Things to See & Do

Head over to West Concord for the annual Summer Concert Series. Each night, a live band will take the stage to play all your favorite songs, old and new, at Rideout Playground.

Thursday, August 7th - Becky and the Swinging Band  

Join DCR Interpreter Jacqui Kluft and Historian Richard Smith for a program expanding on Thoreau's Anti-Slavery actions after his night in jail. We will discuss the influence of women in the anti-slavery movement, Thoreau's Anti-Slavery meeting at Walden on August 1,1846, and his fiery lecture "Slavery in Massachusetts" at Harmony Grove, Framingham. All are welcome. 

Gather with friends and family for music, family friendly outdoor games, and of course ice-cold beer, specialty drinks, food - and a chance to tour historic Wright Tavern! Your support helps one of America's most important historic buildings thrive and continue to tell the story of the beginning of the United States. Saturday August 2nd from 11am to 7pm (rain date August 9th). Suggested donation $10

Get out and enjoy summer! Concord Center sizzles with live music (on Walden Street), tasty food, irresistible sales in our charming boutiques, and even a beer garden (at the Wright Tavern). Make a day of it by taking in a tour of one of our museums. Lots of fun for the whole family! Sponsored by the Concord Chamber of Commerce, the Mass Cultural Council, and the Town of Concord.

Head over to West Concord for the annual Summer Concert Series. Each night, a live band will take the stage to play all your favorite songs, old and new, at Rideout Playground.

Thursday, July 31st - Marc Berger and The Ride

Join multimedia artist Elena (Zhonghe) Li for a workshop specializing in the traditional Chinese art of papercutting. Li's art is inspired by her deep love of nature, grounded in Taoist philosophy, which emphasizes simplicity and living in harmony with nature. She considers Henry David Thoreau as an American Laozi (master of Taoism). Each workshop will hold 25 participants. Please register at "walden.programs@mass.gov" with the subject line "Papercutting Workshop" and the desired data.

Head over to West Concord for the annual Summer Concert Series. Each night, a live band will take the stage to play all your favorite songs, old and new, at Rideout Playground.

Thursday, July 24th - Beantown Swing Orchestra

The public is invited to a free program exploring The Umbrella Arts Center’s outdoor public art ramble, Weaving an Address, a site-specific exhibition of work by prominent Black artists commemorating colonial-era Black residents of Concord’s famed Walden Woods. Curator and artist Marla McLeod will lead a guided tour of the artwork installed at Brister’s Hill in Walden Woods, named for Brister Freeman, an enslaved man who won his freedom by serving in the Revolutionary War and then bought the property and lived there along with other formerly enslaved people.

International bestselling author and BBC TV presenter Coinneach MacLeod – the Hebridean Baker – brings a warm welcome from Scotland to Nosh by Concord Market for a special afternoon of stories, recipes, Scottish charm & a cozy afternoon book signing!

Come and celebrate Henry's birthday with local historian Richard Smith. Smith will portray Henry David Thoreau on his 30th birthday in 1847 for the last time. He will receive guests at the Thoreau House Replica near the main parking lot. This is an informal rolling program, so you can stop at any time between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. On sunny days, holidays, and weekends, Walden Pond often closes due to capacity. Please check DCR Park Alerts for closures at www.mass.gov/parkalerts.   Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.  Call 978-405-2082