Hello, Dedham.

School's out. The splash pad is open. There is a lot of summer ahead of us, and it's going to be a good one.

This issue is a little different from the usual weekly Drop — think of it as your cheat sheet for the next couple months. Fourth of July plans, outdoor concert series, farmers markets, farms, festivals, and a few things to look forward to after dark.

Here's how this works: Use this issue like a guide. It’s organized by category, not by date. If you're planning a specific weekend, skim the sections that match your vibe. Most events recur all summer, so there's no wrong place to start!

Now let's make the most of it.

— KB

PS: Summer is better with friends. Forward this to a neighbor who'd love a summer full of plans. The more the merrier!

This isn't just any July 4th. This year marks America's 250th birthday. The whole country is celebrating a little louder, and the Boston area is no exception. Here's how to spend it.

In Dedham:

🎉 Condon Park Splash Pad Community Celebration NEW DATE! Wednesday, July 1 · 5PM · Condon Park Before the holiday even arrives, Dedham Parks and Recreation is throwing a community celebration to mark the official opening of the town's brand new splash pad at Condon Park. Come meet neighbors, let the kids run through the water, and kick off the long weekend right. The splash pad itself will be open all summer, every day from 8AM–8PM — free and a total lifesaver on those 90-degree days.

Worth the Drive:

🎆 Needham Fireworks Extravaganza on July 3. Pony rides, face painting, live music, and 25 minutes of fireworks at dusk. A classic small-town Fourth. Check needhamexchangeclub.org for all the times and details.

🎇 Newton July 4th Celebration July 4 · All Day · Newton Centre Bowl & Albemarle Field Newton goes all out. The morning is built for families: free Cabot's ice cream, a costume parade, and a pet promenade at Newton Centre Bowl from 10AM–Noon. The carnival and food trucks take over Albemarle Field from 1–10PM. Live music on the main stage starts at 6PM. Fireworks at dusk, around 9PM.

and of course…

🎆 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular — America's 250th Saturday, July 4 · Concert 7PM · Fireworks ~9:40PM · Charles River Esplanade The 52nd annual Spectacular is also the official Massachusetts 250 signature event. Jane Lynch hosts; Lainey Wilson, Chance The Rapper, Trombone Shorty, and Megan Hilty perform. Plus a choreographed drone show during the 1812 Overture. Gates open at noon — first come, first served.

📋 Full Massachusetts fireworks list — 90+ towns — on Boston.com →

Free outdoor music runs nearly every night of the week all summer long. Here's every series worth knowing — in Dedham and nearby.

In Dedham:

🎶 Concerts on the Green Tuesdays · 6–8PM · Through August · 600 High St, Dedham Square The Dedham Square Circle's free weekly concert series on the Town Green is the heartbeat of summer in the Square. Local and regional musicians, the kind of Tuesday evenings that make you glad you live here. Grab dinner from somewhere in the Square, bring a blanket or a chair, and make a night of it. Check dedhamsquarecircle.org for the weekly performer lineup.

🎶 Arts at Endicott Summer Concert Series Wednesdays · 6:30PM Opening Acts · 7PM Concert · Endicott Estate The DJWC has been running this free outdoor concert series on the lawn of the Endicott Estate since 1987, and it never gets old. Six to seven weeks of eclectic performers, beautiful grounds, and zero admission. Opening acts at 6:30, main set at 7. Bring chairs or a blanket. Check djwc.org for the full 2026 lineup.

💃 Salsa in the Suburbs Thursdays: July 2, August 6, August 20 · 7–9PM · Dedham Square Green This one's presented by DPAC (Dedham Performing Arts Collaborative) and it's exactly what it sounds like — free salsa dancing on the Dedham Square Green. A free beginner class runs 7–7:30PM, then open social dancing until 9PM. All levels welcome, no partner needed. Free to attend.

Worth the Drive:

🎶 Norwood Summerfest Concert Series Wednesdays · July 8–August 26 · 6:30–8:30PM · Norwood Town Gazebo Eight weeks of free concerts at the Walter J. Dempsey Memorial Bandstand on the Norwood Town Common, presented by the Norwood Arts Council. The 2026 lineup: July 8 – Roundhouse · July 15 – Willie J. Laws Band · July 22 – Love Dogs · July 29 – Sweet Harmony · Aug 5 – PanNeubean Steel · Aug 12 – Boston's Erin Og · Aug 19 – Slapback · Aug 26 – Squeezebox Stompers.

