Downtown Dessert Crawl
Mar
28
3:00 PM15:00

Downtown Dessert Crawl

Grab your friends and follow your sweet tooth through Amherst for the 2nd Annual Downtown Dessert Crawl! This event will take place Saturday, March 28 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

This delicious adventure features dessert samples from local businesses, a fun scavenger hunt, and the chance to explore some of your favorite downtown spots.

Stroll from stop to stop, discover new places, and enjoy a variety of sweet bites from Amherst’s beloved businesses. Bring friends, family, or make it a fun afternoon out!

Buy your tickets now!
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Summer Music Concert Series - August 1st
Aug
1
5:00 PM17:00

Summer Music Concert Series - August 1st

Amherst Summer Music Concert Series - Featuring Bad News Jazz Orchestra / The Henderson Blues Band 🎶

Free & Open to the Public

Join us for the Amherst BID’s Summer Music Concert Series on the Amherst Town Common!
Happening on Summer Fridays from 5–8 PM, these community concerts bring great music, great vibes, and great company to the heart of Downtown Amherst.

2025 Concert Dates:
🎵 June 27
🎵 July 11, 18, 25
🎵 August 1

Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family, and enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. This free event is open to all and celebrates the spirit of our downtown community.

🍻 Enjoy a Cash Bar
A cash bar will be open on-site serving beer, wine, and cider to help you sip and relax while you enjoy the music!

Location:
Amherst Town Common
Amherst, MA

Presented by:
Encharter Insurance
With support from the Mass Cultural Council, NEPM, and the Amherst Cultural Council.

Learn more and view the full lineup by scanning the QR code or visiting our website. See you there!

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Summer Music Concert Series - July 25th
Jul
25
5:00 PM17:00

Summer Music Concert Series - July 25th

Amherst Summer Music Concert Series - Featuring UMass Jazz in July Program: All Stars Concert 🎶

Free & Open to the Public

Join us for the Amherst BID’s Summer Music Concert Series on the Amherst Town Common!
Happening on Summer Fridays from 5–8 PM, these community concerts bring great music, great vibes, and great company to the heart of Downtown Amherst.

2025 Concert Dates:
🎵 June 27
🎵 July 11, 18, 25
🎵 August 1

Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family, and enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. This free event is open to all and celebrates the spirit of our downtown community.

🍻 Enjoy a Cash Bar
A cash bar will be open on-site serving beer, wine, and cider to help you sip and relax while you enjoy the music!

Location:
Amherst Town Common
Amherst, MA

Presented by:
Encharter Insurance
With support from the Mass Cultural Council, NEPM, and the Amherst Cultural Council.

Learn more and view the full lineup by scanning the QR code or visiting our website. See you there!

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Summer Music Concert Series - July 18th
Jul
18
5:00 PM17:00

Summer Music Concert Series - July 18th

Amherst Summer Music Concert Series - Featuring GemsTones / Masala Jazz 🎶

Free & Open to the Public

Join us for the Amherst BID’s Summer Music Concert Series on the Amherst Town Common!
Happening on Summer Fridays from 5–8 PM, these community concerts bring great music, great vibes, and great company to the heart of Downtown Amherst.

2025 Concert Dates:
🎵 June 27
🎵 July 11, 18, 25
🎵 August 1

Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family, and enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. This free event is open to all and celebrates the spirit of our downtown community.

🍻 Enjoy a Cash Bar
A cash bar will be open on-site serving beer, wine, and cider to help you sip and relax while you enjoy the music!

Location:
Amherst Town Common
Amherst, MA

Presented by:
Encharter Insurance
With support from the Mass Cultural Council, NEPM, and the Amherst Cultural Council.

Learn more and view the full lineup by scanning the QR code or visiting our website. See you there!

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Summer Music Concert Series - July 11th
Jul
11
5:00 PM17:00

Summer Music Concert Series - July 11th

Amherst Summer Music Concert Series - Special Triple Feature: LeFever / Lonesome Brothers / BR413 🎶

Free & Open to the Public

Join us for the Amherst BID’s Summer Music Concert Series on the Amherst Town Common!
Happening on Summer Fridays from 5–8 PM, these community concerts bring great music, great vibes, and great company to the heart of Downtown Amherst.

2025 Concert Dates:
🎵 June 27
🎵 July 11, 18, 25
🎵 August 1

Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family, and enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. This free event is open to all and celebrates the spirit of our downtown community.

🍻 Enjoy a Cash Bar
A cash bar will be open on-site serving beer, wine, and cider to help you sip and relax while you enjoy the music!

Location:
Amherst Town Common
Amherst, MA

Presented by:
Encharter Insurance
With support from the Mass Cultural Council, NEPM, and the Amherst Cultural Council.

Learn more and view the full lineup by scanning the QR code or visiting our website. See you there!

