Free events in Middlesex County, MA

A weekly community market showcases offerings from local farmers, bakers, artisans, and businesses. The vendor lineup changes each week, with updates shared on the event page.

Take part in Invasive Species Volunteer Days, a hands-on effort to care for the Town Forest. Volunteers will team up to remove buckthorn and other invasive plants so native vegetation and wildlife can continue to thrive in this habitat. It is a chance to connect with others while doing meaningful work outside and to help protect this natural area.

Browse a fall craft fair featuring more than fifty crafters and vendors. Admission is free.

Organizers in Billerica are seeking 20 to 30 volunteers to help set up the Iraq and Afghanistan Dog Tag Memorial at the Billerica Elks. Volunteers will assist with unloading, assembling, and positioning the display so it is ready for a continuous 24 hour public viewing. No prior experience is needed, only a readiness to help. Lunch will be provided for those who volunteer. After setup, the group will pause for a brief observance that includes a moment of remembrance and the playing of Taps before the memorial opens to visitors.

At James P. Cronin Park in Cambridge, a grassroots mutual aid effort comes together to prepare food and share it with the community. Volunteers and donations are welcome to help grow this support network and assist neighbors. The schedule features a hands-on prep period followed by distribution. Stickers are available in person for anyone who would like to help post them around the Harvard and Central Square area.

This free NEAT meal is hosted by Park Avenue Congregational Church and is non-denominational and open to everyone. Guests may bring friends or neighbors, or attend solo and meet new people. No RSVP is needed.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.