Framingham's public libraries offer live performances and classes as well as borrowing books, movies, and items including telescopes and musical instruments. You can check out the full slate of offerings at the library website. There's also a searchable events calendar. The main library is at 49 Lexington St., and the McAuliffe branch is at 746 Water St.
Callahan Center offers exercise, recreational, and other programs for people age 55+. "We welcome older adults from all backgrounds to learn about the services we offer, participate in our programs and make new friends," the center's website says. In addition to its home on the city webiste, the Callahan Center also has a new webiste with searchable program listings. The center is at 535 Union Ave.
McAuliffe Center at Framingham State University hosts public events at the FSU planetarium as well as community stargazing and more.
Framingham Maker Space, 2 Watson Place Building 3, Saxonville Mills. A community space for "people who like putting things together," featuring a metal shop, wood shop, welding shop, and more. There are tours Wednesday evenings 7 to 9 pm.
Open Spirit Center, 39 Edwards Street, Saxonville, a multi-faith center on the campus of Edwards Church. Classes on yoga, qi gong, veterans groups, and more. Website has pages for special events and regular classes.
Danforth Museum Art School, third floor of the Jonathan Maynard Building, 14 Vernon Street, Framingham Center. Classes for children and adults. Now part of Framingham State University.
MetroWest YMCA, 280 Old Connecticut Path. Gym, pool, classes, and more.
Keefe at Night, Keefe Tech, 780 Winter St. Continuing education classes and programs by semester, you can check out their offerings on the website.
Community Kiln Art Center, 46 Park St. Pottery classes for adults, children, and families targeting skill levels from beginner to long-time enthusiasts. Semesters run between eight and ten weeks; there are also periodic one-day workshops.
Mass Ballet, 9 River Wy / 2 Watson Place at Saxonville Mills. I used to think of this solely as a place for kids, but the website says they have drop-in classes for teens and adults.
MetroWest Dance Academy, 92 Blandin Ave. Suite D (2nd floor). Also not just for kids, they have adult classes in ballet and tap.
There are also numerous yoga and fitness studios in Framingham at various price points.
Framingham Parks & Recreation, various seasonal classes and programs throughout the city.
Loring Arena, 165 Fountain St. Public ice skating seven days a week most weeks, 2:30 to 4 pm Saturdays and Sundays, 9 am to noon weekdays, admission $5.
Danforth Museum. Jonathan Maynard Building, 14 Vernon St. Open Tues - Sunday noon to 5 pm. Admission for Framingham residents with ID, Seniors (65+), and Framingham State alums $6; Museum and NARM members, and Framingham State students/faculty/staff free, other students with ID $5; other adults $7.
Framingham History Center. Walk-ins are currently welcome Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm to view the collection, gift shop, and any special exhibits. The center also hosts numerous special events. Admission $5 adults, free for members, military, and children under 13. Edgell Memorial Library, 3 Oak St.
The Mill Contemporary Art and Project B. Monthly gallery exhibits, an artist-run shop, and more. 2 Central St. in Saxonville Mills.
Davis Museum isn't in Framingham, but I'm including Wellesley College's museum because it's free to visit and artists in the collection include Monet, Rodin, Picasso, Ansel Adams, Toulouse-Lautrec, John Singer Sargent, Cezanne, Manet, and Andy Warhol. Closes during college breaks.
Jack's Abby, 100 Clinton St. Lager-only craft brewery with beer-hall-style restaurant. Events include crafts markets and live music.
Callahan State Park, Millwood Street. 820-acre day use park with seven miles of trails. Also see Sudbury Valley Trustees trail maps, which includes nearby SVT open space in addition to Callahan trails.
Cochituate Rail Trail, starts at the School and Concord Street intersection in Saxonville, goes into Natick with spurs to Cochituate Lake State Park and the Natick Mall.
Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Road. Public botanic garden open daily in April through October, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Open in winter Thursdays through Saturdays into February for members-only winter walks, reservations required. Reopens to the public on April 19, 2026. In-season admission $18 for adults, $15 seniors (65+), $12 students with ID, $8 youths (5 to 17), free for members, active military service members and their spouses. 50% discount for veterans with proof of service.
Carol J. Getchell Nature Trail, Saxonville. Short hiking trail along the Sudbury River. Re-opened the end of 2025 with accessible paths and scenic overlooks on the North and South sections (central section still to be done).
Nobscot Scout Reservation, 1 Nobscot Road on the Framingham/Sudbury line. 480 acres of forest with hiking trails, views of Mt. Monadnock, and overnight camping. Members of the public are asked to check in before hiking, and limit their visits to daylight hours if they don't have campsite reservations. See the trail map.
More trails throughout the city, see the Friends of Framingham Trails website. Note that the Framingham portion of the Weston Aqueduct trail now extends from Water Street beyond Elm Street to the Wayland line.
Framingham city beaches: It'll be awhile for these, but there's Saxonville Beach, located on Lake Road; Learned Pond, on Shawmut Terrace; and Waushakum Pond, on Nipmuc Terrace. Lifeguards June to August only. Free admission for Framingham residents in recent years.
Eastleigh Farm, 1062 Edmands Road has periodic events including markets, outdoor music, and Sunday summer story times. Events are also posted on their Facebook page.
Hanson's Farm at 20 Nixon Road features a lot of family-friendly activities in season (farmstand is closed until spring) as well as CSA shares. Best up-to-date event information is probably the farm Facebook page.
Stearns Farm is a good source for seedlings in the spring, they also have CSA shares.
Framingham Farmers Markets have recently been on Thursdays at the Framingham Centre Common Village Green, Edgell Road and Vernon Street, from June to October.
Sunshine Farm in Sherborn is just over the Framingham line on kendall Avenue and has pick-your-own fruits in season.
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St., Natick. Audubon property features hiking trails and numerous programs. Admission charge; free for members and some others.
The Center for Arts in Natick, 14 Summer St. Concerts, movies, more. Check the schedule.
Cochituate State Park, 43 Commonwealth Road, Natick. Parking fee in season (May 14 - Oct 30). Accessible from Framingham by foot and bicycle from the Cochituate Rail Trail except on peak beach weekends.
Natick Farmers Market. Every Saturday 9 am to 1 pm year-round. When indoors for the season, at the Common Street Spiritual Center. The Wayland Winter Farmers Market is also Saturdays, from January to March, check the website.
Wayland Community Pool, open to non-residents. Drop-in $20 when cover is up and $30 when cover is down in season; $15/$20 for seniors. Family, monthly, and yearly memberships available.