Upcoming events
Happenings in Western Massachusetts
by and for LGBTQIA+ folks and our allies
FAMILY STORYTIME: 'Stubby' with author Sydra Mallery
Join High Five Books and local author Sydra Mallery for a reading of her adorable picture book, Stubby: A Pencil’s Journey, written by Sydra and illustrated by John Hare, on Saturday, September 5, from 10-10:30am. Storytime is free and no registration is required to attend.
(B)RAINSTORM | A children's circus show
(B)RAINSTORM is an original contemporary circus performance created especially for young audiences. Blending storytelling, aerial acrobatics, and live saxophone, the show celebrates one of childhood's greatest strengths: curiosity. Inspired by the endless cascade of questions children ask as they make sense of the world, (B)RAINSTORM transforms wonder into a playful weather system where questions rain from the sky, wind carries ideas, and discoveries gather like clouds. Rather than rushing toward answers, the performance delights in asking questions freely, loudly, and often—making space for imagination, exploration, and joyful uncertainty. Featuring six hundred colorful ping pong balls and plenty of giggles, wiggles, and surprises.
(B)RAINSTORM | A children's circus show
(B)RAINSTORM is an original contemporary circus performance created especially for young audiences. Blending storytelling, aerial acrobatics, and live saxophone, the show celebrates one of childhood's greatest strengths: curiosity. Inspired by the endless cascade of questions children ask as they make sense of the world, (B)RAINSTORM transforms wonder into a playful weather system where questions rain from the sky, wind carries ideas, and discoveries gather like clouds. Rather than rushing toward answers, the performance delights in asking questions freely, loudly, and often—making space for imagination, exploration, and joyful uncertainty. Featuring six hundred colorful ping pong balls and plenty of giggles, wiggles, and surprises.
(B)RAINSTORM | A children's circus show
(B)RAINSTORM is an original contemporary circus performance created especially for young audiences. Blending storytelling, aerial acrobatics, and live saxophone, the show celebrates one of childhood's greatest strengths: curiosity. Inspired by the endless cascade of questions children ask as they make sense of the world, (B)RAINSTORM transforms wonder into a playful weather system where questions rain from the sky, wind carries ideas, and discoveries gather like clouds. Rather than rushing toward answers, the performance delights in asking questions freely, loudly, and often—making space for imagination, exploration, and joyful uncertainty. Featuring six hundred colorful ping pong balls and plenty of giggles, wiggles, and surprises.
RCA Teen Studio
Teen Studio invites young artists grade 6th-9th to explore their creativity in a supportive, flexible environment. Whether working independently or collaborating in small groups, teens will shape their own artistic journeys through a wide range of mediums—including printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more.
STORYTIME: 'Emmalina is Still Nursing' with Meghan Armstrong
Join High Five Books and local author Meghan Armstrong for a reading of her sweet bilingual English / Spanish picture book, Emmalina Is Still Nursing / Emmalina Todavia Toma Pecho.
FAMILY STORYTIME: 'The Color Monster' with The WillowRoot Collective
Join High Five Books and local caretakers Mel and Sarah from The WillowRoot Collective for a reading of the helpful picture book, The Color Monster: A Story About Emotions, written and illustrated by Anna LLenas, on Saturday, September 19, from 10-10:30am. Storytime is free and no registration is required to attend.
RCA Teen Studio
Teen Studio invites young artists grade 6th-9th to explore their creativity in a supportive, flexible environment. Whether working independently or collaborating in small groups, teens will shape their own artistic journeys through a wide range of mediums—including printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more.
Queer Kids Fest 2026
Queer Kids Fest is BACK for 2026! On Saturday, October 3, 10am-3:30pm, join us for a joyful festival of music, art, books, and creativity for 2SLGBTQIA+ kids, families, and allies at the Northampton Center for the Arts!
STORYTIME: 'A Very Scary Book' with author Angela DiTerlizzi
Join High Five Books and local author Angela DiTerlizzi for a reading of her adorable picture book, A Very Scary Book, written by Angela and illustrated by Tony DiTerlizzi, on Saturday, October 10, from 10-10:30am. Storytime is free and no registration is required to attend.
Northampton Parents Center Summer Playgroups
Weekly on Tuesdays from 6/30/2026 - 8/11/2026
FREE drop-in playgroups for kids 0-5 and their caregivers! ALL welcome :)
Click/tap the button below for more information!
FAMILY STORYTIME: 'The Birds in the Boat' with author/illustrator Aud Weber
Join High Five Books and local author/illustrator Audrey Helen Weber for a reading of their beautiful new picture book, The Birds in the Boat, on Saturday, August 8, from 10-10:30am. Storytime is free and no registration is required to attend.
Northampton Parents Center Summer Playgroups
Weekly on Tuesdays from 6/30/2026 - 8/11/2026
FREE drop-in playgroups for kids 0-5 and their caregivers! ALL welcome :)
Click/tap the button below for more information!
Youth Summer Studio: Make It Mini
If tiny things call your name, look no further! Experiment with all the techniques that make mini-making so unique, including clay, shrinky-dinks, repurposed recyclables, and much more. We say: the smaller, the better!
