The Natick Center Cultural District

Natick Farmers Market
2024-11-16 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-11-09 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-11-02 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-26 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-19 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-12 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-10-05 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-28 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Natick Common
The Natick Farmers Market is a year-round program of the Natick Center Cultural District and is open every Saturday from 9 am to 1 pm.

Visit natickfarmersmarket.org for current location and vendors.
Spring and Summer
Natick Town Common
The intersection of Routes 27 and 135
Natick

Fall and Winter
Common Street Spiritual Center
13 Common Street
Natick

Jammin with You
2024-11-15 10:30 - 11:00, 2024-11-01 10:30 - 11:00 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
Be prepared to laugh, dance, sing, and jam your way through 30 minutes of non-stop family fun at the Bacon Free Library! This performance is geared toward kids ages 1 – 7, but fun for the whole family. With modern takes on children’s classics and classic original tunes, you’ll be humming and bopping all the way home.
With the cooler weather, we have moved this program indoors. Registration is required due to space limitations.

Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank

2024 Natick Night Out
2024-11-14 18:00 - 20:00
Thursday November 14, 6-8 pm
Natick’s Night Out!
Shop Natick Center
Independent Businesses Depend On You
Enter To Win a Natick Center Shopping Spree!
Paper Fiesta & Hedgehog Belly – Calliope Paperie
Five Crows – Baylee Bee – Uni-T – Vivilicious Chocolates
Planed Collective – Drink Dion’s – Bloom & Grow Creative
Stucchi Jewelers – The Hive ft. Ten Trees Books
How To Play
– Stop by any of the participating small shops to pick up your passport and get started!
– Pop into SIX of the participating shops and get a stamp on your passport – no purchase necessary!
– Get 1 entry to the raffle for any 6 stamps or fill your passport for 2 entries!
– Fill out your name & email on the back of your passport and drop off at any participating shop!
Kick Off The Holiday Season & Support Local Small Businesses All In One Evening! We Can’t Wait To See You!

Brack Career Center Walk In Hours
2024-11-14 11:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-17 11:00 - 15:00 | Natick Service Council, 2 Webster St., Natick, MA, 01760
Drop in during our Walk In Hours and meet with a mentor to talk about your job search, resume, and general employment goals.
Whether you are just starting to think about a change, or you have been searching for some time, we have professionals to help you discuss your employment goals.
Come visit us at the Brack Career Develpment Center to get help on resume writing and review, LinkedIn profiles, job search advice, interview tips, and more. Open to all Natick residents at no cost!
If you have a resume make sure to bring that along. And do not stress if you don’t have one!

Nature Photography Exhibit by Lia Vito
2024-11-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
Local photographer Lia Vito has brought the autumnal beauty of Acadia National Park to the walls of the Bacon Free Library. Come in to enjoy her photography featuring the rich golden hues of the Maine foliage along with up-close and personal peaks into wild birds in action.
Lia’s photographs will be on display from October 31 – December 11th.

Even More Haunted Lighthouses of New England with Author Jeremy D’Entremont (virtual)
2024-10-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
Just in time for Halloween, join us for some spooky tales set in the hauntingly beautiful lighthouses of New England. The Bacon Free Library is partnering with the Ashland Public Library to bring you author Jeremy D’Entremont.
Jeremy is the president and historian of the American Lighthouse Foundation, historian for the U.S. Lighthouse Society, and the author of more than 20 books and hundreds of articles on lighthouses and maritime history. He’s the producer and host of the U.S. Lighthouse Society’s podcast, Light Hearted. He has appeared on the popular Ghost Hunters TV show, as well as Haunted Lighthouses of America on the Travel Channel. He has also appeared on the History Channel, Public Television, and National Public Radio speaking about lighthouses.
NOTE: This program will be recorded and available to view on the Ashland Library’s YouTube Channel.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE FOR THE ZOOM LINK.

Celebrate Diwali – take & make craft for all ages
2024-10-28 09:30 - 17:30 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
Stop by the Bacon Free Library during the week of October 28th and pick up your free Take & Make Diwali craft. This easy-to-make craft is for all ages.