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Summer Music Concert Series - June 27th
Jun
27
5:00 PM17:00

Summer Music Concert Series - June 27th

Amherst Summer Music Concert Series - Featuring Harvest & Rust / Matt York 🎶

Free & Open to the Public

Join us for the Amherst BID’s Summer Music Concert Series on the Amherst Town Common!
Happening on Summer Fridays from 5–8 PM, these community concerts bring great music, great vibes, and great company to the heart of Downtown Amherst.

2025 Concert Dates:
🎵 June 27
🎵 July 11, 18, 25
🎵 August 1

Bring your lawn chairs, picnic blankets, friends, and family, and enjoy a variety of live music performances under the summer sky. This free event is open to all and celebrates the spirit of our downtown community.

🍻 Enjoy a Cash Bar
A cash bar will be open on-site serving beer, wine, and cider to help you sip and relax while you enjoy the music!

Location:
Amherst Town Common
Amherst, MA

Presented by:
Encharter Insurance
With support from the Mass Cultural Council, NEPM, and the Amherst Cultural Council.

Learn more and view the full lineup by scanning the QR code or visiting our website. See you there!

View Event →
Fire & Ice Festival + Luminaria
Feb
22
3:00 PM15:00

Fire & Ice Festival + Luminaria

The Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) in collaboration with Amherst Recreation is excited to announce the Fifth Annual Fire & Ice Festival + Luminaria, scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on the Amherst Common. This event marks the culmination of Amherst’s week-long WinterFest and has become a highlight of the winter season, attracting over 2,000 attendees each year.

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Third Annual Sip 'n Shop Stroll
Dec
19
5:00 PM17:00

Third Annual Sip 'n Shop Stroll

Join us on Thursday, December 19, 5-9PM for the Third Annual Sip ’n Shop Stroll — a magical evening in Downtown Amherst filled with all the spirit of the holiday season. Take a horse-drawn carriage through town and support local shops and restaurants. Purchase the perfect gift or enjoy a special meal with loved ones. 

Start at the Visitors Information Center at 35 S. Pleasant and go from there!

Participating Retailers:

Participating Restaurants:

Special Prix Fixe Menu —Three-Course Meal for $45 Reservations recommended

Also, don’t miss:

In addition, a beautifully curated Markers and Artisans Market will take place at The Drake: Live Performance and Music Venue at 44 N. Pleasant Street, overflowing into the lobby of adjacent CAIA Association at 11 Amity Street.

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Dec
6
3:00 PM15:00

Lighting of the Merry Maple

The tree illumination is only one part of the merriest downtown Amherst events.  Join us for the festivities from 3-6PM and then after, enjoy all that downtown has to offer! Shop, eat, and experience the heart of Amherst freshly decorated as a winter wonderland!

Schedule of Activities:  

  • 3-6 PM – Fire Station Open House 

  • 3-6PM – Crafts and activities with Amherst Recreation 

  • 4-7 PM – Horse-drawn carriage rides 

  • 4:30 PM – Amherst Regional Middle School Chorus performance 

  • 5:00 PM – Tree lighting countdown 

  • 5:30-6 PM – UMass Minuteman Marching Band performance

A new maple on the renovated North Common will be lit this year. Several adjacent trees and bushes will also be illuminated.

Amherst Rec will have a variety of glow in the dark games including horseshoes, ring toss, hula hoops and lawn darts as well as thier KultureCity Sensory Friendly Tent with headphones, fidget toys and sensory seating. Their craft will be Make Your Own Flakey the Snowfriend. All of this will take place at stations on and around the North Common.

This event is co-organized by Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce and Amherst Business Improvement District (BID) and made possible thanks to the generous contributions of the presenting sponsor bankESB, as well as Amherst College, the Mass Cultural Council, the Office of Edward Jones Financial Advisor Tim Hampson, TommyCar Auto Group, Down Right Productions of Florence, Muddy Brook Farms, the office of the Northwestern District Attorney David Sullivan, the Inn on Boltwood, and various Town departments including the Department of Public Works, Police, Fire, and Amherst Recreation. Family Outreach of Amherst will also join us as our Featured Nonprofit!

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Downtown Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
Dec
6
to Dec 7

Downtown Holiday Shopping Extravaganza

Special offerings and discounts throughout downtown stores with retailers offering up to 20% off select items! 

Every day is a good day to shop Amherst's central business district, but Friday, December 6 & Saturday, December 7 are GREAT days to get your holiday shopping done at our variety of boutique and unique retailers.

Whether you call it "Card Day," "Pack-the-Sack," or "Merry Days" this kick-off to the holiday season has special offerings and discounts throughout downtown stores with retailers offering up to 20% off select items!

