Bowie the Clown at First Fridays at Five!
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Bowie the Clown will be crafting free balloon creations during the August 1 First Fridays at Five!

“Reading with Rebel”
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Witch Slapped, 78 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Witch Slapped, 78 North Street, will host “Reading with Rebel” from 5 to 7 pm. Drag queen, Miz Rebel Progress, has teamed up with Witch Slapped to promote literacy at this storytelling event. All children who attend will leave with a free book. The event is free, but donations to the Witch Slapped Community Fund are welcomed.

Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Family Fun Zone at First Fridays at Five will be on North Street and will feature free, interactive activities from local non-profit organizations including face-painting, arts & crafts, games, and more.

Participating organizations include Barrington Stage Company, BART Charter Public School, Berkshire Athenaeum, Berkshire Coalition for Suicide Prevention, Berkshire Community Action Council, Berkshire County Board of Realtors, Berkshire County Head Start/CFCE, Berkshire County Historical Society, Berkshire County Kids Place, Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Berkshire Family YMCA, Berkshire Medical Center, Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Music School, Berkshire Regional Planning Commission – SPARK Coalition, Berkshire Thunder & Lightning, Child Care of the Berkshires (ParentChild+ program), CleanSlate Centers, Elizabeth Freeman Center, Foster MA/Adopt MA, Living in Recovery, Mass Audubon, Mental Health Support For Families (MHSFF), Pittsfield Little League, Safe Swim Berkshires, Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum, The Berkshire Eagle, The Great Josh Billings RunAground, United States Air Force & Space Force, and Western Massachusetts Labor Action.

There will also be lawn games in the center of North Street, and Bowie the Clown will be crafting free balloon creations.

DJ Champ at First Fridays at Five
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
DJ Champ will be the featured First Fridays at Five DJ for August and will be stationed on North Street closer to Park Square.
New Jersey born, DJ Champ has been lighting up the dance floor since 2008. Doing everything from celebrity events to the smallest of venues, there’s nothing DJ Champ hasn’t touched when it comes to entertainment. One thing you’ll be sure of is that when he is around the vibe will be great. He has been featured on MTV, VH1, Sirius XM, and many more major distribution avenues and also featured locally on Star 101.7 FM. Specializing in weddings, nightclubs, concerts, corporate events, birthdays and more, there’s nothing he can’t handle.

Makers Market at First Fridays at Five
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Makers Market at First Fridays at Five will be on North Street and will feature over a dozen local vendors selling handmade products such as crafts, clothing and accessories, candles, art, custom gift items, self-care items, and packaged foods and sweets.
Makers include ATK Custom, Autumn Phoenix Photography, BerkshireSci Biscuits LLC, Braidy Bunch, Fandom Forge, Home InteriorArt and Design LLC, Just a Knit of Love, Lamaria, Mindset Personalized, Plushy Pals, The Purse Lady, Truffles by Tarah, Widget’s Apparel, Yarn4U, and Yarnablaze.

