FEB.-MAR. 2026January 2026JAN. 10 – THE THUNDERBIRDS ARE IN IN THEIR MASS MUTUAL NEST!Jan 10 at 6:05 p.m., the Thunderbirds take on the .Lehigh Valley Phantoms on the ice at the Mass Mutual Center. Vintage Springfield Indians pennant giveaway to first 4,000 attendees; vintage Indians jersey raffle post game. Info/tickets: tinyurl.com/bpzpkz5z JAN. 11 – IT’S THE FINAL NIGHT TO SEE THE ANNUAL BOAR’S HEAD FESTIVALJan. 11 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 371 Sumner Ave., Springfield, MA. This holiday tradition brings a live performance of a Medieval Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival to the sanctuary at Trinity. To purchase wheelchair-accessible tickets call the Box Office 413-486-0381. Ticket info: trinityspringfield.org/boars-head-festival JAN. 15 – THE SPRINGFIELD ARSENAL AND THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONJan 15 at 12:15 p.m. at the Springfield Museums, Edwards Street, downtown Springfield, MA. Alex MacKenzie, author and curator of collections, Springfield Armory National Historic Site, will share stories of the Springfield Arsenal and the American Revolution. $4 non-members; Zoom available. Info: tinyurl.com/y4mnyh73 JAN. 17 & 18 – THE SWAP AND SELL SHOW FOR LOCAL GEARHEADSJan 17 and 18, daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.in the Better Living Building, Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield. This nationally recognized auto related swap meet features one million parts & literature – new & used – for antique cars, street rods, NASCAR, race & competition cars. $15 admission, under 12 free. Info: apswapnsell.com JAN. 26 – NEW MUSICAL CELEBRATES THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONJan 18 at 52 Sumner, Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA. This original piece combines songs, rap and more to bring Henry Knox and his cannon odyssey in 1775 to life for modern, bored middle school students. Shows at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Tickets: 52sumner.com JAN. 24 & 25 – ALL ABOARD! RAILROAD HOBBY SHOW PULLS IN TO BIG E GROUNDSJan 24 and 25; show encompasses four buildings on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. Hours: Jan. 24 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trains, lectures, kids activities, more! Info/tickets: railroadhobbyshow.com/purchase-advance-tickets.php February 2026FEB. 1 – THE BALLET CLASSIC, SWAN LAKE, COMES TO SPRINGFIELD TODAYFeb. 1 at 7 p.m. at Symphony Hall, 34 Court St., downtown Springfield, members of the State Ballet of Ukraine present the contemporary ballet classic, Swan Lake. Tickets start at $59.64 including processing fees. Rescheduled from October 2025. Info: symphonyhallspringfield.com/events/detail/swan-lake FEB. 10 – WINTER OLYMPIC FAN? GET A PERSPECTIVE ON ITS HISTORYFeb. 10 at 12:15 p.m. at the Springfield Museums, downtown Springfield, MA. Retired journalist Ron Chimelis shares the history of this less-commercialized part of the Olympics, including some local athletes. Zoom or in person, $4 non-members. Info: springfieldmuseums.org/program/winter-olympics-then-now FEB. 13 – LOVE TO CAMP OR RV? THIS IS THE SHOW YOU’VE WAITED FORBeginning on Feb. 13, the annual RV, Camping and Outdoor Show returns to the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition for a four-day run! Encompassing three heated buildings, this show offers seminars, entertainment and all the latest on gear and campsites. Tickets Adults $15, Seniors & Military, $12, kids under 12, free. Parking $5. Info/hours: springfieldrvcampingshow.com/#hours-pricing FEB. 18 – THE T-BIRDS ARE IN THE NEST AND ITS YOUTH JERSEY GIVEAWAY NIGHT!Feb. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Mass Mutual Center, downtown Springfield, the Thunderbirds take on the Wilkes-Barr/Scranton Penguins. If the T-birds win, turn in your ticket for a free pass to March 25 game. First 1,500 kids under 12 get a free youth jersey! Info/tickets: SpringfieldThunderbirds.com FEB. 20-22 – LOVE THE OUTDOORS? THIS SHOW’S FOR EVERY SPORTSMAN!Feb. 20-22 the Springfield Sportsman’s Show returns to the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, MA. You’ll find everything for hunting, fishing, bow shooting. Adults $18, Kids 6-12, $5. Parking $5. Hours/tickets: www.osegsportsmens.com FEB. 28 – CATCH THE LITTLE RIVER BAND’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR AT MGM!Feb. 28 at 8 p.m. in the Aria Ballroom at the MGM Casino, 1 MGM Way, downtown Springfield, the band Eagles founder Glen Frey called “the best singing band in the world” performs its iconic favorites as part of their half-century tour! Info: mgmspringfield.mgmresorts.com/en/entertainment/aria-ballroom.html March 2026MARCH 6 – LEARN HOW TO STARGAZE EVEN IF YOU DON’T HAVE A TELESCOPE...March 6 at 7 p.m. at the Springfield Science Museum, Edwards Street, Springfield MA., Stars Over Springfield presents a beginner astronomy program featuring naked eye astronomy and what you can observe without tools. Admission $7. Because this is a popular program, registration required,. Info: springfieldmuseums.org/program/stars-over-springfield-03-06-2026 MARCH 7-22 – BULBS ARE IN BLOOM AT SMITH COLLEGE STARTING THIS WEEKEND!March 7- 22 the Lyman Conservatory at Smith College, South Hadley, Ma., will be in bloom with daffodils, hyacinths, tulips and more as the annual Bulb Show returns for a two-week run! Hours are Sun.