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Header Photo Credits
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Clockwise from top left: Hampshire County: Eric Carle Museum; Greater Springfield: Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden, Springfield Museums; Franklin County: Green River Festival; Greater Boston: Outside the Box Festival; Martha's Vineyard: Edgartown Lighthouse
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Greetings! Massachusetts is rich in arts & culture, so it's no surprise that exciting events, exhibits and festivals are held in the state's 16 regions all year long. Find out more!
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3-Of-A-Kind: Small Islands
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| | Photo: Sea Shuttle ferry at Great Misery Island, © Social Palates Photography |
Time to go island-hopping!
1. Plum Island is an 11-mile-long barrier island, named for its wild beach plums. Drop your beach towel on its long, sandy beaches, fish for blues and stripers, take a kayaking trip, or go bird watching at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge.
2. The Misery Islands offer wild beauty, easy hiking trails, and stunning views of the North Shore and Salem Sound. At very low tide, wade across from Great Misery to Little Misery Island and see a wrecked steamship.
3. Take your pick of the 12 islands and peninsulas of the Boston Harbor Islands. Join a Ranger-led walk, explore a fort, listen to jazz, or take a quick dip - all within sight of the Boston skyline.
Plan your next getaway to Massachusetts!
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Featured Region: Martha's Vineyard
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May is the perfect month to Spring for the Arts on Martha's Vineyard! From the Martha's Vineyard Wine Festival and Pink and Green weekend to the Inspiration in Nature Film Festival, The Chamber Music Society's Spring Concert and Farm.Field.Sea's Get Your Hands Dirty workshop - May has everything you could want for a perfect spring fling! Year-round the rhythm of the arts keeps pace with the seasons. May brings explosions of color as well as theater, music, gallery exhibitions, and culinary delights for the wine lover, the micro-brew connoisseur, and even a cheese making experience...divine! Take advantage of our vast natural beauty by enjoying a leisurely bike ride or hike, visit the historic lighthouse in Aquinnah to see it's move to safety, and grab an fresh made ice-cream cone - summer is so close, it's time to celebrate! For lodging deals, a calendar of events and everything you need, visit MVY.com. Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.
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Mohawk Trail Region
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The snow is finally melting, and we have summer on the brain! Plan ahead so you don't miss out on any of these great events happening at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (Mass MoCA) in North Adams this summer: Solid Sound Festival, The Lone Bellow, Natalia Zukerman, The Pop Ups, James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket, Toshi Reagon presents The Love Sessions - Michael Jackson vs. Prince, Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang, Bang on a Can 2015 (including Marathon, All-Stars, and Kids Can Too!), Landscape Seen & Imagined: Live Feat. Oneida, PigPen Theatre Co., Roomful of Teeth, Solomon Georgio and JD Samson. Find the full line-up of events here! Find more information on the Mohawk Trail Region. |
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MetroWest
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All the fresh spring air in MetroWest makes us hungry for culinary experiences! At the Taste of Holliston on May 3rd from 1 to 3 p.m., the Holliston Historical Society offers an exciting blend of favorite and new establishments; 22 restaurants, caterers, farms, cafés, bakeries, candy shops, and wine and beer purveyors - for $15. On May 28, look forward to Skybokx109's Kentucky Bourbon & Beer Dinner, with five courses expertly paired with the finest bourbon and beer. Advance tickets ($50) required. Find more information on MetroWest.
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Nantucket Island
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The Nantucket Wine Festival will be held May 13-17! Located on the island of Nantucket, this boutique experience of world-class wines and award-winning food will forever change you. Over the past 18 years, the Nantucket Wine Festival has become one of the most celebrated wine and food events in the country. Join us at the Welcome Reception to welcome our chefs and winemakers to the island for the 19th Annual Nantucket Wine Festival. Let the festivities begin! Photo Courtesy of Nantucket Wine Festival. Find more information on Nantucket Island.
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North of Boston
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 Jump aboard the Good Ship Lollipop with the Wenham Museum - the special exhibit Love, Shirley Temple will be making its only New England stop at the Museum May 7-10! Celebrate America's curly-topped sweetheart with this one-in-a-lifetime exhibit featuring costumes, dolls, and other memorabilia from the personal archives of Ms. Temple. Gain a unique insight into the personal and professional life of the iconic actress spanning her explosive rise to stardom in the 1930s to the end of her childhood in the 1940s. Find more information on North of Boston. |
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Plymouth County
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 April showers bring May flowers...and Mayflowers bring Pilgrims! May is the perfect time to tour Plymouth on foot. Walk in the footsteps of our forefathers and experience a special walking tour on Burial Hill Saturday, May 2nd at 1 p.m. This free tour is open to the public and the topic is LOVE! Dr. Donna Curtin, Executive Director of the Plymouth Antiquarian Society, will share true tales of love and romance in old Plymouth. No reservations required for individuals and families. Find out more! Find more information on Plymouth County.
