges icon Gil Roberts, and guide us on a journey across time and geography — from UMass to Amherst College to backyard improv sessions in Amherst, Massachusetts to Reedy Chapel in Galveston, Texas, where the 5th Cavalry stood in 1865. Free and open to the public.

SUNDAY JUNE 14: EDIBLE PLANT SERIES WITH ARBORIST ALEX KLEIN. 2 to 4 p.m., Hitchcock Center for the Environment, 845 West Street. Ever wondered if you could eat that? This is your chance to find out! Join local herbalist and avid forager, Alex Klein, for a series of walks to learn about foraging for and eating wild food. Classes will focus on botanical identification, ethical harvest practices, and safety concerns around eating plants from wild and not-so-wild spaces. We’ll also talk about processing wild plant material and turning it into gourmet food. If we’re lucky, we might even get a snack while we’re out there! Two other sessions on August 9 and September 20. Register for one or all three. Sliding scale. $60 t0 $90 for all three sessions.

SUNDAY JUNE 14: BOOK TALK: DUAL IDENTITIES: LIVING IN MEIER’S SHADOW WITH ARTHUR M. HORWITZ. 2 p.m., Yiddish Book Center, 1021 West Street and on livestream. After discovering an iconic Holocaust image of a terrified boy tucked inside his mother’s wallet, Arthur Horwitz is saddled with the responsibility of living two lives: his own and the one his mother’s little brother Meier, murdered in the Holocaust, never had. This is an insightful look at the impact of intergenerational trauma and the path to coping, healing, reconciliation, and remembrance. Register for the in-person event or livestream. Free.  

SUNDAY JUNE 14: LEVERETT COMMUNITY CHORUS AND CARAVAN CHORUS IN A BENEFIT CONCERT FOR LUCE. 4 p.m., Jewish Community of Amherst, 742 Main Street. LUCE is a coalition of immigrant led grassroots organizations who build people power for everyone across Massachusetts. Tickets sold only at the door, check or cash. $10 to $20 sliding scale.

TUESDAY JUNE 16: BOOK LAUNCH: DAMES, DISHES, AND DEGREES: FACULTY WIVES IN AMERICA BY AMY MITTELMAN. 7 p.m., Amherst Books, 8 Main Street. Mittelman is  pleased to announce that my new book, Dames, Dishes, and Degrees:Faculty Wives in America  will be published June 16 by Cynren Press. Amherst Books, 8 Main Street, Amherst, MA will host a book launch on that day at 7 p.m. All are invited. If you aren’t local or can’t make it, the book is available for pre-order from Cynren,  https://www.cynren.com/catalog/p/dames-dishes-and-degrees. Her weekly blog is www.amymittelman.com.

THURSDAY JUNE 18: : COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND RESILIENCY CONVERSATION:CULTURAL HUMILITY IN COMMUNITY: RESPONDING TO HARM, BUILDING TOWARD HEALING, FACILITATED BY DAYNA CAMPBELL. 5:30 to 7 p.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Part of a four-part conversation series. The final program is June 25: Grief and Love are Sisters: Processing the Closure of Hampshire College, facilitated by Pat Romney. Register to attend any or all of these sessions at amherstma.gov/CommunityConversations. The Town will be providing a light meal and childcare during these events. Registration is required to ensure sufficient food and staff. 

THURSDAY JUNE 18: PHOSPHORESCENCE CONTEMPORARY POETRY SERIES. 6 p.m., Virtual program. Thursdays are for poetry! Join us as we celebrate the divine spark of contemporary creativity with our free, virtual, monthly poetry reading series. Wherever you are, join us on Zoom to hear from poets as they read their work and discuss what poetry and Dickinson mean to them. June featured poets are Lauren Camp, Okwudili Nebeolisa, and Annie Wenstrup.

