Music & Nightlife

The Fiddle Orchestra of Western Massachusetts is an amateur orchestra made up mostly of fiddle players but also players of other instruments. The orchestra gives fiddlers and others the opportunity to play together as amateurs under the guidance of a professional musician in order to improve our skills, more deeply enjoy our hobby, nourish camaraderie, and share our enjoyment of music with the community.

Our primary mission is serving Veterans and their families. The local community is our family as well.  We assist and sponsor many community fundraisers and events; Post Children's Christmas party, Rag Shag Parade, Look Park Easter Egg Hunt, to name a few.

Our two story building is a multi functional facility; with Rental Spaces for a variety of functions. 2 halls (multi purpose rooms) each containing a bar and stage. Additionally, one commercial kitchen on the first floor. Rentals are available to the Public or any organizations.

Pearl Street is a live music venue with two performance rooms, the Ballroom and the Clubroom. Once a Polish Dance Hall in the mid-20th century, it reopened in 1985.

Sweeney Concert Hall is one of the most sought–after concert halls in the northeast. This beautiful performance space seats more than 600, and its broad stage can readily accommodate the needs of a diverse range of performances, from solo recitals to large choral and orchestral ensembles. Sweeney's excellent acoustics are suitable for both vocal and instrumental performances. For information about reserving this space, please contact the department office staff.

Signature Sounds was formed by Jim Olsen and Mark Thayer in 1995 to promote the burgeoning acoustic music scene in and around Northampton, MA. Since our inception, we've released over 150 albums of singer-songwriter, Americana, modern folk and rock music. Signature Sounds Recordings are distributed exclusively worldwide by Redeye Worldwide.

Signature Sounds moved into new offices in downtown Northampton in 2012 and opened The Parlor Room, an intimate 95 seat live performance venue presenting concerts several nights per week. In 2015 Signature started an artist development and management wing to work with talented new artists.  

A.P.E. AT HAWLEY STREET continues its core mission to support contemporary artists working in all disciplines, by preserving and supporting the spaces in which they create, perform and exhibit their work.

Available Potential Enterprises, Ltd. supports contemporary artists working in all disciplines, by preserving and supporting the spaces in which they create, perform and exhibit their work.

The Pines Theater is an outdoor amphitheater located within the park. The theater holds the annual "Transperformance" concert, a music festival hosted by The Northampton Arts Council and the Parent Teacher Organizations of the Northampton Public Schools. Famous artists to perform at the venue include Bob Dylan and Crosby, Stills and Nash.

The Parlor Room is right in downtown Northampton at 32 Masonic Street, next door to the Woodstar Cafe. You can’t miss it; it looks like an old brick one-room schoolhouse, but, like a clown car, holds a lot more than it seems like it should. The record label offices are in the back, but the shows are out front (kind of like a reverse mullet! All business in the back, party out in the front).

A craft beer & wine bar in downtown Northampton. Gluten free and non-alcoholic options. Offering live music & entertainment. Home of the pop-up gay bar.

Location for the yearly fair as well as other cultural and music events.

Downtown Sounds Workers Co-op is a musical instrument retail store + music school + repair shop in the heart of Northampton, MA.  Founded in 1976 / Worker-owned since May 2019.

We're here to nurture a growing, changing, all-ages community of musicians here in the Valley.  Come browse, try instruments, sell or consign your old gear, ask questions, or relax on the couch. We sell top brands of guitars, drums, keyboards, amps, pedals, sheet music, accessories, and more. We rent and sell school band instruments. We also have a robust buy/sell/trade/consign program. We carry gear appropriate for beginners, old pros, and anyone in between!

Our MUSIC SCHOOL is currently holding online lessons via Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime with 25+ teachers available. We offer lessons seven days a week on guitar, bass, drums, piano, sax, banjo, ukulele, violin, and more... Find out about our teachers and rates here.

