Concord, MA

The Concord Orchestra presents “The Heavenly Life”
2026-05-16 20:00 - 21:30, 2026-05-17 14:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 51 Walden
The orchestra, conducted by Music Director Zeke Fetrow, performs Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 with Ann Moss as soprano soloist. A pre-concert talk is scheduled for 7:15pm.
Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 is a comparatively short work, lasting less than an hour. The final movement of the symphony is a song “The Heavenly Life” with orchestral accompaniment, sung by a soprano. The words, which come from German folk poetry, are about a child’s naïve view of heaven.
In the three movements that lead up to this song, there are many pleasant tunes and the cozy sound of sleigh bells, but there are disquieting passages as well. For example, the second movement is a lively scherzo, but the principal violin plays an eerie solo that represents the devil’s fiddle. The moving third movement contrasts the serenity of heaven with the struggles of earthly life.
Soprano Ann Moss is an acclaimed recording artist, chamber musician, and champion of living composers. She has been a featured soloist with San Francisco Symphony, SF Chamber Orchestra, UC Berkeley Symphony, SF Contemporary Music Players, Music of Remembrance, and the Ives, Alexander, Lydian and Hausmann String Quartets.
Tickets for adults and seniors are $25. Admission for youth under 18 is free. For tickets and information, call 978-369-4967 or visit https://www.concordorchestra.com/heavenly-life.

HAIRSPRAY at The Umbrella Arts Center
2026-05-16 20:00 - 22:00, 2026-05-17 15:00 - 17:00 | The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
The Umbrella Stage Company proudly presents HAIRSPRAY, directed and choreographed by Najee Brown. With big hair, big laughs, and even bigger heart, this joyous, high-energy musical proves that when we dance together, anything is possible.
Previews: Friday, April 24 & Saturday, April 25, 2026. Playing: Sunday, April 26, 2026 through Sunday, May 17, 2026 in Theater 144 at 40 Stow Street | Concord, MA
Hairspray, the Tony award winner based on the John Waters film, is a 1960s musical piled bouffant-high with revolutionary joy. Tracy Turnblad’s dream to dance on the Corny Collins Show has come true, but this determined teen won’t just do the twist and the mashed potato: she’ll use her star power to integrate Baltimore’s TV network to a swingin’ soundtrack! The Color Purple choreographer Najee Brown makes his Umbrella directing debut with this big-hearted celebration of what happens when everyone gets a chance to dance.
Shows run Sunday at 3:00 PM, Thursday & Friday at 7:30 PM, and Saturday at 8:00 PM (with an exception for a 6:30 PM performance Sunday, May 3).
Special KidCare Shows on May 3 and May 17 will allow parents an opportunity to attend a matinee performance while their child(ren) ages 5-12 engage in art activities inspired by the show in one of The Umbrella’s classrooms with an experienced teacher.
Dinner & A Show packages are available for all Thursday night performances.
Book by Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan. Music by Marc Shaiman. Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman. Based on the New Line Cinema film, written and directed by John Waters.
HAIRSPRAY is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.org.

Birding in Thoreau's Footsteps with Peter Alden and Lillian Stokes
2026-05-17 08:00 - 10:30 | walden pond state reservation, 915 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join local ornithologist, author, and naturalist Peter Alden for a guided walk at Walden.
Alden is the author of Audubon’s Field Guide to New England. Peter will be joined by friend
and frequent collaborator Lillian Stokes. Stokes has coauthored over 35 field guides.
Good walking shoes, water, binoculars, and bug spray are required.
This program is for ages 12+. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Questions? Email walden.programs@mass.gov or call 978-405-2082.
This program is free; no registration required. Regular parking fees apply.
Co-sponsored by Friends of Walden Pond.

15th Anniversary: The Robbins House Move
2026-05-17 11:00 - 14:00 | MA
Join us as we mark the 15th anniversary of a milestone moment in Concord’s history—the relocation of the Robinson/Garrison family home to its current site and the opening of The Robbins House museum. The program includes a conversation with those who played a key role in the relocation, offering firsthand perspectives and stories from this important moment in the site’s history, as well as a special appearance by the Concord Minute Men.
Originally built in the early 1820s, the house was home to members of the Robbins and Garrison families, descendants of formerly enslaved people who established lives rooted in independence, land ownership, and community. After standing for decades at a different location, the house was saved from demolition in 2010 and carefully moved to Monument Street, where it was restored and opened to the public as a museum in 2011.

