Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mountain Park

A once popular attraction in the Pioneer Valley, Mountain Park, has been revived as the area’s newest music venue. On August 15, 2009, much to the delight of area concertgoers, Iron Horse Entertainment Group re-opened Mountain Park.

With a scenic view of the Valley and an impressive entertainment line-up, Mountain Park is the place to catch a show in the fresh air.

Performance schedules and tickets for Mountain Park events are available through IHEG.com http://www.iheg.com/mountain_park_main.asp

For information on the history of Mountain Park visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mountain_Park_(Holyoke,_Massachusetts)

Wistariahurst Museum

Wistariahurst Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is the former home of William Skinner and his family featuring parquet floors, vaulted ceilings, elaborate woodwork and two marble lions that have guarded the entrance since the late nineteenth century. The Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Holyoke and to inspiring an appreciation of history and culture through educational programs, exhibits and special events. Please call Wistariahurst for more information and hours of operation at www.wistariahurst.org.

Holyoke Civic Symphony

Holyoke Civic Symphony is in its fifth decade of performing accessible, beautiful, live symphonic music. This is a season of 21st Century originality and beloved longtime treasures.

The Holyoke Civic Symphony is a non-profit community orchestra and cherished local institution that provides to the people of Holyoke and surrounding towns opportunities to perform and enjoy great works of music.

Concerts are free of charge except for an annual fundraising concert when ticket prices are modest. For more information visit the Holyoke Civic Symphony’s website at: www.holyokecivicsymphony.org.

MIFA - Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts & Victory Theatre

MIFA/Massachusetts International Festival of the Arts & Victory Theatre presents national and international artists showcasing the finest examples of contemporary practice in opera, theatre, dance, film, music, literature and the visual arts in Holyoke and is committed to sharing the arts through educational programming.

To learn more about MIFA please visit their website at: www.mifafestival.org

Holyoke is a city of diverse opportunities. Large public festivals combine with established museums, sports programs, cultural and educational events, and fun in the great outdoors to provide residents and visitors with a wide variety of leisure- time activities.

Greater Holyoke YMCA

The Greater Holyoke YMCA, newly renovated, has been promoting spiritual, mental, physical, and emotional wellness throughout Greater Holyoke since 1886. Programs offered for children, adults, and families include after school child care, a wide range of fitness and aquatic classes, and youth and adult sports leagues. Facilities include a modern aquatic center, double gymnasium, two racquetball courts, a free weight room, a cardio theater/aerobic room, a nautilus exercise center and locker rooms with sauna and steam. Call for more information.

Holyoke Creative Arts Center

For 85 years, the Holyoke Creative Arts Center, formerly known as the Holyoke Home Information Center, has been offering very affordable, high quality fine arts and home crafts education to adults and youths in Holyoke and communities throughout the Pioneer Valley. The Center offers day and evening classes throughout the year in upholstery, sewing, oil painting, watercolors, woodcarving, calligraphy, colored pencil drawing, decorative painting, and more. Children’s classes are also available. Classes and workshops at the Center are supported in part by fees, the Holyoke Cultural Council, and the City of Holyoke. The large selection of classes has something for everyone, which explains why the Holyoke Creative Arts Center has been around for almost a century!

Holyoke Public Library History Room & Archive Center

The Holyoke Public Library Corporation is a private organization incorporated in 1870. (Library History & Governance). The library provides general circulation and reference services for adult, young adult, and children, and furnishes guidance and encouragement in the use of the Library and its resources. Every effort is made to assist patron in locating information and/or library materials, and accommodating special requests. Library is open to all and its services are free. Discover the lively history of the City of Holyoke and its inhabitants through the use of local history books, carefully preserved documents and a broad range of historical city images. Please visit the Library’s website for hours and additional information at: www.holyokelibrary.org