Free events in Waltham, MA

Farmers Market Fridays bring a weekly market to The Row with nearly 30 New England-based farmers and producers set up between Shake Shack and Caffè Nero. Browse seasonal produce, fresh baked goods, dairy and eggs, meats and seafood, honey, jams, specialty foods, and more. It is a convenient place to stock up for the weekend, discover local favorites, or simply enjoy a Friday visit to Assembly Row. Additional details, including weekly vendor lineups and opening day highlights, will be shared soon.

Union Square Main Streets brings together more than 60 local food producers for the 22nd annual Union Square Farmers Market. Browse a wide selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables, proteins, fresh bread, jams, hot sauces, pickles, and other specialties, and enjoy ready-to-eat food and drinks while exploring the stalls. Meet farmers and makers, learn about their craft, and connect with local community groups. Recognized by readers of The Somerville Times as the Best Farmers Market in Somerville in 2025, the market also offers SNAP matching through a partnership with the City of Somerville and the Somerville Farmers Market Coalition, with participating vendors accepting SNAP.

Discover ways to contribute to a garden oasis in Somerville through an introductory volunteer session. Learn about the history of the Growing Center, become familiar with core site operations, and explore event support and other on-site volunteer roles. Completing an orientation is required for anyone planning to run a program, host an event, or host Open Garden Hours.

Enjoy a free riverfront yoga session along the Mystic, sponsored by Mass General Brigham Health Plan and led by YogaSix instructors. Bring your own yoga mat and water. Registration is required, and spots are released weekly, so be sure to sign up for each class before attending. If weather becomes an issue, participants will be notified of any cancellations. As a partner of Yoga in the Park at Assembly Row, Mass General Brigham Health Plan highlights the wellness benefits of yoga, including relief for headaches, carpal tunnel, neck and shoulder discomfort, and arthritis.

This weekly farmers market brings together more than 35 vendors with a wide range of goods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, meat, dairy, seafood, baked goods, coffee, and more. It runs throughout the season and continues regardless of the weather.

The Charles River Jazz Festival returns to the Hatch Memorial Shell with a larger stage and more space for artists and vendors, while keeping the welcoming vibe that defines it. Expect a full day of live jazz, food, and community that brings together world class performers alongside standout talent from the local scene. The main stage showcases Ghost-Note, Tyreek McDole, Seba Molnar, Zahili Zamora, BT ALC Big Band, and Roella Oloro. Rooted in Boston, this free, family friendly celebration offers music lovers of all ages a chance to enjoy creativity and connection.

A community mutual aid effort focuses on preparing food and sharing it with neighbors. Organizers are seeking volunteers and donations to strengthen their network and support people nearby. The day centers on food preparation followed by distribution, and stickers are available in person for those helping with outreach, with placements around the Harvard and Central Square area.

Enjoy a free weekly outdoor yoga session at Cambridge Common, the park not the bar. This welcoming all-level Flow + Restore practice unfolds under the canopy of mature trees and concludes with time to chat and unwind in community. Bring water, a mat, a towel, sunglasses, and any other props you prefer. Complimentary iced tea will be offered by Cambridge Naturals.

Part of the Longfellow Summer Arts Festival, this free public reading brings music, poetry, and community to the front lawn of the Longfellow House throughout the season. Presented in partnership with the New England Poetry Club, the event features Marie Howe, recipient of the Golden Rose Award for Poetry. Howe is the author of New and Selected Poems from W. W. Norton, collecting work from across her four earlier books. She is a former Poet Laureate of New York State, the poet in residence at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, and a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. Her debut, The Good Thief, was selected for the National Poetry Series by Margaret Atwood and later recognized with the Lavan Younger Poets Prize from the American Academy of Poets. She has taught at Sarah Lawrence College, Columbia University, and NYU, coedited the essay anthology In the Company of My Solitude: American Writing from the AIDS Pandemic, and received fellowships from the Bunting Institute at Radcliffe College, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Guggenheim Foundation, the Academy of American Poets, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown.

An upbeat outdoor gathering centered on Rueda de Casino brings together community, laughter, and plenty of dance energy. It opens with a complimentary lesson suitable for all levels, followed by social dancing. No partner or prior experience is required. Expect lively music, circles of dancers in different sizes, familiar faces alongside newcomers, and a warm, summery vibe. Updates about schedule changes or weather-related cancellations are shared on Facebook and Instagram.

Saborcito at The Anchor offers a free Latin dance class followed by social dancing, presented by The Anchor Boston in collaboration with Sabor Latino, Salsa y Control, and DJ Hernan. The gathering takes place on The Anchor’s open-air courtyard patio with comfortable lounge seating, standing tables, and a bar, all set against views of Boston from the Charlestown Naval Yard. A salsa lesson starts the festivities, and early arrival is required to participate in the class. There is no cover and street parking is available. Registration is requested to RSVP. Please note venue policies. Outside food or beverages, including water bottles, are not allowed. Only small cross body bags are permitted, and complimentary bag check is available. The event is free and open to the public.

This free stand-up open mic at The Jungle Community Music Club features both newer and professional comedians testing fresh material. Performers can sign up on a show and go basis. Sets are four minutes, or five minutes with a food purchase, and the list is capped at 35. Audience members can watch comics refine new jokes throughout the night.

Hannah Judson appears at Zuzu inside The Middle East in Cambridge, MA for a laid-back gathering with food and drinks available from the venue. Admission is free.

The 2026 Davis Sq Farmers Market returns. For the latest vendor list and the market map, visit the market’s website.

A weekly farmers market at Central Square Park brings fresh, locally sourced foods and community programs to East Boston. Run by NeighborHealth, it focuses on improving community health and strengthening the local food system. Visitors can browse produce from area farms, raw local honey, fresh bread, coffee, tea, and ready-to-eat options such as Mexican elotes. The market also features local handcraft vendors each week and community organizations offering free resources. Families will find kid-friendly activities including POP Club and Summer Eats, which provides free meals for children. Pick up groceries, grab a bite, or relax in the park while enjoying the programming. Everyone is welcome.

Music Bingo brings a lively spin to the classic game at CanalSide Food + Drink at CambridgeSide. It is free to play, with prizes awarded in every round. Two or three quick music rounds keep things moving as a DJ plays familiar tracks. Each player receives a unique card filled with song titles and artists. When you hear a song on your card, mark it off and try for five in a row vertically, horizontally, or diagonally to win. The format welcomes casual music fans, competitive players, and groups of friends, and no music knowledge is required.

Recharge at the Rose with a free yoga session held outdoors in front of the Rose Art Museum entrance, featuring Chris Burden’s permanent installation, Light of Reason (2014). The class is led by Brandeis Fitness Coordinator Kat Page and is open to all fitness levels. Registration is capped at 40 participants. Bring a water bottle, a yoga mat if you have one, and workout attire. In case of inclement weather, the event will be canceled.

Get moving with a free outdoor Zumba class on Waltham Common. All ages and abilities are welcome, and it’s led by instructor Jen Williams with friends. The session runs from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Celebrate the sweet corn season at Gore Place with a Corn Roast featuring roasted corn sourced from local farms, live music, and ice cream. There’s also the Mighty Squirrel biergarten, and you’re welcome to bring a picnic blanket to relax and enjoy the music. Admission is free, and food and drinks are available a la carte on a first-come, first-served basis.