THURSDAY JUNE 18: BATTLE OF THE BOTANICALS. 6 to 9 p.m., Amherst College Powerhouse. We will be inviting some of our region’s top bartender/chef teams to profile their talents and help us raise funds for the Hitchcock Center for the Environment’s environmental justice programs. This ticketed fundraiser is expected to draw 300+ people. Each restaurant team will present a tasting station with an appetizer and cocktail sample that highlight a signature botanical feature. The three top-voted bartenders will then take the stage for a live cocktail mix-off! A panel of local celebrity judges will name the winner! Tickets $100 (early bird), $120. Ages 21+

FRIDAY JUNE 19: 17^TH ANNUAL JUNETEENTH JUBILEE: COMMUNITY CELEBRATION.  3 to 6 p.m., St. Brigid’s Parish Auditorium, 43 North Prospect Street. The Black Business Association of Amherst Area (BBAAA) and Sankofa Gumbo will host the 17th Annual Juneteenth Jubilee. The free event features a community meal, spoken word open mic, photo booth, BBAAA vendor marketplace, fashion show, and musical performances including the Amherst Area Gospel Choir, Pumoja Drum & Dance, and Afri(k)que Fashion Show. The program includes a keynote by Dr. Amilcar Shabazz and remarks by State Rep. Mindy Domb. Extraordinary Leadership Awardee: Kathleen Anderson; Youth Excellence Awardee: Charles Walker-Hoover. Donations will be accepted for Black survivors of the Hadley fire. The event also marks the 10th anniversary of BBAAA and includes a reading of Frederick Douglass by Mass Humanities.

SATURDAY JUNE 20: QUEER JOY CHORUS- “SONGS OF JOY AND RESISTANCE”. 5:00 p.m. Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, 130 Pine St. Florence). Tix: $10-$35 sliding scale. The Queer Joy Chorus invites the Pioneer Valley to an afternoon of music, food, and community as the adult chorus and the Rhythm and Radiance Kids’ Chorus take the stage at Bombyx for Songs of Joy and Resistance, a Spring Sing concert and potluck picnic on Saturday, June 20 from 5–7pm.The performance will feature a mix of familiar tunes and new choral works, all tied to the subject of resistance… and JOY — the kind of joyful, roof-raising set QJC has become known for across the region. Bombyx, one of the Valley’s most celebrated venues, provides a stunning backdrop with professional acoustics and a warm atmosphere suited to the occasion.

THURSDAY JUNE 25: : COMMUNITY WELLNESS AND RESILIENCY CONVERSATION: “GRIEF AND LOVE ARE SISTERS:” PROCESSING THE CLOSURE OF HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE, FACILITATED BY PAT ROMNEY. 5:30 to 7 p.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Part of a four-part conversation series. Register to attend any or all of these sessions at amherstma.gov/CommunityConversations. The Town will be providing a light meal and childcare during these events. Registration is required to ensure sufficient food and staff. 

THURSDAY JUNE 25: A BAREFOOT CITIZEN: AMERICA’S 250^TH ANNIVERSARY. 6 p.m., on Zoom. In celebration of the nation’s 250^th anniversary, join Keiter Family Executive Director Jane Wald on a virtual exploration of Dickinson family objects within the context of national identity and events. Beginning with the Dickinsons and the Centennial Exhibition of 1876, the program will draw on the family library and unique objects in the museum collection including household ceramics, toys, and period artwork to examine the material texture of their nineteenth-century life. Free.

SATURDAY JUNE 27: AMHERST COMMUNITY LAND TRUST ANNUAL POTLUCK. 2:30 to 5:30 p.m., Groff Park Pavilion, Mill Lane. Bring a dish to share and learn about Amherst Community Land Trust’s efforts to enable affordable home ownership opportunities in Amherst.  All are welcome Drinks provided.

SATURDAY JUNE 27: FEED THE HUNGRY CONCERT IN NORTHAMPTON. 3-6 P.M. Pulaski Park, Northampton. The afternoon will feature performances by regional and spiritually inspired musicians including: Russell Brooks, Onatah Love, Matthew Andrews, Música Franklin Youth Chorus, Tony Vacca The event will conclude with a community sing-along of We Are the World, the 1985 charity anthem recorded by the super-group USA for Africa.In addition to music, the program will include featured speakers and community voices from several organizations working directly in the areas of hunger relief, peace work, and humanitarian outreach, including: The Amherst Survival Center, The New England Peace Pagoda, One Spirit, supporting the Lakota people of Pine Ridge Reservation. More info

SUNDAY JUNE 28: AMHERST PRIDE PARADE. 12 to 3 p.m. Parade: Beginning at 12:00 PM at the Amherst-Pelham Regional High School (21 Mattoon St), the parade will wind its way through downtown ending at the Amherst Town Common (Boltwood Ave). Parade participants are invited to a sign making session at 11:00 AM. Supplies will be provided. Celebration with Live Performances and Resource Fair: Following the parade, a celebration including live performances and a resource fair will take place from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the Amherst Town Common. Inspiring speakers, community leaders, and performances will honor LGBTQ+ voices and experiences. Attendees will be able to connect with local organizations and businesses offering support, services, and information. 