John M. Greene Hall is an event venue located at Smith College in Northampton. It has hosted many prominent performers such as Bob Weir, Indigo Girls, The Pixies, Ani DiFranco, Bob Dylan, and more.

In 1975, former owner and collector Al Drew decided to  put on display his sizeable beer can collection within the bar, and his original setup of the can shelves, (especially the ones suspended from the ceilings in the pool room), remains the same today as it was when the museum began.  There are more than 4,000 cans on display that are an interesting and historic wallpaper of this legendary local bar.     

In 1989, the Ye Ol' Watering Hole and its can collection was sold to Gary Kelly, and, subsequently, in 1992, to its current owners, Jim and Colleen McGorry.

A classic martini bar located in the heart of Northampton.

Bishop’s Lounge offers nightly music with a relaxed atmosphere. Music genres range from reggae to dance, and rock to funk; with open mic takeover and DJ on site you will not be disappointed. Bishop’s also features a robust local selection of craft and micro brews, along with an endless cocktail and drink menu that will satisfy .

Located within walking distance of Northampton's many restaurants, and the vibrant retail center, Bishops Lounge is the entertainment "place to be" after a great evening dining out with friends or shopping.

In the late 19^th century, Edward H.R. Lyman, a philanthropist and Northampton native, had a vision for a new venue for culture and theater in his hometown.  On May 23, 1891, the then 1000-seat Academy of Music Theatre opened its doors to the public for the first time. One year later, Lyman deeded the Academy to the Citizens of Northampton, making it the first municipally owned theater in the nation.

The theater quickly became a favorite stop on tours of leading troupes and big-name performers: legendary French actress Sarah Bernhardt, film star Mae West, and illusionist Harry Houdini all performed at the Academy in the early 20^th century.

The Academy evolved over time. With the introduction of film in the 1930s, the Academy screened the latest in silent film, soon followed by talkies, as well as presenting live entertainment. By the 1970s with 800 seats, the theater was regularly screening first-run films.  And in the late 1980s, with the introduction of the multiplex, the Academy was faced with creating a new business model.

Today, the Academy of Music has been reclaimed as a venue for live theater, as well as for dance, film, music, and arts education. The Academy is home to resident companies and partners: the Pioneer Valley Ballet, Pioneer Valley Symphony Orchestra, Valley Light Opera, Eggtooth Productions, Signature Sounds, Starlight’s Youth Theatre, and WGBY57.  We are host to the Northampton Arts Council’s Four Sunday’s in February performances, co-present KidsBestFest and Youth Film, and act as anchor site of First Night Northampton. The Academy continues to present national and international artists and stands proudly as one of the most iconic building in downtown Northampton.

A platform for the modern social animal. Curated coffee menu from rotating roasters; cold pressed juice via our brand Minim Juicery; a creative, healthy and seasonal breakfast and lunch menu; weekend brunch featuring our "Breakfast Around the World" concept; a diverse and engaging public events space; and private event booking with in-house catering.

The Northampton Jazz Festival returns with lots of live jazz music throughout downtown on Friday, October 1 and Saturday, October 2!

Now in it's 10th year, the fest brings internationally renowned artists, female musicians and rising jazz stars to downtown Northampton.

Stroll, dine and sip your way through town during Friday's Jazz Strut showcasing seven local and regional jazz ensembles at Northampton's breweries, bars and restaurants. No cover, no minimum.

Saturday Jazz Fest Day features world-class musicians performing at six venues downtown - FREE.  The main stage performance - The Art Blakey Centennial Celebration -  is a ticketed event at the Academy of Music.

More at northamptonjazzfest.org

We strive to be the store you visit first when shopping for New & Used vinyl records.  In addition, our inventory of apparel and other music related items is always changing.  Stop back frequently to check out the New Arrivals in all collections.  You don't want to miss out on anything!

Intimate, laid-back atmosphere. Full bar. Full PA. Stage/lights/walk-out deck. Hosting music, arts, theater, comedy, and more. Local music nightly!

