By Debbie Gardner
dgardner@thereminder.com
There’s a fair or festival for nearly everyone’s interests and budget almost every weekend this summer. Check out this listing and start filling your calendar!
*Through July 3 – East Longmeadow Carnival
This annual event on Center Field kicks off the summer celebrations in Western Mass! Get in the July 4th spirit with carnival rides, live music, food, a beer tent and more. Free Admission.
*July 4 – Star Spangled Springfield
This annual celebration of America’s birthday at Riverfront Park in downtown Springfield includes family-friendly activities such as face painting, glitter tattoos and balloon artists as well as food trucks and beer and wine. Opening remarks begin at 7 p.m., The Springfield Symphony Orchestra returns for a patriotic concert beginning at 7:30. The fireworks by Grucci, with musical simulcast on Mix 93.1 FM, shoot off from the Memorial Bridge at 9:30 p.m.
*July 10-11 - Springfield Jazz and Roots Festival
At Stearns Square, downtown Springfield, MA. presented by Blues to Green. Free. Includes the annual Second Line parade on Saturday, jazz, blues, gospel, funk, Afro-Cuban jazz, salsa and more from top tier performers both days and the Jazz and Justice speaker series Info: springfieldjazzfest.com/
*July 10-12 – Enfield Ct. Fourth of July Town Celebration
On the Town Green, Enfield CT., this three-day celebration includes a 5K road race, battle of the bands, Taste of Enfield food vendors, concerts, a parade and fireworks! Info: enfieldcelebration.org/
*July 12- Aug. 16 – Sevenars Music Festival
At the Academy, 15 Irelad St, off rte. 112, Worthington, MA. This is one of the best small music festivals in the country! Concert on July 12 celebrates America’s 250th, other concerts July 19, 26, Aug. 2, 9, 16. Concerts are free, but a $20 donation is appreciated. Info/performers:.sevenars.org/concerts
July 14-19 – Brimfield Outdoor Antiques Show
Known as the antiques capital of the Northeast, the Brimfield show features thousands of dealers across 21 show lots along Route 20. Many lots are free admission, some charge a fee. Lots open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. No parking on Route 20 – your car will be towed! GPS coordinates are:35 Palmer Road, Brimfield, MA 01010. Info: brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/
*July 18 – Annual Dragon Boat Festival
At the Pioneer Valley Riverfront Club, 121 West St. Springfield, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Asian-themed festival includes races by premier dragon boat club teams, entertainment, music and food as well as a Flower Ceremony to commemorate those loved ones we have lost to cancer, and particularly breast cancer. Come for the racing, stay for the day. Rain or shine! Info: pvriverfront.org/dragon-boat-festival
July 18 – Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
From 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Look Park, 300 North Main St., Northampton, MA. The 31th anniversary of this festival promises to be a grand event! This family-friendly festival includes children’s events, athletic competitions, music, traditional and American foods, a whiskey tasting (tickets required) and a gathering of the clans. Event is rain or shine; Free parking. Admission $32 at gate, children $5. Info/ online tickets: glasgowlands.org/
July 25 Holyoke Celebrates National Merry-Go-Round Day
Open noon to 4 p.m. Located at 221 Appleton St in the southwest corner of Holyoke’s Heritage State Park, the merry go round, originally constructed at Mountain Park in 1929, includes a carousel comprised of 48 magnificent horses hand carved by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company: 2 chariots as well as 56 original scenic panels, 864 brightly colored lights and 98 beveled mirrors. Tickets $3.50/ride or 4/$10 Info: holyokemerrygoround.org/
July 25 & 26 Second Annual Pioneer Valley Ska Festival
At 52 Sumner, Sumner Avenue, Springfield, MA. . The Pioneer Valley Ska Festival returns for a two-day celebration of horns, rhythm, and island-inspired grooves. Featuring a full lineup of regional ska bands. Info/tickets : 52sumner.com/event-listings/
*Aug 1. – Henry Knox’s “Noble Train” arrives in Agawam
From noon to 4 p.m. at the Thomas Smith House, North West Street 251, Agawam, MA., costumed reenactors from Fort Ticonderoga will recreate the stop of Henry Knox’s “Noble Train of Artillery” in town – commemorating the 59 cannon Knox and his men conveyed over frozen lakes and snow-covered mountains to help force the British troops from Boston in the spring of 1776. Family-friendly event includes demonstrations and oratory recounting the history of the march. Event is in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.
*Aug 1 & 2 – Pocumtuck Homelands Festival
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Unity Park in Turners Falls. This free, two-day event features an opportunity to Speak with elders, enjoy live music, drumming, storytelling, Native American fare, and crafts. People have gathered at the Great Falls for thousands of years, and this event is the perfect combination of live music, drumming, dancing, storytelling, native crafts, and food. Event is rain or shine. Info: nolumbekaproject.org.