Spooktacular Halloween Party
2024-10-26 12:00 - 15:00 | Natick Common
Saturday, October 26th
Natick Town Common
12:00 – 3:00 pm
(plus trick or treating at local businesses until 4:00 pm)
Enjoy an afternoon of Fall and Halloween themed FREE events on the Town Common including ballon twisting, temporary tattoos, crafts & more!
TRICK OR TREAT: You can Visit any of the participating downtown shops between 12:00-4:00pm for a treat or enjoy the festivities on the common at your own pace throughout the event. There will not be a designated trick-or-treat parade this year. Tune in closer to the date for a map of all businesses participating and event details!

Preschool Pumpkin Party
2024-10-25 10:30 - 11:30 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
Join us at the Bacon Free Library for some messy fall fun!
We’ll have a variety of craft stations, sensory bins, and fine motor activities, all involving pumpkins. Recommended for ages 1-5 with a caregiver. Wear clothes and shoes that can get messy!
This program will be outdoors, weather permitting. Due to limited supplies, registration is required. Please register separately for each child attending.
Pumpkins donated by Tilly & Salvy’s Bacon Street Farm.

Natick Open Studios 2024
2024-10-20 11:00 - 17:00, 2024-10-19 11:00 - 17:00
Natick Open Studios is a two-day event and an opportunity for the public to meet and visit with artists living or working in Natick in informal settings to learn about their art and to purchase unique artistic creations directly from the artists.
The Natick Art Association is presently comprised of more than seventy artists working in a broad array of artistic mediums. They include painters, printmakers, sculptors, potters, mosaic artists, jewelers, fiber artists, photographers, and mixed media artists. About 40 of the organization’s members will participate in this year’s Open Studio weekend.
Traditionally held the third weekend in October, this year marks the 22nd anniversary of this town-wide event. Open studios are held at several group locations in Natick Center and at private studios all across town.
Some artists will offer live demonstrations during the open studio weekend and refreshments will be offered.
Click here to view a map of the Open Studios locations.

Jammin with You
2024-10-18 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-10-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
Join us at the Bacon Free Library and be prepared to laugh, dance, sing, and jam your way through 30 minutes of non-stop family fun! This performance is geared toward kids ages 1 – 7, but fun for the whole family. With modern takes on children’s classics and classic original tunes, you’ll be humming and bopping all the way home.
If the weather is 55 degrees or warmer, the program will be held outdoors behind the library, so bring a blanket or towel for sitting on the grass. If it’s rainy or under 55 degrees, we’ll meet indoors and space will be available on a first come, first served basis.
Bring your own simple instruments if you can! We recommend shakers, rhythm sticks, and scarves, or homemade equivalents like a container of rice, a couple of wooden spoons, and a dish towel. Jammin With You has more instrument suggestions here.

Sponsored by Middlesex Savings Bank

In Conversation with Historical Fiction Author Madeline Martin (virtual)
2024-10-10 19:00 - 20:00
The Bacon Free Library is partnering with the Ashland Public Library to bring you author Madeline Martin.
This one is for book lovers everywhere! We’re so pleased to be chatting with author Madeline Martin about her newest release, The Booklover’s Library, as well as several of her other book-related books such as The Keeper of Hidden Books and The Librarian Spy. We hope you can join us for this fun and fascinating conversation.

Madeline Martin is a New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, and internationally bestselling author of historical fiction and historical romance with books that have been translated into more than 25 languages.
She lives in sunny Florida with her two daughters (known collectively as the minions), two incredibly spoiled cats, and a man so wonderful he’s been dubbed Mr. Awesome. She is a die-hard history lover who will happily lose herself in research any day. When she’s not writing, researching or ‘moming’, you can find her spending time with her family at Disney or sneaking a couple spoonfuls of Nutella while laughing over cat videos. She also loves to travel, attributing her fascination with history to having spent most of her childhood as an Army brat in Germany.

RECORDING NOTE: This program will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of the program.
PLEASE REGISTER HERE FOR THE ZOOM LINK.

Closing the Garden (virtual)
2024-10-09 18:00 - 19:00 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
As the gardening season comes to a close, we at the Bacon Free Library are looking for advice on closing down the garden. In this virtual program, the experts at Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens will explain why fall is the best time to get a jump start on the following year. We’ll explore pruning, seed saving, mulching, composting, and more.

