May 1

Small Works Reception and Fundraiser, 6-7:30 p.m., Lotvin Family Gallery, Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton, https://canvas.hopartscenter.org/events/43 

May 2

4th Annual Jane Jacobs Walk hosted by BEN4 Franklin, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., begins and ends at Franklin TV, 23 Hutchinson St., Franklin, updates at ben4franklin.org.

Happy Birthday Horace --  For Kids and Families, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central St., Franklin, activities and cake!

Tot Shabbat, 9-9:30 a.m., Temple Etz Chaim, 186 Grove St., Franklin, open to all Jewish children up to the age of six and their families, membership not required. Email [email protected]

Charles River Chorale Spring Concert, “It’s About Time! A Journey Through Memory & Moment,” 5 p.m., Medway High School Auditorium, 88 Summer St., Medway, tickets at https://our.show/crcspringconcert

Fairy Walk 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Holi Festival of Colors Celebration, 12 p.m.-1 p.m., Bellforge Arts Center, 45 Hospital Rd., Medfield, Free, www.bellforge.org 

MassBay Community College Spring Open House, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., 50 Oakland St., Wellesley, *Prospective students can RSVP at MassBay.edu/OpenHouse or email [email protected]. 

May 3 

Sunday Speaker Series, 1:15 p.m., Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central St., Franklin, features Phillip Balkus, on the Horace Mann’s less famous role rescuing the fortunes of his brother and other investments, free but donations appreciated

May 4

Nine & Dine: 12 p.m. shotgun start, Tri-County Regional Chamber Golf Tournament, Shining Rock Golf Club, 91 Clubhouse Lane, Northborough,  https://www.tricountychamberma.org/golf-tournament 

May 5

Community Closet at Franklin UMC open, 12-2 p.m., 82 W. Central St., Franklin, all clothing is FREE . Donations of gently used clean clothes are gratefully accepted

Franklin Garden Club presents Orchids 101, 6– 8:30 p.m., Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St., Franklin, features Linda Abrams and Mike Badia.

Rotary Club of Franklin, MA meeting, 5:30 p.m., Rome Restaurant, 4 E. Central St., Franklin. If you would like to come to a meeting, email Diane Padula, [email protected].

Voice of Franklin Toastmasters, 7:30 p.m., Franklin TV, 23 Hutchinson St., Franklin, work on your presentation skills with a supportive group in Zoom or in person, https://voiceoffranklin.toastmastersclubs.org 

Stony Brook Camera Club meeting (Zoom), “Flower Photography” with Padma Inguva, www.stonybrookcc.com 

May 6

Veterans Coffee Social, 10 a.m., Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St., Franklin, ALL veterans welcome.

Franklin Art Association meeting, 6:30 p.m., Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St., Franklin, guest artist Kristen Perone, www.franklinart.org 

May 7

Franklin LGBTQ Alliance Bowling, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Pinz, 110 South Main St., Milford, space limited, so RSVP at [email protected]. $15 which includes shoes. Brin extra money for food or arcade.

May 8

Frances Perkins Comes to Life! 1 p.m., Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St., Franklin, Historical Portrayals by Lady J brings trailblazer Frances Perkins to life in this historical performance. 

May 9

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive, please place a bag of nonperishable donations by your mailbox prior to your normal mail delivery time. Your letter carrier will pick up your donation and bring it to the Franklin Food Pantry. www.franklinfoodpantry.org 

Craft Supply Swap, 1 p.m., Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, volunteers needed, [email protected]

Antiques Appraisal Benefit Event, 1-5 p.m., Franklin Historical Museum, 80 W. Central St., Franklin, with experienced appraiser James C. Johnston, $10 per item, $25 per 3 items, Seniors $5 per item, $10 per 3 items. Fundraiser for museum.

Susan Werner, 7:30 p.m., Circle of Friends Coffeehouse, Franklin’s First Universalist Society Meetinghouse, 262 Chestnut St., Franklin; doors open at 7 p.m. Beverages and gourmet desserts available. Tickets at  https://circlefolk.org/ 

Norfolk Cultural Council Juried Art Exhibition Reception & Awards Ceremony, 6-8 p.m., Norfolk Public Library, 2 Liberty Lane, Norfolk, exhibit runs May 2-30

May 12

Community Closet at Franklin UMC open, 12-2 p.m., 82 W. Central St., Franklin, all clothing is FREE . Donations of gently used clean clothes are gratefully accepted

Stony Brook Camera Club meeting (Zoom), Member Competition- Image of the year, www.stonybrookcc.com 

May 14

11th Annual Franklin High School Empty Bowls Fundraiser, 6 p.m., Franklin High School cafeteria, dinner of soup and bread, bid on auction items including handmade pottery by Empty Bowls members, $22 adults, $12 children (18 and under) at www.franklinfoodpantry.org or at door (cash or check only).

