Top 20 Massachusetts Events for 2011

MAY 6-7: STOCKBRIDGE,Annual Plant Sale. Thousands of annuals, perennials, herbs, rare and unusual plants, and trees and shrubs go on sale at Berkshire Botanical Gardens. Vendors offer potted herbs and vegetable starts, tropical plants, garden ornaments, furniture, compost, and more. 413-298-3926; berkshirebotanical.org

MAY 10-15, JULY 12-17, SEPT. 6-11: BRIMFIELD,Brimfield Antique Show. Running more than a half-mile along Route 20, set up in some 20 fields, it’s the biggest outdoor flea market in the country. Wares range from furnishings to precious jewelry and everything in between, and in all price ranges. Check dealer specialties and locations at the Web site before you go and plan your treasure-hunt strategy. brimfieldshow.com

MAY 11: JAMAICA PLAIN,Revels Pub Sing. Share a pint at Doyle’s Cafe and let Revels music director George Emlen lead you in an evening of sea chanteys, drinking songs, gospel melodies, and more. Reservations recommended. 617-972-8300; revels.org

JUNE 3-4: BOSTON,American Craft Beer Fest. Held at the Seaport World Trade Center, it’s the East Coast’s largest celebration of its kind, featuring more than 100 American brewers and 400 craft brews ready for tasting. beeradvocate.com/acbf

JUNE 9-JULY 17: ROCKPORT,Rockport Chamber Music Festival. The 30th anniversary lineup at Shalin Liu Performance Center includes Lincoln Center’s cello/piano duo David Finckel and Wu Han, British early-music ensemble Red Priest, and the Borromeo, St. Petersburg, and Jupiter string quartets. 978-546-7391; rockportmusic.org

JUNE 10-12: WORCESTER, Worcester Irish Music Festival. Traditional music from the world’s Celtic regions, step dancing, storytelling, a soda-bread contest, the “Boiled Cabbage O’Lympics,” and plenty of Guinness, all at the Hibernian Cultural Centre and Fiddler’s Green. worcesteririshmusicfestival.com

JUNE 18-19: DEERFIELD,Old Deerfield Summer Craft Fair. One in a series of the town’s nationally renowned shows, held at Memorial Hall Museum, featuring paintings and sculpture, furnishings, clothing and accessories, jewelry, stained glass, and more. Live music and fresh treats, too. 413-774-7476; deerfield-craft.org

JUNE 18-AUG. 28: BECKET,Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. The Ted Shawn Theatre presents more than 50 dance companies from around the world: ballet and tango to jazz and modern dance. 413-243-9919; jacobspillow.org

JUNE 25-SEPT. 4: LENOX, Tanglewood. Set in the picturesque Berkshires, this renowned summer series kicks off with Earth, Wind & Fire’s 40th Anniversary World Tour, followed by the Mark Morris Dance Group, James Taylor, the Boston Pops, and Garrison Keillor. The Boston Symphony Orchestra takes the stage on July 8 with an all-Italian program of opera and symphonic music and continues with chamber music and other classical works throughout the season. Guest artists include the Emerson String Quartet, Yo-Yo Ma, Emanuel Ax, Joshua Bell, Itzhak Perlman, Gil Shaham, and John Williams; a performance of Porgy and Bess is slated for August 26. The season wraps up with the annual “Tanglewood Wine and Food Classic” September 1-4 and the Jazz Festival September 2-4. 888-266-1200, 617-266-1492; bso.org

JUNE 29-JULY 4: BOSTON,Boston Harborfest. Highlights of the 30th anniversary extravaganza at City Hall Plaza, Fan Pier, and the waterfront include “Extreme Sailing” races, cruises and Tall Ship adventures, whale watches, traditional Fourth of July festivities and fireworks, Freedom Trail and State House tours, historical re-enactments, a chowderfest, and more. 617-227-1528; bostonharborfest.com

JUNE 29-JULY 10: BROCKTON,Brockton Fair. A traditional country event at Brockton Fairgrounds, with magic shows, petting farm, pig racing, demolition derby, fireworks, amateur boxing, live wrestling, flat-track motorcycle races, mud bogging, live entertainment, and much more. 508-586-8000; brocktonfair.com

JULY 1-3, 29-31, SEPT. 2-4: BREWSTER,By the Bay Fine Arts & Craft Show. Watercolors, fine-art photography, oils, jewelry, stained glass, pottery, furniture, clothing–there’s something for every eye and every taste at this show on scenic Cape Cod Bay. 508-896-2670; bythebayshows.com

JULY 29-31: LOWELL,Lowell Folk Festival. Lots of music in a variety of traditions, plus plenty of ethnic foods and crafts throughout downtown. Performers include Dervish, Le Vent du Nord, the Birmingham Sunlights, Stanky and the Coalminers, and more. 978-970-5000; lowellfolkfestival.org

JULY 30-AUG. 6: WOODS HOLE, Woods Hole Film Festival. With daily screenings, workshops, panel discussions, readings, and parties, this nonprofit showcase of more than 100 independent films is a must-attend for any cinema aficionado. 508-495-3456; woodsholefilmfestival.org

AUG. 6-7: STURBRIDGE,Redcoats & Rebels. Old Sturbridge Village is transformed into a Colonial encampment as re-enactors in colorful period costume gather to re-create the War for Independence, as it was known in early New England. 800-733-1830; 508-347-3362; osv.org

AUG. 11-14: NORTHAMPTON,Mass BikePike Tour. A biking and camping trip into the Berkshires, with stops in Great Barrington, Stockbridge, Lee, Lenox, Pittsfield, Williamstown, and North Adams. Start and finish location is Northampton’s Tricounty Fairgrounds; hearty breakfasts and dinners provided. 617-599-8509; massbikepike.org

AUG. 20-21 GLOUCESTER,Gloucester Waterfront Festival. More than 150 juried artists and crafters from across the country will display their wares at Stage Fort Park. Live jazz and maritime music, ethnic foods, pancake breakfast, and lobster bake. Browse the exhibits, from jewelry, quilts, and pottery to original watercolors, clocks, and blown glass. 978-283-1601; capeannvacations.com

AUG. 21: WESTMINSTER,Wachusett Valley Folk Festival. This year’s impressive line-up includes David Wilcox, Lori Diamon and Fred Abatelli, Madison Violet, Carrie Rowan, Stuart Ferguson, The Marshtones, and more at Wachusett Village Inn. 978-365-2043; wachusettmusic.com

AUG. 27-28: SALEM,Antique & Classic Boat Festival. View vintage yachts, runabouts, cabin cruisers, and sailboats at Brewer Hawthorne Cove Marina. Tour the vessels and meet the crews; visit the crafts market; listen to old-time band music; and view Sunday’s parade of boats and Blessing of the Fleet. 617-666-8530; boatfestival.org

SEPT. 2-5: GLOUCESTER,Gloucester Schooner Festival. Sailing races, fireworks over the harbor, parade of sail, and “Mayor’s Race.” Held in conjunction with Gloucester Maritime Heritage Day (Saturday), honoring the working waterfront, seafaring and boatbuilding traditions, and the natural history of the Gulf of Maine. 978-283-1601; capeannvacations.com/schooner

Call ahead to confirm dates, schedules, and admission prices. To submit an event for possible publication, go to: YankeeMagazine.com/submitevent