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April 2018
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!
Statewide Celebration of Art, Culture, and Creativity
Award-winning festival ArtWeek (4/27-5/6) debuts as a statewide annual celebration for the first time in April! In its fifth year overall, this is shaping up to be the most outstanding ArtWeek yet. Over 525 events - many of which are free, interactive, and "behind-the-scenes" - offer visitors and locals alike a unique opportunity to experience art, culture and creativity. From folk art to food art, mural painting to modern dance, and so much more, ArtWeek events are wide ranging, engaging, and open to all. Discover experiences and learn more about this signature Massachusetts festival at artweekma.org.

For more on what to see + do in Massachusetts, visit massvacation.com.
Featured Region: Nantucket Island

Celebrate Spring's arrival on Nantucket Island! The 44th annual Daffodil Festival on April 27-29 promises to banish your winter doldrums. Nantucket Whaling Museum's new exhibit pays homage to Nantucket native Maria Mitchell - educator and America's first woman astronomer. Nantucket Shipwreck & Lifesaving Museum evokes shipwrecked sailors and would-be rescuers. Dreamland provides year-round films and programs, Artists Association of Nantucket offers a full schedule of multimedia exhibitions, and there's an impressive 28-block Nantucket Cultural District to explore. Maria Mitchell's astronomical observatories, natural science museum and aquarium offer a wide variety of science and history-related programming. Immerse in the Island's arts and culture...just save time for the beach! Find more events and information for Nantucket Island.
North of Boston
The Amesbury Home & Garden Show will take place on April 7-8! Visit the show to discover local services and products, and to get a head start on your home and garden improvements for 2018. The annual Newburyport Literary Festival: A Celebration of Literature, Readers and Writers will take place April 27-28 in Newburyport and feature honoree Ann Hood, author of bestselling novels including The Knitting Circle, The Obituary Writer, and The Red Thread. Find more events and information for North of Boston.
Plymouth County

Backroads of the South Shore Symposium "Coastal Colony: The 17th Century on the South Shore" will be held Saturday, April 14 at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts in Plymouth. This annual symposium offers an exciting opportunity for regional historians to present research and projects happening at local museums and historic sites. This year's presentations will explore the varied and fascinating history of the 17th century on the South Shore of Massachusetts. Keynote speaker will be Richard Pickering of Plimoth Plantation. Click here for ticket information! Find more events and information for Plymouth County.
Southeastern Mass

The Parsons Reserve is a lovely and ecologically significant property located in Dartmouth. Destruction Brook meanders through the property on its way to Slocum's River, the floodplain cutting a wide swath between the towering rock outcroppings that dominate portions of the Reserve. A fecund vernal pool provides habitat for a variety of common and rare species. On the northern end, wooded glade fills with hundreds of daffodils every spring! Find more events and information for Southeastern Massachusetts
The Berkshires

Travel back in time to explore the early history of the Berkshires at The Bidwell House Museum. Take a guided tour of the beautifully restored home, discover the flower, herb and heritage vegetable gardens or hike the new Native American Interpretive trail.  Exciting events are planned all summer long! Don't miss the Bidwell Country Fair on July 7 or the Open-Mic Music Festival on July 8. Visit the Museum website for more information. Find more  events and information for The Berkshires
Greater Merrimack Valley

Treat all of the Moms in your life to a special Mother's Day buffet brunch at the UMass Lowell Inn & Conference Center in Lowell on Sunday, May 13th from 10 am to 2 pm. Featuring an Omelet Station, Strawberry Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast, Chef Carved Slow Roasted Prime Rib, Baked Haddock and more! Cost is $32 for adults and $15.95 for children 12 and under. Make your reservations HERE. Find more events and information for Greater Merrimack Valley. 
Central Massachusetts