May 15

Franklin Library Book Sale, 1-5 p.m., Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, Books $1
Friday, May 15: 1 - 5pm; Saturday, May 16: 9am - 12pm. All books are just one dollar! Bag Sale - $5 Per Bag. Saturday, May 16: 1 - 4pm

May 16

Franklin Beautification Day, 8 a.m. – noon, presented by Franklin Downtown Partnership, Volunteer to plant on May 16 or water during the summer. Contact Sandy Sauer [email protected], or 508-733-8929. Volunteers with trucks, 7:30 a.m., Fairmount Fruit Farm. Others 8 a.m. at public parking lot near bridge in front of The Rome restaurant. Bring work gloves, rakes and garden tools. www.franklindowntownpartnership.org 

Franklin Art Association’s Annual “Fakes and Forgeries Art Exhibit” opens, Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St., Franklin, museum hours. Public reception June 6.

Franklin Library Book Sale, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m., Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, Books $1, bag sale 1-4 p.m.

Quattro Eroi Lodge #1414 Pasta Dinner, 6 p.m., VFW Post 3402 Hall, 1034 Pond St., Franklin, great Italian food, conversation, a remembrance of the men for whom the Lodge is named, and raffle baskets and auction items. $20 ($15 for members). Follow activities on Facebook. [email protected].

Bellingham Multicultural Festival, 1-4:30 p.m., Bellingham Public Library, 100 Blackstone St., Bellingham

May 17

LiveArts String Quartet, 3 p.m., Franklin Historical Museum, 80 West Central St., Franklin, features masterworks by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Schumann. Limited seating. Tickets at www.Liveartsstringquartet.org

May 19

Community Closet at Franklin UMC open, 12-2 p.m., 82 W. Central St., Franklin, all clothing is FREE . Donations of gently used clean clothes are gratefully accepted

Stony Brook Camera Club meeting (Zoom), “Planning Astrolandscape Photos” with Manish Mamtani, www.stonybrookcc.com 

Rotary Club of Franklin, MA meeting, 5:30 p.m., Rome Restaurant, 4 E. Central St., Franklin. If you would like to come to a meeting, email Diane Padula, [email protected].

Voice of Franklin Toastmasters, 7:30 p.m., Franklin TV, 23 Hutchinson St., Franklin, work on your presentation skills with a supportive group in Zoom or in person, https://voiceoffranklin.toastmastersclubs.org 

May 20

Women’s Health Expo, 2-5 p.m., New England Chapel, 300 East Central St., Franklin, includes health screenings, educational resources, giveaways, and local vendors. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute mobile mammography van 7 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. 

Franklin Town Council Budget Hearing, 6 p.m., Council Chambers, Franklin Municipal Building, 355 E. Central St., Franklin, available on Zoom, visit www.franklinma.gov for details and agendas

May 21

Franklin Town Council Budget Hearing, 6 p.m., Council Chambers, Franklin Municipal Building, 355 E. Central St., Franklin, available on Zoom, visit www.franklinma.gov for details and agendas

May 22

Memorial Day Breakfast , 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Franklin Senior Center, 10 Daniel McCahill St., Franklin, RSVP by May 9, 2025. Veterans get first preference.

FHS Theatre presents The Curious Case of the Cottingley Fairies, Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak St., Franklin, for more information visit https://www.facebook.com/franklinhstheatreco

May 23

Melodious Zach: An Elton John Experience, 3 p.m., Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin

FHS Theatre presents The Curious Case of the Cottingley Fairies, Franklin High School Auditorium, 218 Oak St., Franklin, for more information visit https://www.facebook.com/franklinhstheatreco

May 25

Memorial Day: Memorial Day Parade 11 a.m., from Horace Mann School to Oak, to Daniel McCahill, to Union, to W. Central, to Emmons, to Main, to Town Common. Memorial Day Ceremony 12 p.m. 

May 26

Community Closet at Franklin UMC open, 12-2 p.m., 82 W. Central St., Franklin, all clothing is FREE . Donations of gently used clean clothes are gratefully accepted

Mahjong Meetup, Tuesday, 6 p.m., Franklin Public Library, 118 Main St., Franklin, for adults

Stony Brook Camera Club meeting (Zoom), Image Makers _ Member Presentations, www.stonybrookcc.com

May 27

Finance Committee Budget Meeting, 6 p.m., Franklin Municipal Building, 355 E. Central St., Franklin, available on Zoom, visit www.franklinma.gov for details and agendas

Bellforge Arts Center Balance in Nature: Mind-Body Movement, 10-11 a.m., Bellforge Arts Center, 45 Hospital Rd., Medfield, Free, www.bellforge.org 

May 31-June 6

Franklin Restaurant Week, promotions all week in restaurants around town, visit https://tinyurl.com/FranklinRestaurantWeek2026