Family events in Holyoke, MA

Enjoy a free summer series of family-friendly workshops on the River Valley Co-op Easthampton store patio, with sessions moving to the community room if the weather turns. Led by Mariah Freemole, a local nature preschool educator and mindfulness and meditation teacher, these activities are designed with kids in mind, and the whole family is welcome. Each week features a new creative focus, such as telling personal stories through color and texture, making prints with plants like potatoes and painting with natural materials, sculpting tiny clay homes and habitats, crafting favorite animals, and assembling imaginative collage portraits. Participants can also design pendants and other wearable art, build a mobile or lantern inspired by what they notice overhead, paint with mud using soils in a range of hues, and blend dried herbs into tea bags to keep or share. No registration is needed. Mariah brings nearly two decades of experience helping young children build self-regulation skills through mindfulness, yoga, singing, and outdoor exploration, holds certifications in Deep Play for Kids and Forest Kindergarten, and teaches at Mass Audubon’s Arcadia Nature Preschool.

Children explore the small creatures living all around us, from beetles and worms to slugs, ladybugs, and caterpillars. Through hands-on activities and conversation, participants learn why these animals matter and how they support the local ecosystem. Magnifiers are used to study specimens up close, followed by a guided bug hunt to search for insects in their natural spots. This Friday Mornings for Children session takes place in the Beveridge Pavilion, weather permitting. A $5 per family donation is suggested. Seating is provided and blankets are welcome.

This easy-paced nature walk helps caregivers and young children nurture an early appreciation for nature within a welcoming group. Taking place monthly, each outing explores a different trail and spotlights the season's small wonders... jewelweed in bloom, balancing on a log, puddle splashing, and the scent of wildflowers. Activities are interactive and change each time, so every session offers something new. Along the way, parents and caregivers can meet and chat in an easygoing outdoor setting, building connections one walk at a time.

Common Nighthawks are on the move, traveling south from their breeding grounds along one of the longest migration routes of any North American bird. The program opens with an overview of their natural history, covering their crepuscular behavior, fluctuating populations, and impressive ability to capture insects while in flight. After the introduction, participants will head outside to watch for sweeping flights and agile aerial maneuvers. Bring a picnic dinner and a chair to settle in for relaxed sky-watching with good company.

The seventh annual Canines Against Cancer support walk gathers families and their dogs at the Irish Cultural Center of Western New England to uplift cancer survivors and fuel the work of Each Moment We’re Alive. EMWA offers no cost survivorship resources including ongoing support groups, educational workshops, one on one guidance, and a private online community, and it continued showing up weekly even when many services paused during the pandemic so survivors would not be alone. The evening features a relaxed scenic trail walk, freshly grilled hamburgers and hot dogs prepared by the Beavers Club, live music from the CO2 Acoustic Music Duo made up of two Correctional Officers, a visit from BOOMER of the Springfield Thunderbirds, family games and activities, raffles with prizes, and a celebration honoring survivors. Event merchandise will be available, including 2026 Canines Against Cancer shirts. Registration is a $15 tax deductible donation that includes a meal voucher for a hamburger, cheeseburger, or hot dog, plus access to all activities, while helping EMWA continue sponsor funded tools, education, and live support for survivors and their families at no cost. Those who want to raise additional support can become fundraising champions. Collect $50 or more to receive an exclusive 2026 event shirt, create a personal Facebook fundraiser, set a goal between $250 and $1,000, share why EMWA matters, and invite friends to contribute. A virtual option is available to take part from anywhere with the same purpose and perks, and participants can share photos using #CaninesAgainstCancer. The focus is on community, hope, and the comforting bond of canine companions, celebrating life one pawprint at a time.

The season finale of the Downtown Live! Friday Night Summer Concert Series brings Oakland Stroke to the Westfield Bank Stage at Elm Street Plaza in the heart of the Downtown Westfield Cultural District. This is the band’s debut in the series, presented as a make up date following a weather related postponement. Produced by ArtWorks Westfield, the series marks its tenth season and continues its eight week summer tradition in its third year at this plaza. Oakland Stroke delivers the electrifying San Francisco Bay Area sound of the 1970s with a powerhouse 13 piece lineup featuring the dynamic vocals of Donna-Lee De Prille, the Bump City Horns, Latin percussion, and a tight rhythm section. Expect the East Bay groove associated with Tower of Power and Santana, along with favorites tied to Boz Scaggs, Cold Blood, Janis Joplin, Buddy Miles, Sly Stone, and more. This free community concert offers beverages for purchase from White Lion Brewing Company and Skyline Brewing Company. Free parking is available. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and dancing shoes. Outside alcohol is not permitted in the performance space. A complimentary Bike Valet, provided by the Friends of the Columbia Greenway Rail Trail, is available at each show with access from the trail to the plaza.

Head to Old Orchard Beach for a day by the shore on a trip that has been rescheduled due to weather. Pickups are offered in Chicopee and West Springfield, with return service to both locations. The cost is $99 per person, and reservations are final and cannot be refunded.

Presented each summer, this annual T-Birds street hockey tournament brings youth players from the area together for friendly competition on the outdoor deck court at Amelia Park Arena in Westfield. Teams consist of players ages 9 to 12, with four to ten athletes per team. Every participant receives a T-Birds t-shirt and a ticket to T-Birds Opening Night. The snack bar and the indoor ice arena at Amelia Park will be open during the tournament for added convenience. For more information, contact Andrew Buchanan at (413) 417-2284.

The season wraps up with the last Community Caravan of the summer, and this stop will also feature the yearly street hockey tournament. Further information about the Caravan and the tournament will be shared as the event nears.

Zombie Hideout TCG & Sports Card Show brings together collectors and vendors for a marketplace focused on trading card games, sports cards, and pop culture finds. Browse tables featuring Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, sports cards, comics, toys, sealed products, singles, and additional items. Buying, selling, and trading are welcome, and it is a chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts. Vendor tables are available for $25 per six foot table, with limited availability.

Create whimsical faery houses inspired by nature in a welcoming community setting. This free, all-ages gathering at Dreki Soul centers play, creativity, and a reconnection with wonder, reflecting a belief that creativity and connection support wellness in body, mind, and spirit. The event is held in collaboration with the upcoming Fairy and Arts Festival in Easthampton, which will feature a fairy house tour, a Fairyland escape room, fae-themed food, a cosplay meetup, readings, vendors, and other magical experiences. Bring imagination and a love of magic.

Ride with the Irish Cultural Center to Boston for Fenway Park’s Irish Celebration, where the Boston Red Sox face the San Francisco Giants. The bus departs from West Springfield, MA and offers a simple way to enjoy the game with family and friends. Irish entertainment will perform on Jersey Street before the game. Tickets are $160 for ICC patrons and $180 for the general public, and the price includes a right field upper box seat, round trip bus transportation, and driver gratuity. Tickets can be purchased online with a service fee or in person at the ICC office or Trinity Pub by cash, check, or card.

Carolyn from Magic Tree Henna will offer complimentary henna tattoos for tweens and teens. The paste is prepared with natural ingredients that include organic henna powder, lemon juice, sugar, tea tree oil, and lavender oil. Once applied, the artwork typically remains visible for one to three weeks.

Gather for an easygoing, family-friendly meal shared with the community. Enjoy a freshly cooked supper, with time before and after to connect in groups, relax together, and take part in arts activities. Volunteers are welcome to lend a hand before and after the meal. Donations of your choosing are accepted, with no obligation to give. Arrive hungry and leave nourished. Everyone is welcome.