Needham Local

Community Conversations on Race
2025-05-22 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Needham Public Library Community Room, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
“Community Conversations on Race” workshop, “Becoming an Inclusive Community,” will be held on Thursday, May 22nd from 6:30-8:45 pm in the Community Room at the Needham Free Public Library.
Food and refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm with the program beginning at 6:45 pm. The workshop will be facilitated and will involve some small group interaction. All are welcome (ages 16+)! Space is limited and registration is encouraged to help with planning. Please register here.
This event is put on in partnership by the Town of Needham, Needham Public Schools, Needham Human Rights Committee, and the Needham Resilience Network. It is a continuation of efforts working towards the Town’s vision statement for racial equity.

Needham High School Civics Showcase
2025-05-31 15:30 - 17:00 | Needham Town Hall – Powers Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Students Advocate for Change
Saturday, May 31, 2025 at 2pm
Powers Hall, Needham Town Hall
Prior to the Showcase, 11th grade students are making their Advocacy Plans with their teachers and classmates. LWV-Needham has prepared a Student Advocacy Guide and a series of videos for the students’ reference.
Also included is a list of MA legislative bills and Needham issues that students may find useful for choosing their issue area. Students are not limited to the issues on these lists. A list with links t0 Advocacy Groups can help with students’ research.
See www.lwv-needham.org for details
Free and open to the public.

Needham Planning Board
2025-06-03 19:00 - 23:00 | Public Services Administration Building, 500 Dedham Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Needham Planning Board is meeting for their first session this month. Due to the simultaneous School Committee meeting, we will be providing live coverage on our Municipal Channel only. The town will also have the hybrid feed available through Zoom, and look for the Needham Channel to subsequently air and stream the meeting through the Municipal Channel, HD Channel, online, and through our Roku App.

Tree Preservation Listening Session
2025-06-04 19:00 - 21:00 | Needham Town Hall – Powers Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Town recently launched a Tree Preservation Planning Committee and wants to hear from you! What questions, ideas, or concerns do you have about trees in Needham? What do you want the Committee to know or keep in mind as they begin their work?
Join them at a public listening session to share your thoughts at a Public Listening Session on
Wednesday, June 4th at 7 pm in Powers Hall in Needham Town Hall and via Zoom.
If you are not able to attend, please share your feedback by email to otm@needhamma.gov.

Race Amity Day 2025
2025-06-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Avery Field, 355 Webster Street, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
Needham Celebrates Race Amity Day
and the
Dedication of the Richard Fry Plaque
This event is being held rain or shine. Enjoy food, crafts, and live music.
Race Amity celebrates the friendships between people of different races and cultures, and recognizes the collaborations which advance equity and social justice. Everyone welcome!
Sponsored by the Needham Diversity Initiative, Needham Human Rights Committee, Green Needham, and the Needham History Center.
More information at NeedhamDiversity.org.

Large House Public Input Meeting
2025-06-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Needham Town Hall – Powers Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
On June 9th. the Large House Review Committee (LHRC) will be hosting a Public Input Meeting in Powers Hall in Needham Town Hall and via Zoom to solicit feedback from the community. The purpose of this meeting is for LHRC to provide an outline of the work that the Committee has completed to date and to hold a public comment period and listening session.
The Committee hopes to learn more about residents’ feedback on the large house teardown issue and whether the community believes the Town should be more aggressively regulating/moderating house size than it currently does.

Pollard Closing Ceremony
2025-06-13 09:00 - 10:30 | Pollard School, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
This event will be covered by the Needham Channel, and will air on its Community, Education and HD Channels. It will also stream on the Needham Channel website (www.needhamchannel.org) and on the Needham Channel app on Roku. The rain date for this event is Thursday, June 13. Rain Date: Monday, June 16th.

Needham Garden Tour
2025-06-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Needham History Center & Museum, 1147 Central Ave., Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Needham Women’s Club will host the 2025 Needham Garden Tour on Saturday, June 14, from 10 AM to 3 PM. The tour will feature a diverse array of local gardens, showcasing everything from lush landscapes to creative backyard retreats. Visitors will have the opportunity to stroll through beautiful settings, gain inspiration for their own gardening endeavors, and connect with fellow garden enthusiasts. When checking in for the tour at the Needham History Center, there will be a Maker’s Market featuring local artisans offering a wonderful selection of handmade goods. There will also be a raffle for containers and floral arrangements on display at the History Center and gardeners’ homes. Proceeds will support the various Needham charitable organizations.

