UPCOMING EVENTS
Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat events originated in the 1990s as a safer and more hospitable alternative to traditional trick-or-treating, especially in neighborhoods like Metro Center where traditional door-knocking is challenging since single family homes are few in number. Trunk or Treat events offer popular community-oriented Halloween fun.
Metro Center church downtown neighbors South Congregational Church and Christ Church Cathedral are partnering this year to host a Trunk or Treat event and expand our shared neighborhood joy. Voluteers will park in South Church’s parking lot, decorate their open car trunks, and hand out candy and non-candy treats to trick or treating youth. All are invited.
Judy Collins!
Few voices have left as profound a mark on American music as Judy Collins. For more than six decades, the Grammy Award–winning singer-songwriter has captivated audiences. Collins continues to inspire generations with music that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
Collins’ career has been defined not only by her artistry but also by her unwavering social consciousness. Her concerts remain a moving journey through memory and meaning, woven together with stories from a remarkable life.
At Metro Center’s new HOPE center, music lovers can be transported by Collins. Don’t miss this unforgettable night with Judy Collins—an artist whose voice, now as then, continues to shimmer with grace and truth.
Downtown Springfield Harvest Festival
Free fall fun for all ages: Paint your own pumpkins (while supplies last), facepainting, arts & crafts, games, local vendors and more. Come and enjoy!
At the Landing, downtown Springfield’s new public gathering space next to Mass Mutual Center, beside the Car Park.
Art for the Soul: Artists Talk!
Join an engaging conversation with artists Louise Laplante and Aura Pan as they share insights into their creative practices and discuss the ideas and inspirations behind their work. This program offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from the artists about their processes, challenges, and the themes that shape their art.
Avery Sharpe: I Am My Neighbors Keeper
Free Avery Sharpe Concert on New England Tour. You Are Invited!
South Congregational Church at 45 Maple Street in downtown Springfield is hosting a free concert with renowned composer and jazz bassist Avery Sharpe featuring his new composition, “I Am My Neighbors Keeper”.
Sharpe is known world-wide for his compositions that blend musical genres and a wide range of top-tier performers in unique and crowd-pleasing creations. The upcoming performance blends a jazz quartet with a traditional, classical string quartet.
Doors open at 6 p.m. for light receptions.
The Power of She
This landmark exhibition, The Power of She, centers on the theme of Reclaiming Space—spotlighting women and women/femme-identifying artists who challenge boundaries, claim visibility, and shape narratives through their creative work. The show is a vibrant celebration of the strength, resilience, and transformative vision of women in the arts.
Featuring works across a wide range of mediums, the exhibition highlights stories of identity, empowerment, and legacy. It also marks a special moment in the life of the gallery: a heartfelt tribute to our Founding Director, Rosemary Tracy Woods, who concludes 21 years of groundbreaking leadership and vision, and begins the next chapter of her journey.
City Council At-Large Candidate Forum
VOTING IS A SUPERPOWER: Springfield City Council Election, Nov. 4
METRO CENTER ASSOCIAION and three other neighborhood councils unite to host a City Council Candidate Forum focusing on questions relevant to life in Springfield’s more urban and historic neighborhoods. Come learn what the eight candidates for the 5 at-large seats on Springfield’s City Council bring to the table.
Please join Metro Center Association, Maple-High/Six Corners, McKnight Neighborhood Council, and South End Citizens Council on September 24. Light refreshments will be served.
Puerto Rican Parade
The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade's mission is to uplift and empower the community by celebrating Puerto Rican culture, challenging stereotypes, preserving heritage, providing a sanctuary for cultural expression, representing the island, and leaving a lasting legacy.
Parade begins in the North End and marches to the center of downtown.
Community Activist Fair
Rise Up Western Mass Indivisible offers a day of education, community-building, and fun. Enjoy a variety of activities while learning about critical issues in our community. Connect with like-minded folks and find where your passion and skills can create meaningful impact! Learn why protesting matters, take simple actions, and connect with area groups who are already organizing in this area.
Revolutionary Springfield 250
SO MANY ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS for LOVERS OF HISTORY!