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES:

  • Amherst Books, 20% off ALL | EXTENDED HOURS 10AM-8PM

  • Art of Intimates, 20% off one item, exclusions apply | OPEN Fri. 11AM-6PM & Sat. 11AM-5PM

  • Aster + Pine Market, 15% off holiday items | EXTENDED HOURS: 10AM-8PM

  • Clay’s, 20% off one item, exclusions apply | OPEN 10AM-6PM

  • J. Austin Antiques & Jewelry, 20% off one item, exclusions apply | OPEN 11AM-3PM

  • Julie Nolan Jewelry, 20% off gift certificates | OPEN Fri. 11AM-6PM & Sat. 11AM-5PM

  • Knowles Flower Shop, 20% off one item | SPECIAL HOURS 9AM-3PM

  • Mary Moore DESIGN, 20% off one item | SPECIAL HOURS Fri. - Check site for details, OPEN Sat. 11AM-5PM

  • Mass Vintage, 20% off all sales, and 30% off purchases of $100+ | OPEN Fri. 12-6PM & Sat. 11AM-6PM

  • Sei Bella Salon, 20% off products | OPEN Fri. 10AM-8PM & Sat. 9AM-5PM

  • The Toy Box, 20% off ALL excluding gift certificates and already discounted items, SPECIAL HOURS 10AM-7PM

  • Zanna, 20% off all including gift certificates | OPEN 10AM-5PM

  • 30Boltwood Restaurant, Purchase a $100 gift certificate and receive a $20 gift certificate for free!

  • Bistro 63, 20% off gift certificates | OPEN 11:30AM-9PM

  • Iya Sushi, 15% off gift certificates | OPEN 11:30AM-9PM

  • Johnny’s Tavern, 15% off gift certificates | OPEN 12-9:30PM

  • Osteria Vespa, 20% off gift certificates (Saturday 12/7 ONLY) | OPEN 5-9PM

  • Pasta E Basta, 20% off gift certificates | OPEN 4-9PM

  • Protocol, 20% off gift certificates, in-store/in-person only | OPEN 4-Midnight

*For all these promotions, restrictions may apply. Please refer to the individual business for details.

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Shop Local Week
Dec
1
to Dec 7

Shop Local Week

Support local in the heart of Amherst. Intentionally invest in your neighborhood and your community by shopping local all week long in Amherst. Find the perfect gift at one of our several unique retailers, buy a local gift card that keeps on giving, or enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends in a local cafe or restaurant.

Downtown business directory

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Amherst College Commencement Dinner Buffet
May
25
6:30 PM18:30

Amherst College Commencement Dinner Buffet

Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amherst-college-commencement-dinner-tickets-879721409417

Congratulations, Class of 2024! Celebrate your Amherst College graduation with a family dinner buffet at Inn on Boltwood, a beloved fixture of Amherst, MA. On Saturday, May 25th, we are thrilled to be offering private seating for large groups, as well as a variety of delicious menu options for you and your loved ones.

Minimum party of 6 guests. Advance reservations required. Book your table by 9:00am on Monday, May 20th to secure your reservation.

For groups of 5 or fewer, please visit our OpenTable booking site here: https://www.30boltwood.com/reservations, or call 413-835-2011.

If you have any questions, need to request plated vegan meals, or have other dietary restrictions within your party, please contact us at 413-835-2008!

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UMass Luncheon Commencement
May
17
1:00 PM13:00

UMass Luncheon Commencement

Congratulations, Class of 2024! Celebrate your UMass Amherst graduation with a family luncheon at Inn on Boltwood, a beloved fixture of Amherst, MA. On Friday, May 17th, we are thrilled to be offering private seating for large groups, as well as a variety of delicious menu options for you and your loved ones.

If your group size is between 6 and 12 people, you can reserve a dedicated table in our Ballroom. Please select your preferred reservation time and the number of guests in your party.

Minimum party of 6 or 10, depending on your requested table. Advance reservations required. Book your table by 9:00am on Monday, May 13th to secure your reservation.

For groups of 5 or fewer, please visit our OpenTable booking site here: https://www.30boltwood.com/reservations, or call 413-835-2011.

If you have any questions, need to request plated vegan meals, or have other dietary restrictions within your party, please contact us at 413-835-2008!

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Five College Commencement Luncheon Buffet
May
17
1:00 PM13:00

Five College Commencement Luncheon Buffet

Booking link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/friday-may-17th-five-college-commencement-luncheon-at-inn-on-boltwood-tickets-845110326737

Congratulations, Class of 2024! Celebrate your graduation with a family luncheon at Inn on Boltwood, a beloved fixture of Amherst, MA. On Friday, May 17th, we are thrilled to be offering private seating for large groups, as well as a variety of delicious menu options for you and your loved ones.

Minimum party of 6 guests. Advance reservations required. Book your table by 9:00am on Monday, May 13th to secure your reservation.

For groups of 5 or fewer, please visit our OpenTable booking site here: https://www.30boltwood.com/reservations, or call 413-835-2011.

If you have any questions, need to request plated vegan meals, or have other dietary restrictions within your party, please contact us at 413-835-2008!

View Event →