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Fan and follow us!
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Header Photos
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Clockwise from top left: Beneski Museum of Natural History at Amherst College, Amherst; JFK Hyannis Museum on Cape Cod, credit Paul Scharff; Magic Wings Butterfly Conservancy and Gardens, South Deerfield; Rainbow Fleet at Brant Point, Nantucket, credit Michael Galvin; Leroy Maddix - Grass Dancer, credit North American Indian Center of Boston
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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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Celebrate May!
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May is a month worth celebrating in Massachusetts. Start with Mother's Day on May 8, when restaurants and hotels put out their finery - and special offers - to honor moms everywhere. May is also graduation month, as thousands of proud families visit our 110+ colleges and universities to celebrate the Class of 2016. Tourism Day at the State House is May 19, a perfect time to showcase our cultural riches and hospitality amenities, and to welcome Francois-Laurent Nivoud, our new executive director of Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism. And we end May with Memorial Day Weekend, which ushers in the start of summer, another cause for celebration!
Plan your next getaway to Massachusetts!
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Featured Region: Cape Cod
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Johnny Depp in "Pirates
of the Caribbean" -
credit Photofest
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Cinema lovers have the unique opportunity to step into the exciting world of costume design with the new "CUT! Costume and the Cinema" exhibition on display at Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich. The exhibition - featuring more than 40 period costumes worn by such film stars as Johnny Depp, Keira Knightley, Robert Downey, Jr., Kate Winslet, Scarlett Johansson and Nicole Kidman - reveals how costumes are instrumental in setting the scene and establishing authenticity in films. Also in May, come celebrate Cape Cod's rich maritime heritage at the annual Cape Cod Maritime Days, happening all month long. Tour lighthouses, enjoy maritime art, explore Cape Cod by kayak or eco-tour, and attend the 20th annual Maritime History Symposium (May 21) at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History. See the line-up of events! Find more information on Cape Cod.
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Greater Springfield
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 The Student Prince and Fort Restaurant in Springfield will host an authentic German "Maifest" (May Festival) celebration throughout May, complete with May wines and a special menu. Strolling singers perform favorites from Rodgers and Hammerstein's classic "The Sound of Music." Performances are scheduled from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday (Mother's Day 12-3:30 p.m.) all month long. Dinner reservations start at 5 p.m. A wonderful event for the whole family. Call 413-734-7475 or click here for more information! Find more information on Greater Springfield.
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Hampshire County
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May 28-30 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 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!" Find more information on Hampshire County.
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Johnny Appleseed Country
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Spring has arrived - and it's time for a trip to one of Johnny Appleseed Country's signature spots! As pink and white apple blossoms burst forth, local orchards celebrate with festivals galore. Harvard opens the season on May 7 with an Apple Blossom Festival on the Common. On May 14, the Sholan Farms festival includes a bagpipe parade, children's activities and a butterfly release. Want more? Visit Carlson Orchards in Harvard on May 7-8 or Lanni Orchards in Lunenburg on May 14-15. Come celebrate the promise of the region's bounty! Find more information on Johnny Appleseed Country.
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Martha's Vineyard
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 Enjoy a perfect spring fling on Martha's Vineyard with a burst of events in theater, music, galleries, agriculture, and culinary delights in what is known as SPRING FOR THE ARTS. Between the warming weather, the great lodging deals and tons to see and do, it's a perfect time to enjoy an early get-a-way! For all the SPRING FOR THE ARTS events, and information on lodging and getting to the Vineyard, visit mvy.com or call 508-693-0085. Find more information on Martha's Vineyard.
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Mohawk Trail Region
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Spend a day in old New England! Visit Historic Deerfield, an authentic 18th-century New England village in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. Celebrate New England heritage as you tour beautifully restored museum houses with period architecture and furnishings. Join us this spring for open hearth cooking demonstrations and learn about the world of collecting at our History Workshop. Visit historic-deerfield.org for the most up-to-date information on our programs and events. Find more information on The Mohawk Trail Region. |
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Nantucket Island
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Let the festivities begin! The 20th Annual Nantucket Wine Festival begins May 18th. Join us at the welcome reception to greet renowned chefs and winemakers and welcome them to the island! Purchase ticket now to attend several unforgettable events in an idyllic setting. Join fellow book-lovers for the 2016 Nantucket Book Festival, June 17-19, featuring free author talks and events all weekend. Authors include Marlon James, Sebastian Junger, Diane Rehm, Nathaniel Philbrick and others. Visit nantucketbookfestival.org for details. Find more information on Nantucket Island.