Guided Tours of the Ralph Waldo Emerson House
2026-05-17 13:00 - 16:00 | Emerson House
“In no other author can we get so close to the whole of the American spirit.”

James Truslow Adams, historian
The Ralph Waldo Emerson House was home to the writer from 1835 until his death in 1882. It was from here that Emerson established himself as an essayist, lecturer and poet, writing most of his enduring works at the round table in his study.
At the center of a renaissance in American ideas, the Emerson House saw the comings and goings of many of the literary and intellectual figures of the 19th century. Today, a National Historic Landmark, the house and grounds remain much as they were in Emerson’s lifetime. A unique blend of family home, museum and pilgrimage site, the Emerson House continues to draw visitors from around the world.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: rwema.org/events
DATE: Sunday, May 17
TIME: 1 – 4 PM; Tours begin on the hour.
LOCATION: Ralph Waldo Emerson House, 28 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA 01742
ACCESS: The Emerson House is not wheelchair accessible. No public restrooms are available.emer

Photo courtesy of the Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial Association
This program is offered by the Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial Association as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places, objects, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures

CYT Main Stage: The Pied Piper
2026-05-17 14:00 - 16:00 | Concord Youth Theatre, 53 Church St., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
BUY TICKETS

The town of Hamelin has a big problem…rats! The famous Pied Piper comes to rid the town of the rats only to be cheated by the real rat in town, the town councilor. Join Cassie and the kids of Hamlin as they chase down the Piper and prove that you really can make your own story and create your own world.
This story of gratefulness, fairness and keeping promises has been told and retold over generations. Rediscover the Pied Piper in this engaging musical composed by Rene Pfister, with book and lyrics by Rene Pfister and Jan Mankowsky.

More Joy, Less Oy!
2026-05-17 15:00 - 17:00 | CCHS, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
More Joy, Less Oy is back! Join us for an afternoon of connection, laughter, and storytelling. We will feature Moth-style true stories told live by members of the community that provide unique fragments of our daily experiences — heartfelt, funny, and drawn from the moments that stick with us.The theme of the event is traditions — the ones we inherit, the ones we create, and the ones that evolve over time. Come for the stories, and meet new people while you’re at it, as we celebrate the warmth, humor, and resilience woven through everyday life and friendship. Free. All are welcome.

Library Walking Club
2026-05-18 09:00 - 10:00 | West Concord, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Let’s move together! Join Concord Free Public Library staff to start your week with a walk along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Friends from Concord Recreation will join us to lead light stretching (starting around 8:45 AM) and to walk with us. Wear your sneakers, grab your walking poles, and bring a friend. All walking paces welcome.
We will meet at the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail parking lot, near 50 Beharrell St, just beyond the Poetry Phone and the Minuteman Bike Share. So that we know to wait for you and to provide any weather-related updates, please register: cfpl.info/events. We will start walking by 9:05, so please do your best to arrive on time!
Questions? Email: fowler@concordlibrary.org or call 978-318-3350.

Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain - Tour!
2026-05-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main St, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is a museum of trees teaching the world about plants. Join the COA as we drive through acres of green and walk among the flowers. After our visit to the Arboretum, we will stop for lunch at Pepe’s Pizza at the Chestnut Hill Mall. We’ll return to Concord by 3:00 PM. The cost of $35 includes transportation and lunch. Space is limited. Please call to sign up at 978-318-3020 starting May 1st.

Chamber Morning Coffee at Concord’s Colonial Inn
2026-05-19 08:30 - 10:00 | Concord’s Colonial Inn, 48 Monument Square, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join us for a Chamber Morning Coffee at Concord’s Colonial Inn, Tuesday, May 19th, @ 8:30-10am. 48 Monument Square, Concord Center
Kickstart your day with coffee and conversations. Connect with local businesses, share ideas, and expand your network!

