Needham Local

The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence
2026-03-18 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Powers Hall at Needham Town Hall, 1471 Highland Ave., Needham, MA, 02492, United States
For: Parents, Caregivers & Educators of Kids in Grades 6-12
Presenter: Jessica Lahey: Educator & Best-Selling Author of The Gift of Failure & The Addiction Inoculation, Recovery & Prevention Coach. She recently won the Research Society on Alcohol’s Media Award, “designed to recognize outstanding journalistic efforts of writers who cover empirical research on alcohol.”
Jesscia will offer: Evidence-based, effective learning and prevention resources that works. And scripts adults can use to open up discussions about substance use with the kids in their lives.

Artificial Intelligence: Learning, Life and Values- a Four Part Series
2026-03-18 19:30 - 21:00 | Needham Public Library, 1132 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Lane Lyceum of First Parish and the Needham Public Library are pleased to offer this four-part series on AI (Artificial Intelligence). All sessions will be held in the Community Room of the Library. While it will be live-streamed, we encourage people to attend in-person.
Session 1: What is AI—And Why Should We Care?
Wednesday, March 18 at 7:30pm
What is artificial intelligence in its various forms? Why has it come upon the scene with such fervor in the last few years? How is it already affecting lives ? Is it automating jobs away, or is it merely a slop generator? How might I view what I personally create, in the face of this new technology being thrust upon us? In this first of four sessions, we’ll explore all these questions, defining, playing with, and critiquing artificial intelligence.
Speaker: Nick Zufelt
Additional Sessions:
Thursday, March 26- AI in Learning: And Why Should We Care?, Nick Zufelt
Thursday, April 2- AI for Good- Building Responsible Technology, Olin College speakers
Thursday, April 9- AI and Values: Power, Policy and Planet, Keller Scholl

Community-Supported Phone Guidelines for Youth in Needham
2026-03-23 16:30 - 17:30, 2026-03-27 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual Event
Needham Youth & Family Services (NYFS) and the Needham Public Health Division (NPHD) invite you to join our upcoming community conversation. In partnership with BME Strategies, a Massachusetts-based public health consulting firm, we are developing new recommendations for youth smartphone and social media use outside of school settings in Needham. Your input will ensure these guidelines reflect the needs and values of the Needham community.
We are hosting two sessions over Zoom on Monday, March 23rd from 4:30 – 5:30 PM and Thursday, March 26th from 12:00 – 1:00 PM. We welcome you to join the session that best fits your schedule. Please RSVP here.
If you have any questions, would like more information, or cannot make any of the sessions but would still like to participate, please reach out to Katja Jacobs at kjacobs@bmestrategies.com.

Conversations with Your Middle Schooler: Why You Shouldn't Wait to Talk About Substance Use
2026-03-23 18:30 - 19:45 | Center at the Heights, 300 Hillside Avenue, Needham Heights, MA, 02492, United States
The Needham Public Health Division and the Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham (SPAN), in partnership with the Needham Youth & Family Services Department, are hosting Conversations with Your Middle Schooler: Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Talk About Substance Use. This free series, is designed for parents and caregivers of children in grades 5–8.
This program provides parents with practical information about underage drinking and other substance use, along with guidance and strategies for having age-appropriate, meaningful conversations with their children. Parents will have the opportunity to connect with one another and feel supported in navigating these conversations.
Sessions are scheduled on Monday evenings, 6:30 – 7:45pm on January 26, February 23, & March 23 at The Center at the Heights, 300 Hillside Ave, Needham.
Please see the attached program flyer for registration details and additional information.

Quinobequin Quilt Guild 2026 Quilt Show
2026-03-27 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-03-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Needham Masonic Lodge, 1101 Highland Avenue, Needham, 02492
Mark Your Calendar for the 2026 Quilt Show! Immerse yourself in two rooms full of colorful and creative fabric art quilts, made by local quilters.
Quinobequin Quilters Quilt Show
100+ Beautiful Quilts on Display – Created by Local Artists
From Traditional Quilts to Art Quilts
Friday & Saturday, March 27 & 28, 2026
— 10 am to 5 pm —
Admission $10 (free for children & K-12 students)
Raffle Quilt (see slice below)
Mini Art Quilts for Sale
Quilt Hunt Activity for Kids!
Needham Masonic Lodge
1101 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
(Exit 35C off Rt. 95, 1 mile on right)
More Info: www.Quinobequin.org/quilt-show