Northampton Parents Center Summer Playgroups
Weekly on Tuesdays from 6/30/2026 - 8/11/2026
FREE drop-in playgroups for kids 0-5 and their caregivers! ALL welcome :)
Click/tap the button below for more information!
Youth Summer Studio: Reduce Reuse ReCRAFT!
Does your young artist like digging through the trash? Do you hear “don’t throw that away, I might use it to build something!” on recycling day? We have a new week new this summer designed for environmentally minded artists.
Plein Air
Come sit outdoors and paint a masterpiece! We’re headed back to Holyoke Heritage State Park for a FREE painting session, no sign-up required!
Northampton Parents Center Summer Playgroups
Weekly on Tuesdays from 6/30/2026 - 8/11/2026
FREE drop-in playgroups for kids 0-5 and their caregivers! ALL welcome :)
Click/tap the button below for more information!
Sensory Friendly Dino Day
Dino Day at Sensory Friendly Sunday Funday will entertain you and the little ones with dinosaur-themed activities galore! Wistariahurst Museum has a new, fun dino-themed scavenger hunt to celebrate Dino Day. Follow alongside Patty the Dinosaur and learn all about Massachusetts's state dinosaur, Podokesaurus Holyokensis.
Dinosaur Track Exploration
The Dino Double Header Track Exploration at Wistariahurst & The Trustees Dino Track Site in Holyoke is perfect for paleo- curious explorers of all ages.
Northampton Parents Center Summer Playgroups
Weekly on Tuesdays from 6/30/2026 - 8/11/2026
FREE drop-in playgroups for kids 0-5 and their caregivers! ALL welcome :)
Click/tap the button below for more information!
Youth Summer Studio: Fables and Fantasy
Are you called to all things magical? Would you feel most at home in a Hobbit house? Do you wish you could ride a dragon or befriend a unicorn? Fables and Fantasy is the week for you to live the mystical story of your dreams!
Northampton Parents Center Summer Playgroups
Weekly on Tuesdays from 6/30/2026 - 8/11/2026
FREE drop-in playgroups for kids 0-5 and their caregivers! ALL welcome :)
Click/tap the button below for more information!
Youth Summer Studio: Fiber Frenzy
Weaving, needle felting, hand sewing, cross stitch, and textiles, oh my! We’re kicking off summer 2026 with the latest crafting craze: all things fiber!
Northampton Parents Center Summer Playgroups
Weekly on Tuesdays from 6/30/2026 - 8/11/2026
FREE drop-in playgroups for kids 0-5 and their caregivers! ALL welcome :)
Click/tap the button below for more information!
Queer Science @ UMASS Amherst
Queer Science is an intergenerational science demo day where LGBTQ+ high school students meet LGBTQ+ STEM researchers at the Five Colleges. Our volunteers develop immersive, hands-on educational STEM workshops as well as interact with and work alongside youth to share our love for science, build intergenerational community, and provide visible possibility models for STEM-interested LGBTQ+ youth.
RCA Teen Studio
A supportive, flexible environment for teen artists, letting them shape their own creative journeys through a wide range of mediums— printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more!
RCA Teen Studio
A supportive, flexible environment for teen artists, letting them shape their own creative journeys through a wide range of mediums— printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more!
RCA Teen Studio
A supportive, flexible environment for teen artists, letting them shape their own creative journeys through a wide range of mediums— printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more!
RCA Teen Studio
A supportive, flexible environment for teen artists, letting them shape their own creative journeys through a wide range of mediums— printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more!
Spring Youth Studio
Spend spring break creatively! Each program day will include a featured project, ranging from printmaking, sculpture, painting, and felting.
Monthly Queer & Trans New Parents Support Group
Queer & Trans New Parents Support Group is free and open to all members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community who are expecting, adopting, fostering, and/or parenting from pregnancy through postpartum. This group is a monthly space for deep listening, meaningful connection, and community care.
RCA Teen Studio
A supportive, flexible environment for teen artists, letting them shape their own creative journeys through a wide range of mediums— printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more!
Family Make & Take Sundays
This one's for the tiny creators with big ideas!! Family Make & Take Sundays are a special studio play time for kiddos ages 3+ and their caregivers.
Week of the Young Child Western MA!
The Week of the Young Child is a fun-filled week celebrating early learning, young children, their teachers, families, and communities. It is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to promote the importance of early childhood education.
RCA Teen Studio
A supportive, flexible environment for teen artists, letting them shape their own creative journeys through a wide range of mediums— printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more!
RCA Teen Studio
A supportive, flexible environment for teen artists, letting them shape their own creative journeys through a wide range of mediums— printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more!
Wistariahurst Kids’ Art Class
Have a creative kiddo in your life? Don't miss the next Kids Art class at Wistariahurst Museum. Instructor Laura Amazeen-LaPlante will instruct children ages 6-12 in this guided painting class.
RCA Teen Studio
A supportive, flexible environment for teen artists, letting them shape their own creative journeys through a wide range of mediums— printmaking, sculpture, jewelry making, painting, and more!
Northampton Parents Center Free Weekly Playgroups
Northampton Parents Center’s weekly schedule