Free events in Chelmsford, MA

Seaport Smalls is a returning children’s programming series offering free, rotating activities designed for ages 0 to 8. The lineup features partners such as Curious Creatures with live animal education, Little Groove with music and art for kids, Spanish Fun Program for Spanish learning, Little Beats and its musical enrichment classes, Jungle Jim’s balloon magic, Mr. Aaron with music, and the Magic Fred Show. Refreshments are available for purchase from Blue Bottle Coffee, Lakon Paris Patisserie, and Pressed Cafe. Some sessions are held indoors at The Paseo, and convenient parking is available at the Harbor Way Garage. Registration on Eventbrite is recommended to receive program updates and schedule changes, though RSVPs or tickets are not required to participate. The full lineup is free and open to the public. Because sessions may take place on grass, bringing a blanket or mat is welcome. Photography and video may occur, and anyone who does not wish to be photographed can notify the photographer. By registering and attending, participants acknowledge the program’s Release and Waiver. Attendees can also earn points toward rewards through the Seaport Insider App by checking in via the QR next to the bicycle.

The Nashua Farmers Market now takes place along the Nashua Riverwalk, spanning from Bicentennial Park to the Pavilion Stage in Renaissance Park. Local growers, artisans, and food makers offer fresh produce, baked goods, flowers, and handcrafted items, making it easy to support farmers and small businesses. Rotating local musicians and food trucks add to the open air atmosphere for a relaxed experience of shopping and strolling.

Celebrate the spooky season at Shedd Park Pavilion in Lowell with The Haunted Makers Market, featuring 35 local vendors. Explore offerings from area makers, enjoy face painting, and find food available on site. Children can trick or treat with participating vendors, costumes are encouraged, and admission is free. Support local creators while taking part in a family friendly Halloween outing.

At Hive Public Market, this year-round market brings together local food makers, farmers, and other vendors. Explore locally made foods and a variety of additional offerings.

Ava Motherwell returns to Waltham with a Whole Bead Pop-Up at The Westin Waltham-Boston. She will showcase and sell her signature vintage and vintage-inspired beads from Germany and Italy, along with a curated selection of special finds from friends of The Whole Bead Show. Browse glass and resin beads, vintage and handmade pieces, gemstones, and a range of findings, buttons, and components. Admission is free, parking is complimentary, and the event is open to everyone, with wholesale buyers welcome as well.

Hoopers gather for the Honk! Festival Parade, bringing hoops, friends, and plenty of energy for a lively march from Davis Square to Harvard Square. The group meets in a Davis Square parking lot for a warmup, photos, and lineup before stepping off, then hoops along the route together. After the parade, participants stay with the group to play in Winthrop Park. Costumes follow a rainbow theme, and everyone brings their own hoop. Plan ahead for water and personal essentials, as Boston Hoop Troop will not carry personal items. Meetup details may be updated.

Burlington’s Annual Trunk or Treat turns the Burlington High School faculty parking lot into a family-friendly Halloween stop. This free community event welcomes costumes and invites kids to trick or treat from festively decorated trunks while enjoying activities, music, snacks, refreshments, and visits from local vendors. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bag for candy and, if interested, an optional donation for the Burlington Food Pantry such as granola bars, cereal, fruit cups or applesauce, juice boxes, jerky, or other individually wrapped snacks. The gathering takes place in the faculty lot at the back of the school. Hosted by Kadilak Realty Group, Kadilak Homes, DaMore Title & Closing, and Burlington Girl Scout.

At The Square Root, Sado-Domestics offers local live music with an acoustic-leaning blend of folk, roots, and rock that emphasizes vocal harmonies and original songs. Coffee, beer, wine, and eats accompany the music. There is no cover charge.

K-BAL at K-BOK is a casual bar meetup featuring food, drinks, and plenty of social Balboa dancing. Music is provided so you can focus on sharing the floor and getting to know fellow dancers. Previous gatherings have been great fun. Admission is free, and attendees are encouraged to purchase food and drinks and to tip the waitstaff generously.

Celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with complimentary access to the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology and the Harvard Museum of Natural History. At the Peabody, free tours led by Harvard students spotlight cultural objects cared for by the museum and share examples of its ongoing work with Indigenous communities. Free admission is courtesy of the Museum of Comparative Zoology. This offer does not apply to commercial groups.

Adults 18 and older seeking support with sobriety or living in recovery from alcohol or other substance use can take part in a free, open support group at Fitchburg CHC in Second Floor Conference Room 2. Sessions focus on personal growth through self exploration and peer connection, and they are facilitated by CHC recovery coaches. This group is part of a weekly series also offered in Leominster and Gardner. For questions or to learn more, call 978-878-8484.

