Local Events

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 phone ahead to double check or to make an appointment 978-425-9328. 
Sunday May 28thAnnual Memorial Day Commemorations at Whiteley Park at 2:00 pm
 Sunday, May 28th 2:00 – 4:00 pm – Open House at School #8 – on Church Street,  sponsored by Shirley Historical Society
Saturday, June 3rd 11:00 am – 5:00 pm SHIRLEYFEST on the Center Common all day entertainment, crafts, information booths, children’s activities. Go to www.shirleyfest01464
Saturday June 24thTrinity Chapel Strawberry Festival
Sunday June 25th – 1:00 pm –  Summertime Jazz Band on the porch at Shirley Meetinghouse
Friday June 30th – 6:30 pm Nashoba Valley Concert Band on the Common 
Friday July 14th – 6:30 pm – The Reminisants Concert on the Common 
Saturday, July 15th at 2:00 pm Meet the Oxen on the lawn at the Shirley Historical Society Museum.
Saturday July 15th – 7:00 pm – “The Old Peabody Pew” presented by ShirleyArts! at the Meeting House. Free admission, donations welcome.
Friday July 21st – 6:30 pm – Scott Brown and the Diplomats – Concert on the Common
Friday July 21st – 7:00 pm James and the Giant Peach produced by ShirleyArts! at Ayer Shirley Middle School, www.shirleyarts.info
Saturday July 22nd – 7:00 pm James and the Giant Peach produced by ShirleyArts! at Ayer Shirley Middle School,  www.shirleyarts.info
Sunday July 23rd – 2:00 pm James and the Giant Peach produced by ShirleyArts! at Ayer Shirley Middle School, www.shirleyarts.info
Sunday July 23rd – 1:00 pm – Nancy Beaudette Music on the porch at the Meeting House
August 4th and 5thSt. Anthony’s Bazaar
Friday August 11th – 6:00 pm – Simply Sinatra Concert on the Common
Sunday August 20th 1:00 pm – Dave Gaudet Music on the porch at Shirley Meeting House
Friday August 25th – 6:00 pm – Elvis Presley Tribute Band –  Concert on the Common
Sunday September 17th – 12:30 pm – Guided Tour of Shirley Shaker Village Site – must reserve and pay in advance at www.shirleyhistory.org
Sunday September 17th – 1:00 pm – Music on the Porch at the Meeting House
Saturday, September 23rd – 7:00 pm at Shirley Historical Society Museum – program about Growing Hops and Making Beer in Shirley
Sunday September 24th – Holdenwood Trail Run to benefit Ayer Shirley Education Foundation http://www.holdenwoodtrailrun.org/
Saturday, October 7th All Town Yard Sale   
Sunday October 8th  – 12:30 pm – Guided Tour of Shirley Shaker Village Site – Must reserve and pay in advance at www.shirleyhistory.org
Saturday October 14th – 7:00 pm – Music and Visual Arts at the Meeting House
Sunday October 22nd – 12:30 pm – Guided Tour of Shirley Shaker Village Site – must reserve and pay in advance at www.shirleyhistory.org
Saturday November 4thHazen Library Cookies and Crafts Sale
Saturday November 11th – 11:00 am – Veteran’s Day Commemorations at War Memorial Building
Saturday, November 11th –  6:00 pm – Shirley Historical Society Pot Luck Supper and Annual Meeting at the Senior Center. Program will be about newly published book – The Hip Roofed House.
Saturday November 25thSt. Anthony’s Christmas Extravaganza
Sunday November 26th – 5:00 pm – Town Tree Lighting at Whiteley Park
Saturday December 2ndTrinity Chapel Christmas Fair
Sunday December 3rd  6:30 pm – Candlelight Vespers at Shirley Meeting House

Guided Tours of the Site of

The Shirley Shaker Village

Two hour tours in 2023 will be held on Sundays  September 17th, October 8th, October 22nd 
Private tours may be arranged for groups of 8 on an agreed-upon Sunday afternoon. 
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.
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.

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