Pollard Middle School Project: School Committee Open House
2026-03-28 09:00 - 10:30 | Pollard School, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
On Saturday, March 28, community members are invited to Pollard Middle School (200 Harris Avenue) for an open house hosted by the Needham School Committee. This is a great opportunity to view the building, talk with the School Committee in an informal setting, and view a presentation about the Pollard Middle School Building Project. Tours will be available for those who have not been able to see the building.

Party for the Pantry
2026-03-28 19:00 - 23:00 | Needham Town Hall – Powers Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
The Party of the Year for a Cause That Matters.
Get ready to dance, drink, and make a difference! Join us for Party for the Pantry 2026, a high-energy, casual night out dedicated to supporting our neighbors. With the Needham Community Council food pantry serving record numbers of residents, your presence has never been more vital.
The Details:
When: Saturday, March 28th, 2026 | 7:00 PM
The Vibe: Music, dancing, and a casual atmosphere.
The Goods: Open bar and incredible catering by Forklift.
Tickets:
Early Bird: $100 (Available now!)
Standard: $125 (Price increases Wednesday, March 11th at noon)
Don’t wait—grab your tickets early and help us stock the shelves!

Rock the Blacktop
2026-03-30 14:15 - 15:15, 2026-04-06 14:15 - 15:15 | High Rock Middle School, 77 Ferndale Rd, Needham, 02492
Rock the Blacktop is a free community public art initiative at High Rock Middle School that invites 6th grade students to collaborate in designing vibrant pavement murals for their campus. Through a series of free guided, hands-on workshops held on March 30, April 6 and April 13 from 2:15–3:15 PM in the High Rock Cafeteria, participants will explore the impact of public art, develop site-specific designs, and prepare for a community paint event where their creative ideas will come to life. Led by muralist and art therapist Tova Speter and public art administrator Charly Nanda, the program welcomes students of all experience levels, encouraging creativity, collaboration, and community engagement. All students and High Rock families will be invited to help with the actual pavement painting in May/early June, weather permitting. This High Rock Community Paint Jam will be a fun and inclusive event for families. Rock the Blacktop is funded by the Needham Education Foundation and the Needham Council for Arts and Culture. Register students here by March 23. Space is limited.

Needham Candidates Night 2026 sponsored by the League of Women Voters
2026-03-30 19:30 - 21:00 | Broadmeadow School Performance Center, 120 Broad Meadow Rd, Needham, 02492
Attention all voters! Please attend a Moderator-led Question and Answer forum to meet your town candidates running for local election on April 14, and learn about their ideas and experience. Details on Candidates Night including submission of questions will be added and updated to the League of Women Voters of Needham web site (lwv-needham.org) as information becomes available.

Talking to kids ABOUT HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
2026-03-31 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-04-02 08:45 - 10:00 | Rosemary Recreation Complex, 178 Rosemary Street, Needham, 02494, United States
For parents, educators, and caregivers: It’s never too early—or too late—to talk to the young people in your life about relationships. This workshop will share strategies to help your child build skills to engage in healthy friendships and articulate and respect boundaries. Parents and caregivers will learn how to foster dialogue and engage young people in thinking critically about healthy and unhealthy relationships. This presentation will provide tools to initiate and continue these conversations and will connect participants with local resources that offer support and prevention services in the Needham community

Pastel Demonstration with Janet Schwartz
2026-04-07 18:30 - 20:00 | Needham Public Library, 1132 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Needham Art Association and the Wellesley Society of Artists welcome Janet Schwartz for a pastel demonstration. The driving force behind Janet’s figurative paintings is the connection between people and/or the environment. In this demo, Janet will focus on capturing the gesture and mood in a figurative painting to tell a story.
This event will be held at the Needham Free Public Library and is free and open to the public.

