The Acton Exchange

Acton Exchange All-Hands Meeting
2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:30, 2026-01-14 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-12-10 19:00 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | ActonTV offices, 16a Craig Road, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Acton Exchange team holds monthly meetings that are open to our active volunteers and anyone who might want to become a volunteer. If you have an Acton connection and want to contribute to independent community journalism in our town, it is likely that the AE has a role for you, whatever your skill sets and interests might be. Each meeting begins with an opportunity to learn what has been going on at the Acton Exchange, followed by an opportunity to improve our journalism skills. Meetings are either hybrid (in-person or zoom) or zoom-only. For this month’s venue and topic, email info@actonexchange.org

Green Acton monthly meeting
2026-02-10 19:00 - 20:45, 2026-01-13 19:00 - 20:45, 2025-12-09 19:00 - 20:45 | Zoom
Green Acton works to protect and enhance Acton’s natural environment and resources for present and future generations, and to help resolve the urgent environmental issues that transcend Acton’s boundaries. The group meets monthly (except for August) on the second Tuesday of the month, usually by zoom but occasionally in person. To learn more about Green Acton’s mission, accomplishments, and ongoing work, visit https://greenacton.org/
To get the agenda and zoom link for the upcoming monthly meeting, email info@greenacton.org
In addition to the all-topics monthly meeting, the individual committees hold more specialized meetings; topical committees are Biodiversity, Energy, Materials (e.g plastics, toxics, recycling), Land Use (e.g. zoning), and Water. To find the dates for committee meetings visit the Green Acton Upcoming Events page at: https://greenacton.org/calendar/

Housing Legal Clinics
2026-02-10 16:00 - 18:00, 2026-01-13 16:00 - 18:00, 2025-12-09 16:00 - 18:00 | Acton Community Services office, 30 Sudbury Road Rear, Acton, MA, 01720
The Acton Community Services Office within the Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with MetroWest Legal Services, will host a monthly housing legal clinic beginning in January.
Housing Legal Clinic appointments will begin on Jan. 14 and will be held on the second Tuesday of each month from 4-6 p.m. at the Human Service and Senior Center, 30 Sudbury Road Rear.
Before you attend a session, you must complete the following registration form, which can be found here.
The program, which is funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, will run until Dec. 31, 2026.

Library: Yarn & Needle Club
2026-02-10 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-27 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-13 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-23 15:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-09 15:00 - 16:00 | Acton Memorial Library Meeting Room (1st floor), 486 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, and sewers, join the library to work on your project and socialize! We meet every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

Boxborough Museum open house
2026-02-08 14:00 - 16:00, 2026-01-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Boxborough Museum, 575 Middle Road, Boxborough, MA, 01719
The Boxborough Museum at 575 Middle Road is open on second Sundays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Come see Boxborough’s historic treasures including the 1850’s scale which is sensitive enough to weigh a penny and strong enough to calibrate a 50 pound weight, the “new” hearse built in 1881, and the “old” hearse (come and see how old is old).
Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information or to arrange a private tour for a small group, please contact John Fallon through the Boxborough Historical Society.

Acton 250: “I Screamed with All My Might” – The Civilians Trapped Behind the Boston Siege Lines
2026-01-28 19:00 - 20:30 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720
In the aftermath of the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, numerous civilians found themselves trapped within Boston, encircled by the newly formed Massachusetts Grand Army. The constant fear of an American assault, coupled with outbreaks of disease and the erosion of civil liberties under martial rule fostered an atmosphere of desperation. The experiences of those trapped behind enemy lines unveil another dimension of the Revolution: the quiet endurance of ordinary men, women, and children who faced hunger, fear, and hardship in their struggle to survive. Author and Historian Alexander Cain will explain this difficult period on history.
Remote Participation: You can watch live on YouTube at Acton TV http://tinyurl.com/Acton-TV. Recordings will be available at Acton TV https://actontv.org/ and on our website https://www.actonma.gov/250.

