Here are the Worcester Guardian’s five picks for things to do in Worcester this weekend:
- Mangia, music & more at the Italian Festival: The Mount Carmel and Loreto Italian Festival takes over Worcester from Aug. 14–18 with live music, dancing, kids’ inflatables, and a lineup of Italian eats that would make Nonna proud. From sausage and fried dough to Uncle Joey’s Cannoli, Pepe’s pizza, and Boulevard Diner classics, you’ll find something for every craving. Entertainment runs daily, with acts such as Boombox: the ‘70s and ‘80s Experience, XS Band, Ambrosiani, and Decades by Dezyne, plus dance troupes and karate demos. Admission is $2 cash, with parking at the church (limited), Rice Square School, or nearby streets. Wristbands for the kids’ inflatable zone are $10/day. Full schedule and vendor list available onsite — bring your appetite.
- You at the HollyWoo: Crowning glory awaits. It’s a night of “HollyWoo Glam” at the 2025 Pride Worcester Pageant, Saturday, Aug. 16, 7–9:30 p.m. at the Jean McDonough Arts Center. Ten dazzling contestants will compete for the crown and special honors like Best Performance and Most Congenial, with six local celebrity judges lending their flair. From sequins to standing ovations, it’s a celebration of identity, unity, and love. Tickets are $25–$110 — and they go fast.
- From patrol to power chords: By day, Tom Hurley’s a cop. By night, he’s a singer-songwriter with a knack for cranking out tunes faster than some people make coffee. (At one point, he was writing a song a day.) Going solo this weekend, Hurley mixes acoustic covers of classic rock and pop with plenty of his own prolific originals. Catch him Saturday, Aug. 16, 6–8 p.m., at Vincent’s on Suffolk Street.
- Boogie with the beasts: Shake your prehistoric tailfeather (and maybe a T. rex claw) at the EcoTarium’s Dancing with the Dinosaurs Dance-a-Thon this Sunday, Aug. 17, from 3:30–4:30 p.m. Dinosaur costumes are encouraged, and prizes await the top fundraisers supporting the “Change the World” exhibit in memory of Anthony Putnam. The event also features an on-site raffle for a sterling silver pendant with a genuine petrified dinosaur bone valued at $375. Check-in starts at 2:30 p.m., with food trucks, music, and plenty of prehistoric fun rounding out the afternoon.
- Pride and playtime: The Worcester Public Library invites LGBTQIA+ families with children ages 12 and under—and their allies—for a free morning of crafts, snacks, and conversation on Saturday, Aug. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Salem Square branch. This monthly gathering offers a welcoming space to share pride, make connections, and have fun together.
For more events, visit the Discover Central Massachusetts events calendar.
Have an event, news tip, information, joke, favorite recipe or anything else you’d like to tell us about? You should. Contact carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
