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.ing support,

SATURDAY JULY 25: FUN SATURDAY MORNINGS: PAINT AND PLANT. 10 a.m., UMass Downtown, 108 North Pleasant Street. Join us for Fun Saturday Mornings at UMass Downtown! Free and open to the public, these family-friendly programs take place Saturdays from July 11 through August 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Each week features a different hands-on activity designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and summer fun for children and families. In celebration of National Take Your Houseplant for a Walk Day, decorate a terracotta pot, plant a seed, and head home to watch it grow.

SATURDAY JULY 25: CARAVAN PUPPETS AT KENDRICK PARK. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Kendrick Park. Local favorites Caravan Puppets present an outdoor puppet show to celebrate the Jones Library summer reading program. Audiences are treated to classic and original stories, beautiful handcrafted puppets, and loads of interactive music. In case of inclement weather, the performance will be held in the Bangs Center. Supported by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council.

SATURDAY JULY 25: WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING WORKSHOP.  3 to 4 p.m., Munson Memorial Library. Join us for an introduction to West African drumming followed by a hands-on lesson and the chance to play together. Jafar Manselle and the Wendell Warriors will begin the session by playing a short set of West African rhythms and discuss the origins and meanings of the songs. Participants will then be shown basic hand placements to create the drum sounds and given drums to produce the basic sounds. For ages 14+. All instruments will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own drum. Register at the Jones Library Reference Desk. No registration needed to be part of the audience.

SATURDAY JULY 25: CROWNED IN GROWTH: A YOGA AND PAINT AND PLANT EXPERIENCE FOR WOMEN. 12 to 3 p.m., Groff Park, 83 Mill Lane. Join Tiffany Gordon and others for a soulful movement, creativity, sisterhood, and growth as we create custom mannequin head planters that reflect our inner beauty and becoming. Together we’ll: Flow through gentle yoga, Paint & decorate our mannequin planters, Adorn them with scarves, lashes, earrings & bling, Choose a plant that reflects our energy, Enjoy a light lunch in community. Every woman will leave with a living masterpiece — a reminder that she is still blooming. 🌱💜 Tickets $61.

SATURDAY JULY 25: TEEN PAINT PARTY: THE BIGGEST TINY ART SHOW IN NORTH AMHERST. 1 to 4 p.m., Mill District Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. Come create and add your 2″ x 2″ creation to this public art installation in our Front Window Gallery. Free. This is the RSVP page for our informal Teen Paint Party for our public art exhibit: The Biggest Tiny Art Show in North Amherst. All participants should plan to leave their work for display in our Front Window Gallery. Please RSVP encouraged due to limited seats.

SATURDAY JULY 25: WEST AFRICAN DRUMMING WORKSHOP. 3 p.m., Munson Memorial Library, 1046 South East Street. This free program begins with Jafar Manselle and the Wendell Warriors playing a short set of West African rhythms. They will then discuss the origins and meanings of the songs. Participants will be shown basic hand placements to create the drum sounds and given drums to practice the basic sounds. The group will then explore a couple of songs together, playing main rhythms and supporting parts. This program is for participants ages 14+. All instruments will be provided, but those with drums are welcome to bring them.Space is limited and registration required.  Please visit the reference desk at the Jones Library, call 413-259-3096 or email programs@joneslibrary.org. Sponsored by a grant from the Amherst Cultural Council.

SATURDAY JULY 25: SALSA IN THE PARK. 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road. Get ready for Salsa in the Park! Join us under the pavilion for outdoor dancing, great music, and food. Rain or Shine! Hosted by: Salsa con Tacos Dance. Sponsored by: Amherst Recreation. Funded by: Amherst Cultural Council & Mass Cultural Council. Schedule:

6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Free Salsa Rueda de Casino Lesson by Celadry
7:00 PM – 9:30 PM: Free Latin Dance Social (Salsa, Bachata, Merengue) with DJ Picu

SATURDAY JULY 25: AMHERST COMMUNITY BAND CONCERT 6:30 p.m. Sweetser Park, Lessey Street, Amherst.

WEDNESDAY JULY 29: PLAYING IS NATURALLY SCIENTIFIC: A CASE STUDY OF OUTDOOR PLAY-BASED SCIENCE EXPERIENCES IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. 6:00- 7:30 P.M. UMass Downtown 108 N. Pleasant St. With Kathleen Mahoney. This case study examines how early childhood educators perceive and support outdoor play-based science experiences (PBS), and how those experiences are intentionally—or unintentionally—aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).The study also explores how educators use a sociocultural approach to establish intentional and explicit connections between play principles, scientific inquiry, and concept development. Free and open to all. Pre-register here.