Weekly recovery support groups are available in Fitchburg, Leominster, and Gardner for adults 18 and older who are working toward sobriety or continuing in recovery from alcohol or other substance use disorders. Free and open to the public, these coach-facilitated sessions focus on personal growth through self reflection and peer support. Meetings are held at Fitchburg CHC in Second Floor Conference Room 2, at Leominster CHC through Entrance B in the Behavioral Health Conference Room, at Greater Gardner CHC in the Third Floor Conference Room, and at ACTION CHC in Fitchburg. For questions or to learn more, call 978-878-8484.

A free comedy open mic at The Jungle Community Music Club in Somerville features newer and seasoned comedians testing fresh material. Performers can expect a show and go sign-up. Sets run four minutes, or five minutes with a food purchase, and the list is limited to 35.

Enjoy a music-fueled twist on bingo at CanalSide Food + Drink in CambridgeSide. Your card features song titles and artists instead of numbers, a DJ cues up the tracks, and you mark off matches as you listen. Complete five in a row in any direction, call bingo, and win a prize. It is free to play, with prizes awarded each round. Two to three quick rounds keep the energy high from start to finish. Great for casual listeners, competitive players, and groups of friends, with no music knowledge required.

Enjoy four complimentary rounds of music bingo at The Paddock Lounge/ La Chacra in Fitchburg, with the possibility of winning a prize.

A free outdoor screening takes place at The Charles River Speedway in Brighton. The film is Final Destination 3, following Wendy and her friends after they narrowly avoid a deadly roller coaster disaster. What begins as a close call turns into a harrowing chain of fatal events, and Wendy races to warn the others as she realizes the danger is not over.

Focused on substance use and addiction recovery, this free support group at ACTION Community Health & Urgent Care Center in Fitchburg welcomes adults 18 and older who are navigating sobriety or living in recovery from alcohol or other substance use disorders. It is part of weekly groups offered by CHC. Meetings are led by CHC recovery coaches and emphasize personal growth through self exploration and peer support. At the Fitchburg location, the group meets on the second floor in Conference Room 2. For questions or additional details, call 978-878-8484.

Experience a lively weekly farmers market with an expanded lineup featuring more than 30 local vendors, including farms, small-batch food makers, artisans, and community groups. Shop fresh vegetables and fruits, bread, pasta, hummus, coffee, olive oil, and other staples, along with specialty foods and ready-to-eat dishes. Live music, cooking demos, and activities for kids add to the experience. SNAP shoppers can receive a $15 match, and three participating farmers accept HIP benefits.

Marking its 20th anniversary season, the Medford Farmers Market features a mix of vendors, music, and community activities at the Condon Shell. Weekly lineups are shared on the market’s website events page.

Explore Boott Cotton Mills Museum after regular hours with complimentary admission. Step into the museum's weave room, a historic space where the rhythm of the machinery brings Lowell's industrial past to life, and learn about the city's role in the Industrial Revolution. This no-cost offering is part of the Late Night at the Museum series held June through October, with after-hours access on the third Thursday of each month so you can experience the galleries in a fresh way.

Twice each month, Salsa-in Lowell students and friends meet at Sahel Restaurant for an evening that begins with a free salsa class and continues with a social dance set to music curated by Franswa. Admission is free, and the restaurant offers the space at no cost. Attendees are encouraged to support the venue by ordering a drink or trying the food. Arriving early can help with securing a table or a seat at the bar.

Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar hosts an open mic that welcomes musicians and listeners of all ages. Expect live music, creative expression, and the occasional surprise in a relaxed setting. Signups take place before the performances begin, and there is no cover charge. This gathering is dedicated to music and is not a comedy open mic.

On Fridays, the farmers market returns to the front lawn. All farmers accept SNAP EBT and food stamps, along with debit, credit and cash. GWL market coupons, WIC and senior farmers market coupons are also accepted. Interested vendors should contact Groundwork Lawrence.

Hosted at Relentless Dragon in Nashua, this weekly Commander play brings together a welcoming community with plenty of chances to hop into games as the evening goes on. It is a good fit for relaxed matches, trying out deck ideas, or simply enjoying Magic with others. There is no cost to participate and players of all experience levels are welcome.

Enjoy a weekly dose of comedy at Garcon SuperSlice Pizza Pie Parlor in Salem. Drop in for a relaxed evening of laughs paired with pizza.