Needham Planning Board
2025-06-17 19:00 - 23:00 | Public Services Administration Building, 500 Dedham Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Needham Planning Board is meeting for their second session this month. Due to the simultaneous School Committee meeting, we will be providing live coverage on our Municipal Channel only. The town will also have the hybrid feed available through Zoom, and look for the Needham Channel to subsequently air and stream the meeting through the Municipal Channel, HD Channel, online, and through our Roku App.

Juneteenth Observation
2025-06-19 09:30 - 10:00 | Needham Town Common, Garrity's Way, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Join your neighbors and local and state leaders for a recitation of the Emancipation Proclamation, remarks, and reflection in observance of Juneteenth. The event will be held on Town Common, in front of Town Hall, on Thursday, June 19th at 9:30 am. All are welcome!

Ron Sockol Celebration Bench Dedication
2025-06-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Memorial Park, Needham, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
Saturday, June 21st at 12:00 PM at Memorial Park
Celebrate the many wonderful contributions Ron has made to Needham’s community including his work helping revitalize Memorial Park, where his new celebration bench will be dedicated.
Please Join Us Saturday June 21st
At 12:00 pm To Honor Ron And His Wonderful “Can Do” Spirit!

Pollard Middle School Project Listening Sessions
2025-07-09 10:00 - 20:00 | Zoom

Needham Planning Board
2025-07-22 19:00 - 23:00, 2025-08-12 19:00 - 23:00 | Public Services Administration Building, 500 Dedham Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Needham Planning Board is meeting for their only regular session this month. Due to the simultaneous Select Board meeting, we will be providing live coverage on the hybrid feed available through Zoom, and look for the Needham Channel to subsequently air and stream the meeting through the Municipal Channel, HD Channel, online, and through our Roku App.

2025 Needham Carnival
2025-07-24 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-07-25 18:00 - 22:00, 2025-07-26 12:00 - 22:00, 2025-07-27 12:00 - 18:00 | Needham High School, 609 Webster Street, Needham, MA, 02494, United States

Annual National Night Out
2025-08-05 05:00 - 20:00 | Needham Town Common, Garrity's Way, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
On Tuesday, August 5th, the Needham Police Department will be hosting its second annual National Night Out event on Town Common from 5-8 pm. National Night Out involves over 16,800 communities from all 50 states, U.S. territories and military bases around the world.
It is designed to:
• Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness
• Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts
• Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships
•Send a message to criminals letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
National Night out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.
Come by on Tuesday evening to visit Officer Rocket and K9 Ghost, check out the police vehicles and a drone demonstration, and enjoy a treat from NPD’s ice cream truck. This is a free community event and all are welcome!

Stormwater By-Law Review Public Listening Session
2025-08-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Needham Town Hall – Powers Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Stormwater By-Law Review Working Group is going to hold a public listening session to share proposed recommendations for updates to the Town’s Stormwater By-Law, which will be up for a vote at the upcoming Fall Special Town Meeting.
The session will take place on Tuesday, August 5th from 7pm-8pm in Powers Hall at Needham Town Hall.
The session will include a brief presentation introducing the Committee, outline the review process and summarize the proposed changes to the By-Law.
The session will be covered live by the Needham Channel for those who are unable to make it in person, and will be held in a hybrid format using the Zoom meeting platform. Please visit the town website for details.

Needham Purple Heart Day Observance
2025-08-07 19:00 - 19:30 | Memorial Park, Needham, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
Please take a moment today to reflect on the sacrifices of those who were injured or killed as a result of serving their country. A brief ceremony will take place at the Memorial Park Gazebo at 7pm.
The Purple Heart Standard will be raised, where it will remain for three days, and the names of Needham residents who served and received the Purple Heart will be read.

Virtual Community Meeting on Pollard School
2025-08-21 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom
Join Needham Public Schools and the Town of Needham on Thursday, August 21st at 6:30 pm for a virtual community meeting by Zoom to discuss the vision for the Pollard Middle School Project. There will be time reserved for questions and answers.
As the Town begins planning a reimagined middle school facility, your voice as a community member is a vital part of the process. Join us at this important meeting as your perspective is essential as we shape the future of our schools and community.
Find more information about the Pollard Middle School Project in the Needham Public School’s Master Plan.
Click HERE for the Zoom Link of the August 21st event.

Overdose Awareness Vigil
2025-08-28 18:30 - 19:10 | Memorial Park, Needham, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
Needham’s 4th Annual Overdose Awareness Vigil
6:30-7:10pm at the Memorial Park Gazebo
International Overdose Awareness Day is an opportunity to remember, without stigma, those who have died, and acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind. Needham’s observance will include speakers, a memorial flag display, and the distribution of informational materials to support community members of all ages. The event is free and open to the public. All are welcome.