- Thurs 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Fri and Sat. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Suggested donation $5; free to members. Info: facebook.com/smithcollegebotanicgarden MARCH 7 – BRIT FLOYD COMES TO SYMPHONY HALL FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY!March 8 at 7 p.m. in Symphony Hall, downtown Springfield, MA. Brit Floyd, the world’s premiere Pink Floyd Experience, presents a concert celebrating the iconic albums “The Dark Side of the Moon” and “The Wall.” Pre-tax tickets start at $59.95, including fees. Info: tinyurl.com/f569wn6r MARCH 22 – CELEBRATE EVERYTHING IRISH AT THE HOLYOKE ST. PATRICK’S PARADE!March 22 at approximately 11 a.m., the 73rd Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade steps off on Northampton Street, showcasing tens of thousands of marchers, 25-30 Floats, 35 to 40 marching bands to over 40,000 spectators! Arrive early to get a good spot, or watch from home on TV! See Info below for route and more. Info: holyokestpatricksparade.com/faq MARCH 26-29 – TIME FOR A REFRESH? GET INSPIRED AT THE WESTERN MASS HOME SHOWMarch 26 to 29 at the Better Living Center on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, West Springfield, MA. Come see all the latest ideas and products to refresh your home and garden at the 71st annual Western Mass Home Show! Tickets are cash only; $5 parking. Hours/Info: westernmasshomeshow.com MARCH 27-29 – 12TH ANNUAL BACK PORCH FESTIVAL BEGINS IN NOHO TODAY!March 27 to 29, presented by Signature Sounds and the Parlor Room Collective, this annual event will bring 60 bands to10 venues throughout Northampton, MA., for three days of amazing music! Full schedule and ticket prices on the website. Info: backporchfest.com 6 things... you need to know1. GET THE SCOOP ON AGING WELL WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR CHAIRRoad Scholar—the iconic travel venue dedicated to helping elders explore the world — has created an Age Well page on its website with nine free lectures designed to help elders navigate various areas of aging successfully. It’s a great resource; no winter travel required! Info: roadscholar.org/collections/agewell 2. LOOK AT THE TURBULENT 1960S IN A WHOLE NEW WAY“The 1960s Maps for Curious Minds” by Gordon Kerr translates many of the historic people, places, ideas and moments of this pivotal decade into graphics that make the Information relevant and easy to understand. Available at various booksellers, Walmart, Amazon and The Experiment Publishing Company. Info: tinyurl.com/57t5dabx 3. CHECK THE SAFETY OF THAT BUCKET LIST DESTINATION BEFORE YOU BOOKTravel writer Christopher Elliott said personal safety should be a top priority when planning trips abroad in 2026, as unstable governments, civil unrest and high crime can turn a dream vacation into a dangerous trip. The State Department’s Travel Advisories are good, but also check ratings from the UK Foreign Office and Canada, ask people who have traveled to the destination recently, check the social media feed of local consulates and sign up for the State Department’s STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) for updated advisories. Info: elliott.org/?s=Your+next+trip+could+be+riskier+than+you+think 4. STRETCH YOUR BUDGET IN 2026 WITH HELP FROM THE KRAZY COUPON LADYThis female-founder-owned media company is on a mission to help people save money and seize the deal! Offers come by email daily, some coupons can be uploaded to store loyalty cards, others are barcodes you can scan or redeemed by sending a photo of your receipt. CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Amazon among the participating retailers. Info: thekrazycouponlady.com 5. CONCERNED ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE COSTS? TSCL HAS YOUR BACKTSCL — The Senior Citizen’s League— is a nonprofit advocacy group working to ensure that elders can continue to live in dignity on their retirement incomes. Recent actions included a call for the Senate to pass legislation called the Social Security Emergency Inflation Relief Act (s. 3078), and a companion House bill (H. R. 6193), that would increase Social Security benefits by $200 from January to June 2026. See their website for more advocacy work. Info: seniorsleague.org 6. HOLYOKE HOSTS INDOOR FARMERS MARKETWhile most Farmers Markets have closed for the season, the Holyoke Senior Center, 291 Pine St., Holyoke, MA, continues to host a weekly indoor Farmers Market every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to Noon during the winter and inclement weather in the summer! Come shop for farm-fresh seasonal produce, locally made products and crafts. Info: facebook.com/HolyokeCOA  |