Aug 7-9– 104th Littleville Fair
Opens at 4 p.m., runs through 4 p.m. Aug. 9 at 15 Kinnebrook Rd, Chester, MA. Live music, oxen draws, , horse and rider competitions, dairy and beef cattle showing, vegetable and flower showings, children’s activities, and more. Tickets $10, 12 years of age and younger, free. Info: littlevillefair.com/
Aug. 14 to 16 – Annual Middlefield Fair
The fairgrounds at 7 Bell Rd., Middlefield, MA., open at 4 p.m. on Friday Aug. 14, 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday Aug. 15 & 16. This old-time country fair, established in 1855, includes a petting zoo, children’s bike giveaways, a kid’s pie eating contest, square dancing, oxen pulls, classic cars, music and home-style meals. There will be a pancake breakfast on Sunday at 8 a.m. Admission: Adults $10, Seniors 65 and older $6, veterans and children 12 and younger, free. Info: middlefieldfair.org/
Aug. 14-16 – Mineral, Gem and Fossil Show
On the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition, Memorial Avenue, West Springfield, Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a .m. - 5p.m.The East Coast Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show is the largest show of this kind east of the Mississippi River! Expect 200 retail dealers and a separate venue with wholesale dealers, who sell mineral specimens, fossils, gemstones, beads, jewelry, meteorites for outer space, crystals, geodes, decorator items, and lapidary supplies and equipment. Admission $10, Children 13 years of age and younger, free with paid admission. Parking $5. Info:.mineralshowslld.com/fall-east-coast-show/
*Aug. 21-23 – 98th Annual Westfield Fair
The Westfield Fair offers livestock shows, family entertainment, amusement rides, music and more! Oxen draw, antique tractor pull, hay toss, kid’s pedal tractor pull, a petting zoo and more. Friday 5-10 p.m., Sat. 8 a.m.- 10 p.m., Sun. 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. at 137 Russelville Rd., Westfield MA, Auction of goods and items exhibitors aren’t taking home begins at 6 p.m. on Aug. 23; proceeds support the nonprofit Westfield Fair Association. Info: thewestfieldfair.com/
Sept. 4-7 – 209th Three County Fair
One of the longest consecutive-running agricultural fairs in the country! Gates open at 4 p.m. on Sept. 1. Fair features livestock and agricultural contests and exhibits, top musical entertainment, a farm museum, delicious food vendors, demolition derbies, and a midway with rides and games for all ages. Tickets: adults $12 online, $15 at gate, seniors $9 online, $10 at gate, kids age 11 and younger, free. Info/tickets: 3countyfair.com.
Sept. 8-13 – Brimfield Outdoor Antiques Fair
This is the last show of the season for the largest outdoor antique venue in the country! The show takes place over almost 1/3 mile of Rt. 20, some fields have a admission fee, some do not. Hours, more info: brimfieldantiquefleamarket.com/
Sept. 10-13 – 177th Franklin County Fair
The oldest continuously running county fair in the U. S., it features family entertainment, midway rides, agricultural shows, and thrilling grandstand events like dirt bike stunts and demolition derbies. Gates open at 3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Franklin County Fairgrounds, 87 Wisdom Way, Greenfield, MA. Info./ticket information: fcas.com
*Sept. 12-13 – Mattoon Arts Festival
The 53rd Mattoon Street Arts Festival is the oldest arts and crafts show in Western Massachusetts, features over 90 exhibitors, food vendors and strolling musicians. Hours are Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. Free parking available at TD Bank lot. Info: mattoonfestival.org/
*Sept. 13 – 36th Puerto Rican Parade
The Springfield Puerto Rican Parade will kick off at 11 a.m. and march from Main and Wason Ave through downtown ending where Boland Way and Main Street meet. The parade highlights Latino music and traditions and is a way for residents in Western Massachusetts to learn about the culture and celebrate it as well. Info: springfieldprparade.com/
Sept. 18- Oct. 4 – The Big E!
This multi-state fair brings famous musical acts to its free Court of Honor stage, plus great concerts to the (paid admission) Big E Arena. There’s also plenty to see and do in the Avenue of States, the Better Living Building, they Young Building, Farm-a-Rama, the Grange building and more. Don’t forget the fair food and the midway! Tickets: Singe day adults $20, child 6-11 $12. Info, multi-day passes: thebige.com/
*Sept. 25-27 – 167th Annual Belchertown Fair
The 2026 theme is Stars, Stripes and Fair Nights, celebrating the 250th birthday of America! There are plenty of family-friendly activities on tap (most of which are free), and the midway never disappoints. Come for the rides (and fried dough), but stay for the inspiring celebration of this incredible farming community. Fair Day parade kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Info: btownfair.com/
Sept. 25 & 26 – Northampton Jazz Festival
The Northampton Jazz Festival features jazz performances by local and visiting artists at over a dozen different venues around downtown Northampton, MA. Friday night features the Jazz Strut from 4-11 p.m., Saturday is Jazz Fest Day. Info./tickets: northamptonjazzfest.org/