Family events in Worcester County, MA

This monthly meetup welcomes young families in Central Massachusetts for a babywearing playdate at Bear’s Playspace within the Joy of Music Program. Caregivers can connect, share tips about babywearing and carriers, and enjoy a snack while little ones ages 0 to 5 explore the play area. Bring your own carrier for personalized help, or try options from the Orange Lending Library. Attendance is free, and pre-registration is required. Borrowing from the lending library involves a $10 donation per carrier per month. Presented in partnership with Blackstone Valley Babywearing, with a Facebook group available to stay connected. Please stay home if you or your child are sick, feverish, vomiting, or showing symptoms you would not want a newborn to be around. For fit checks or returning a borrowed carrier, message the organizers on Facebook.

At Hollis Hills Farm, librarians from Fitchburg Public Library lead a family story time featuring an interactive reading for children of all ages. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend with their kids. No registration is required.

A relaxed Art Hour at the Gardner Family Resource Center offers hands-on projects that encourage creativity and connection for kids and families in a friendly setting. All supplies are provided, and light refreshments are available. The session welcomes children of all ages with their caregivers. No registration is needed, just drop in.

Young experimenters explore the electrochemical energy in pumpkins and other everyday fruits and vegetables. The session is intended for ages 7 to 12 and requires registration. A caregiver must accompany each child. Sponsored by the Friends of the JHPL.

Enjoy a season of library film screenings with options for families, evening features, and timeless classics, all shown on a large screen. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. September includes Family Movie Matinee: Minions & Monsters (G), Beals Movie Night: Sheep Detectives (PG), and Classic Movie Matinee: Taxi Driver (R). October presents Family Movie Matinee: Toy Story 5 (G), Beals Movie Night: Project Hail Mary (PG-13), and Classic Movie Matinee: To Sir with Love (Not Rated).

The REC Farmers Market at Beaver Brook Park offers locally grown produce and opportunities to connect with community organizations. Vendors include Harper's Farm & Garden, Fay Mountain Farm, Juakumbah Farms, Bucket List Maple Syrup, and the Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts (SEACMA) Mushroom Farm, with additional sellers participating. Payment options include cash, card, SNAP, HIP Healthy Incentives Program benefits, and Senior and WIC Farmers Market coupons. On-site parking is available.

This relaxed program for infants and toddlers offers brief stories, interactive songs, and unstructured play, giving caregivers and children time together in a friendly, child-centered space. It is free to attend. Activities encourage early development and provide chances to connect with other families. Light refreshments are available for children and adults. No registration is required.

An in-person fall and winter kids consignment pop up brings together a broad selection for growing families. Browse baby and youth essentials, including clothing from infant sizes through youth 18, toys, games, shoes, gear, and decor, all contributed by local families and reviewed for quality, all in one place. Select items are discounted by half on the final public shopping day. Early entry options are offered with registration and limited capacity, including a cause-driven session where ticket proceeds support charity, along with some free early shopping opportunities. Those interested in selling can earn cash for outgrown or unused clothing, toys, baby gear, games, shoes, decor, and more. Payment is accepted by cash, Mastercard, Visa, and Apple Pay. All purchases are final.

The Second Chance Mobile Adoption Van visits Klem’s, offering a convenient way to meet adoptable pets and consider welcoming a new companion into your life. The event emphasizes that adoption is a lifelong commitment. If adoption is not possible, there are still meaningful ways to help by donating, volunteering, or spreading the word so these animals can find loving homes.

A free teen drop-in at The HUB features bowling at no cost, ice cream, and a relaxed space to spend time with friends. Enjoy casual games and a welcoming atmosphere without any fees or pressure. Sponsored by The United Way of North Central MA.

Week six of the 2026 varsity football season takes place at Gardner High School, with the Gardner Wildcats on their home field. This varsity matchup showcases high school football in a local setting.

Discover a community craft fair filled with handcrafted goods from local artisans and crafters. Browse jewelry, home decor, gifts, and other specialty pieces, then enjoy tasty bites while you shop. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. It is a chance to support small businesses, uncover unique finds, and spend time with family and friends in a creative marketplace.

