Phantoms by Firelight: Frankenstein Encounter

Join Old Sturbridge Village for the premier season of Phantoms by Firelight: Frankenstein Encounter, where a 200-acre, historic village becomes an immersive world of mystery, suspense, and haunting beauty inspired by Mary Shelley's Frankenstein. For only 11 nights in October, visitors will witness spine-tingling dramatic performances, dance, and ominous music. Along the way, guests can hear ghost stories by the bonfire, build a monster (a twist on trick-or-treat), watch a coffin being made, learn about inventions of the past, play games, savor cider donuts and hot cider, and so much more. Saturday nights are expected to sell out. Get your tickets in advance to experience Frankenstein like never before at this electric and captivating Halloween event.&nbsp;

Old Sturbridge Village

Historical Craft Classes

Spend some time at the Village learning a historical craft. These adult workshops relate to skills you’ll see practiced in the Museum or are inspired by 19th-century artifacts from the collection. During their session, students will gain comfort in hand skills, culminating in a finished product, a delicious meal, or a newfound hobby.&nbsp; Classes offered the weekend of November 7 - 8: <ul><li>19th-Century Folk Painting: Look at examples of 19th-century paintings, discuss methods of learning to paint, who painted, and the specific techniques they used, and then head outside to paint a landscape inspired by folk artists!</li><li>Letterpress Printing: Connect with revolutionary printers of the past, like Isaiah Thomas, by learning to use a hand-powered printing press!</li><li>Pewter Hand Christmas Ornaments: Choose from an assortment of original patterns, learn about the casting process, make sand impressions, cast the ornaments, and file and polish them up!</li><li>Fruitcakes (The Good Kind): Cook a historic fruitcake over the fire and learn about the special occasions one might enjoy a fruitcake at. </li><li>Multi-Color Block Printing: Carve a series of linoleum blocks resulting in an edition of three-color prints!</li><li>Bread and Butter: Make different types of bread in a brick bake oven and learn the intricacies of making bread from scratch!</li></ul>

Christmas By Candlelight  

Experience the timeless charm of Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village! Kids and grown-ups alike can get in the holiday spirit as they stroll through the decorated historic Village aglow with candlelight, meet Santa, listen to holiday stories and live music, watch traditional craft demonstrations, take a horse-drawn carryall ride, and enjoy festive treats. &nbsp; Uncover the fascinating history of many Christmas traditions like stockings, gift-giving, toys, nutcrackers, Christmas trees, gingerbread, and classic carols. Then, watch our artisan craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills like tin work, pottery, and blacksmithing.&nbsp; If your idea of a perfect holiday outing includes twinkling lights, Christmas trees, music, hot cocoa, cookies, and a little bit of magic, Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village was made for you. Come make memories during the most wonderful time of the year!&nbsp;

Experience the timeless charm of Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village! Kids and grown-ups alike can get in the holiday spirit as they stroll through the decorated historic Village aglow with candlelight, meet Santa, listen to holiday stories and live music, watch traditional craft demonstrations, take a horse-drawn carryall ride, and enjoy festive treats.   Uncover the fascinating history of many Christmas traditions like stockings, gift-giving, toys, nutcrackers, Christmas trees, gingerbread, and classic carols. Then, watch our artisan craftspeople demonstrate traditional skills like tin work, pottery, and blacksmithing.  If your idea of a perfect holiday outing includes twinkling lights, Christmas trees, music, hot cocoa, cookies, and a little bit of magic, Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village was made for you. Come make memories during the most wonderful time of the year!

Teacher Open House

Calling all educators! Haven’t been to Old Sturbridge Village since your own 3rd grade field trip? Take this opportunity to reacquaint yourself with the museum and all it has to offer. This teacher open house day is free for educators and one guest. Join us for an open house on Saturday, October 10. Learn more about OSV’s field trip options, from self-guided visits to hands-on workshops. Sign up for a workshop yourself and explore how our offerings fit with your curriculum and how you can tailor a visit to OSV to suit your students’ needs. &nbsp;Pre-registration is required.<ul><li>Enjoy snacks and mulled cider by the fire at Museum Education</li><li>Explore OSV’s program options for schools and youth groups with education staff</li><li>Learn how OSV is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through workshops, tours, and civics programs.&nbsp;</li><li>Take home self-guided materials, craft instructions, and lesson plans to use with your students&nbsp;</li><li>If a field trip to the Village isn’t possible, learn more about our outreach options to have educators come to you</li><li>See if there is grant funding available to bring your students to the Village!&nbsp;</li><li>Be entered into a raffle to win OSV-made goods, classroom visits, and activity packs&nbsp;</li></ul>Workshops are a nominal fee to cover the cost of materials and staffing.&nbsp;

Scout Day

Join us on October 3, 2026, for a day of hands-on exploration!&nbsp; Scouts will discover how children of the 1830s used skills that Scouts still practice today—from teamwork and problem-solving to outdoor skills, making, exploring, and helping others. Enjoy special drop-in activities, included with admission, such as historic games, block printing, and scarecrow making, or sign up for hands-on workshops! On Scout Day, Old Sturbridge Village offers a special rate on general daytime admission for participating scouts and families: $12 Youth / $17 Adult.