🎶 Norwood Concerts on the Common Sundays · Sundays · July 5–August 30 · 6:30–8:30PM · Norwood Town Common Now in its 32nd season, this beloved Sunday series at the Walter J. Dempsey Memorial Bandstand is all big band, swing, and jazz — the good stuff. The 2026 lineup: July 5 – Portrait in Jazz · July 12 – Roy Scott Big Band · July 19 – Westwood Swing Band · July 26 – Sharon Concert Band · Aug 2 – JBTS Big Band · Aug 9 – She Bop Swing Orchestra · Aug 16 – Compaq Big Band · Aug 23 – Dan Gabel and His Orchestra · Aug 30 – Legacy of Paul Alberta Jazz Orchestra.

🎶 Canton Parks & Rec Summer Concerts Wednesdays · Wednesdays · July 8–August 12 · 6:30PM · Canton High School Front Lawn Free outdoor concerts on the Canton High School lawn (Marilyn G. Rodman Building). Bring chairs and blankets — burgers and hot dogs provided on site. 2026 lineup: July 8 – Petty Larceny (Tom Petty tribute) · July 15 – Jumpin' Juba · July 22 – Back in Time · July 29 – Cactus Gang · Aug 5 – Little Lies (Fleetwood Mac tribute) · Aug 12 – Pink Houses (John Mellencamp tribute).

🎶 Newton Performances in the Park Sundays · July 5–August 9 · 6–7:30PM · Newton Centre Bowl Six free Sunday evening concerts at the Newton Centre Bowl, sponsored by Spark Newton. Bring a blanket and something to eat. 2026 lineup: July 5 – Class6 (rock hits from the '60s to the 2000s) · July 12 – Jesse Liam Band (originals and upbeat pop harmonies) · July 19 – Petty Larceny Band (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers tribute) · July 26 – Los Sugar Kings (Afro-Cuban Son, Salsa, Rumba-Flamenca) · Aug 2 – Hurry Sundown (country-rock) · Aug 9 – Ruth & Ben String Band (Old Appalachian-style).

🎶 Westwood Family Summer Concert Series Mondays · July 13–August 3 · 5:30PM (Aug 3 at 6PM) · The Gazebo at the Council on Aging, 60 Nahatan St. Hosted by the Westwood Young Women's Club. Pizza and ice cream for sale at each show. 2026 lineup: July 13 – Thomas Meunier · July 20 – Vanessa Trien · July 27 – Parody Playhouse · Aug 3 – Westwood Winds (featuring a special America's 250th arrangement). Rain dates posted to the WYWC Facebook page.

In Dedham:

🛒 Dedham Farmers Market Wednesdays · 2–6PM · June 17–October 14 · 670 High St, Dedham Square The Dedham Farmers Market has been running since 2007 and it only gets better. Every Wednesday on the grassy green at First Parish Church — local produce, artisan foods, specialty goods, live music, and a free kids' craft each week. SNAP and HIP accepted. New this summer: POP Club is back for kids ages 4–10 — register your child for free $5 weekly tokens to spend on fresh produce and let them do their own shopping. Rain or shine.

Worth the Drive:

🛒 Canton Farmers Market Sundays · 10AM–2PM · June 14–October 18 · 960 Washington Street, Canton A great Sunday morning option if you can't make Wednesdays.

🛒 Norwood Farmers Market Tuesdays · 2–6PM · June 16–October 20 · Norwood Town Common Same location as Summerfest concerts — easy to stack a Tuesday evening.

🛒 Norfolk Farmers Market Wednesdays · 3–7PM · June 3–September 30 · Norfolk Town Hill, 2 Liberty Lane A little further out but worth the drive for a quieter, small-town market feel.

📌 Note: The Needham Farmers Market is sitting out the 2026 season after 13 years — it hopes to return in 2027.

There is no better summer activity than showing up at a farm, picking your own fruit, and eating half of it before you get home. Here are the closest spots worth the trip.

🫐 Ward's Berry Farm 614 S. Main St., Sharon, MA · Open daily · Store 9AM–7PM · PYO 9AM–6PM The classic, and for good reason. Ward's is a 175-acre working farm in Sharon with pick-your-own strawberries (late June–July), blueberries (mid-July–August), raspberries, and peaches in season. Hayrides, farm animals, a kids' playground with a bounce pillow, and a full farm store with a deli, smoothie bar, and soft-serve. No reservations needed — just show up. Weekends add a beer garden. Always check their website or social media for daily picking conditions before heading out.