Spare Time Entertainment is the Northeast’s largest private, family-owned bowling enterprise. We pride ourselves on customer service and on providing our bowlers with the latest state-of-the-art facilities.

The Iron Horse Music Hall is the longest running music club in Northampton, founded in 1979, the club has hosted everyone from Shawn Colvin to the Smashing Pumpkins to Wynton Marsalis.

We are the only locally owned commercial FM radio station in the Greater Springfield, MA Metro Market. Broadcasting for more than sixteen years, we have built a reputation as a station that is concerned and committed to the communities that we reach. It is also a top priority to give our corporate clients as well as sole proprietors and start-up businesses the same excellent service we believe they deserve. Our station's owner takes a hands-on approach and our entire staff is readily available to provide the personal attention, business flexibility, and overall efficiency expected from an independently owned station.

Craft beer bar focusing on responsibly sourced, ingredient driven food.

40 drafts and 50+ bottles of beer, wine, and cider.

Open at 4PM Daily.

The Northampton Arts Council works to support and nurture the arts in the city of Northampton. The Council awards grants twice (as well as other grants on a rolling basis) each year to artists and arts groups from both state and locally-raised funds, and seeks to improve public awareness of the arts. Its' goals include maintaining and preserving the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Northampton, programming such annual events of interest to the community as First Night Northampton, Northampton Summer Park Series, Transperformance and Silver Chord Bowl, and advocating on behalf of the arts community.

The historic Calvin Theatre in downtown Northampton, Mass. operates as a concert venue hosting national acts from all genres including Jackson Browne, Loretta Lynn, Alice Cooper, Mavis Staples, Ani DiFranco, Ira Glass, Garrison Keillor and more.

While creating an artisanal craft brewery that facilitates the balanced values of business, family, community and humankind, we at Progression Brewing are always brewing towards “A Higher State of Beer”. Whether that be through our blend of quality ingredients and experimental batches, or through a brand engaged in quality, positivity, creativity, exploration, conservation, our mission statement will, ultimately and always be, to move forward.

Come play at Look Park! With over 150 acres of land you're sure to find something to do. Take a walk, stop by the grill or sweet shoppe for a snack or go for a ride on our steamer train. Look Park is a living memorial to Frank Newhall Look and was first opened to the public in 1930. Mr. Look was the chief executive of the Prophylactic Brush Company, Florence, from 1877 to 1911.  The park was a gift to Northampton from Mrs. Fannie Burr Look. She provided the land, funds for its development and a trust fund to help with upkeep. Additionally, operation and maintenance funds are dependent upon visitor fees, grants, and gifts. No funds are received from tax sources.

Look Park has always been a place for families to enjoy. Be sure to create some memories of your own by visiting any day of the week or for one of our special events and concerts.  The park is open 365 days a year. If you have been a visitor to the park before then you know how amazing the park is, if you have not visited us be sure visit us soon. We know you’ll have a great time!

BOMBYX is a non-profit organization established to steward the property at 130 Pine Street, in Florence, Massachusetts - a historic gathering place founded by abolitionists who championed anti-slavery, gender equity, and religious tolerance. Carrying these values forward, we serve our community as a venue for transformative arts experiences, spiritual growth, and challenging conversations.

The name Bombyx references the silk moth (bombyx mori) imported to the region in the first half of the 19th century - a profound rejection of southern cotton and the global economic power of slavery.

Many local residents are unaware of the town's activist history. Fredrick Douglas gave speeches under that original pine, as did William Lloyd Garrison and Wendell Phillps. Sojourner Truth and David Ruggles lived within walking distance and were active in the region for many years.

We are excited to knit together our global music offerings with the town's deep history, creating an incubator for challenging conversations, spiritual growth, and transformative arts experiences. Issues of equity span time and geography. Our work is the next chapter in an already long history of bold, creative thinking.