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Southeastern Massachusetts
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The Berkshires
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The streets and sidewalks of downtown Pittsfield fill with live music, street performers, vendors, great shopping, outdoor dining, new art, and thousands of people during the 3rd Thursday street festival! The 2015 themes are Creative Youth, Healthy Pittsfield, #ArtsMatter, All the World's a Stage, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes and Harvest Festival. 3rd Thursdays run May-October from 5 to 8 p.m., rain or shine. The event is run by the City of Pittsfield Office of Cultural Development. Find more information on The Berkshires. |
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Greater Merrimack Valley
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Mill City Wedding Bazaar is the first wedding event of its kind taking place May 9th from noon to 6 p.m. at Mill No. 5 in Lowell. Inclusive of every couple, it's for the alternative, the second time around, the same sex, the eccentric, and the loved up couples. Hosted at Mill No.5, you'll find a community of creative wedding vendors, independent retailers, craft beer, DIY demos and presentations, style lounge, bridal flea, and giveaways. Purchase tickets here! Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley.
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Central Massachusetts
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|  As the temperature grows warmer, come join Central Massachusetts at Lanni Orchards for the First Annual Apple Blossom Festival on May 9th and 10th! Lanni Orchards is located in the beautiful town of Lunenburg, where they have lots for the family to enjoy. Later this month, the Asparagus Fest will take place on May 16th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town Common in West Brookfield. For more info on both family-friendly events, visit centralmass.org. Find more information on Central Massachusetts. |
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Franklin County
| |  On Saturday, May 16th, as part of the River's Song day-long celebration to the Connecticut River, a public sound and light ceremony of gesture and appreciation to the Connecticut River called Water Dance will be performed in Turners Falls! Gratitude is a powerful force when generated by a group. Illuminated hula hoops will be used in the dance, and drums will provide the rhythm. Water Dances are an opportunity to deeply contemplate the sacred quality of water. Rain or shine, starts at 2:30 p.m. Contact Phyllis at 413-369-9985 to learn more. Find more information on Franklin County. |
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Greater Boston
| |  In May, the harbor cruises, walking tours, open air markets, Swan Boats and the Pops all come out of hibernation in Greater Boston! And back by popular demand is ArtWeek, with over 125 unique, unexpected and creative events. Dirty Dancing will guarantee you the time of your life, while the Big Apple's Metamorphosis brings smiles to all. Hokusai's Great Wave is on view at the MFA and the Gardner's Secret Flower Sculptures are no longer a secret. Boston Lyric Opera's Don Giovanni gets his comeuppance, while Doc & Lola remain in their heartrending marriage in Come Back Little Sheba. On the lighter side, Boston Calling calls May 22-24 at City Hall Plaza. Find more information on Greater Boston. |
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Cape Cod
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Cape Cod's maritime heritage is legendary. Come, hear and experience this wonderful lore at the 22nd Annual Cape Cod Maritime Days, a celebration of the Cape's rich maritime history May 1-June 6! There is an exciting line-up of Cape-wide events, from lighthouse tours, nautical art exhibits and maritime book signings to guided kayak excursions, the Wellfleet Harborfest (May 30) and a Maritime History Symposium (June 6). Find all the events at CapeCodMaritimeDays.com. Find more information on Cape Cod.
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Greater Springfield
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Calling all thrift shoppers, crafters, and antique lovers! The largest outdoor antique show in the country, The Brimfield Outdoor Antique Show comes to the Greater Springfield area May 12-17. There are approximately 5,000 dealers in 21 different show venues. The show geographically covers one mile on each side of Route 20 and is perfect for the whole family. The 21st Annual Paradise City Arts Festival also takes place in Northampton May 23-25 featuring museum quality crafts, art and sculpture. For more information on these great events and others, visit valleyvisitor.com. Find more information on Greater Springfield.
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Hampshire County
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 On May 23-25 this year and every Memorial Day Weekend, 260 thoughtfully selected artists and fine craft makers from all corners of the country descend upon the historic Three County Fairgrounds in Northampton, MA for three days of astounding visual arts, scrumptious food, fabulous live music and great fun at the Paradise City Arts Festival. AmericanStyle Magazine voted Paradise City #3 in the "Top 10 Art and Craft Fairs in America." Admission $13 adults, $11 Seniors. Find more information on Hampshire County. |
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Johnny Appleseed Country
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 Grab a camera and load your family into the car for a picturesque adventure - it's apple blossom time along the Johnny Appleseed Trail! On May 9-10, Carlson Orchards in Harvard and Lanni Orchards in Lunenburg celebrate the season with Apple Blossom Festivals, and Carlson Orchards offers an Apple Blossom Open House. On the 10th, the Ayer Rotary Club sponsors Harvard's festival, including its famous Ducky Wucky race. And be sure to stop by Sholan Farms in Leominster on May 16th for a festival that includes a butterfly release and live entertainment! Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.
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Celebrate the arts at the Attleboro Art Museum this month! From May 20-June 4, AAM is presenting its annual 