Red Velvet: Burbage Theatre puts on Lolita Chakrabarti’s play, which creates imagined experiences based on the little-known, but true, story of Ira Aldridge, an African-American actor in the 19th century. Pawtucket, BurbageTheatre.org
RIDEA Craft Beverage Festival: Visit Isle Brewers Guild for a bevvie event showcasing women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ breweries, wineries, and spirits producers from RI and beyond, with proceeds benefiting a JWU scholarship. Pawtucket, RIDEACommittee.org
Audubon Spring Craft Fair: Local vendors display their nature- and wildlife-themed wares, from jewelry and decor to bird houses and crafts, plus a range of hand-made items donated by artisans will be raffled off. Smithfield, ASRI.org
Grace Note Farm Chamber Music Festival: Don’t miss this series of summer concerts on the farm, featuring artists in residence. Call 401-567-0354 for reservations. Pascoag, GraceNoteFarmWeb.com
Live Music Nights: Self Luv Records presents concerts on the lawn at Revive the Roots Farm. Bring a chair, blanket, and snacks to make a picnic of it. Smithfield, ReviveTheRoots.org
Grand Funk Railroad: The top-selling American rock group from the ‘70s makes a stop at Bally’s Event Center playing high-energy hits for fans new and old alike. Lincoln, Casinos.Ballys.com
Bat Walk: Learn about the little brown bats that call Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge home during a guided walk with an Audubon naturalist. Families with children ages 10+ are welcome – don’t forget to bring a flashlight and bug spray! Smithfield, ASRI.org
Tamales Criollos: Learn how to make this variation of tamales from Peru and enjoy a conversation-filled cooking circle with RI Latino Arts at La Galería del Pueblo. Central Falls, RILatinoArts.org
Lopswood Adult Derby: Build a car to race for glory – and support local Boy Scouts while you’re at it. Registration gets you a car kit, at least four races, and a feast of hot dogs and fries. Woonsocket, Facebook: Lops Brewing
Ice Cream Social & Legos: Join volunteers from the Burrillville Land Trust to unveil local artist Andrew Grover’s Legos version of the One Room Schoolhouse, with ice cream, tours, and more. Burrillville, Eventbrite: Ice Cream Social, Legos and the One Room Schoolhouse
Summer Solstice Festival: Kick back for a day of live music at this festival presented by Blackstone River Theatre. Enjoy four stages for world music and Irish step dancing, children’s activities, and 40+ food and craft vendors. Cumberland, RiverFolk.org
Angels Giving Back 5K: Benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association, the PKD Foundation, and The Tomorrow Fund, this annual all-ages run offers medals for top placers, plus complimentary light snacks and drinks. Johnston, AngelsGivingBack.com
Pollinator Bike Ride: Pedal alongside the Blackstone Heritage Corridor Bike Ambassadors on a trip that visits the Kelly House Museum pollinator garden – a six-mile round trip, so be prepared to pedal hard. Lincoln, BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org
First Day of Summer Wild Plant Walk: Join an Audubon naturalist for a leisurely summer solstice walk identifying lady slippers and other wild plants that live in the forest. Sturdy shoes, bug spray, and a water bottle are a must. Smithfield, ASRI.org
Arts in the Alley: The Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative and Lops Brewing host this fun festival of craft beer, tasty treats, and a curated selection of arts vendors. Woonsocket, DWC02895.org
Fresco Italiano: Enjoy an evening of music, works by local artists, and a buffet of mouth-watering Italian dishes at St. Ann Arts and Cultural Center. Woonsocket, StAnnArtsAndCulturalCenter.org
AssemGlee: Hear the community-based performance group taking inspiration from show choirs and glee clubs put on a vocal performance mixed with dance, movement, and theater. Burrillville, AssemblyTheatre.org
Blackstone Valley Heritage Golf Tournament: Support a cause while playing 18 holes to support the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council’s youth environmental education programs at Crystal Lake Golf Club. Burrillville, BlackstoneValleyTourismCouncil.org
Arnold Mills Parade: The theme of this year’s parade and four-mile road race is “Believe.” Festivities include cheery floats, walking “Ancients and Horribles,” food, live music, awards. Cumberland, ArnoldMillsParade.com
North Smithfield Heritage Day: This free all-day event commemorates the town’s Indigenous, colonial, and republican heritage with walking tours, antiques, art, and car displays, plus food vendors and more. Facebook: North Smithfield Heritage Association
Central Falls Food Truck Festival: Save the date for this foodie event featuring delicious eats from local trucks, live entertainment, and more, with details to be posted. Central Falls, TourBlackstone.com
The Jungle Book: Swamp Meadow Community Theatre puts on an adaptation of the classic book by Rudyard Kipling recast as a comedic, one-act play written by Audrey Dubois and Shannon McLoud. Burrillville, AssemblyTheatre.org
American Girl Doll Garden Party: Part of Hearthside House’s popular series, girls aged 5 to 12 can bring their favorite toy doll for a laidback turn-of-the-century social on the lawn. Lincoln, HearthsideHouse.org