Needham Planning Board
2025-09-02 19:00 - 23:00, 2025-09-16 19:00 - 23:00 | Public Services Administration Building, 500 Dedham Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Needham Planning Board is meeting for their first regular session this month. Due to the simultaneous School Committee meeting, we will be providing live coverage on the Needham Municipal Channel and the town’s hybrid feed available through Zoom. Look for the Needham Channel to subsequently air and stream the meeting through the Municipal Channel, HD Channel, at needhamchannel.org, and through its free Roku App.

Sen. Becca Raush - 2025 Town Hall
2025-09-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Needham Town Hall – Powers Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States

Seth’s Broadway Concert Series
2025-09-20 19:30 - 21:00 | Needham Town Hall – Powers Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
This show is SOLD OUT! There are still a limited number of Season Subscriptions available.
Sirius XM radio host Seth Rudetsky is bringing his Broadway concert series to The Great Hall Performance Foundation! Rudetsky is teaming up with Tony Award nominee Andrea McArdle who became world famous at the age of 13 when she created the title role in Annie. This one-night-only special-event concert that will be filled with intimate, funny, behind-the-scenes stories mixed with incredible performances of the songs McArdle has performed on Broadway and beyond.
The set list will have McArdle recreating show-stopping performances from her unique theatrical career which included singing the beautiful “It Might As Well Be Spring” in State Fair, the title song from Beauty And The Beast in which she starred as Belle, and “I Dreamed A Dream” from when she played Fantine in Les Misérables on Broadway where Seth and Andrea first worked together.
Plus they’ll be doing some classic songs that Andrea first sang when she starred as the young Judy Garland in the TV film Rainbow.
Seth’s Broadway Concerts are always one-of-a-kind because they’re never fully planned in advance. Rudetsky will definitely have McArdle singing songs from shows he feels she should be starring in like Mame and Hello, Dolly, but he often surprises his stars and “makes” them sing songs they’ve never performed before. Who knows what will happen at the performance you attend!
This spontaneous evening of show-stopping stories and hit songs will also feature McArdle singing the songs she made famous in the Tony Award winning Best Musical Annie. If you grew up loving “The Red Album” as Seth calls it and you enjoy amazing musicians and sassy comedy, come see this one-night-only event!
Find out More about the 2025 Great Hall Consert Series.

Friends Program: Dr. Susan Rogers - Individuality and the Music-Listening Brain
2025-09-21 08:00 - 17:00 | Needham Public Library Community Room, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
Friends Program: Dr. Susan Rogers – “Individuality and the Music-Listening Brain”
Dr. Susan Rogers, a behavioral neuroscientist and a former record producer and engineer known for her work with Prince, will speak September 21 at the Needham library about the uniqueness of every music lover’s listening. She will describe the “listener profile,” a constellation of mental sweet spots where music delivers the optimal award for each listener.
Dr. Rogers teaches for Berklee College of Music Online and is the author of This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You, published by W. W. Norton & Company in 2021. She holds a doctorate in psychology from McGill University, where she studied music cognition and psychoacoustics. Her research focuses on auditory memory, the perception of musical signals, and the influence of musical training on auditory development.
For two decades prior to her science career, Rogers was one of the world’s few women known for her work as a record producer, engineer, mixer, and audio electronics technician. Career highlights include years (1983–1988) as staff engineer for recording artist Prince.
This Program is sponsored by the Friends of the Needham Public Library. Registration is required, as we have a current capacity limit of 108.

Fundraiser Concert for Ukraine
2025-09-21 15:00 - 16:30 | Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
Come join us at Christ Episcopal Church 1132 Highland Ave, Needham, MA for an afternoon of music and show your support for the people of Ukraine! The event will take place on September 21, 2025 at 3:00 PM, on the day recognized as the International Day of Peace. Let’s show our solidarity and enjoy some great performances together of music by Ukrainian composers and selections from Karl Jenkins’ Mass for Peace. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Ukrainian Red Cross Society. See you there!

Needham Planning Board
2025-10-07 19:00 - 23:00 | Public Services Administration Building, 500 Dedham Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Needham Planning Board is meeting for their regular session. Due to the simultaneous School Committee meeting, we will be providing live coverage on the Needham Municipal Channel and the town’s hybrid feed available through Zoom. Look for the Needham Channel to subsequently air and stream the meeting through the Municipal Channel, HD Channel, at needhamchannel.org, and through its free Roku App.