Chair Yoga with Erica at the Main Library
2026-05-19 13:30 - 14:30, 2026-05-26 13:30 - 14:30 | Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join local yoga instructor Erica for yoga with a chair. If you’ve felt that yoga is too challenging or you struggle to get on and off the floor, this class could be great for you. We will explore all the benefits of yoga in a supportive way using a chair. We will strengthen, balance, and stretch our bodies, find stillness in our minds, and fullness in our breath all while using a chair to explore traditional yoga poses and functional movement exercises. Options will be given for students to remain seated the whole class, or to explore some standing poses throughout.
Bio: A yoga student for 20 years and a teacher for over 18 years, Erica’s classes are uplifting and playful, yet rooted in functional movement and the great inquiry of the self. In addition to being a yoga teacher, Erica is an acupressure practitioner and has studied anatomy, therapeutics and functional movement extensively. She is passionate about working with the prenatal and postnatal community. When not on the mat, she can be found with her family, her camera, and nature!
The Concord Free Public Library is committed to providing everyone with unimpeded access to our resources, programs, and services. Learn more about accessibility at our libraries. You can also email our administration team or give us a call at either of our libraries to request additional accommodations.
The Concord Free Public Library’s programs are free to the public thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Concord Free Public Library and the Concord Free Public Library Corporation.

The Umbrella Film Series presents Arco
2026-05-19 19:30 - 21:00 | The Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow St., Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Enjoy the best of classic, independent, and foreign films curated by The Concord Film Project at The Umbrella Arts Center, with pre-show dinner options.
Tuesday, May 19 at 7:30 PM: Arco (2025, Rated PG) | English dub of French film | 1 hour 29 minutes | Directed by Ugo Bienvenu.
When ten-year-old Iris follows a streak of color falling from the sky, she doesn’t find treasure at the end of the rainbow — she finds Arco, a boy from nine centuries in the future, stranded in a world he can barely recognize as his own. This critically acclaimed French animated film is dubbed with English-speaking voice talent such as Natalie Portman, Mark Ruffalo, Will Ferell, and America Ferrera. A thoughtful, adventurous, hand-drawn tale for the whole family.
Film tickets are $12.50 (also available at the door). Optional add-on meal from Adelita (menu coming soon). Meal orders close at 12:00 PM on Monday, May 18, or if they sell out before then.

Group Hike with Bob White - Walden Pond Loop
2026-05-20 09:00 - 11:00 | walden pond state reservation, 915 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join Bob White for a 1.7-mile walk around Walden Pond along the well-prepared Pond Path. We will park in the Walden Pond Reservation parking area and meet at the Thoreau statue and cabin replica beside Walden Street (Route 126). There is an $8.00 per vehicle “honor system” parking fee for Mass. plate vehicles, paid by credit card at pay machines on site. There is no charge with a Lifetime Senior State Park Pass or handicap placard. Please call the COA office to sign up at 978-318-3020 starting May 1st.

Memorial Day Breakfast for Veterans
2026-05-21 09:30 - 11:00 | Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main St, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join us for a Memorial Day Veterans Breakfast at the COA. Veterans and their families are welcome as we honor and thank those who have served and remember those we have lost. Guest speaker will be Bill Auger (Clear Path at Fort Devens) will share veteran programs including woodworking, service dogs, peer mentoring, culinary programs, support services and wellness. Veteran’s agent, Dick Krug, hosts the event. Call 978-318-3020 to reserve seats for this meaningful event.

Emerson-Thoreau Amble
2026-05-23 11:00 - 12:30 | Concord Museum, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Celebrate Emerson’s birthday and follow the footsteps of writers Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau! Enjoy the spring weather and learn about the friendship of two notable observers of nature from a museum interpreter. 1-mile walk, uneven and unpaved terrain, rain or shine. Meet at the Concord Museum.
In partnership with the Ralph Waldo Emerson Memorial Association.
$10 Members | $20 Non-Members. Includes same-day admission to the Concord Museum.

Annual MusicFest
2026-05-23 13:00 - 19:00 | MA
The Rotary Club of Concord is holding a family friendly, FREE concert featuring music, food trucks, door prizes, crafters and games. Bring the family to Rideout Field in West Concord and join the fun!

Hidden Gems from Guitar Museum of New England with Pocket Square
2026-05-23 18:30 - 20:00 | Guitar Museum of New England (temporary location), 129 Commonwealth Avenue, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Special spring special pop-up exhibition and events series previewing the design, approach and exhibitions of the future Guitar Museum of New England in West Concord, the first and only permanently installed museum in the Americas exclusively dedicated to the guitar and find luthier craft.

