Free events in Salem, MA

The Davis Sq Farmers Market is back. For the most current vendor list and a market map, check the market website.

Music Bingo brings a lively twist to the classic game at CanalSide Food + Drink at CambridgeSide. There is no cost to participate, and prizes are awarded in each round. Expect two to three brisk music rounds that keep the energy high from start to finish. Instead of numbers and letters, each card features song titles and artists. Pick up a unique card, listen as the DJ cues up familiar tracks, and mark any matches you hear. Earn five in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally to call bingo and win. The format suits casual listeners, competitive players, and groups of friends. No music expertise is needed, just listen, enjoy the hits, and have fun with friendly competition and prizes.

Celebrate Food Security Awareness Day at the farmers market, featuring an expanded lineup of more than 30 local vendors. Explore offerings from farms, small batch food producers, artisans, and community organizations. Shop for fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta, hummus, coffee, olive oil, and other pantry staples, along with specialty items and ready to eat dishes. Enjoy live music, cooking demonstrations, and activities for kids. SNAP customers can receive a $15 match, and three participating farmers accept HIP benefits.

The Medford Farmers Market celebrates its 20th anniversary season at the Condon Shell in Medford. Attendees can explore a variety of vendors, enjoy music, and take part in community activities. Offerings change from week to week, creating a fresh experience throughout the season.

Gulu-Gulu Café & Bar hosts an open mic that turns the room into a friendly home for live music and creative surprises. Performers and listeners of all ages are welcome, and there is no cover to attend. The focus is music only, not a comedy open mic.

Enjoy a relaxed coffee and tea gathering at Abbot Public Library. Browse for your next book, chat with neighbors, try a community puzzle, or take a quiet moment. Locally brewed Atomic Coffee from Marblehead’s Blue Canoe Cafe will be available, along with coffee fixings and a selection of teas. Bringing your own mug is encouraged. There is no fee and no registration required. Sponsored by the Friends of Abbot Public Library.

The Farmer's Market is returning to the front lawn on Fridays. Farmers accept SNAP EBT/food stamps, debit, credit, and cash, and they also welcome GWL (Groundwork Lawrence) market coupons, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), and senior farmers market coupons. Interested vendors can contact Groundwork Lawrence for participation details.

Barbosa Family Farm sets up at the Kilroy Square Farmers Market in Quincy with a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables, plus cage-free, unwashed eggs straight from the farm. It is a convenient spot for stocking up on weekly produce, gathering ingredients for dinner, or simply taking in the market atmosphere. Payments are accepted by debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, cash, Venmo, and through SNAP benefits and WIC coupons.

Participants can carve or paint a pumpkin, with pre-registration required to ensure enough pumpkins for everyone. After the pumpkin activities, a movie screening will take place at Town Hall. The movie is free and does not require registration. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Settle in for a weekly comedy night in Salem, pairing plenty of laughs with delicious pizza. The atmosphere is casual, so you can swing by and enjoy an easygoing night of jokes and slices.

A no-cost community run and walk offers routes ranging from 1 to 4 miles. Strollers and kids are welcome, and participants can move at a comfortable pace. The meeting location changes each week, so register through the class schedule to let the organizers know to expect you.

Explore ways to lower the risk of breast cancer and other cancers in a conversation with Silent Spring. Meet representatives from Leader Bank, which is opening its first branch in downtown Andover. Support community food access by connecting with Village Food Hub and donating fresh produce. HOME will lead a free yoga session for adults, with a separate class for kids. Participants should bring a mat. This is a producers-only market. Vendors that are eligible accept SNAP, and shoppers using SNAP can receive a $25 match each week. Check the market website for the weekly vendor list and a map. Vendor applications are handled only through the official website, and unsolicited posts about openings or contacts are considered spam.

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.

Neighbors will gather at the Moseley Woods Pavilion in Moseley Woods Park, Newburyport, for an informal community forum to share experiences, suggestions, and hopes for the park’s future. The discussion aims to collect public input that will help guide future improvement efforts. Whether you visit the woods frequently or only once in a while, or simply care about city parks, all perspectives are welcome. Participants are encouraged to spread the word to friends and neighbors.

Salem Main Streets is hosting a festive pet parade celebrating costumed companions. Attendance is free, and there is a suggested donation of $5 for Salem residents and $10 for out-of-towners to enter a pet. Pets of any species are welcome, provided they are well behaved and comfortable in a lively environment where many dogs may be present. Advance registration is preferred. On-site registration is available on Derby Wharf, with cash preferred and Venmo possible. Be cautious of scam posts offering vending spots or tickets, as official communications will come from Kylie or Elise. This community event is made possible through the support of local businesses, with lead sponsors Salem Bespoke Boutique, Hawthorne Animal Health Care, Jenni Stuart Fine Jewelry, and VEG ER for Pets, and additional support from Absolutely Thai Spa, Whimsy's Sweet Life, All Creatures Veterinary Hospital, ThatHouseSalem, Lore Luxury Apartments, Hawthorne Hotel, Black Cat Curiosity Shoppe & Tours, Kakawa Chocolate House, and Wolf Next Door Coffee.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Explore the seaside castle once home to inventor John Hays Hammond, Jr., now Hammond Castle Museum, created to share historic architectural art with the local community. As part of Gloucester Gratis Days, Gloucester residents receive complimentary self-guided admission. Each reservation requires evidence of Gloucester residency at check-in. Advance reservations are encouraged but optional, with on-site signup available in the Museum Shop. This program is available during the regular tour season and also during Deck the Halls, the museum-wide temporary exhibition.

An in-person gathering offers a compassionate space for anyone coping with the loss or impending loss of a cherished pet. The discussion is facilitated by Licensed Clinical Social Worker Jen, and there is no fee to participate. Attendees are welcome to stop in without advance registration. Upon arrival, please proceed to the rear of the building and enter through the back door.

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.