Hands on Woodworking with Trades Up
Colonial Blacksmithing and Cooking
Firearms & Artillery Demonstration
Continental Arsenal in Springfield Exhibit
Henry Knox’s Artillery Regiment
Armory National Guard 101 Field Artillery
Battalion: Howitzer and Blackhawk Helicopter
For Kids: Spy Challenge and Move the Troops
Sudbury Ancient Fyfe and Drum Company
Mattoon Street Arts Festival - Day 2
Come celebrate the 52nd Annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival, The longest running arts festival in the Pioneer Valley is held in Springfield’s first historic district on Mattoon Street, is lined with restored Victorian row houses. The Festival
Features more than 90 arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors, and strolling musicians - something for everyone! You can attend for great shopping, seeing new craft ideas, or just walking on a beautiful Victorian street! No admission fee.
HOURS: Sunday, Sept. 7: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
PARKING:
Mattoon Street is located off Chestnut Street, near the Springfield Museums. FREE festival parking can be found in the TD BANK Lot on Dwight Street and Harrison Avenue. On-street parking is free on the weekends.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram to check out new information and spotlight vendors. Click the icons below.
Mattoon Street Arts Festival - Day 1
Come celebrate the 52nd Annual Mattoon Street Arts Festival, The longest running arts festival in the Pioneer Valley is held in Springfield’s first historic district on Mattoon Street, is lined with restored Victorian row houses. The Festival
Features more than 90 arts and crafts exhibitors, food vendors, and strolling musicians - something for everyone! You can attend for great shopping, seeing new craft ideas, or just walking on a beautiful Victorian street! No admission fee.
HOURS:
Sat., Sept. 6: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 7: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
PARKING:
Mattoon Street is located off Chestnut Street, near the Springfield Museums. FREE festival parking can be found in the TD BANK Lot on Dwight Street and Harrison Avenue. On-street parking is free on the weekends.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook & Instagram to check out new information and spotlight vendors. Click the icons below.
Latino Arts Festival
The 3rd annual Latino Arts Festival, a celebration of the myriad arts and rich cultures of the Puerto Rican, Cuban, Afro-Cuban, Portuguese, Mexican, Dominican, and Central and South American populations of Greater Springfield. Presented by the Springfield Museum’s in partnership with the Mi Museo Committee.
This year’s festival will serve as a celebration of an exhibition of works from Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico. Tour two special exhibitions. Enjoy music by The Goza Latin Band, DJ Cowboy, and Bomba de Aqui; complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and hands-on activities.
Free and open to the public!
Rest & Heal Final Session
Four serene wellness gatherings will blend therapeutic sound healing, gentle body awareness practices and spiritual connection to guide participants back to their center. Through crystal bowl sound vibrations, mindful movement and breathing, stagnant energy will be eliminated and you will reconnect with your inner self.
Dates: July 6, July 20, Aug. 17, and Aug. 30
Sessions are fee
3rd Annual Seafood Celebration
Another White Lion Wednesday event - The 3rd annual Seafood Celebration in Tower Square Park. Chef Andrew Brow and team present the freshest culinary delights. The deliciousness goes quick, come soon have this culinary delight
Rest & Heal No. 3
Four serene wellness gatherings will blend therapeutic sound healing, gentle body awareness practices and spiritual connection to guide participants back to their center. Through crystal bowl sound vibrations, mindful movement and breathing, stagnant energy will be eliminated and you will reconnect with your inner self.
Dates: July 6, July 20, Aug. 17, and Aug. 30
Sessions are fee
Parking Lot Party With Backpacks!
Generours community-building South Congregational Church is throwing a party for kids and their grown up companions. The focus feature of the event is South’s annual back pack giveaway. The two hours of fun in the expansive parking lot behind the churtch offers food, music, game and more fun.
South Church is at 45 Maple Street, a block from the corner of State and Chestnut Streets.
Art on Market Street Decoupage
Aug. 16: Doing decoupage fun with artists Darlene Savage and Korey Simmons
The Art on Market Street family-friendly free, drop‑in kids art program held every Saturday this summer in downtown Springfield sponsored by the Springfield Business Improvement District in collaboration with Springfield Cultural Partnership. No supplies are needed. The young artists show up with curiosity, and the organizers provide everything from paint to pastels.
Art on Market Street “Art Splosian!”
Aug. 9: Mark’s Art Splosian! with artist Mark Austin REGISTER HERE
The Art on Market Street family-friendly free, drop‑in kids art program held every Saturday this summer in downtown Springfield sponsored by the Springfield Business Improvement District in collaboration with Springfield Cultural Partnership. No supplies are needed. The young artists show up with curiosity, and the organizers provide everything from paint to pastels.