The REC Farmers Market at University Park features fresh, locally grown produce and opportunities to connect with community organizations. Vendors include Harper's Farm & Garden, Fay Mountain Farm, Coolidge Hill Farm, Circling Carrots Farm, Wooden Bakery, and more. Payment options include cash, card, SNAP, the Healthy Incentives Program (HIP), and Senior and WIC farmers market coupons. Parking is available in the Clark University lot on Gates Street in Worcester.

This performance features lively, all-ages acoustic renditions of familiar songs at the Gardner farmers market, bringing an upbeat, family friendly vibe.

Athol Public Library and Hero Shack Press are teaming up for the fifth annual celebration of comics at Athol Town Hall. The venue becomes a lively hub for enthusiasts with comics, live drawing demonstrations, author question and answer sessions, games, vendors, a cosplay contest, free activities, and crafts, offering something for every age group. Admission is free for all ages. The full 2026 schedule will be shared soon. Cosplay contestants can sign up during the registration window before the competition, and cash prizes are offered.

Celebrate an International Space Station contact with a day of special programs at the EcoTarium. Discover ham radio, experiment with the radio technology that allows students to speak with an astronaut in outer space, and watch a complete replay of the conversation. The focus is on how space-to-Earth communication works, highlighting the systems that make a call to the cosmos possible from the EcoTarium.

Playful pups take center stage at the second annual Howl-O-Ween Party, a doggie open play celebration filled with costumes, games, and prizes. Highlights include a pup costume parade and contest, Halloween themed dog games, treats for four-legged guests, and plenty of photo opportunities. Dogs can strut their spooky or silly style while owners mingle with fellow dog lovers in a fun and festive setting. More details will be shared as the event nears. Entry is charged per pup, and human companions attend for free.

Wild Kratts Live 2.0: Activate Creature Power! brings the Kratt brothers to the stage for a lively creature adventure that blends onstage performance with animated segments. Chris and Martin appear in person while the rest of the Wild Kratts team participates on screen from their Tortuga headquarters. The show invites the audience to call out answers from their seats, using their animal know-how to help power the mission. Look forward to surprising facts about amazing creatures and the excitement fans know from the Wild Kratts television series. All-inclusive ticket prices are $44, $57, or $67 depending on seat location. A limited number of VIP Meet and Greet seats are available for $169. VIP access includes a post-show meet and greet with Chris and Martin Kratt. Each child attending the meet and greet must be accompanied by an adult who also holds a VIP ticket. For more information, call the box office at 877.571.7469.

Celebrate character building and stage presence at a cosplay competition that spotlights creativity, craftsmanship, and accuracy. Participants will compete for honors that include Best in Show, Creativity, Craftsmanship, Accuracy, and Best Presentation or Performance, with cash prizes selected by a panel of Comic Book Fest judges. Each person may enter only one costume, and preference is given to builds created at home. Professional commission-based costumers are invited to showcase their work at Comic Book Fest but should not enter the competition. Costumes that include nudity, obscene or graphic elements, or anything not in keeping with the spirit of the event will lead to disqualification. Judging focuses on resemblance to the character, the quality of construction, creative choices, presentation to the audience, and how well the costume is represented. Registration is free at the Comic Book Fest entry table inside Athol Town Hall and requires a name, age, character title, and franchise, along with a quick photo at sign-up. During the contest, each entrant will cross the stage, pause for a pose, and answer one or two brief questions from the MC about the character or the costume. To remain eligible for prizes, contestants are expected to present a new cosplay each year.

Winchendon Community Park hosts a free, family friendly Halloween celebration featuring car to car trick or treating, festive music and seasonal games, a spooky trail experience after dark, and a lineup of food trucks and local vendors. Costumes are welcome. The festivities also celebrate the second year of the Robinson Broadhurst Foundation Performing Arts Amphitheater and bring together communities from across the region for entertainment, food, vendors, and games.

That’s Entertainment hosts a free Pokemon Trading Card Game league that welcomes both new and experienced players. Bring a deck for casual matches or come ready to learn the basics with guidance on site. The league is open to all ages, and children 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent. Attendees receive prize packs. For questions about the game or getting started, contact Pokemon professor Jeff at obijeff@outlook.com.