1 Welcome reenactor Benjamin J. Goldman as the American Friends of Lafayette and The Wright Tavern Legacy Trust commemorate the day and site where Concord gave General Lafayette a hero’s welcome two hundred years ago. An extensive program of events is planned. See p. 20 for all the details. September 2. WrightTavern.org/programs
2 Concord has celebrated Ag Day for almost two decades. Join our area’s farmers for a day of fun, including veggie races, shopping at the farmers market, and more. Learn more about the history of this beloved tradition in our article, “Concord Celebrates the Nobility of Farming at 19th Annual Ag Day” on p. 60. September 7. ConcordAgDay.com
3 Discover the work of more than 100 local artisans as the 42nd Annual Codman Estate Fine Arts and Crafts Festival kicks off. Start your holiday shopping early as you browse extraordinary pieces of glass, paintings, woodworking, jewelry, and more. September 7. HistoricNewEngland.org
4 Follow Henry David Thoreau’s advice and saunter. Join historian Richard Smith and biologist Amity Wilczek on a walk as you discover the history of the former inhabitants of Walden Woods; who they were and why they were there. September 8. ThoreauFarm.org/saunter
5 Visit Concord Museum’s newest exhibition, “Portrait Mode,” for an up-close look at portraits from the Museum’s collection. Opens September 13. ConcordMuseum.org
6 Experience the ultimate tag sale as the Concord Players clear out excess stock of costumes, wigs, props, artwork, and vintage items. You’re sure to find something unusual here! September 14. ConcordPlayers.org
7 Spend a morning on the farm. Grab the kids and head to Verrill Farm for games, hayrides, touch-a-tractor, live music, and more! September 14. VerrillFarm.com
Jamie Sayen
8 Experience “Thoreau, Landscape Scale Wildlands & Natural Democracy” with wilderness activist Jamie Sayen. Thoreau proposed the establishment of reserves decades before the designation of the first national parks. Discover what is being done – and not done – to protect and preserve the ecological integrity of the land. September 18. Walden.org/events/thoreau-landscape-scale-wildlands-natural-democracy-with-jamie-sayen
9 Stone Soup Dinner is back! Plan to attend the 13th annual Stone Soup Dinner. Profits will be donated to the Concord Agricultural Committee to keep farming alive and well in Concord. September 22. VerrillFarm.com
Jeffrey Karp
10 Join Thoreau Farm’s Literary Events as they present “A Conversation with Jeffrey Karp, Ph.D.” In an age of convenience and information overload, it’s easy to miss the opportunity to harness our potential for meaningful and impactful lives. Dr. Karp will explore nature as a vital source of wisdom, inspired action, and greatest good. September 24. ThoreauFarm.org/lit
11 Experience Emerson Out of Doors: Autumn Garden Tour. It’s the perfect season to stroll the garden and grounds of the beautiful Emerson House. September 26 (rain date Sept 27) RalphWaldoEmersonHouse.org
12 Visit Nummeehquantamūmun as nia holley, Nipmuc, reintroduces corn in the Museum’s interior courtyard as a process to reawaken the mortar and return corn to this place. This mortar is one of many mortars held by the Concord Museum that have been used for a variety of purposes by Indigenous communities, including processing food, medicines, and pigments. June 3 – September 30. ConcordMuseum.org
13 Join the annual Harvest Festival to Benefit Emerson Hospital Pediatrics. Bring the family and enjoy games and prizes, live music, pick-your-own pumpkins, 4H animals, and more. October 5. VerrillFarm.com
14 Thoreau Farm’s literary events continue with Followed By the Lark, author Helen Humhreys in conversation with Jeffrey S. Cramer. Discover how similar the concerns of the early 19th-century are to our own and learn to listen for news of change. October 6. ThoreauFarm.org/followed-by-the-lark
15 Join the Wright Tavern Legacy Trust and Concord250 as they commemorate the Provincial Congress that met in Concord 250 years ago. Enjoy a program of lectures and conversations about popular self-government in Massachusetts. Speakers will include noted scholars, legislators, and others. October 11. WrightTavern.org/history
16 The Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers return once again to recognize and celebrate Indigenous People’s Day at Concord Museum. Join these musicians and artisans from the tribal communities of Mashpee on Cape Cod and Aquinnah on Martha’s Vineyard for a moving performance of eastern social songs and dances. October 14. ConcordMuseum.org
17 Don’t miss Taste of Concord 2024 at Nashoba Brooks School. Spend an evening tasting the best from Concord’s restaurants, bakeries, and shops. You can even sample more than 50 wines, craft beers, mocktails, and artisanal spirits at this annual fundraiser for the Concord Chamber of Commerce. October 15. ConcordChamberofCommerce.org/ events/taste-of-concord-save-the-date
18 Celebrate the written and spoken word at the 32nd Annual Concord Festival of Authors. The Festival features dozens of exciting and inspiring authors and events. October 17-30. ConcordFestivalofAuthors.org.
19 Head down to Discover West Concord Day for music, crafts, food, sidewalk sales, pumpkin decorating workshop, and family fun! October 19. VisitConcord.org
20 Honor the Concord Female Anti-Slavery Society as the Friends of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery dedicate a flowering tree and brass plate near the burial plot of the Bigelow family, hosts of a stop on the Underground Railroad. October 20. FriendsofSleepyHollow.org
Barbara Mossberg
21 Tell your story. Join Dr. Barbara Mossberg for a two-day workshop as you go “to the woods” – a place to find focus, inspiration, connection, and support for developing your memoir. Limited to 12 people. October 26-27. ThoreauFarm.org/writing-your-story
22 Celebrate the Halloween season with events around town, including Trunk or Treat at Beede Center (concordrec.com), Halloween at Hartwell Tavern (nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/specialevent.htm), a tour through Sleepy Hollow Cemetery (concordmuseum.org), and Hallowe’en at The Wayside (nps.gov/mima/planyourvisit/special-event.htm).
23 The TriCon Antiques Show, now in its 53rd year, is a Concord tradition. Three floors of dealers from all over New England offer a variety of antiques – furniture, artwork, books, jewelry, glassware, pottery, silver, and more. A great place to begin your holiday shopping! November 1-2. TriConChurch.org
24 Join author Sorayya Khan for “We Take Our Cities With Us” as she recounts her immigrant experience and beautifully illuminates the complexities of our evolving global world. November 3. ThoreauFarm.org/we-take-our-cities