Music at the Farm: Hear soprano Emma Robertson bring beautiful sounds to the historic Grace Note Farm for a special summer performance. Call 401-567-0354 for reservations. Pascoag, GraceNoteFarmWeb.com
Starry, Starry Night: Avid astronomers and beginners alike are invited for an evening of stargazing at Chase Farm Park, which offers wide-open spaces and clear views of the night sky. Lincoln, HearthsideHouse.org
Super Blue Moon Walk: Explore trails at night on this guided tour at Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge. Pro-tip: bring a flashlight. Smithfield, ASRI.org
Drive-In Movies: At less than $30 a carload for a double feature, this authentic 1950s drive-in theater beckons you and your bunch to view movies from your vehicle. North Smithfield, Facebook: Rustic Drive In
Farmers Markets: Find fresh fruit and veggies from local farmers every week in Woonsocket, Central Falls, North Scituate, Burrillville, Pawtucket, Lincoln, and North Smithfield on different days of the week. For specific locations, visit FarmFreshRI.org
Glass Blowing: Learn to craft your own drinking glasses, garden art, ring stands, flowers, and more with one-off beginner classes at Blackstone River Glass Center. Cumberland, BlackstoneRiverGlass.com
Hannaway Blacksmith Shop Demonstrations: Stop in to watch a demonstration by blacksmiths as they hand-forge new items, or sign up for a class to get involved yourself. TourBlackstone.com
Hearthside House Tours: Learn about the Great Road Heritage Campus sites, including Hearthside House, the Pullen’s Corner Schoolhouse, Hannaway Blacksmith Shop and the Moffett Mill, with guided history tours on select dates, by reservation. Lincoln, GreatRoadHeritageCampus.org
Levitt Amp Woonsocket Music Series: Catch regional and national acts at River Island Art Park throughout the summer. Woonsocket, Levitt.org/Amp-Woonsocket-RI/
Live Music: More than just a dive bar, the News Cafe is a venue for all types of music and entertainment, especially uplifting emerging artists. Check the calendar online for a schedule of summer shows. Pawtucket, NewsCafeRhodeIsland.wordpress.com
Old Slater Mill Tours: Step into the history of American Industrialization at Pawtucket’s Slater Mill. Tours are guided by park rangers, and will take you through the first-ever water-powered textile mill in America. TourBlackstone.com
Pawtucket Parks & Rec: Whether it’s Mid-Week Fun & Magic for kids (July 26, August 16), Tuesday night children’s concerts with top acts like Bill Harley and Lon Cerel, all-ages concerts at Daggett Farm, or the Pawtucket Open Tennis Tournament (June 16, 18, 23, 25), this summer sked would make Leslie Knope proud. Facebook: Slater Memorial Park
Performing Arts: From dance to drag shows, cover bands to comedy nights, Stadium Theatre has entertainment for all, including family-friendly shows, all performed in a vaudeville-era venue. Find a calendar of events online to plan your visit. Woonsocket, StadiumTheatre.com
Pitcher-Goff House Open Studio: Monthly self-guided gallery tours welcome visitors to experience a rotating collection of curated work by new and established artists. Pawtucket, Paciorek.com
River Cruises and Nature & Heritage Tours: Get schooled in the Blackstone Valley’s natural history aboard a scenic cruise for 50-minute boat tours Saturdays and Sundays. Central Falls, RiverTourBlackstone.com
Summer Bike Rides: Discover Blackstone Valley by bike with the RI Northeast Mountain Biking Association, through woodsy trails off the beaten path and routes ranging from easy rides to challenging technical ones. RINEMBA.org
Take it Outside Concerts: Held in back of Blackstone River Theatre (chairs provided), catch a series of monthly concerts on select Sundays featuring local and international talents. Cumberland, RiverFolk.org
Arts in the Alley: Held on select Sundays throughout the summer, the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative and Lops Brewing hold afternoons with food, beer, music, and vendors. Woonsocket, TourBlackstone.com
Food Truck Nights at Holy Trinity: On the last Wednesday of the month, enjoy food from a dozen mobile eateries, live music, and beer from Trinity Brewhouse. Woonsocket, Facebook: PVD Food Truck Events
Food Truck Concert Nights at Diamond Hill: Summer really is a food truck frenzy, and you’ll find your favorites parked in Cumberland alongside a lineup of live music on the fourth Thursday every month. Facebook: PVD Food Truck Events
First Fridays at Old Slater Mill: Once a month, the mill is open late with special programming including concerts, movie nights, tours, and more for the whole family. Pawtucket, TourBlackstone.com
Friday Karaoke at Chan’s: Chan’s partners with WRIK Entertainment to host karaoke night, made even more fun after sipping on a signature scorpion bowl. Woonsocket, TourBlackstone.com
Smith-Appleby Open House: On first Saturdays, tour the historic circa 1702 house and grounds, which serves as the headquarters for the Historical Society of Smithfield. Smithfield, SmithApplebyHouse.org
Heritage Hikes: Recurring monthly on
the second Saturday, join the North Smithfield Heritage Association for a woodland hike through different historic and natural sites. North Smithfield, Facebook: North Smithfield Heritage
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