Student Piano Festival | Needham Concert Society
2026-04-11 14:00 - 16:30 | Carter Memorial UMC, 800 Highland Avenue, Needham, 02494
PIANO FESTIVAL | 2pm and 3:30pm | The Needham Concert Society sponsors annual student festivals to give piano, string, and voice students an opportunity to perform in front of an audience of family, friends, and others. The recitals, free and open to the public, are also designed to foster community among students and their teachers. For eligibility and registration details, see https://needhamconcertsociety.org/piano_festival/.
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Needham Council for Arts and Culture, ​a local agency which is supported by the Town of Needham and the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Leland Ko + Adria Ye | Needham Concert Society
2026-04-12 15:00 - 17:00 | Carter Memorial UMC, 800 Highland Avenue, Needham, 02494
ELEGANT ARTISTRY | Naumburg First-Prize-winning cellist Leland Ko and acclaimed pianist Adria Ye present a program of expressive and virtuosic music, ranging from works by Suk, Kabalevsky, and Fauré to Bach, Schumann, and Brahms.
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Needham Council for Arts and Culture, ​a local agency which is supported by the Town of Needham and the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Common Garden Herbs for Health and Wellness
2026-04-15 19:00 - 20:30 | Needham History Center & Museum, 1147 Central Ave., Needham, MA, 02492, United States
Common Garden Herbs for Health and Wellness
With Sheilagh Cruickshank, Herbalist
Our beautiful garden plants and herbs are a delight to the senses with their lovely blooms,
intoxicating aromas, and delicious flavors. But can our familiar flora also hold hidden health
benefits? Join Salem, MA herbalist, Sheilagh Cruickshank to discover how common garden
staples like thyme, sage, lavender, and more can enhance our physical and emotional well-being.
Participants will learn about the health benefits of our common garden plants and herbs
while sampling a variety of herbal products. Sheilagh will also demonstrate creating a basic
herbal remedy.
Refreshments will be served.

Needham Garden Club hosts 'Quality Not Quantity - Petite Arrangements’'
2026-04-21 09:30 - 11:00 | Needham Public Library Community Room, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
The Needham Garden Club invites you to learn how to design dramatic and stunning petite flower arrangements at their April meeting in the Community Room at the Needham Public Library. Trần Vũ Thu-Hằng will will apply the principles and elements of design to create 5 to 12 inch high arrangements that are perfect for tables and windowsills. ​
Trần Vũ Thu-Hằng designs flowers at the Museum of Fine Arts. She has published in The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Tulsa World and Pangyrus. Her work has been nominated for the prestigious literary Pushcart Award. Her memoir-in-progress explores her past as a child war refugee with seven younger siblings.

Photographica 93 by the Photographic Historical Society of New England
2026-04-25 09:00 - 17:00 | Newton North High School, 457 Walnut Street, Newton, MA, 02460, United States
PHSNE (Photographic Historical Society of New England) is hosting its annual Photographica show on April 25, 2026 at Newton North High School. This is the biggest film camera and vintage photography show in New England and has been running since 1973. The show is from 9am-4pm with an auction to follow. Here are two pages from PHSNE’s website with more information: https://phsne.org/photographica-93/ and https://phsne.org/photographica/.

Cradles to Crayons Needham Clothing Drive
2026-04-27 - 2026-05-15 | MA
Join Needham’s Community Clothing Drive to make a difference to the children served by Cradles to Crayons!
When: April 27th to May 15th
Where: Public donation bins at Needham Police Dept. public parking lot, 99 School St., or participating location donation bins!
What:
New or gently used:

Clothing
Jackets
Shoes

New:

Socks
Underwear

Accepting clothing in ALL sizes!
Cradles to Crayons provides children from birth through age 12, living in homeless or low-income situations, with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. They supply clothing, shoes, diapers, school supplies, and more, free of charge, throughout Massachusetts.

