Upcoming Special Events in Shirley, Massachusetts 
Listing is updated weekly at the Shirley Historical Society Museum.
Please contact us to have your event added to the list – mail@shirleyhistory.org
The Shirley Historical Society MUSEUM IS OPEN for visitors, researchers, and volunteers.
most Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.
You may email or phone ahead to double check or to make an appointment 978-425-9328.
The American Legion sponsors fund raising dinners on many Friday nights.
Sunday, March 23rd 2:00 pm at Shirley Historical Society Museum – Learn about Tapping Maple Trees and see what can be made from collecting and cooking the sap.
Sunday April 13th 2:00 – 4:00 pm Remembering our Minutemen – Living history colonial crafts people and animals on Historic Shirley Center Common. Colonial music inside the Meeting House. At 3:00 pm a presentation describing what Shirley people were doing in April of 1775. followed by a musket salute to our Minutemen.
Saturday, May 3rd 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Shirley All Town Spring Yard Sale
Saturday May 3rd 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm Art Display at Center Town Hall
Saturday May 3rd – 7:00 – 8:00 pm – Portrait of a Song at Meeting House
Tuesday May 6th – Shirley Town Elections
Saturday May 10th 6:00 – 10:00 pm – Party Like it’s 1945 at War Memorial Building, Reservations through Fort Devens Museum
Monday May 12th – 7:15 pm Annual Town Meeting at Ayer Shirley Middle School
Friday May 16th – 7:00 – 8:00 pm Nissitissit String Quartet at Meeting House
Sunday, May 25th 2:00 – 4:00 pm Open House at School #8 – on Church Street in Shirley Village.
Saturday, June 7th 11:00 am – 5:00 pm ShirleyFest – on the Center Common. Enjoy the entertainment, shop the sales booths, support the food booths run by local organizations. email@shirleyarts.info
Friday June 27th – 6:30 pm – Concerts on the Common with the Nashoba Valley Concert Band
Sunday June 29th 12-2 Music on the Porch at the Center Town Hall featuring Jon Swenson.
Friday July 11th – 6:30 pm – Concerts on the Common featuring the Driftwoods Beach Boys Tribute Band
Friday July 18th – 6:30 Concerts on the Common featuring the Reminisants Oldies Band
Friday August 8th – 6:00 pm – Concerts on the Common featuring The Long Run Eagles Tribute Band
Friday August 22nd – 6:00 pm Concerts on the Common featuring Billy Joel and Elton John Tribute Band
Sunday August 24th 12-2 Music on the Porch at the Center Town Hall featuring Elizabeth Lorrey
Sunday September 7th 12-2 Music on the Porch at the Center Town Hall featuring Bongo Mary and the Aquarians.
Saturday, September 20th 2:00 pm Pastel Artwork Display and Demonstration at the Shirley Historical Society Museum.
Sunday September 28th – 12:30 pm Guided Tour of Shirley Shaker Village – Reservations must be made in advance at Shirley Historical Society , mail@shirleyhistory.org
.Saturday, October 4th 8:00 am – 2:00 pm – Annual Autumn All Town Yard Sale
Sunday October 12th – PumpkinFest on the Common – Details TBA
Sunday October 12th – 12:30 pm Guided Tour of Shirley Shaker Village – Reservations must be made in advance at Shirley Historical Society mail@shirleyhistory.org
Sunday October 26th – 12:30 pm Guided Tour of Shirley Shaker Village – Reservations must be made in advance at Shirley Historical Society mail@shirleyhistory.org
Saturday November 1st – FilmFest at the Meeting House – Details TBA
Saturday November 8th – Cookie and Crafts Sale at Hazen Library – Details TBA
Sunday, November 16th 2:00 pm Annual Shirley Historical Society Meeting and Program – Remembering the 1976 Shirley Bicentennial Celebrations.
Sunday December 7th – Vespers at the Meeting House – Details TBA
Guided Tours of the Site of
The Shirley Shaker Village
For 2025, tours will be held on Sundays at 12:30 on September 28th, October 12th, and October 26th .
The Shaker Village property is part of the state prison system and it can only be accessed by special arrangement. Our tour begins inside a Shaker building with a brief illustrated lecture on the history of the Shakers and the Shirley Shaker Village. Visitors go inside two other Shaker buildings and travel by prison van to various locations around the property.
Reservations must be made in advance for a cost of $20 per person, or $15 for Historical Society members.
Private tours may be arranged for groups of 7 on an agreed-upon Sunday afternoon.
Mail payment and contact information to Shirley Historical Society, PO Box 217, Shirley, MA 01464
Historic Shirley
Pub Crawls
Make arrangements to start at the Museum for a slide talk explanation of early New England taverns, the effects of prohibition, and the growth of local drinking clubs. Then load your car with the tour leader and your guests and visit the sites of 21 Shirley drinking establishments. Cost is $75 per car for the private two hour talk and tour.
Telephone during open hours or Email mail@shirleyhistory.org to make arrangements.