These events have free admission, with two caveats. Some of the larger Brimfield fields charged on opening day (details below), and for the events noted below as unverified, free admission has not been checked against the organizer. Food, rides and craft purchases still cost money, and parking and hours vary by event. Dates marked unconfirmed were not confirmed.
April and May
The first free event on the calendar was the 50th annual Nantucket Daffodil Festival (April 24 to 26), on Nantucket, which had a daffodil flower show and a vintage car parade. In Leominster, Apple Blossom Festival & Craft Fair was listed for May 9 at Sholan Farms (unconfirmed), with 40 vendors, food trucks and a petting zoo.
Along Route 20, Brimfield Antique Flea Market ran May 12 to 17. The July show ran July 14 to 19 and the September show ran September 8 to 13. Most fields were free to enter; some of the larger ones charged $5 to $10 on opening day, and parking cost $5 to $20, cash only.
On May 16, Boston Kite & Bike Festival was at Franklin Park and Greenfield BeeFest, in downtown Greenfield, had beekeeping demonstrations, honey tastings and a pollinator parade (BeeFest is unverified). Fall River Seafood Festival (May 23) followed on Memorial Day weekend with seafood tastings and paella.
June
Boston Pride Festival & Parade (June 6) was a parade, festival and block party. Falmouth Arts Alive Festival (June 12 to 14) and the 71st annual South Shore Arts Festival (June 19 to 21) in Cohasset fell on consecutive weekends.
Juneteenth Freedom Day (June 20) in Boston had live music and food vendors. Three more June events had unconfirmed 2026 dates: the Cambridge River Festival, typically a Saturday in mid-to-late June on the Charles River (it is also unverified); the Boston Dragon Boat Festival, listed for June 14; and the Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl, an ice cream festival with 40+ flavors benefiting Dana-Farber.
Two festivals started in the final week of June: Gloucester St. Peter's Fiesta (June 24 to 28, unconfirmed for 2026) and Amesbury Days (June 25 to July 4), a ten-day festival that dates to 1899.
July and August
The Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival ran July 17 to 19. The following weekend, July 24 to 26, brought the Lowell Folk Festival to downtown Lowell, and Yankee Homecoming in Newburyport ran July 25 to August 2.
Salem 400+ Heritage Days Festival was listed for August 1 (date not confirmed).
September to November
Boston Arts Festival (September 12 to 13) put juried artist booths, music and dance on Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. A week later, Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival (September 19 to 20) and the 33rd annual Johnny Appleseed Arts & Cultural Festival (September 19) in downtown Leominster shared a weekend. The Belchertown Fair (September 25 to 27), on the town common, had a parade, exhibits, a midway, a road race and live music. The Boston, Harwich and Belchertown events have not been verified against their organizers.
Salem Haunted Happenings is a month-long program, October 1 to 31. Three more free festivals on consecutive October weekends. Sandwichfest (October 3) had a beer and wine garden. After it: Ashfield Fall Festival (October 10 to 11, unverified), with farm vendors, and Wellfleet OysterFest (October 17 to 18), with arts booths added to its shucking competitions.
The last event on the list: America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration (November 21 to 22, unverified) in Plymouth, with a pancake breakfast and living history.
Weekly markets
Two weekly markets: Plymouth Farmers Market (Thursdays, May 14 to October 29) and Brockton Farmers Market (Fridays, June 5 to October 30).
