The Great Northeast Jug Band Festival

Join <a href="http://acarts.org/">Arlington Center for the Arts</a> for their annual <a href="https://www.acarts.org/jug-band-festival">Great Northeast Jug Band Festival</a>. New England’s ONLY Jug Band Festival will highlight traditions from the 1920’s and 30’s, and the modern evolution of this good-time music. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy performances by three of the region’s best Jug Bands! Performances by an all female-lead line up including <a href="https://www.facebook.com/DirtyMotherStringBand/">Dirty Mother String Band, </a><a href="https://zoelewis.com/home">Zoë Lewis and the Educated Fleas</a>, and <a href="https://sites.google.com/view/annie-and-the-fur-trappers/home">Annie and the Jug Tappers!</a>! Back in 2026! Join us the night before (Friday, September 25, 7:30pm) at Donut Villa (319 Broadway, Arlington, MA) for an Open Jug Band Jam lead by local favorite, <a href="https://thejugnut.com/">The Jug Nuts</a>! Also returning to the festival will be our Makers Tent, highlighting home-made and cigar box instrument builders! Jason Russell House Concert Series + Beer Garden is presented by the <a href="https://www.drinkarlingtonbeer.com/">Arlington Brewing Company </a>+ <a href="https://arlingtonhistorical.org/beer-garden/">Arlington Historical Society</a> RAIN LOCATION (PERFORMANCE + JAM ONLY): Arlington Community Center in the Main Hall, 27 Maple St Arlington, MA

Jason Russell House

Arlington Porchfest 2026

June 20, 2026, 12-6pm ​ Coming to a porch near you...Arlington's free, festive, one-day-only music extravaganza returns to our community in 2026! Arlington Center for the Arts is thrilled to be presenting Arlington Porchfest since 2016, where we have seen the event grow to over 300 performances throughout the day! ​ Since 2016 Arlington Porchfest has been uniting live music with community participation in a day-long celebration of the arts in Arlington. Porchfest is a grassroots music festival where bands play on front porches across town and people walk, bike or drive around to enjoy tons of free outdoor music, dancing, and visual art exhibits.

Arlington Center for the Arts

Spring Workshop: Stitched Shibori 

Join us to learn about the traditional Japanese art form of stitched indigo shibori. We'll use natural dye from the indigo plant and explore different stitch sizes and rhythms working in the single fabric layer, as well as pleats and folds to create unique patterns. You'll learn traditional techniques, including ori-nui, mokume, maki-age, karamatsu, and maki-nui. We'll use cotton tea towels, and students can bring other light-colored garments made of natural fibers. You will leave this workshop with not only your creations but a strong technique base and a passion for continuing to create with this traditional Japanese art form.&nbsp; With Artist Michelle Blanchette

Spring Class: Weekend Wheel Throwing

This introductory wheel throwing class is perfect for those new to ceramics and those looking to regain confidence in the wheel. Learn basic skills to produce forms, firing and glazing in a fun, relaxed environment. No experience necessary. With Artist Max Sebbar

Spring Class: Hybrid Hand and Wheel Throwing

There’s no better way to end the day- and the week- than with clay! This class is perfect for those interested to work on and off of the wheel. From beginner throwing techniques to the many foundations of handbuilding, this class will be filled to the brim with knowledge to start you on your ceramics journey or to give you a space to continue your pursuit of knowledge on Friday nights! All levels are welcome. With Artist Shan Ross

Spring Workshop: Maze Book Medley for Adults

Using single sheets of paper we will make a variety of amazing Maze Books. Some will have neat pockets and sewn in signatures, others will be able to fold out large and flat. A third variety will have hardbound covers and be made without any glue. These books are fun, easy and quick to make. With Artist Kathy Lobo

Spring Class: Queer Pottery

The Queer Pottery class is an LGBTQIA+ space where participants are invited to explore clay and make new friends in a creative environment. We focus on learning new pottery skills, refining craftsmanship, and building friendships within the queer community! This class is open to all potters, from complete beginners to experienced throwers. The curriculum will include introductory concepts and plenty of time for independent projects! Taught by the queer community, for the queer community. With Artist Shan Ross

Spring Workshop: Maze Book Medley (Gr. K-6)

Spring Class: Poseable Dolls and Puppets for Teens

In this course we will build poseable dolls and puppets completely from scratch! All characters and creatures welcome! Starting with wire armatures and ending with crafting our own hair and accessories! This course will teach skills including sculpture, wire art, painting, and basic sewing techniques. By the end of this course each participant will walk away with their very own custom, handcrafted doll.&nbsp; With Artist Allison Power

Spring Class: Thursday Morning Wheel Throwing

This introductory wheel throwing class is perfect for those new to ceramics and those looking to regain confidence in the wheel. Learn basic skills to produce forms, firing and glazing in a fun, relaxed environment. No experience necessary. With Artist Jenn Lima

Spring Class: Acrylics: Exploration of Color Theory

Want to practice your painting skills while developing your knowledge of color theory? This class is designed to guide students through a series of assignments that focus on working with value and color. Learn about color relationships (analogous, complimentary, split compliment, etc) while also working on color mixing and value matching. Along with working on matching mixed color to what we see in life, we will also work on using color in creative, inventive ways to add contrast and visual interest to paintings. With Artist Peyton Bailey

Online Class: Illustrating Horses and Ponies

If you love horses, then you will love this class illustrating this magnificent animal. Not only will you learn to render them in a variety of media, but we will look at some of their history and how they helped man advance to the world we live in today. Where once the horse was a necessity for daily life, we now enjoy them for sport and companionship. With Artist&nbsp;Katherine McGough

Spring Workshop: Watercolor Close-Up Flowers

Join us as we play with large macro flower images and create flowing, watercolors that feel alive! All levels welcome. Please bring in a photo or two of inspiring close up florals or actual flowers work as well! With Artist Angela Ackerman

Spring Class: Intro to Slab Handbuilding

In this 8-session class, students will be introduced to the basics of hand building using slabs. From very simple to very elaborate forms, slabs are a fun and versatile way to bring ideas to life. New techniques and ideas will be introduced each week, but students are free to take what they're learning in any direction: functional dinnerware, home decor, fine art, and more. No experience necessary! With Artist Samantha McLelland

Spring Class: Drawing for people who are sure they can't draw!

A no-shame zone complements our introduction to drawing. We cover not just the basics but how and why different techniques work. You will draw better, have fun and walk away with new knowledge. By the end of this class you will solidify basic skills, improve your memory and brain function, be able to impress small children with your talent, and see art differently. With Artist Janet Scudder

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

acarts

Experiences