Amherst Recreation

10/27/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended this year's Halloween Spooktacular!

A special shout out to our sponsors:
Miss Saigon (Lead Sponsor)
Amherst Innovative Living, LLC
Atkins Farms Country Market
Crazy Noodles Amherst
Encharter Insurance
Sandy's Barber Shop

and the many local businesses, volunteers and community partners like Amherst Business Improvement District and Amherst Media that made the day such a success. A shout out to the many Town of Amherst, MA departments that helped make the event possible. Your support and participation helped create an unforgettable afternoon for so many.

Thank you for making this event one to remember. See you next year!

10/21/2026

🏀 We want to hear from you!

UMass students are working with Amherst Recreation to learn more about community interest in youth basketball.

Take a few minutes to complete our short survey and share your thoughts. Your feedback will help us identify ways to strengthen and grow youth basketball opportunities in Amherst. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1jTMekSK_cAZYLU_JAiHj_XTBwTcocH-c8ESoBSOaxEg/viewform?edit_requested=true

Thank you for helping us improve recreation opportunities for our community!

Hello all! We are a group of UMass students working with the Town of Amherst Recreation Department to learn more about the community’s awareness of and interest in youth basketball. Please take a few minutes to answer the questions below. Your feedback will help us better understand community need...

10/20/2026

👻🎃 Don’t miss out on this frightfully fun event! Join us for Amherst Recreation’s annual Halloween Spooktacular this Sunday, October 25 from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm in Downtown Amherst. This year, the event will take place entirely outside and includes an exciting lineup of activities!

🍬 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸-𝗼𝗿-𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 | 12:00-1:00 pm
Participating businesses will be identified by flyers displayed at their locations. Pick up a free paper trick-or-treat bag and a list of participating businesses anytime this week at the Amherst Visitor Information Center (35 South Pleasant St) or the Amherst Recreation office, now located on the 2nd floor of Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk). In partnership with Amherst Business Improvement District.

🧟‍♀️ 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 | 1:00 pm
Show off your creative costumes at the Costume Parade! Participants should gather at 1:00 pm, with the parade officially starting at 1:15 pm on the North Common. All ages are welcome to join in the fun.

🎪 𝗞𝗶𝗱𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹 & 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 | 1:30-3:30 pm
After the parade, the Halloween Spooktacular continues on the North Common from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. with an afternoon full of festive fun! Enjoy Halloween-themed activities, including haunted-happening character encounters, a kids' carnival, a photo booth, and not-so-scary story time with the Jones Library Kids Room.

💖 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘀
This event is made possible through the generous support of community partners and local businesses. This event is hosted by Amherst Recreation in partnership with the Jones Library and Amherst Business Improvement District. Sponsors include Miss Saigon (lead sponsor), Amherst Innovative Living, LLC, Encharter Insurance, Atkins Farms Country Market, Crazy Noodles, and Sandy's Barber Shop.

10/03/2026

Join us this morning at the Amherst Massachusetts Fire Department for their annual Open House now until 2pm.

10/01/2026

Did you know that you DONT have to wait until January to register for basketball??? 🤔🙅🏻‍♂️

Registration is currently open for both Amherst Youth Basketball League (AYBL) and Suburban (Travel League) 🏀

Need help deciding which would suit your child? Sure thing, that’s what we’re here for!

Is you child looking for something to do during the winter season, looking to develop their skill set, build a foundation of how to play basketball, simply have fun? AYBL is the perfect fit! ✅ AYBL is extremely beginner friendly and serves as a recreational league that aims to develop players.

Is your child already a passionate player, looking to leave a mark in the valley? A player looking to test their skill set, develop a bond with their team, and compete at the highest level in the region? Well, our Suburban League would be the best fit. ✅

The two are not mutually exclusive from one another! Don’t make the cut after tryouts? Come join us for AYBL instead and continue building.

Tryout are free for Suburban and prices are lower for CO-ED AYBL without ANY out of town fees associated either 🫨🤝

09/17/2026

Stop by and see us tonight at the 13th Annual Block Party! Look for our tents in front of Ren’s Gas Station for games, program information, and a sensory-friendly space with tools available to borrow.

Register for an upcoming program or just get your glow on with one of our temporary tattoos. We can’t wait to see you there!

09/11/2026

Have you heard? We have part-day preschool openings in Amherst, Easthampton, and Northampton! 😍

Head Start part-day preschool programs include:
❤️ A caring team of Educators and a Family Advocate who partners with your family
✨ 4 hours/day of care, 5 days/week, during the school year
💚 A support team of staff to help with any health or developmental needs
🍎 Meals, diapers, and more!

Part-day programs are free for families! Apply today at https://www.communityaction.us/program/center-based-head-start/

08/25/2026

Another one for the books 🔥🤝🏼

It was a BLAST💥 being able to see all of your wonderful faces last night at the Back to School Night🙈! Sharing the programs, mission, and resources we offer to the Amherst community is what we’re here for!

Don’t forget, you can checkout our fall time programs by clicking the link below:

https://secured.amherstma.gov/webtrac/web/splash.html?

08/19/2026

Greetings, Amherst Families! As many of you are aware, many things have been changing around us, literally. One main change is the introduction to our virtual program guide! As of 2026, Amherst Recreation will no longer be mailing out physical program brochures; instead, families are encouraged to browse our seasonal catalog. Checkout what the Amherst Recreation has been cooking up!

This new flipbook allows the department to continue the Town’s overall sustainability initiative, get information out sooner, and most importantly, bring ease of use to our participants! There is a program for all, regardless of skill level, age, or community. This interactive flipbook contains all relevant information for fall programs, with links that will take you to register, contact, or stay in touch with Amherst Recreation!

https://www.flipsnack.com/E768FB99E8C/ar-fall-2026-program-guide