Events range from master luthier and curator talks, musical performances, examples drawn from several distinctive guitar collections, and architectural and animated renderings of the future museum building.
Space is limited for some events and require RSVP online. Updates and event registration available at GuitarMuseum.org/events
DATES & TIMES
May 2 | 6:30 – 8 PM— Celtic harp performed by Jaimee Joroff
May 9 | 6:30 – 8 PM — Hidden Gems opening reception with live music by the Goodwin String Thing
May 16 | 4 – 8 PM — Meet the Curator with Wilson Schünemann
May 23 | 6:30 – 8 PM —Hidden Gems with live music by Pocket Square

LOCATION: Guitar Museum of New England, 129 Commonwealth Avenue, West Concord, MA 01742
ACCESS: Building is not wheelchair accessible but inquire about portable ramp accommodation.

World Fish Migration Day at Egg Rock
2026-05-23 19:00 - 20:30 | Egg Rock, Concord
Meet OARS at the confluence of our 3 rivers to celebrate World Fish Migration Day on May 23. We will embark on a relaxed sunset exploration of the area where our rivers meet, enjoying time on the water and listening to the sounds of the ecosystem that supports many of the species we love, including fish, inspired by the book “The Sounds of Life” by Karen Bakker.

DATE: Saturday, May 23
TIME: 7 – 8:30 PM
LOCATION: Egg Rock, Concord, MA 01742. A map of suggested routes and our location will be provided on our website.
ACCESS: This event involves paddling a kayak, canoe, or other boat, so it is not generally accessible to those who may have limited mobility to perform this activity. There are two trails that lead out to Egg Rock by land that provide an alternative way to join the event.

This program is offered by OARS as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places, objects, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!

Buttrick Garden Tours
2026-05-28 10:00 - 11:00 | buttrick gardens
Join us for a free tour of the Buttrick Gardens at Minute Man National Historical Park. We’ll discuss the history and preservation of these beautiful gardens and find shady spots to view the plantings and historic images.

Beginning in 1911, two generations of the Buttrick family tended and enlarged the formal gardens until 1962, when the National Park Service purchased the property. Stewards of the land since the colonial period, the Buttrick family was proud that their gardens stood near the historic muster fields of April 19, 1775. The eclectic gardens feature viewing terraces, steps leading down to the Concord River, elegant wrought ironwork, and brick, bluestone, and cobblestone walkways. Framed by ornamental trees and shrubs, the garden beds contain the Buttrick family’s award-winning iris and daylilies, colorful spring bulbs, and perennials that bloom from spring to fall.
Tours are rain or shine, so bring an umbrella if needed! In the case of thunderstorms or heavy rain, we will meet inside the North Bridge Visitor Center. Free parking is available.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED, SPOTS ARE LIMITED: friendsofminuteman.org/events
DATE: Thursday, May 28
TIME: 10 – 11 AM
LOCATION: Minute Man National Historical Park, North Bridge Visitor Center, 174 Liberty Street, Concord, MA 01742
ACCESS: Parking is accessible. The garden tour includes uneven surfaces and stairs.

Photo courtesy of the Friends of Minute Man National Park
This program is offered by the Friends of Minute Man National Park and Minute Man National Historical Park as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places, objects, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!

Monthly LGBTQ+ Social Group
2026-05-28 17:30 - 18:30 | Harvey Wheeler Community Center, 1276 Main St, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜 🦜
We offer a LGBTQ+ Social Group at the COA on the last Thursday of each month. Join us on Thursday, May 28th from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM for our monthly gathering of the LGBTQ+ Social Group. This welcoming space offers food, entertainment, and engaging activities, all made possible through a special grant. Please call to sign up at 978-318-3020.

Concord Prison Outreach’s Monthly Volunteer Network Dialogues
2026-05-28 19:00 - 20:30 | ZOOM
We invite you to join Concord Prison Outreach’s
Monthly Volunteer Network Dialogues

An engaging and reflective space designed to deepen your understanding and strengthen your impact as a volunteer. This ongoing series explores critical topics such as social and criminal justice, health and healing, trauma-informed leadership, and best practices for working with vulnerable populations in prison settings.