Acton DPW polystyrene (styrofoam) collection
2026-01-17 10:00 - 13:00, 2025-12-20 10:00 - 13:00 | DPW, 14 Forest Rd, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
On the third Saturday of every month (except June, which is 2nd Saturday), you can recycle your clean styrofoam containers.
For details about the 2025 schedule, and what you can recycle, see https://actonma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/10278/Polystyrene-collection-days-and-guide-2025.

Carlisle Potluck and Contradance
2026-01-09 18:30 - 22:00, 2025-12-12 18:30 - 22:00 | First Religious Society of Carlisle, 27 School Street, Carlisle, 10741
The Carlisle Dance, with its accompanying potluck dinner, is known as the most sociable dance in the area. Arrive at 6:30 for dinner and conversation, and then dance from 8 until 10. Live music by the Carlisle Band, who bring an eclectic collection of instruments. Outstanding local callers call mostly contradances, plus occasional square and circle dances.
Admission is just $6-10 (self-determined sliding scale) for all ages, along with your tasty and creative contribution for the meal.
You’ll find us at the lovely Unitarian Church in Carlisle Center on the Common. Navigate to 27 School St, Carlisle MA and look for a classic New England church with the town clock in the steeple.

Library: Great Decisions Group Discussion - Middle East
2025-12-30 18:30 - 20:00 | Acton Memorial Library, 486 Main St., Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Great Decisions is America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. The program model involves reading the Great Decisions Briefing Book and meeting in a Discussion Group to discuss the most critical global issues facing America today. This months topic will be on the Middle East. A short article is available from the Great Decisions briefing book. Please read it ahead of the meeting. It is available in the library.

The war in Gaza has brought the region to a crossroads. What are the possible outcomes of the war, and how might the United States use its influence to shape a long-term settlement that leaves both Israel and the Palestinians in a better position? How might Arab states in the wider region be brought into a settlement? What are America’s interests in the Middle East and how can it advance them?
Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon request by emailing library@actonma.gov.

Meet in the meeting room at the library

Acton Republican Town Committee November Meeting
2025-12-19 18:30 - 21:00 | Faulkner House, 5 High Street, Acton, 01720
Acton Republican Town Committee
6:30 PM Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Faulkner House (circa 1700), 5 High Street
Friends of Acton RTC Welcome! please RSVP to Chair or ARTC Officer
acton-repubs@pm.me

Acton Community Supper - December
2025-12-17 16:30 - 17:30, 2025-12-10 16:30 - 17:30 | Mt Cavalry Lutheran Church, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Acton, MA, 01720
Join us at our Sit-Down Supper! The month of Holiday Celebrations is here. Please, take time to join us for a dinner with new and familiar friends. Join us as we bring cheer into your lives.
We look forward to sharing a meal and friendship with you!
December 3: Spaghetti and Meatballs
Sponsored by The Acton Women’s Club
December 10: Swedish Meatballs with Buttered Noodles
Sponsored by Mt Calvary Lutheran Church
December 17: Our Holiday Turkey Dinner with all the Fix’ns
Sponsored by Boston Metro West Bible Church
December 24th & 31st: Closed – May this month of many Holidays bring you peace!

** Please note that the meals we serve may contain gluten, nuts, seeds, or dairy.
Doors open at 4:15 pm. Please, do not enter earlier so our volunteers can prepare your Supper.
Parking: Park your car in the back parking lot and enter from the walkway to the church door.
For more information, see http://www.facebook.com/CommunitySupperofActonMA.
As 2025 comes to an end, we wish to express how grateful we are for the support and dedication of so many individuals, community organizations, church members and the team of our Supper volunteers. Together we hope that each meal we share will bring us closer together.

Danny's Place: Career Panel with Insulet
2025-12-09 16:00 - 17:00 | Danny’s Place, 543 Mass Ave., Acton, MA, 01720
For teens (9th – 12th grade): Join us for a special panel hosted by Insulet Corporation, creators of the Omnipod® system. Hear from professionals shaping the future of science and technology, and learn how curiosity can become a career with purpose.
Limit 25 students.
Please register here.