This program will be held over Zoom. Please register to receive the program link.
Image by AC works Co., Ltd. from Pixabay

Art Reception – Quilts by Frances Caruso Daneault
2024-10-08 17:00 - 18:30 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
The Bacon Free Library is thrilled to welcome back former Assistant Director and Children’s Librarian extraordinaire Fran Daneault to exhibit her spectacular collection of quilts. Along with raising her two sons in Natick and working at the Bacon, Fran has also spent years perfecting her crafting skills. She applies the same energy, creativity, joy, and humor to her artistic works that she brought in working with children and families at the BFL, where she frequently wore and gifted some of her handmade creations.
A longtime resident of Natick, Fran and her husband recently relocated to New Hampshire, where Fran can be found walking on the beach, volunteering in her local library, and quilting up a storm.
Fran’s quilts will be on display at the BFL from September 19th – October 30th. Join us at this reception to view the quilts and visit with Fran.

From Fran:

I am a scrappy, wonky, modern, art quilter who sometimes makes traditional quilts.
I like learning in classes and workshops but have trouble sticking to a pattern.
For fabric, I collect randomly spaced dots, paisleys, loudly busy prints and happy colors. I think, perhaps wrongly, that they all go together.
I own way too much fabric but still feel the need to give orphaned fabrics a home.
I hope you enjoy this collection of quilts.

Festive-All Concert Community Celebration
2024-10-05 19:00 - 20:00 | First Congregational Church of Natick
Join us in a celebration of our newly renovated Sanctuary and Kitchen. Featuring musicians from First Congregational Church, Walnut Hill, other local ensembles and the Boston School of Dance.
All are invited to a reception after the concert.
The event includes a freewill offering to support MetroWest Free Medical Program as well as future events at FCCN.
For more information, visit FCCNatick.org.
Join our community where we gather to create, connect, and care for the world!
Parking available in the side parking lot, handicapped accessible.

Read to a Dog
2024-10-05 10:00 - 11:15 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
Children can build confidence and practice their reading skills by reading out loud to a registered therapy dog at the Bacon Free Library.
Children ages 5 and up can sign up for a 15-minute reading session with Sophie, a gentle golden retriever who loves belly rubs, stories, and cuddles.
Registration is required for each child attending.

Great Boston Fires with Author and Historian David Kruh (virtual)
2024-09-30 19:00 - 20:00 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
The Bacon Free Library is partnering with the Ashland Public Library to bring you author and historian, David Kruh.
In this virtual program, David will guide us through several devastating fires and their impact on Boston, from the many “great” fires of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries (including the truly Great Fire of 1872), the Cocoanut Grove tragedy of 1942 (which killed 492), and the Hotel Vendome fire of 1972 (which resulted in the deaths of eight fire fighters.)
How did these fires happen? What was learned from these events? What, if anything, was done to try to prevent similar catastrophes? David’s newest slide show, filled with images from these events, answers these and other questions.
Please register HERE for the Zoom link.

Mind Reader Gregg Dwyer
2024-09-28 11:30 - 12:30 | Bacon Free Library – 58 Eliot Street Natick, MA 01760 United States
Gregg Dwyer has been involved in the arts for many years and is willing to give you a peek into the magical world which has been hidden from most. Gregg’s goal is not to trick you, but to help you see the vast potential that lies deep within your own mind. Gregg started as an escape artist and an illusionist on Doug Henning’s Broadway hit “The Magic Show.”

Join us on the lawn of the Bacon Free Library for this amazing experience. No reservations necessary.
In case of rain, this event will be held indoors with limited seating.

Natick Powwow
2024-09-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Cochituate State Park, 43 Commonwealth Rd, Natick, MA, 01770
Annual Harvest Moon and Creator Praise Celebration
Hosted by the Massachusetts Praying Indians of Natick Tribe
Natick Powwow
September 28, 2024 – 10am – 5pm
Honoring Naticksqw Chief Caring Hands
“The earth is sacred, Creator says it is so. Join us and give honor to this sacred bond. Let the soles of your moccasins feel the power of the Great Spirit” ~Naticksqw Chief Caring Hands
How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. –ps. 133:1
Cochituate State Park.
43 Commonwealth Rd, Natick, MA
Gates open at 10am ~ Grand Entry at 1pm
*Honoring the Elders *Singing *Dancing *Storytelling *Food *and more!
<< Public Welcome: FREE ADMISSION >>
This powwow is held the last Saturday of September every year. We thank the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Town of Natick for allowing our tribe during this time to ceremony on our sacred land.
www.natickprayingindians.org
ABSOLUTELY NO ALCOHOL ALLOWED
