20th Annual Lois Wells Memorial Kicks for Cancer
2026-09-26
Every September, the Lois Wells Memorial Kicks for Cancer event brings together local high school soccer teams to compete at Concord-Carlisle High School. On September 26, thirty-two soccer teams will take the field with jerseys bearing a loved one’s name on the back. The day now widely known as “Kicks” anchors what has become a full week of events and community involvement in the true spirit of “One Community One Goal”. The event brings local communities together to raise funds to support women’s cancer research, with a particular focus on early detection efforts for ovarian cancer.
One Community – One Goal
“Bringing the Community Together for a Great Cause”
​-Coach Steve Wells
ticular focus on early detection efforts for ovarian cancer.

National Public Lands Day at Minute Man
2026-09-26 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty Street, Concord, 01742, United States
Saturday, September 26, 2026
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
North Bridge
Free, register here
Join us for National Public Lands Day to help preserve Minute Man National Historical Park, one of our nation’s most iconic and historic battlefields. With this year’s National Public Lands Day theme, Caring for Our Shared America, we will celebrate a shared ethic of stewardship and care for our public lands.
Volunteer tasks may include removing invasive plants, planting native plants, caring for historic orchards and stone walls, maintaining trails, and removing trash and weeds from the landscape. Volunteers will also have the opportunity to learn about Minute Man’s history and ecology from cultural and natural resource team leaders.
All volunteers who participate in National Public Lands Day will receive a “fee-free” coupon that covers one entrance or day-use fee at participating public lands sites.
Register Today! Registration for this event will close at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 to give staff appropriate time to prepare.
This event is co-sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park, Minute Man National Historical Park, and the National Environmental Education Foundation

OARS 2026 Annual River Cleanup
2026-09-26 10:00 - 14:00 | West Concord, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
You can make a difference for our rivers!

WHEN: Saturday, September 26, 10:00am – 2:00pm
WHERE: Bedford, Concord, and Framingham

Join the OARS Team and community members from across the watershed for a day of impact. Gather at your chosen site along one of our three rivers with your OARS staff and board site leaders to pick up trash and debris, restoring habitats and supporting safe access to our waterways. Cleanup equipment will be provided by OARS.

All volunteers must register in advance and sign a volunteer waiver to participate. Specific site locations will be emailed to volunteers one week before the event. This allows us to determine the best and safest location to access the river based on current conditions. Each site is limited to 20 participants, and registration will close on Thursday, September 24th at 11:59pm.

Click below to sign up for a fun (and dirty!) day on the river!

Mighty Moose
2026-09-27
This year registrants will be able to participate in-person on September 27th, 2026 or virtually during the 2 weeks leading up to the in-person race day. We are waiving the entry fee again this year and hope you will consider a donation.

The Mighty Moose Fun Run/Walk is held in memory of Jenna Swaim, a loving mother, and wife who lost her courageous four-year battle with ovarian cancer on July 3, 2018. She was 43 years old. The name of the event is inspired by Jenna’s Alaskan roots, love for fun, and strength! The event is part of the Kicks for Cancer weekend, a very successful fundraiser that the Concord Carlisle High School soccer team and coaches Ray Pavlik & Steve Wells started in 2007.
We will continue Jenna‘s legacy and vision to raise crucial funding for this cause. All funds raised will support the ovarian cancer research of Dr. Kevin Elias. Together we are making a difference!

Growing Up Well: Mattering in a High Pressure World
2026-09-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Concord-Carlisle High School, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
In many high-performing communities, young people receive powerful messages—often unintentionally—that their worth is tied to grades, accolades, or productivity. While ambition can be healthy, the constant drive to achieve can also contribute to rising levels of anxiety, burnout, perfectionism, and disconnection. This year’s series will introduce the concept of “mattering”—the idea that young people thrive when they feel seen, valued, and connected, not just evaluated.
On Sept 30, educator and author Stephanie Malia Krauss will present insights from her work on helping children and families flourish in today’s rapidly changing world. Drawing on research and real-world examples, Krauss explores how the pace and pressures of modern life—crowded schedules, constant connectivity, and rising expectations—are affecting both children and the adults who support them. She highlights essential human needs such as belonging, play, creativity, and purpose, offering practical strategies for parents, educators, and communities to create environments where young people can truly thrive.
Register online for this free event: thinkgiveproject.org/guw

Trivia Night in Concord
2026-10-01 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-11-05 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-12-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Concord’s Colonial Inn, 48 Monument Square, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Looking for some fun!? Play our 6 fabulous rounds of original, brain-teasing trivia with no cover fee.
Enjoy The Colonial Inn’s full bar/apps/ dinner menu. So get your friends, neighbors, or co-workers together, make an unstoppable team (up to 6), and test your collective grasp on humanity!
Follow @tom_rutledge_presents for trivia dates, clues, and general important nonsense
Now every first Thursday of the Month!
• 7pm (pre-game)
• 7:30-9pm (game on)
• Concord’s Colonial Inn @concordscolonialinn

Book Repair Workshop
2026-10-02 15:00 - 16:30 | Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Have a favorite book with torn pages, a loose cover, or minor binding issues? Bring it to our Book Repair Workshop and learn simple mending techniques with book conservator Luisa Granitto. Participants can bring one or two books for hands-on practice repairing torn pages and loose hinges using archival materials. You’ll also learn how to make an archival “phase box” to protect a family heirloom. Registration opens September 1st.