By Hands and Harvest

Join Old Sturbridge Village for a weekend of fall fun at By Hands and Harvest! Spend a fall day with your friends and family exploring all the sights of New England's largest living history museum. See a cider mill in action, experience farm animals first hand, learn about domestic manufacture of historic items, taste fresh heirloom apples, and more! Whether you're seeking historic demonstrations, a day in nature, or a quintessential New England fall experience, there is something for everyone at By Hands and Harvest!

Textile Weekend

Join Old Sturbridge Village for Textile Weekend this September and learn about 18th century textiles. Visitors can explore the historic Village and watch the processes of creating various textile products in early New England. See spinning and weaving demonstrations, straw braiding, basket making, ironing demonstrations, and more! Visit the Needle &amp; Thread exhibit and see 18th century clothing for men and women from the Old Sturbridge Village Collection and attend a tour of the exhibit, happening throughout the day.

Spend some time at the Village learning a historical craft. These adult workshops relate to skills you’ll see practiced in the Museum or are inspired by 19th-century artifacts from the collection. During their session, students will gain comfort in hand skills, culminating in a finished product, a delicious meal, or a newfound hobby. Pre-registration is required.&nbsp; Classes offered the weekend of September 12-13: <ul><li>Ice Cream and Sweet Treats: Learn to make ice cream and other treats the early 19th-century way!</li><li>Ancient Crafts: Cordage: Learn how to make cordage off the landscape!</li><li>Multi-Color Block Printing: Carve a series of linoleum blocks resulting in an edition of three-color prints!</li><li>Basic Hand Sewing: 18th Century Haversack: Learn basic handstitches and construct a small shoulder bag!</li><li>Apples Galore: Cook a handful of apple dishes from period cookbooks and learn about seasonal foods and how to preserve seasonal favorites!</li></ul>

Muster Day

To supplement the meager armed forces, most early 19th-century farmers and craftsmen were required by law to serve in local militia units - the forerunner of today's National Guard. Militia musters often saw the various militia companies of several towns coming together for a regimental muster. These would have been grand spectacles with townspeople coming out to view visiting militia companies in their dashing uniforms. Come and join us for our muster day and cheer on your favorite militia company! Programming: -Talk to members of volunteer militia companies and learn how the militia of the early 19th century connected directly back to the American Revolution. -Listen to early 19th-century martial music. -Watch musket and cannon firing demonstrations. -Witness a recreated wake and military funeral for Captain Simeon Fiske, a veteran of the American Revolution. -Our young visitors will get the chance to learn early 19th-century drill and marching with the militia officer’s instruction and a toy musket. -Learn why many New Englanders were pushing for reforms to the militia system and the role that intemperance played in those reforms. -Purchase some soft gingerbread, a traditional Muster Day treat (while supplies last)

Kids Free August

For a limited time up to two kids, 17 years old or younger, are admitted for FREE to Old Sturbridge Village per adult paying for full-price general daytime admission. Before the kids head back to school, spend a day exploring the sights, sounds, and stories of 19th-century rural New England. Wander through the Village's scenic landscape and historic buildings, enjoy hands-on activities, watch skilled artisans at work, meet heritage-breed animals, chat with our knowledgeable costumed historians, and create lasting family memories before summer comes to a close.

Summer, Sounds & Sparks

This August for one night only, join us for a dazzling display of colorful fireworks during Summer, Sounds &amp; Sparks, an all-new evening event in celebration of America's 250th Birthday. Guests can enjoy the sounds of fife and drum music, performances by the Village's own singers, cannon and musket demonstrations, and stay for a grand fireworks finale, honoring the spirit of independence and the shared history that united Americans 250 years ago. A variety of food will be available for guests to purchase while you watch the show! Menus will be available soon.

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

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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

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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

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S17: interest based

Your guide to everything to do around Boston.

Things to do in Boston and beyond

Things to do in Boston

New at Museum of Science, Boston 💫 

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

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S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

Where

oldsturbridgevillage

Experiences

Phantoms by Firelight: Frankenstein Encounter

Historical Craft Classes

Christmas By Candlelight

Christmas By Candlelight

Christmas By Candlelight

Christmas By Candlelight

Christmas By Candlelight

Teacher Open House

Scout Day

By Hands and Harvest

Textile Weekend

Historical Craft Classes

Muster Day

Kids Free August

Summer, Sounds & Sparks