🫐 Sunshine Farm Sherborn, MA · ~20 minutes from Dedham · A smaller, quieter option with PYO blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and apples. Good for families who want a more low-key experience closer to home. Confirm hours and open dates via their FB page.

Right next door:

🦦 Blue Hills Trailside Museum 1904 Canton Ave, Milton · massaudubon.org for hours & programs Mass Audubon's welcome center for the 7,000-acre Blue Hills Reservation is one of the most underused resources in our backyard. There are live native wildlife exhibits — river otter, snowy owl, fox, snakes, turtles — plus guided hikes, the Red Dot Trail to an observatory with views of Boston, and drop-in animal encounters included with admission. Summer brings special after-hours family events: hands-on nature activities and up-close nighttime encounters with the resident wildlife (fox, hawks, owls, deer, otters). Check massaudubon.org/programs/blue-hills for the summer schedule and dates.

🏊 Houghton's Pond Recreation Area Blue Hills Reservation, Milton/Canton · Open daily in summer Free swimming, fishing, and picnicking right in the heart of the Blue Hills. Go early on weekends.

🌲 Hale Education & Reservation 80 Carby Street, Westwood · Open daily 8AM–7PM through September. 1,100+ acres of forests, ponds, and trails right on the Westwood/Dover line — and parking is now free. Hike the pond loop, explore 20 miles of trails connecting to Dedham and Dover trail systems, or check the public events calendar at hale.education/events for guided hikes, nature programs, and more all summer.

In Dedham:

🎉 Dedham Summer Stroll Thursday, July 16 · 6–9PM · Dedham Square (Rain date: July 23) One of the best nights of the year in Dedham Square, full stop. The Dedham Square Circle closes High Street to traffic and opens it to everything else — three stages of live music, 50+ street vendors, outdoor dining, a beer garden, and kids' activities woven throughout. Free

Worth the Drive:

🎡 Needham Rotary Carnival Thursday–Sunday, July 23–26 · Needham High School, 609 Webster St. The Rotary Club of Needham's annual carnival is back for its 10th year. Kiddie rides, thrill rides, a full midway, and the usual carnival food lineup (yes, fried Oreos). No entry fee; tickets for rides.

🎉 Norwood Day Saturday, August 29 · 10:30AM–3PM · Norwood Town Common & Washington Street Norwood's biggest community celebration of the year. A parade kicks off at 10:15AM from the public library, winding through town to the gazebo. From there: local vendors, community organizations, live entertainment, food, and all-ages activities along Washington Street. Rain or shine.

📚 Dedham Public Library Summer Reading All Summer · All ages can sign up, log their reading, and earn prizes. Register here. The library also runs author talks, workshops, and programs all summer — check dedhamlibrary.com for the full calendar.

🎒 Dedham Youth Commission Summer Zip Trippers Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays · July–August · Drop-off/pick-up: Town Hall, 450 Washington St. FREE summer program for Dedham residents entering 7th–10th grade in Fall 2026. Tuesday and Wednesday activities are required to qualify for Thursday day trips. Currently accepting waitlist sign-ups: forms.office.com/g/Fi37YfHGwz

🎬 Movie Night at South Beach
Wednesday, July 8 · 7:30–10PM · Hale Education, 80 Carby St., Westwood. Hale opens its beach after dark for an outdoor movie night. Bring chairs and blankets and catch a family-friendly film as the sun sets over South Beach. Free and open to the public — check hale.education to register.

You don't need a telescope — just a clear night and a good spot away from streetlights.

🌕 Buck Moon (Full Moon): Monday, July 21
🌌 Delta Aquarid Meteor Shower: Peaks July 28–29 — up to 20 meteors per hour. Look south after midnight.
☄️ Perseid Meteor Shower: Peaks August 11–12 — the best meteor shower of the summer, up to 100 per hour under dark skies. Don't sleep on this one.
🌕 Sturgeon Moon (Full Moon): Wednesday, August 19 — the last full moon of meteorological summer.

Summer goes faster than you think. I hope this guide gives you a few reasons to say yes. Yes to the salsa dancing, yes to picking the blueberries, yes to staying up late for the fireworks.

As always, double-check links and times before you head out. Events change, rain happens, and schedules shift. If I missed something or you've got a tip for the next weekly issue, hit reply.

Enjoying The Dedham Drop? Please share with a neighbor who'd love a summer full of plans. — KB