THURSDAY JULY 30: JULY SENIOR SIPS. 4 to 6 p.m., Inn on Boltwood, 30 Boltwood Avenue. Senior Sips, the new monthly gathering for folks over 60 has attracted a great crowd since its inception in March. Sips takes place at a different restaurant each month and encourages folks to make new connections and have fun. Light food provided. Cash bar.

THURSDAY JULY 30: SUNSET THURSDAY, ERIC CARLE MUSEUM WITH PIANIST DYLAN WALTER. 4-8 p.m. Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 West Bay Road. Free with a museum admission or for museum membeers. As part of Summer at The Carle, the Museum stays open late on Thursdays to bring the community together for lively, intergenerational evenings of art and live music. As the sun begins to set, the grounds come alive with outdoor jazz performed by local musicians curated by Northampton Jazz Festival, along with artists of all ages drawing together, hands-on art activities, storytimes, local food vendors, and more. More info

THURSDAY JULY 30: SAM BURCHFIELD. 8 p.m., The Drake, 44 North Pleasant Street. The title of Sam Burchfield’s latest album “Nature Speaks” is both a statement of belief and an instruction to listen carefully, to feel the world move through you, and to heed its loving nudge. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door. See complete schedule here.

FRIDAY JULY 31: WELCOME RECEPTION FOR NEW DIRECTOR OF SENIOR SERVICES DAN GARCIA. 2 to 4 p.m., Senior Center Lounge, Bang’s Center,70 Boltwood Walk. Dan will begin his new role on July 20. He currently serves as Program Manager for Amherst’s CRESS program. Please join us at a reception to welcome Dan to Senior Services

FRIDAY JULY 31: GRAND OPENING OF HERREL’S ICE CREAM PERMANENT NORTH AMHERST LOCATION. Herrell’s Ice Cream, one of the Valley’s most beloved ice cream makers, will celebrate the grand opening of its permanent Mill District location with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 2 p.m on Friday, July 31, at its new permanent storefront at 69 Cowls Road. More info

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

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

TUESDAY AUGUST 4: AMHERST PUBLIC SHADE TREE COMMITTEE ANNUAL POTLUCK PICNIC. 5:30 p.m. Town Common in front of Town Hall. All are welcome. Come celebrate our community trees.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FRIDAY AUGUST 14: CUPPA JOE REGARDING HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE.  8 to 9:30 a.m., Izote Latin and American Kitchen, 460 West Street.

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

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

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.

FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: COUNCIL ON AGING SENIOR LUNCH. Noon. Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk.

FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH. RAINBOW COFFEE HOUR. 9:30-11 a.m. Amherst Senior Center, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. The Rainbow Coffee Hour is a LGBTIA+ social coffee group for ages 50 and above. Join us for this welcoming space to socialize. No format, no agenda, just community. More information

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

EVERY WEDNESDAY: BEGINNER BIRDING. 9:00-9:30 a.m. Notch Visitor Center, 1500 West Street. For ages 12 and up. An easy, level, 1/4-mile guided hike to discover more about birds: their behaviors, needs, habitats and significance. Listen, observe, sketch, photo or journal. Free

EVERY WEDNESDAY : CAFE. Bangs Community Center, Room 101, 70 Boltwood Walk. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Are you or a loved one experiencing memory loss? At the Amherst Senior Center, we understand memory changes and have developed a new program based on the popular Memory Café format. Our Café offers fun, relaxation, and of course, snacks. Pastries provided generously by Atkins Farms Country Market. This program is perfect for caregivers, people with mild memory loss, or anyone in the community who enjoys good conversation and strong coffee. Each Café opens with a coffee and conversation hour, followed by a group activity. Join us on Wednesdays, Come for the coffee, stay for the connections! Email seniorcenter@amherstma.gov or call 413-259-3060 with questions. 

EVERY WEDNESDAY: WEEKLY WEDNESDAY MARKET. 10 to 11:30 a.m., Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. Since its launch in May 2024, the Wednesday Market has served over 700 community members. The Market is open to all, and there’s no registration and no questions asked. Just come and enjoy. We distribute fresh produce, dairy, prepared food, and delicious treats. 

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH (EXCLUDING JULY AND JANUARY): NORTHAMPTON JAZZ WORKSHOP. The Drake. 44 North Pleasant Street. 7:30 p.m. Free (donations accepted). Featuring the Green Street trio with a special guest. Featured set at 7:30 followed by an open jam session. Bring your axe. Full calendar of events here.

