Institute Park hosts a number of activities, festivals, and events throughout the year. A notable annual attraction is the Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra’s admission-free Summer Family Concert Series which celebrated its 70th year in 2021. Significant gatherings that have brought vitality and large crowds to the park include Black Heritage’s Juneteenth Festival, and the Caribbean American Festival, among many others.
To reserve Institute Park for an event, concert, or festival, please call the Worcester Parks Division at (508) 799-1190.
Upcoming Events
Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra Patriotic Pops Concert and Fireworks -- Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 7:45 P.M -- FREE
The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra's 73rd Season of Free Summer Concerts in Worcester's Institute Park (82 Salisbury St.) begins on Wednesday July 3, 2024 at 7:45PM with a Patriotic Pops Concert and Fireworks. Led by Grammy-Award winning Conductor Myron Romanul with former City Councilor Gary Rosen as Master of Ceremonies, the concert will feature soprano Jane Shivick and tenor Taylor Lawton in popular selections by American composers, with the performance culminating in fireworks accompanying Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture, Stars and Stripes Forever and other patriotic marches by John Philip Sousa. Rain date is Thursday, July 4 (no fireworks on rain date).
Jazz in the Park: Celebrating Great African-American and Latin-American Musical Influences -- Sunday, July 14, 2024, 7:00 P.M -- FREE
The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra presents "Jazz in the Park: Celebrating Great African-American and Latin-American Musical Influences" on Sunday, July 14, 2024 at 7PM in Worcester's Institute Park, 82 Salisbury St. Led by Conductor Jorge Soto with acclaimed composer, singer, and percussionist Manolo Mairena as Master of Ceremonies, this free concert will feature iconic jazz selections by legendary composers such as Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Chick Corea, Jorge Ben, Tito Puente, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Joao Gilberto, Luiz Bonfa, and Zequinha Abreau, among others. In association with Worcester's Latin American Business Organization, this not-to-be-missed evening of Afro-Latin Jazz will showcase members of the Massachusetts Symphony joined by faculty members of Boston's Berklee College of Music. Rain date is Sunday, July 21 at 7PM. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Worcester Arts Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
Salute to Disney Kids and Family Concert -- Sunday, July 21, 2024, 6:30 P.M -- FREE
The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra presents its annual Salute to Disney Kids and Family Concert on Sunday, July 21, 2024 at 6:30PM in Worcester's Institute Park, 82 Salisbury St. Led by Conductor Jorge Soto with vocal soloists Taylor Lawton and Elisabeth LaBarre, this free concert will feature musical highlights from Disney and Pixar blockbusters Encanto, Moana, Frozen, Planes, Brave, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pocahontas, and Aladdin, among others. Special guest soloist will be cellist Sofia Hernandez-Williams. Rain dates are July 28 and August 4.
https://www.discovercentralma.org/event/salute-to-disney-kids-and-family-concert/23438/
For more information visit http://www.masymphony.org/mso/Concerts.html.