Spring has sprung in Central Massachusetts! On April 14, join Rapscallion Brewery in Sturbridge for their Hop Head Fest 2018, and then head into Worcester to enjoy Debussy at 100, presented by the Worcester Chamber Music Society, at Shapiro Hall. Take in the beauty of "the field of gold" during Daffodil Day at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston on April 21. Enjoy Worcester Schubertiade's A Celebration of Youth on April 25 at the First Baptist Church of Worcester. Find more events and information for Central Massachusetts.
Franklin County
Historic Deerfield will host a Patriots' Day Revolutionary Muster on Saturday, April 14 from 10 am to 4 pm. Travel back in time and rediscover the history behind the Patriot's Day holiday. Revolutionary times will come to life through demonstrations of period crafts and activities, fife and drum music, and a muster. Historic Deerfield guides and cooks will interpret open hearth cooking, chocolate's role in the military, and powder horn carving in the 1786 Hall Tavern. Horse-drawn wagon rides will transport visitors through the village, and all historic houses will be available for touring! Find more events and information for Franklin County.
Greater Boston
Longer days and (hopefully) warmer temperatures mean Boston's Rites of Spring return; the Swan Boats are sailing, the Boys of Summer are back and flip flops are again in fashion. Get off your couch and On Your Feet with Emilio & Gloria Estefan, with STOMP, the international percussion sensation or with Boston Ballet's star-crossed lovers Romeo & Juliet. And put Top Girls at the top of your list. School vacation brings all sorts of special activities for kids (& the adults in their lives). And get ARTrageous! when the award-winning ArtWeek, with hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to artists, plays out across Boston and the Commonwealth. Find more events and information for Greater Boston
Cape Cod
1914 Duesenberg driven by Eddie Rickenbacker; credit Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
The crown jewel of American motorsports is coming to Heritage Museums & Gardens in Sandwich! Since 1911, the Indy 500 race has captivated fans and created race car legends. Opening on April 14, The Indy 500 exhibit at Heritage displays some of the most renowned cars from this high-octane event. Twenty iconic Indy 500 race and pace cars will be on display-from the 1914 Duesenberg driven by Eddie Rickenbacker to the 2016 NAPA winner driven by Alexander Rossi. Paired with a walk along Heritage's exquisite grounds (which will be in full bloom), you've found the best place to start spring on a fresh note! Find more events and information for Cape Cod.
Greater Springfield
Springfield Restaurant Week happens April 20-29, with 30 eateries in nine neighborhoods offering great meals at special discounts, with something delicious for everyone! The Springfield Museums Festival of Flowers presents galleries bursting with color when museum objects are creatively interpreted by florists and garden club members during the sixth annual Festival of Flowers April 5-8. The Springfield Symphony's April offerings include the Texas Tenors pops concert April 21 and the Verdi Requiem April 29.  Find more events and information for Greater Springfield.
Hampshire County
While the seeds of our world-famous asparagus are just starting to sprout in western Massachusetts, the Asparagus Valley Pottery Trail, April 28-29, lures us outside to visit the studios of nationally known potters throwing, firing and glazing ceramics in restored barns, old factory buildings and small-town storefronts. A heady celebration of cannabis culture draws thousands to Northampton's Extravaganja, a day-long festival and one of the oldest cannabis political rallies in the Northeast. Don't miss ArtWeekMA coming to western Massachusetts! Click here for a guide to spring and all seasons in our corner of western Massachusetts. Find more events and information for Hampshire County.
Johnny Appleseed Country
The grass is greening, trees are budding, flowers are bursting into bloom - it's time to celebrate Nature. And celebrations abound with the arrival of Earth Day this month! Enjoy music, arts, crafts and more at the Hooves & Woofs event on Townsend Common. Take an Earth Day Hike or learn about sheep shearing and the transformation of wool into cuddly clothing at Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary in Princeton. Or delve into discussions of farming, bee-keeping and more at the Celebration of Local Farms in Petersham. Discover Nature's bounty in Johnny Appleseed Country! Find more events and information for Johnny Appleseed Country.
Martha's Vineyard 
Spectrum Film Festival will be held April 26-29 the Martha's Vineyard Film Center! Spectrum is a four-day film festival that presents a world perspective on LGBTQ+ stories, people and issues through a variety of films, guest speakers, discussions, including special event focused on LGBTQ+ youth. The films originate from various countries; combine comedy, drama, romance, documentary genres in both short and full-length formats; and focus on a variety of topics.  For more information, visit mvfilmsociety.com or MVY.com. Find more events and information for Martha's Vineyard .
Mohawk Trail Region
Berkshire East and The Recorder are proud to partner up for the 3rd Annual Franklin County Beer Fest on Saturday July 21! This event, which will be held at Berkshire East Mountain Resort in Charlemont, will feature beer from several local breweries, local ciders and local mead and libations. Join us for an afternoon of music, food and drink. The fun begins at noon and continues until 5 pm. Buy your tickets today! Find more events and information for The Mohawk Trail Region
MetroWest

Stride into spring during the exciting Marathon Weekend, as many thousands of spectators line 13 miles of the Boston Marathon course that wind through MetroWest on April 16, beginning at the Start Line in Hopkinton. At the one-mile mark, the Marathon Spectacular sets the pace for all-ages fun, with live music, food, and local craft brews! Down the road in Framingham, thousands will gather to cheer the runners at the 6-Mile Moment festival at the intersection of Routes 126 and 135. Find more events and information for MetroWest.  
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