Opening Reception: Let It Shine! Artist Exhibition
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., 437 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and Framework will feature a brand-new “Let It Shine! Artist Exhibition” featuring 4 local artists at Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. (437 North Street).
Featured artists are Carly Holmes, Riley Wilde, Jesus Alicea, and Kenny Davis.
There will be an opening reception with the artists during the August 1st First Fridays Artswalk from 5 to 8 pm.
The exhibition will be on view Monday through Thursday, 10 am to 2 pm, August 1 through August 25, by visiting the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. offices at 431 North Street.
Carly Holmes is a lifelong resident of Pittsfield and describes herself as an emerging artist with a passion for creating art. “I have always loved creating art,” Carly says. “As a child, I was constantly drawing and crafting. I have explored drawing, ceramics, and 3-dimensional design. But painting with acrylics is where my true passion lies. I view my work as a reflection of my ever-evolving interests, and as a personal outlet for self-expression.”
The Pittsfield Let It Shine! Public Art Partnership has selected Carly to co-create a new mural to be located at the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Intermodal Center alongside mentor artist, Jesse Tobin McCauley. The mural will debut at a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this summer. Carly is also the City of Pittsfield’s inaugural artist-in-residence, and she is currently working out of studio space in the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts.
Riley Wilde’s journey as an aspiring visual artist began in 2021 and has become vital in expressing herself in ways that words can’t anymore. Each painting is led by intuition and always with a new approach to create a vibrant and intriguing piece of work.
“Sustainability is key to my process, as it doesn’t feel right unless I’m practicing with a considerate mindset,” says Riley. “Using recycled bottles for paint, repurposing old canvases, and catching excess drips to create new pieces is the only way I practice. Trying not to waste anything — creatively or emotionally.”
“In the last year, I’ve been expanding my practice while in collaboration with my partner and fellow artist, Daniel Stone, on some very large pieces. He has also challenged me to consider working with new surfaces, styles, and methods. Such as, creating reliefs, mosaics, illustrating figures, and using acrylic and wood surfaces. This has been rewarding and valuable in my growth as an artist and has made me feel seen. I’m looking forward to what my work continues to evolve into. Sometimes it’s messy and weird, but also alive. A reflection of everything I’ve survived and everything I’ve yet to bloom into.”
Jesus Alicea is a multidisciplinary artist driven by a deep love for language and visual storytelling. His work explores the relationship between words and images—through logo design, poster art, cartoons, poetry, and creative writing.
Jesus creates playful yet purposeful visuals, often using illustrated characters to deliver promotional messages in ways that text or live action can’t. “My design work focuses on clarity and meaning, whether I’m crafting a logo or composing a visual narrative,” says Jesus.
“Storytelling is at the core of my practice. Through poetry and media projects, I aim to connect with audiences in ways that are both creative and accessible. I’m always open to feedback, collaboration, and new creative challenges.”
Kenny Davis is a lifelong resident of Pittsfield who has worked on several murals around the city. “In my senior year at Pittsfield High School, I both experimented with my 2D style and created 3D works to tell my unique story,” says Kenny. “Now that I am eighteen years old, I am working on developing a vibrant style that makes me proud!”
The gallery at Framework by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. is funded in part by a grant from the Pittsfield Cultural Council; a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

A Taste of Pittsfield at First Fridays at Five
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Check out a variety of food vendors at the August First Fridays at Five including BB’s Hot Spot, Chill Zone Snow Cone Factory, Cravins Ice Cream, D’S Island Food Truck, Just Kickin’ It Bar-B-Que, La Chalupa Y La Enchilada, UpStreet Smoke, and Patriot Pop who will be serving lemonade!
There will be two Hot Plate Brewing Co. Beer Gardens – one on School Street and one by the live music at Persip Park!

15th Anniversary Celebration at Peace Train Tees!
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Peace Train Tees, 2 South Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Since 2010, Peace Train Tees has had the pleasure of serving Berkshire County, beginning with the Berkshire Mall from 2010-2018 and now in our Pittsfield location at 2 South Street.
We wanted to do it really big for our 10th Anniversary, but that was 2020 and well, you know what happened then.
Please come celebrate with us on Friday, August 1, from 5 to 8 pm!
LIVE MUSIC! Featuring Mike Sacco and Friends!
Giveaways
ONE DAY ONLY Deals and Discounts!
Food and drinks
Games and more!
A fun night for the whole family!
One lucky attendee will even win a $250 gift certificate!

Soul Line Dancing with the Berkshire Sole Society
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Dunham Mall, 100 North Street
Dunham Mall will feature line dancing with Berkshire Sole Society at “Dance on Dunham” during the August 1 First Fridays at Five from 5 to 8 pm. Free to participate and open to everyone!
Lessons for beginners at 5:30, 6:30 and 7:30 pm lead by Erica Shrader with general dance in between!
Berkshire Sole Society is a Berkshire-based soul line dancing crew bringing together rhythm, movement, and community one step at a time. Founded by Erica Shrader and powered by Women of the Westside+, their meetups are packed with smooth steps, feel-good music, and unapologetic joy. Whether you’re a seasoned stepper or just learning your first slide, there’s always room for you on the dance floor. Come for the steps, stay for the vibe.
Photos by Maru Dominguez.

Hidden Frequency at First Fridays at Five
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Persip Park, 175 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
Persip Park, 175 North Street, will feature a live performance by the band Hidden Frequency during the August 1 First Fridays at Five from 5 to 8 pm. Enjoy a beer garden from Hot Plate Brewing Co. and local food vendors within the vicinity.
Hidden Frequency is an alternative rock trio hailing from the heart of the Berkshires in Pittsfield, MA. Fusing raw emotion with heavy riffs and melodic grit, the band channels the energy of classic rock through a modern, alternative lens.
Longtime friends, Steven Dubuque on guitar and vocals, Mike Morse on bass, and Mitch Gladu on drums, stay committed to bringing good, original music to Western MA.
From stage to studio, Hidden Frequency brings raw presence and passion to a world full of noise and static, they’re the signal you don’t want to miss.
In the case of inclement weather, Hidden Frequency will be at Price Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church, 27 East Street.

Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office: Free Child ID Project
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Downtown Pittsfield, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Berkshire County Sheriff’s Office will be offering the Child ID Project at the August 1st First Fridays at Five. This free service creates a digital ID with fingerprints, photo, physical description, and emergency contacts, which is stored in a secure national database. If a child ever goes missing, this information can help law enforcement respond quickly and effectively, nationwide. The process only takes a few minutes and gives families added peace of mind.

Art Shuttle at First Fridays at Five!
2025-08-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Persip Park, 175 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
A free Art Shuttle provided and operated by RSVP Volunteers will take you to five locations throughout downtown during the First Fridays at Five on August 1. The Art Shuttle will make stops at Persip Park, City Hall, Clock Tower Artists, the Framework by DPI Gallery at the corner of North and Linden Streets, and Hotel on North. The Art Shuttle will depart Persip Park at the corner of North Street and Columbus Avenue every half hour starting at 5 pm with the last ride departing Persip Park at 7:30 pm.

“The Berkshires Satellite Reef” at Berkshire Art Center
2025-08-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Berkshire Art Center, 141 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The Berkshire Art Center (BAC), 141 North Street, will host a special First Fridays Artswalk activity on Friday, August 1 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.
Berkshire Art Center is thrilled to be part of “The Berkshires Satellite Reef” — a local contribution to the world-renowned “Crochet Coral Reef Project” by artists Christine and Margaret Wertheim and the Institute for Figuring.
This global, community-powered art initiative invites people of all ages and skill levels to crochet pieces that will become part of a stunning, life-sized coral reef installation to be exhibited at Williams College’s ’62 Center for Theatre & Dance in the Spring of 2026.
Stop by during the First Friday Artswalk to learn more, get inspired, and maybe even try your hand at crocheting a coral of your own!

Be a part of “The Berkshires Satellite Reef”
2025-08-01 17:30 - 19:30 | Berkshire Art Center, 141 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States

DOWNTOWN BOUND Mural Unveiling
2025-08-01 18:30 - 19:00 | Berkshire Regional Transit Authority Intermodal Center, 1 Columbus Avenue, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
The City of Pittsfield, alongside the Let It Shine! Committee, will host a mural unveiling for artist Carly Holmes’ new mural DOWNTOWN BOUND. The emerging artist mural was created alongside mentor artist Jesse Tobin McCauley. It is located at the train platform of the Berkshire Regional Transit Authority (BRTA)’s Intermodal Transportation Center. Carly is a lifelong resident of Pittsfield and the current artist-in-residence at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts. Carly is also part of the Let it Shine! Artist Exhibition at Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.’s Framework Gallery in August.

Depot After Dark: First Fridays Afterparty
2025-08-01 20:00 - 23:00 | Liberty Street, Liberty Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
After the August 1 First Fridays at Five, Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., Tito’s Mexican Bar & Grill, and Wander Berkshires will present “Depot After Dark” outside on Liberty Street (the alleyway between Tito’s/Wander and Crawford Square). This event is free and from 8 to 11 pm.
Beverages including beer, wine, and margaritas will be available from Tito’s, and non-alcoholic “zero proof” cocktails and other specialty drinks will be available from Wander. Attendees are invited to bring their own food or order takeout from Tito’s.
The DJ for the evening is Jason Manatee, an electronic music producer, performer, and DJ known for his genre-blending sets and playful, immersive soundscapes. Drawing from a wide spectrum of electronic styles — ranging from house and techno to experimental beats, he brings a vibrant, unpredictable energy to the stage. Whether showcasing his original productions or spinning eclectic DJ sets, he’s all about breaking boundaries and creating a dance floor experience that’s both fun and forward-thinking.

Let It Shine! Artist Exhibition
2025-08-04 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-05 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-06 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-07 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-11 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-12 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-13 10:00 - 14:00, 2025-08-14 10:00 - 14:00 and 5 more dates | Downtown Pittsfield, Inc., 431 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States

“Reading with Rebel” at First Fridays at Five
2025-09-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Witch Slapped, 78 North Street, Pittsfield, MA, 01201, United States