Each session offers a meaningful opportunity to learn about real-time justice events, reflect, and connect with others who are committed to this work. Together, we will build the knowledge, awareness, and skills needed to serve with compassion, intentionality, and effectiveness.
Event Details:
Held on Zoom on the fourth Thursday of each month
May’s Monthly Dialogue: Thursday, May 28
Time: 7:00–8:30 PM

Concord Conservatory of Music Presents Chatham Rabbits
2026-05-29 19:30 - 21:00 | Concord Conservatory of Music, 1317 Main St, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Chatham Rabbits: An Evening of Bluegrass & Americana
Join the Concord Conservatory of Music for an intimate performance by North Carolina-based duo Chatham Rabbits. Sarah and Austin McCombie deliver a mesmerizing blend of soulful songwriting, irresistible harmonies, and a sound that seamlessly bridges bluegrass roots with indie-folk. Experience the warmth and “quiet joy” of their latest album, Be Real With Me, in a soulful evening of original music.
Cost: $35 General Admission; Free for students 18 and under.

Rise Up! and Make a Protest Sign
2026-05-30 14:00 - 16:00 | Wright Tavern, 2 Lexington Rd, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Learn about 25 moments of resistance and revolution in American history and make a protest sign. This activity is great for adults and young teens together!

Using Rise Up! Powerful Protests in American History, the inspiring book by Rachel C. Katz, participants will be invited to create their own work and view a collection of broadsides in the Wright Tavern museum. “Art and slogans can be powerful in drawing attention to a problem.”
REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED, SPACE IS LIMITED: wrighttavern.org
DATE: Saturday, May 30
TIME: 2 – 4 PM
LOCATION: Wright Tavern, 2 Lexington Road, Concord, MA 01742
ACCESS: The Wright Tavern is ADA compliant.

This program is offered by the Wright Tavern as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature, Culture & History, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places, objects, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!

Birding By Ear with Jerry Berrier
2026-05-31 09:00 - 12:00 | Walden Pond Visitor Center, 915 Walden Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
Join us for a program at Walden Pond State Reservation designed to introduce people who are blind or have low vision to the joys of birding. We are pleased to welcome back veteran birder and Mass Audubon accessibility consultant Jerry Berrier to lead a free program along our ½ mile ADA compliant trail. Our target birds will include some of our charismatic forest dwellers like the piliated woodpecker, the eastern wood peewee, the red-eyed vireo, and the scarlet tanager to name a few.
Parking will be free for program participants. People taking The Ride or being dropped off can come to the Shop Parking lot. The address is 915 Walden Street, Concord MA 01742, and the event will take place on Sunday, May 31st from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. We will start with a short presentation about bird song at the Visitor Center, before we head out on the trail. This event requires registration. Participants and a guest can register by emailing walden.programs@mass.gov with the subject line: “Birding By Ear Sign Up.” After 25 registrants, there will be a waitlist. Preference will be given to the visually impaired and their guest. Reasonable accommodations provided upon request.

Opera 51
2026-06-05 20:00 - 22:00 | 51 Walden
Join us at 51 Walden for Verdi’s last opera as a major fund raiser for your community arts building. June 5 and 6 at 8 pm; June 7 at 2pm
Giuseppe Verdi’s final masterpiece, Falstaff (1893), is a three-act comic opera based on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. It follows the aging, boastful knight, Sir John Falstaff, as he attempts to woo two wealthy women, Alice Ford and Meg Page, with identical love letters to secure their money. The clever wives discover the scheme and team up with Mistress Quickly and Nannetta, Alice Ford’s daughter, to subject Falstaff to a series of humiliating pranks.

Opera 51
2026-06-05 20:00 - 22:00 | 51 Walden
Join us at 51 Walden for three performances of Verdi’s last opera as a major fund raiser to support your community arts building in Concord. June 5 and 6 at 8pm; June 7 at 2pm.
Giuseppe Verdi’s final masterpiece, Falstaff (1893), is a three-act comic opera based on Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. It follows the aging, boastful knight, Sir John Falstaff, as he attempts to woo two wealthy women, Alice Ford and Meg Page, with identical love letters to secure their money. The clever wives discover the scheme and team up with Mistress Quickly and Nannetta, Alice Ford’s daughter, to subject Falstaff to a series of humiliating pranks.

Join us! 5K Walk in Their Shoes (our 6th Walk!) to support South African communities in need
2026-06-06 09:30 - 11:30 | MA
Bring your friends, family, kids and dogs to join us on the beautiful trails of Great Brook Farm in Carlisle. Hang out after to chat and enjoy refreshments on us. This fun 5K community walk, hosted by Concord non-profit Ubuntu Global Connections, supports hardworking South African charities that are working to improve the widespread inequities in education, employment, and poverty still challenging this country decades after Apartheid.
Walk with us and we can help create positive change together.
