Events

The Great Falls Discovery Center hosts community programs and events, rotating art exhibits in our Great Hall and a Coffee House hosted by the Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center.

  • Kidleidoscope Story Hour – River Otters

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

    Free
  • Source to Sea Cleanup

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Hard work, real fun, true impact: the annual fall trash cleanup of the Connecticut River and its tributaries. Join DCR staff to clean up the Canalside Rail Trail. To register, visit SourcetoSeaCleanup.org/event/Canalside-rail-trail, or contact DCR staff at 413-863-3221 for more information. Meet at the main entrance. For ages 8 and up.

    Free
  • National Public Lands Day Celebration

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Join conservationists from New England to celebrate National Public Lands Day and learn about public wildlands in the region by pitching in with the Source to Sea River cleanup from 10:00 a.m. — noon, enjoy lunch, then dive into teach-ins and workshops to learn how you can protect wild nature and public lands in New […]

    Free
  • Montague Community Fair – Mammal Investigation Station

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Celebrate “Good Neighbor Day” with an afternoon of free family activities and learn about local community organizations. Join DCR staff at the fair to learn all about our mammal neighbors at our activity table with mammal pelts and crafting. The fair has light refreshments, music, and fun activities for all ages, in collaboration with Montague […]

    Free
  • A French/Breton Jam Session

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    An informal group of musicians gathers to play the enchanting traditional dance music from France and Brittany, commonly known as bal folk. This is not a performance but rather a coming together of musically minded friends. The event is free and open to the public to come and go at will. For all ages. Meet […]

    Free
  • Nice and Easy Walks

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

    Free
  • Rain Date: Canal Draw Down History Stroll

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Check out the annual draining of the Turners Falls canal, take a stroll along the Canalside Rail Trail, and absorb local history with Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center staff and DCR staff. Meet at the main entrance of the Center for this free two mile walk on flat terrain. For youth and adults.

    Free
  • Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Leaves

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Learn more about our wildlife neighbors in the Connecticut River Watershed. Program includes a story, activities, and crafts. Activities are indoors and outdoors, weather permitting. For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. Siblings and friends welcome. Meet in the Great Hall.

    Free
  • First Friday: Planned Industrial Community Walk

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    What makes this mill village unique? Get an introduction to downtown Turners Falls as we walk its historic streets and answer why the village was designed this way. Meet outside the main entrance for a 1.5-mile walk over flat, paved terrain. For ages 8 and up.

    Free
  • Find Us at the Farmers Market!

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Join DCR staff for family activities at the Great Falls Farmers Market, located between 6th and 7th streets along Avenue A at Peskeompskut Park. In case of rain, you can find our activities inside the center instead. For all ages.

    Free
  • Nice and Easy Walk

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Easy-paced, 1 to 2-mile guided walk, along the Canalside Rail Trail or downtown Turners Falls, geared for seniors, but open to all. Enjoy natural and local history along the way. Dress for the weather with sturdy footwear and bring water. Inclement weather cancels. Meet at the main entrance.

    Free
  • Fall Foliage Investigation Station

    Great Falls Discovery Center 2 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    Where are the best colors? When is peak foliage? Why does this happen? Stop by for guidance at our welcome desk on your leaf peeping journey and find out what makes for spectacular fall foliage in the Connecticut River watershed. For all ages. Stay for five minutes or an hour. Meet at the welcome desk.

    Free