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH: CRAFT AND CONVERSE. Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery, 91 Cowls Road. 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Are you tired of creating in solitude? Looking to connect with other artistic individuals? Grab your sketchbook, knitting bag, or water color gear and join our monthly coworking group! Craft and converse, hosted by Easthampton artist Kaia Zimmerman, is held the last Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This welcoming, intentional space is designed for community members to come together for a casual, social evening while pursuing their own creative projects. Drop-ins welcome, but registration encouraged for any weather-related changes in schedule. Bring your own arts or crafts project (BYOA) to work on. Ages 16+.

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

EVERY THURSDAY: STITCH CIRCLE. 4 to 6 p.m. Mill District Local Art Gallery and General Store, 91 Cowls Road. Grab your needles, venture to the General Store, and join us for our first Stitch Circle. Knitters, quilters, embroidery artists, and crocheters are all invited. Free.

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

FIRST AND THIRD FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH: VETERAN’S COMMUNITY BREAKFAST FOR ALL -8 a.m – 9 a.m. Large Activity Room, Bangs Center, 70 Boltwood Walk. At each breakfast (bagel/donut/coffee), a veteran or veteran ally, will tell his or her personal story regarding military service. Generation after generation reveals that those going to war to defend our country come back spiritually and morally wounded, regardless of the bodily consequences of combat. We want to bring veterans together for food and friendship to help coalesce a spirit of camaraderie to enable authentic, veteran-oriented communities to flourish. WELCOME: Veterans, Spouses, Caregivers, Amherst Community Members.  Let’s Build a Thriving Veterans Community.  There are 387 Veterans in town! Sponsored by CRESS. FOR MORE INFORMATION:  CALL THE CRESS OFFICE, (413) 259-3370  OR GENE HERMAN, VIETNAM VETERAN, (240) 472-7288  –  CRESS VETERAN’S OUTREACH VOLUNTEER.

EVERY SATURDAY FROM APRIL 18 THROUGH NOVEMBER 21: AMHERST FARMERS’ MARKET. 8 to 1:30 p.m., Amherst Town Common, Boltwood Avenue. The Amherst Farmers Market is widely known as one of the best places for local food, fun, and community! Offering farm to table produce and selections from your local growers and Valley producers. Come out for the food, music, events, and community offerings in Downtown Amherst. Saturdays from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm during the 2026 season of April 18 – November 21

SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS: LIVE JAZZ AND GOOD EATS AT THE BLACK SHEEP. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Black Sheep Deli, 79 Main Street. Frist and third Saturdays: Masala Jazz, Second, Fourth and Fifth Saturdays: Simmer Music Presents, Sundays: the Catalytics. Tip Jar.

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

THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH APRIL THROUGH OCTOBER: CARS AND COFFEE AT THE MILL DISTRICT. 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., 91 Cowls Road. The free car show for all! This FREE community event invites car lovers of all ages to enjoy an exciting morning filled with cool cars, coffee, and family fun. Spectators get a free drip coffee token and information on entering our raffle for a $50 gift certificate to the Mill District General Store and Local Art Gallery. There will also be an on-site playground and coloring activities to keep the kids entertained. Trophies awarded for the top cars in several categories. Pre-register your vehicle here.

NOW THROUGH SUNDAY JULY 26: SILVERTHORNE THEATER COMPANY PRESENTS “DEEP BLUE SOUND.” 7:30 p.m.Emily Dickinson Hall, Hampshire College. The Amherst-based company will present its production of Abe Koogler’s “Deep Blue Sound” from Thursday, July 16, through Sunday, July 26, at Hampshire College’s Emily Dickinson Hall. The show is about a small island town in the Pacific Northwest and the interesting personalities who inhabit it — for instance, the unofficial mayor, the newspaper editor, the horse groomer looking for love and the homeless man who carries around a chainsaw. When a pod of orcas disappears, the group gathers to talk about where they might have gone and why. Tickets $7 to $18.

NOW THROUGH FRIDAY JULY 31: EXHIBIT “UNITED STATES DEMOCRACY: 250 YEARS IN THE MAKING. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Town Hall, 4 Boltwood Avenue. An exhibit developed by Amherst’s DEI Department chronicles the evolution of democracy beginning in 1142 with the Iroquois, the oldest participatory democracy in the world and continuing through the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Emancipation Proclamation, and various Supreme Court cases. Other displays focus on rights for Black Americans, Asian Americans, Latin Americans, Native Americans, women, those with disabilities, and youth. A digital version is available here.