The WooSox are on the road for the All-Star break, but that just means more time to explore everything else Worcester County has to offer this weekend. The MSO brings a free Disney concert to Institute Park, Levitate Music & Arts Festival headlines Alanis Morissette down in Marshfield, and Old Sturbridge Village launches a brand-new Revolutionary summer experience. Closer to home, catch Shordie Shordie at the Palladium, browse the farmers markets, and grab a seat on the Worcester Art Museum's Sunday gallery tour. Here's the full rundown.
Saturday, July 18
University Park Farmers Market
Kick off your Saturday morning at the University Park Farmers Market, open weekly through October. Browse fresh local produce, baked goods, and specialty items from Central Massachusetts growers and makers. The market accepts SNAP, HIP, and WIC/Senior coupons, making fresh, locally grown food accessible to everyone. It's a relaxed, community-oriented market — perfect for grabbing ingredients for a weekend cookout or just enjoying a coffee and a stroll.
Old Sturbridge Village — Independence Forever (Day Trip)
Old Sturbridge Village's summer-long Independence Forever celebration continues this weekend, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Step into a recreated rural Massachusetts community and meet six Revolutionary-era residents — a printer, housemaid, lawyer, shopkeeper, tavern keeper, and farmer's wife — each navigating the growing conflict. Catch the 25-minute Songs of Liberty live musical performance, then participate in the interactive Town Meeting at 2:30 PM or 4:15 PM in the Center Meetinghouse, where visitors help decide the town's fate. This Saturday is also a Visitor Reflections day — record your thoughts on what liberty means to you for the village's archive. About a 25-minute drive from Worcester on Route 20.
Worcester Art Museum — Weekend Visiting
The Worcester Art Museum is open Saturday with two exhibitions worth catching: Fever Dreams of a Cool-Breathed Earth by Christa Donner and Andrew S. Yang (through August 16) and the museum's renowned Arms and Armor collection, which just received a $6 million gallery expansion earlier this year. It's a perfect air-conditioned stop on a warm July day — bring the kids or enjoy a quiet hour with the art.
Plan your visit at WorcesterArt.org
Worcester Public Market
Open every Saturday in the heart of the Canal District, the Worcester Public Market is a great indoor option when you need a break from the July heat. Browse local food vendors, artisan goods, and specialty foods — from fresh pasta to craft beverages. The market's in-house Wachusett Brewing taproom keeps pouring until 10 PM, making it a great pre-game spot before catching Shordie Shordie at the Palladium later that night.
Visit WorcesterPublicMarket.org
Levitate Music & Arts Festival (Day Trip)
One of the biggest festivals on the South Shore hits its stride on Saturday with a stacked lineup headlined by Alanis Morissette. Also performing: Ziggy Marley, Sammy Rae & The Friends, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Pepper, The Movement, and Larkin Poe. Beyond the music, expect 60+ vendors, 20+ food trucks, live art installations, and a kids zone. Gates open at noon. Single-day GA tickets start around $129.
Get tickets at LevitateMusicFestival.com
MSO Salute to Disney Concert
The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra's free summer series rolls on with a Salute to Disney concert at Institute Park — part of the MSO's 75th anniversary season of admission-free performances. Conducted by Jorge Soto with Gary Rosen as Master of Ceremonies, the program features vocal soloists Taylor Lawton and Elisabeth LaBarre performing highlights from Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Encanto, Frozen, Moana, The Lion King, and more. This is one of the MSO's "choice" concerts — check their website on Friday, July 17, for final confirmation of which performance date (Saturday or Sunday) to attend. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and bring the whole family for a magical evening under the stars.
Check MSO website for concert details
Shordie Shordie — School's Out Tour
Baltimore rapper Shordie Shordie brings his School's Out Tour to the Palladium's upstairs stage for a Saturday night show. Known for catchy, melodic tracks and high-energy performances, Shordie Shordie has built a devoted following since his breakout single "Bitchuary." Tickets start around $34–$55 and are available through Ticketmaster and Tixr — expect this intimate room to sell out.
Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival (Day Trip)
The 31st annual Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival takes over Look Park in Northampton for a full day of Scottish and Celtic culture. The opening ceremonies at 11:30 AM feature 32 pipe bands massed together with 600–700 pipers and drummers — a genuinely stirring sight. Competitions, Highland dancing, Celtic music on multiple stages (including Albannach, Seven Nations, and Haggis X-1), clan tents, Scottish food, and the crowd-favorite Bonnie Knees Contest at 4:00 PM. Most vendors close by 5 PM but the festival runs until 9:00 PM. The drive through the hilltowns along Route 2 is gorgeous in July.
See the full schedule at GlasgowLands.org
Sunday, July 19
Market on Exchange
The Market on Exchange runs every Sunday through October in downtown Worcester, bringing 30+ regional vendors together for a strollable outdoor market. Expect fresh produce, meats, seafood, craft beer, artisan goods, and specialty foods from local makers. It's the perfect Sunday morning stop — grab some fresh bread, a bouquet of flowers, and maybe a pastry before heading to the art museum or the park for the concert.
See vendor list at MarketOnExchange.com
Worcester Art Museum — Tour of the Galleries
Sunday is a great day to visit the Worcester Art Museum, with the weekly Tour of the Galleries at 1:00 PM offering a guided walk through the collections. The tour is free with museum admission and gives you a curated look at the museum's highlights — from its newly expanded Arms and Armor galleries to its Asian and European art collections. Pair it with a stroll through the Fever Dreams exhibit before it closes in August.
See events at WorcesterArt.org
Worcester Public Market
The Public Market is also open Sundays — same Canal District location, slightly earlier closing time at 8 PM. If you missed Saturday's visit, it's a great way to start your Sunday with fresh food, a coffee, and a look at what's new from the local vendors.
Visit WorcesterPublicMarket.org
Levitate Music & Arts Festival — Day 2 (Day Trip)
Day 2 of Levitate shifts the headliner to Caamp, the beloved indie-folk outfit from Ohio, with support from Royel Otis, The Elovaters, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, and Surfer Girl. It's a slightly more mellow and rootsy vibe than Saturday's lineup — perfect for a Sunday afternoon of music, food trucks, and art. Single-day tickets available.
Get tickets at LevitateMusicFestival.com
MSO Salute to Disney — Possible Sunday Performance
If the MSO's Salute to Disney performance falls on Sunday rather than Saturday, you'll have another chance to catch this free family-friendly concert at Institute Park. The MSO will confirm the performance date on their website Friday evening — either way, it's a magical way to wrap up the weekend.
Check MSO website for concert details
Enjoy the Weekend
From a free Disney concert in the park to Levitate Festival, a Scottish festival in the Pioneer Valley, a living-history immersion in Sturbridge, farmers markets, the art museum, and live music at the Palladium — this weekend has a little bit of everything. Worcester County in mid-July is at its best, and there's no shortage of ways to spend your time outdoors, exploring local culture, and supporting the community.
And hey — with the WooSox on the All-Star break, this is the perfect weekend to discover something new in the area. If you've been thinking about making a move to Worcester County, getting out and experiencing what the community has to offer is one of the best ways to know if it's the right fit. I'd love to help.
If you see me at Institute Park or the Market on Exchange, say hello! And if you have questions about the Worcester County real estate market — or you're thinking about making a move — I'm always happy to help.
- MSO Salute to Disney — Sat or Sun, 6:30 PM, Institute Park
- Levitate Festival — Sat & Sun, Marshfield (Alanis Morissette, Caamp)
- Old Sturbridge Village — Sat & Sun, Independence Forever
- University Park Farmers Market — Sat, 9 AM, 965 Main St
- Market on Exchange — Sun, 11 AM, 21 Exchange St
- Shordie Shordie at the Palladium — Sat, 8 PM
- Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival — Sat, Look Park, Northampton