Concord Conservatory of Music Presents: Music & Beer
2026-10-02 19:30 - 21:00 | 51 Walden
Friday, October 2, 2026, 7:30 pm at 51 Walden
The Perfect Harmony of Beer and Music
What do a masterfully crafted brew and a brilliant piece of music have in common? More than you might think.
Presented by Keith Kirchoff, founder of Original Gravity and curator of the evening’s musical program, and Allen Quinn, brewer and co-owner of Armory’s Tomb, this interactive event explores the fascinating connections between sound and taste. Together, they will guide audiences through a series of carefully selected beer and music pairings, sharing insights into the brewing process, the artistry behind the music, and how each enhances the other.
Featuring award-winning musicians Angel Valchinov, Joseph Cracolici, and Ai-Ying Chiu, this immersive evening invites you to discover how rhythm, texture, tempo, and tone can transform the way we experience flavor, creating a multi-sensory journey unlike any other.
As you sample both throughout the night, you’ll discover surprising connections between the art of brewing and the art of music-making. Like composers balancing melody, harmony, and rhythm, brewers blend ingredients to create distinctive flavors, textures, and character. You may find that a bright, lively beer complements the energy of a sparkling musical work, while a darker, richer brew enhances the depth and warmth of a more reflective piece.
Whether you’re a craft beer enthusiast, a music lover, or simply curious about the connections between taste and sound, this event offers a fresh and engaging way to experience chamber music.
*Non-alcoholic beverages will also be available.
Come sip, listen, compare, discuss, and discover the unexpected harmony between beer and music.
Purchase tickets online ($50) *21+ Valid photo ID matching the ticket holder’s name will be required at the door for entry/tasting.
Note: For groups of 8 or more wishing to sit together, please contact Elaine at elawrence@concordconservatory.org.
Special thanks to our featured brewery, Armory’s Tomb!

Free Family Days at The Umbrella
2026-10-10 14:00 - 16:00 | The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Come to Umbrella Arts for free family fun! Drop by any time during the two-hour time block to partake in a seasonal and creative craft led by one of our talented instructors! Open to all ages and abilities.
Registration appreciated (not required).

Mark your calendars and register for the upcoming sessions! Saturday, October 10: 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday, November 14: 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday, December 5: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Sunday, December 6: 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Indigenous Peoples' Day Family Program
2026-10-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Concord Museum
Join us for a program and performance with the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers, a group of musicians and artisans from the tribal communities of Mashpee on Cape Cod and Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Participate in the performance of eastern social songs and dances.

Wildlife in Focus: Matt Patterson’s Journey in Art and Conservation
2026-10-21 18:00 - 20:00
Join us at The Walden Woods Project, as part of The Concord Festival of Authors, for a presentation from Matt Patterson!
About Matt Patterson:
There’s almost no distance Matt Patterson won’t go, almost nothing he won’t do, to learn all he can about the subjects he paints to make them as accurate and lifelike as possible. He’s pulled giant snapping turtles out of Boston’s muddy river, worked with the Turtle Survival Alliance experts to survey radiated tortoises in Madagascar’s Spiny Forest and trapped and tagged turtles in the rainforest of Belize. He has illustrated several books including his first book, “Freshwater Fish of the Northeast”, written by his father. He also illustrated “The Book of Turtles”, which won seven national awards including a Sibert Honor, the NY Times bestselling “Of Time and Turtles”, and the recently released picture book “The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle”. The latter three books were written by Sy Montgomery. Matt is a member of Artists For Conservation, Society of Animal Artists and a Fellow in The Explorer’s Club. His work has been featured in American Art Collector Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur and has won numerous awards including twice winning the Roger Tory Peterson Wild American Art award and the AFC Medal of Excellence.
About the presentation:
At a young age, Matt was fascinated with nature and art, and he has traveled all over to research his subjects. An important part of his illustration process is seeing and learning about his subjects in the wild. In his presentation, he will discuss his experiences working in the field, conservation, his art, and researching the three most recent books he worked on with the award-winning author Sy Montgomery.
When: Wednesday, October 21, 6:15-8:00 pm EST.
Where: The Walden Woods Project (address provided upon registration)
Doors will open at 6:15 pm for a wine and cheese reception. The presentation will begin at 7:00 pm.

Free Family Days at The Umbrella
2026-11-14 14:00 - 16:00 | The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Come to Umbrella Arts for free family fun! Drop by any time during the two-hour time block to partake in a seasonal and creative craft led by one of our talented instructors! Open to all ages and abilities.
Registration appreciated (not required).

Mark your calendars and register for the upcoming sessions!
Saturday, November 14: 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday, December 5: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Sunday, December 6: 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Free Family Days at The Umbrella
2026-12-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2026-12-06 13:00 - 16:00 | The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Come to Umbrella Arts for free family fun! Drop by any time during the two-hour time block to partake in a seasonal and creative craft led by one of our talented instructors! Open to all ages and abilities.
Registration appreciated (not required).

Mark your calendars and register for the upcoming sessions!
Saturday, December 5: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Sunday, December 6: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
