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.

  • Pocumtuck Homelands Festival: Fish Printing at Unity Park

    Unity Park 56 First Street, Turners Falls, MA, United States

    A free two-day celebration at Unity Park on First Street in Turners Falls, sponsored by the Nolumbeka Project and RiverCulture. This festival is the perfect combination of live music, drumming, dancing, storytelling, native crafts and food. On Saturday August 1, 10 am—5 pm, families may visit the Northfield Mountain and Great Falls Discovery Center tent […]

    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 older adults, but open to all. Enjoy some 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
  • Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Bobcats

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

    For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. 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. Siblings and friends are welcome. Meet in the Great Hall. 8/7: Bobcats 8/14: Ants 8/21: Who Lives in a River?* 8/28: Butterflies

    Free
  • First Friday: McLane Silk Mill Walk

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

    Join us on a walk to the site of the former McLane Silk Company, which was near today’s Swanson’s Fabrics. Hear the stories of two creative businesses and what they have in common. After WWI, the McLane mill purchased millions of yards of surplus “cartridge silk” to repurpose into “Armistice Cloth” suitable for garments. Today, […]

    Free
  • Celebrate Smokey Bear’s Birthday!

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

    Free and for all ages. Join Wildland Firefighters from the DCR Bureau of Fire Control & Forestry to hear a reading of The Smokey Bear Story and learn about campfire safety. Tour a Wildland Fire Engine and a Turners Falls Fire Department fire truck, try a scavenger hunt, and meet Smokey Bear himself who is […]

    Free
  • Tom Ricardi: Birds of Prey

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

    Come see the raptors up close and personal! Meet in the Great Hall for a free program for all ages. See birds of prey presented by Tom Ricardi, a licensed rehabilitator and wildlife biologist. Tom provides an educational presentation on their lives and habitats as well as conservation. You may see a variety of raptors […]

    Free
  • Ongoing: Outdoor StoryWalk® — Honk! Honk!

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

    Enjoy a story, fresh air, and exercise! Join us on the Discovery Center’s grounds for a free self-guided Story Walk® featuring Honk! Honk! by Mick Manning. For ages 4–8 and everyone who wished they could fly! The StoryWalk® Project was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT, and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. […]

    Free
  • Ongoing – StoryWalk®: Summer Song by Kevin Henke

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

    Enjoy the story Summer Song by Kevin Henke, a vibrant ode to nature and summer activities. For ages 4 – 8 and everyone who loves summer and changing seasons. Chill Out Indoor StoryWalks® Come on inside and Chill Out with DCR! You can find “COOL” activities for kids and families inside, including indoor StoryWalk® all […]

    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 older adults, but open to all. Enjoy some 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
  • Salamander Kids’ Craft and Story Hour at the Millers Falls Library

    Millers Falls Library 23 Bridge St., Millers Falls, MA

    Find us at the Millers Falls library (23 Bridge St., Millers Falls, MA, 01349) for a fun afternoon of stories, creativity, and salamanders at the Millers Falls Branch Library! We'll read The Salamander Room together, then make a salamander-themed craft inspired by the story. Along the way, you'll learn a little about these fascinating forest […]

    Free
  • Fly Fishing 101

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

    Join MassWildlife to get started in this wonderful pastime. Learn about fly fishing gear, how to rig, and cast a fly rod, as well as tips on how to fly fish. This class is designed for beginner fly anglers (ages 15+). Bring your own fly-fishing gear or borrow ours. Pre-registration required via EventBrite. Registration details […]

    Free
  • Kidleidoscope Story Hour – Ants

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

    For ages 3-6, accompanied by an adult. 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. Siblings and friends are welcome. Meet in the Great Hall. 8/14: Ants 8/21: Who Lives in a River?* 8/28: Butterflies

    Free