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North of Boston
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Celebrate one of the most painted and photographed buildings in America on Motif! (May 21st) Given its name at the turn of the century, this famous red fishing shack has inspired artists for over a century. From family activities to a 5k race, Motif #1 Day has something for everyone! So, get out your brushes and canvas and head to Rockport on May 21st to celebrate this Cape Ann landmark! Click here for more info. Find more information on North of Boston.
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Plymouth County
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April showers bring Mayflowers... and Mayflowers bring Pilgrims. At least that's Plymouth's version! The beautiful tree-lined streets of Plymouth will soon be in full bloom, and there's no better time to get outside and enjoy the shopping, arts, and springtime America's Hometown has to offer. The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra, celebrating their 100th season, will be kicking things off this Friday, April 29th with a Gala of Giving event at Plimoth Plantation. Learn more here! Find more information on Plymouth County.
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Southeastern Mass
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 Viva Portugal! The Zeiterion has brought together the leading Portuguese cultural organizations to create a festa - or street party - that celebrates the art, music and food of Portugal! On May 7 from 1 to 7:45 p.m., you're invited to spend the day delighting in the sumptuous food, beautiful décor and enchanting music before the evening main stage performance of Fado music with Nathalie Pires & Marco Rodrigues. Learn more! Find more information on Southeastern Massachusetts.
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The Berkshires
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 Frelinghuysen Morris House & Studio in Lenox is the Bauhaus-inspired 30's & 40's house, studio, and gardens of Suzy Frelinghuysen and George L.K. Morris; painters, collectors, and founding members of the American Abstract Artists. Opening June 23rd, visitors can tour the creative couple's house and studio with its Cubist masters collections including works by Picasso and Braque and original furnishings by Frankl and Deskey. Monthly workshops to Unlock your Creativity begin June 25th and are free with admission. Find more information on The Berkshires.
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Greater Merrimack Valley
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| | Photo credit_ Thoreau Fishing by N. C. Wyeth_ Private Collection._ Copyright Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. |
Two Concord Exhibitions Explore Wyeth & Thoreau: Inspired Art from Inspired Thought. The Concord Free Public Library reveals the story of N. C. Wyeth's 1936 illustrated book Men of Concord and Some Others, as Portrayed in the Journal of Henry David Thoreau. The Concord Museum showcases Wyeth's 12 original Men of Concord paintings plus illustrations by his son Andrew Wyeth. Both shows run April 15-Sept. 18, 2016. Find more information on Greater Merrimack Valley.
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Central Massachusetts
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May in Central Mass is full of family-friendly fun for all ages! Celebrate Mom on May 8 with Museum of Russian Icons at the MA-MAtryoshka Festival featuring dance, music, Russian and Ukrainian crafts, kids' performances, food, and more! May 13-15, Worcester Center for Crafts Pottery Invitational returns with a new exhibit and a weekend of opportunities to see the ceramic studio, artist techniques, and demonstrations. On May 20, Worcester Art Museum explores all things cats in the multi-faceted project Meow: A Cat-Inspired Exhibition! Find more information on Central Massachusetts. |
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Franklin County
| |  On Saturday, May 14, the Color Vibe 5k Run will take place on the Franklin County Fairgrounds in Greenfield. Get blasted with color! Register with friends or just come watch the fun. Start time 9 a.m. After the race, visit Historic Deerfield's new exhibition at the Flynt Center - "Natural Selections: Flora and the Arts." See how botanicals have influenced the decorative arts in furniture, textiles, ceramics and architecture. Then, enjoy contradancing at its best May 28 and 29 at the Summer Kickoff Extravadance at Greenfield's Guiding Star Grange. All are welcome! Find more information on Franklin County. |
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Greater Boston
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Harbor cruises, open air markets, Swan Boats and the Pops all come out of hibernation! Back by popular demand is ArtWeek, April 29-May 8, with over 160 unique ways to experience art, culture, and creativity. If you think the tulips and magnolias are beautiful, visit Glass Flowers at Harvard. The spectacular Irish dance extravaganza Riverdance performs at the Wang Center and the quintessential Swan Lake beckons audiences to access another world at the Opera House. On the lighter side Boston Calling, a multi stage festival, calls May 27-29 at Boston City Hall Plaza. Find more information on Greater Boston. |
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