MONDAY JUNE 29: 12^TH ANNUAL BUENO DAY TO BENEFIT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY. All locations of Bueno y Sano in Amherst, Northampton, South Deerfield, Springfield, and West Springfield. 50% of all sales will be donated to CHD’s Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampshire County on Monday, June 29. This includes dine-in orders, take-out, and Bueno Y Sano gift cards.

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 IN JUNE: INTERMEDIATE WATERCOLOR CLASS WITH GRETCHEN HOLESOVSKY. 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Join Belchertown artist, Gretchen Holesovsky, at The Mill District Local Art Gallery for a series of four intermediate watercolor classes. An exploration of styles and expression will enhance your creative muse no matter how you choose to create. This series is jammed packed with information and has homework. Great for individuals who took Gretchen’s beginning watercolor series as well as intermediate artists who want to deepen their understanding of painting with watercolor. Ages 14+ Ticket a week before first class. Ticket Price: $100, Required Materials to Purchase: $122. Contact Shannon Borrell at Gallery@cowls.com.

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 : 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+.

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.

NOW 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 JUNE 7 THROUGH SATURDAY JUNE 13: RESTAURANT WEEK IN DOWNTOWN AMHERST. Join us for a week of special menus, limited-time deals, and one-of-a-kind offers from many of Amherst’s local restaurants, cafés, dessert spots, and bars.From breakfast to dinner—and everything in between—there’s something for everyone. Come hungry, explore local, and discover your new favorite spot! Participating Businesses:

• Amherst Oyster Bar – featured dish! locally sourced and seasonally inspired
• Bistro 63 – details to come
• Bruegger’s Bagels – 10% off all dine-in orders
• DP Dough – 2-person meal deal – 1 app, 2 entrees, 2 drinks, 1 dessert for $30
• Dulces by Vera – 25% any dessert (does not include the candy wall)
• GoBerry ‘n Cream – $1 off any fro-yo
• Inn on Boltwood/30Boltwood – details to come
• IYA Sushi and Noodle Kitchen – Amherst – 3 COURSE PRIX FIXE – $35 – 1st Course (Choice of Spicy Cucumber Salad or Miso Soup), 2nd Course (Salmon Lover’s Sushi Plate with Salmon Nigiri (1pc), Salmon Sashimi (2pc) & Our Salmon Roll: Grilled Salmon, Cucumber, Avocado, Salmon Skin, Miso Honey Bourbon Glaze), 3rd Course (Raspberry Lemon Drop Cake with Whipped Cream and Powdered Sugar)
• Johnny’s Tavern – 3 COURSE PRIX FIXE – $40 – 1st Course (Chicken Live Mousse, Gooseberry Compote, Grilled Francese), 2nd Course (Pan Roasted Striped Bass, Preserved Lemon Gremolata, Harissa Risotto, Broccolini), 3rd Course (Vanilla Crème Brûlée, Fresh Berries)
• La Veracruzana – free chips with any entree
• LimeRed Tea House – any regular-sized Classic or Milk Tea with one topping + a Swiss Roll — all for just $11. Swiss Roll flavors: Vanilla or Cookies & Cream
• Masuda’s Cafe – 1) BOGO 50% off all drinks & pastries 2) free pastry when you order any 2 starters and mains 3) 10% off your entire order when you spend $150+
• Osteria Vespa – details to come
• Pasta E Basta – featured dish! Ravioli All’Aragosta – Lobster and crab stuffed ravioli in a lobster-based cream sauce with shrimp and fresh chives
• Protocol – featured dish! locally sourced and seasonally inspired

*Aster & Pine – will be hosting free wine tasting on Saturday, June 13 from 1:00PM – 3:00PM