Farmer's Market, Weekly
The Downtown Springfield Farmers Market brings fresh, locally-sourced goods to the heart of the Metro Center neighborhood.
The family-friendly market features a rotating mix of local farmers, artisans, and food vendors offering seasonal produce and handmade products. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome too!
Arrive early for freebies!
Eversource Open House Listening Session
Eversource is holding a public listening session as part of its effort to get the state permits needed to build and install a new gas pipeline from Longmeadow to the Bliss Street Regulator Station in downtown Springfield. What will this pipeline mean for your rates and a safe environment in Springfield? The session will consist of a short presentation by Eversource, followed by Q & A. Eversource will be providing parking, food and child care, as well as language interpretation in Spanish and Russian.
National Night Out
National Night Out is an annual community-building campaign that promotes Police-Community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhood safer and Springfield residents closer. Food, music and vendors with resources will be there to greet Metro Center residents
The location in the parking lot of City View Commons, organized by First Resource Development, is for us. It is one of nine citywide on Aug. 5 .
Coffee Talk for Community
Come grab your coffee and join the Springfield Community Connections Coalition for weekly community conversations centered on building stronger connections and sharing resources: Weekly speakers share around housing, mental health, family advocacy, employment opportunities, food security, health & wellness, education and youth services.
Graffiti Art on Market Street
Aug. 2: Graffiti “Writer’s Block” with artist LESN101
The Art on Market Street family-friendly summer activity series is designed for kids, bringing creative energy to Market Street downtown in Metro Center.
Farmer's Market
The Downtown Springfield Farmers Market brings fresh, locally-sourced goods to the heart of the Metro Center neighborhood.
The family-friendly market features a rotating mix of local farmers, artisans, and food vendors offering seasonal produce and handmade products. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome too!
Arrive early for freebies!
Coffee Hour for Community
Grab a coffee and join the Springfield Community Connections Coalition for weekly community conversations centered on building stronger connections and sharing resources: Weekly speakers share around housing, mental health, family advocacy, employment opportunities, food security, health & wellness, education and youth services.
Paint & Sip Art on Market Street
July 26: Paint & Sip with artist Kaleighia Green
The Art on Market Street family-friendly summer activity series is designed for kids, bringing creative energy to Market Street downtown in Metro Center.
Outdoor Movie at Riverside Park
Movies in the Park is Springfield’s beloved annual tradition of free outdoor movie nights held in neighborhood parks throughout the city. Family-friendly screenings are shown on a giant inflatable screen—perfect for a relaxing evening under the stars. Free!
On Wed., July 23, The Wild Robot will be shown in Metro Center’s Riverfront Park at 8:30.
Bring a blanket, your favorite movie snacks, and the whole family for a fun night out. No tickets needed—just come and enjoy!
Family Board Game Night
Every Wednesday night in July, check out Family Game Night in Central Library’s community room! Join the Library’s Big Game or pick your own game to play. Snacks will be provided. Recommended for 6+ but all ages are welcome to have fun.
Rest & Heal
Four serene wellness gatherings will blend therapeutic sound healing, gentle body awareness practices and spiritual connection to guide participants back to their center. Through crystal bowl sound vibrations, mindful movement and breathing, stagnant energy will be eliminated and you will reconnect with your inner self.
Dates: July 6, July 20, Aug. 17, and Aug. 30
Sessions are fee
Free Summer Arts for Springfield Youth - July 17
It’s all FREE for Springfield teens! Youth can learn new arts skills, make new friends and have fun at the Hope Center for the Arts througout July. Daily programs offer playing instruments, singing, dancing, acting, creative writing, drawing & painting, and photography. All with free breakfast and lunch!
Middle schooler programs 8 a.m.-1 p.m. High schooler programs 12-4 p.m.
For questions call: 413-285-8586 or 413-221-4324
Explore a New Oasis
Join the friendly Metro Center neighborhood council to explore the Hope Center for the Arts, the transformed former City Stage venue. This 39,500-square-foot space is now a creative community hub for youth and families that provides learning, rehearsal, and performance spaces with state of the art equipment. Hope for Youth and Families Foundation founder Bob Bolduc will lead the tour.
Free parking vounchers. Park in Hope Center Garage connected to the Hope Center building. Entrances on Bridge and Worthington streets, clearly marked. Take garage elevator to floor G to reach Hope Center building. Meet in main lobby off the Center’s elevator.