LASA Foundation is organizing its ninth free community medical clinic to help reduce barriers to care for low-income and underserved neighbors, including people experiencing homelessness. Visitors can access no-cost health screenings such as blood pressure, BMI, blood sugar, A1C and cholesterol checks, along with primary care consultations, dental and vision exams, and ultrasound services for thyroid, kidney and breast concerns. Experienced physicians and specialists will be available for evaluations and second opinions in cardiology, endocrinology, neurology, pediatrics, OB/GYN, gastroenterology, mental health, oncology, nutrition, physical therapy, pulmonology and nephrology. Support is also available for finding a primary care provider, completing MassHealth enrollment on site, and connecting with additional health resources, and flu and COVID vaccinations will be offered. Services are free and open to everyone regardless of insurance status, and walk-ins are welcome. Language assistance will be provided in Portuguese, Spanish, Pashto, Khmer, Haitian, French, Vietnamese and Hindi. Previous clinics have typically served more than 200 people and have received strong backing from community partners, reflecting an ongoing commitment to improve access to care and support community well-being.

United Way of Greater Nashua is organizing a citywide cleanup aimed at improving the look and well-being of the community. Volunteers will be directed to as many as ten locations to tidy up designated areas, with coordination and guidance provided by the organizers. Participants are encouraged to bring plenty of energy, invite friends, and show their community spirit. The effort will proceed regardless of weather.

A community fall fair brings together local crafters and artisans showcasing handmade goods and unique finds in the Fellowship Hall of the Congregational Church in North Chelmsford. Admission is free. Crafters interested in taking part should register only by email, and the organizers do not accept electronic payments. These steps help protect participants from scammers and ensure vendor signups are handled directly.

A community paper shredding event hosted by the City of Lynn features a mobile shredding truck on site. It is free and limited to paper only. Cardboard, plastic, and metal will not be accepted. Participation is restricted to Lynn residents. The event is held at the Department of Public Works.

Adams Park hosts the Roslindale Village Farmers Market each Saturday.

This long-running plant-based food festival features a wide mix of producers and vendors, national speakers and chefs, and informative exhibits in a friendly setting. Attendees can speak directly with food makers, sample complimentary bites, discover new products coming to market, and shop show discounts, or simply learn which plant-based options are available and where to find them. The program includes free talks and activities for children. Admission and parking are free, and a public transit stop is just across the street. Whether you already eat vegetarian or vegan or are exploring more plant-based meals, the event offers opportunities to support animals, care for the environment, and improve personal health.

Carol Leary brings a solo performance to Milford Farmers Market of NH, showcasing a blend of classic folk, country, and pop along with favorites from the Great American Songbook. The market offers fresh produce and fruit, plus handcrafted foods and baked goods, creating a setting where live music and local flavors come together.

Lowell historian Richard Howe leads a 90-minute walking tour through Lowell Cemetery, a picturesque garden-style burial ground established in 1841. Participants learn about Victorian-era landscape design and gain perspective on the Lowell that Edgar Allan Poe encountered during his visits. The cemetery is the resting place of Nancy Richmond, often called Annie, whose association with Poe remains a mystery. Please gather at the Knapp Avenue entrance. The tour is free, tips are welcome, and no reservations are required. A rain date is planned.

Stop by the Waltham Farmers Market to find a participating vendor. If you are hoping to see this vendor, check the event schedule to confirm when they will be there.

Children ages 4 to 7 can explore guitar, piano, and drums at a free beginner program in Wasserman Park. Participants make music together, meet new friends, and get a feel for playing in a band. No prior musical experience is required.

The Book and Board - Comics and Gaming hosts casual Commander play with free entry. A valid Wizards account is required for all Wizards of the Coast events. Capacity is limited to 12 players, and promo cards are available while supplies last. Players may pre-register through the Magic Companion app.

Sweater Weather Fest is a no-cost open-air celebration of film. Browse vendors, grab something to eat, and settle in for a movie under the night sky. If you work in film and TV or hope to, industry professionals will be on the plaza and open to questions about how they began their careers, creating opportunities for genuine connections. Tickets and badges are not required, and access is open.

This community effort centers on preparing food and sharing it with neighbors at James P. Cronin Park in Cambridge, MA. Organizers are welcoming volunteers and donations to help grow a mutual aid network and provide support to people in the area. Stickers are available in person for anyone interested in helping with outreach around Harvard and Central Square.

North Shore Junction makes its first appearance at The Bar in Hudson, NH, delivering a blend of rock, blues, country, and R&B that spans the decades. The event is smoke free and there is no cover charge. A crowd-pleasing mix awaits both longtime followers and new listeners.