Acton Woman's Club: Visit with Santa
2025-12-07 13:00 - 16:00 | Acton Woman’s Club, 504 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Children and their adults are invited to visit Santa and Mrs. Santa on Sunday, December 7 between 1pm and 4pm at the Acton Woman’s Clubhouse at 504 Main Street, Acton Center.
The safe and quiet atmosphere of the cheerful living room is especially fine for small children and those who prefer less noise and fewer crowds. There is no charge, but any voluntary donations will be used towards maintaining this historic building.
Picture taking is encouraged.

West Acton Village Holiday Stroll
2025-12-06 12:30 - 16:30 | West Acton Village, 588 Mass Ave, Acton, MA, 01720
Highlights of Village Stroll Activities!
Please explore the Village and have a great time supporting local! Pick up a Village Hunt game board at participating businesses.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE WREATH Find wreaths at participating businesses throughout the Village.
ABRHS MADRIGAL SINGERS 1:00 (starting at Silver Unicorn) – 3:00. Caroling throughout the Village.
SCAVENGER HUNT 12:30 pm – 4 pm Visit participating businesses. Winners will be drawn at 4 pm.
RAFFLE BASKETS AT WEST ACTON BAPTIST CHURCH 12:30 pm – 4 pm raffle baskets. Raffle baskets & Village Hunt winners drawn at 4 pm (592 Mass Ave).
HAYRIDES 1 pm – 3 pm along Windsor Avenue.
TOUCH-A-TRUCK 1 pm – 4 pm at West Acton Fire Station (265 Central).
VISIT WITH SANTA 1 pm – 3 pm at Great Spaces (245 Arlington).
TREE LIGHTING & COMMUNITY CAROL SINGING 4:30 pm West Acton Baptist Church (592 Mass Ave)

Participating locations include (but not limited to):

DANNY’S PLACE – Holiday-like activities for kids, thrift store – penguins only, and indoor snowball game. Music by the ABRHS Jazz Quartet.
ILLUMINATED BIRTH & COMPANY – Holiday makerspace and marketplace pop-up event with the Fab Lab!
E. DRUMM DESIGNS – Free sticker.
SMUDGE INK – Letters to Santa & free Imagination Kits, while supplies last.
THE BEE’S KNEES BRITISH IMPORTS – Free hot chocolate and other goodies. Gift basket give away.
THE SHOP – Raffle for a gift certificate. Hot chocolate.
THE SILVER UNICORN BOOKSTORE – Story Time Kick Off with NYT-bestselling children’s authors Christopher Denise and Matt Tavares starts at 11 am.
WISH BOUTIQUE – Treats and prizes.
BARRETT SOTHEBY’S INT’L REALTY – Visit with Frosty the Snowman.
GREAT SPACES – Visit Santa from 1 pm – 3 pm. Hot chocolate.
WEST ACTON BAPTIST CHURCH – Pop-up holiday thrift shop and 3-D printer widgets. Raffle Baskets (drawing at 4 PM). Tree Lighting & carol singing at 4:30 (outside).

Concert: Musical Storytelling with Schumann
2025-12-06 11:00 - 12:00 | CCM Concert Hall, West Concord Union Church, 1317 Main Street, Concord, MA, 01742, United States
The Concord Conservatory of Music (CCM) invites families to a delightful and participatory concert, “Musical Storytelling with Schumann,” a featured event in the CCM Family Series. The performance will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM.
CCM piano faculty member Kitty Cheung-Evans will perform Robert Schumann’s beloved Kinderszenen, or “Scenes from Childhood” (1838). Inspired by Clara Schumann’s reflection that these pieces “belong only to us,” this unique concert prompts listeners—both children and adults—to create their own visual and emotional stories based on movement titles like “Dreaming” and “Of Distant Lands.”
Admission is FREE for all students 18 and under ($10 for General Admission).
For more information or to purchase tickets, see Musical Storytelling with Schumann.