Student Voice Festival | Needham Concert Society
2026-05-02 17:00 - 18:00 | Carter Memorial UMC, 800 Highland Avenue, Needham, 02494
VOICE FESTIVAL | The Needham Concert Society sponsors annual student festivals to give piano, string, and voice students an opportunity to perform in front of an audience of family, friends, and others. The recitals, free and open to the public, are also designed to foster community among students and their teachers. For eligibility and registration details, see https://needhamconcertsociety.org/voice_festival/.
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Needham Council for Arts and Culture, ​a local agency which is supported by the Town of Needham and the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

50th Anniversary Concert | Needham Concert Society
2026-05-03 15:00 - 17:00 | Carter Memorial UMC, 800 Highland Avenue, Needham, 02494
BOLD AND TIMELESS | The Needham Concert Society celebrates its fiftieth anniversary with a commissioned work by Pulitzer-nominated composer David Post and two string masterpieces, a classically elegant string quintet by Mozart and Dvořák’s romantic and exuberant string sextet.
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Needham Council for Arts and Culture, ​a local agency which is supported by the Town of Needham and the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Notes of Hope: A Benefit for Immigrant Justice
2026-05-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Congregational Church of Needham, 1154 Great Plain Avenue, Needham, 02492
Enjoy a fun afternoon of music trivia, light bites, and refreshments while raising funds for our immigrant neighbors through Metrowest Worker Center – Casa.
Hosted by the Needham Area Immigration Justice Task Force with co-hosts Congregational Church of Needham, UCC; First Parish, UU; and Casa Allies, this event features Music Trivia Through the Ages with a professional DJ. Tables will compete for the grand prize!
Buy single tickets ($50) or a table for eight at a discount. At a time when so much can feel overwhelming, it’s easy to wonder what you can do to make a difference–here’s one meaningful way to make an impact.
The Metrowest Worker Center – Casa is an immigrant worker-led organization which is responding daily to the critical needs of immigrants and their families in these troubled times. All proceeds from this event will go directly to Casa to aid immigrants.
All are welcome!
Location: Congregational Church of Needham, UCC, 1154 Great Plain Ave. (Linden St. entrance). The venue is accessible.
Information, purchase tickets and/or donate: https://givebutter.com/notes-of-hope-qnx4ul
Questions: email info@immigrationneedham.org
Event Flyer: Click here

2026 Building A Dream Gala
2026-05-08 18:00 - 22:00 | Four Points by Sheraton, 1125 Boston Providence Turnpike, Norwood, 02062
Charles River Center’s 2026 Building A Dream Gala will celebrate its storied 70-year history on May 8, 2026 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Norwood, MA. In addition to historical displays and items from Charles River’s past, the Gala will feature a retrospective film, silent and live auctions, dinner, live music, and dancing. 2026 also marks the Gala’s 30th anniversary. The Building a Dream Gala is Charles River’s signature fundraising event.

Piano Trio Gems | Needham Concert Society
2026-05-17 15:00 - 17:00 | Carter Memorial UMC, 800 Highland Avenue, Needham, 02494
DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH | Violinist Irina Muresanu and pianist Asiya Korepanova join cellist Ronald Lowry in a program that brims with passion and contrast, characterized by shimmering color (Turina), fiery intensity (Babajanian), and poetic drama (Robert Schumann).
These programs are supported in part by a grant from the Needham Council for Arts and Culture, ​a local agency which is supported by the Town of Needham and the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

High School Summer Program at Babson – Apply Now
2026-07-06 08:00 - 2026-07-31 17:00 | MA
Babson College is now accepting applications for the Arthur M. Blank School Summer Program, a pre-college experience for rising high school juniors and seniors (ages 16+). Students can choose from 50+ hands-on courses in areas like business, finance, AI, entrepreneurship, and more—offered on campus, online, or commuter.

The program runs July 6–31, 2026. Space is limited, and courses fill on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

Learn more, apply, or register for an upcoming info session:

Link:
https://www.babson.edu/summer-at-babson/high-school-learners/the-arthur-m-blank-school-summer-program/?utm_source=xchannel&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=CM_0_custom_260215_product_0___AWA_&utm_content=_click

Needham High School Artisan Craft Fair and Bake Sale
2026-10-24 09:00 - 15:00 | Needham High School, 609 Webster Street, Needham, MA, 02494, United States
The 43nd Annual Needham High School Craft Fair will be taking place on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 9 am to 3 pm at Needham High School. Come shop from over 100 Local Vendors featuring affordable, high quality unique items, and from our incredible Bake Sale with homemade favorites prepared by our wonderful community, plus donations from local restaurants & bakeries.
All proceeds benefit Needham High School PTC programs that support NHS students throughout the year.
For more information, please email needhamcraftfair@gmail.com
