Summer Events at Assembly Row
Top Row: Artisan Way at Assembly Row, the completed amphitheater. (Photos Provided) / Bottom Row: A train gives quick rides to Assembly Row visitors, a painter finishes up a mural of fish, the new Legoland Discovery Center Boston. (Photos by Yiqing Shao)
Somerville’s newest shopping center, Assembly Row, has been a long time coming. Throughout May, retail spaces and other units have been opening up, including Legoland Discovery Center, a new AMC, restaurants, and outlets galore including Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, Reebok, Nike, and more.
But Assembly Row’s organizers want it to be more than just a mall—this summer, the area will host an abundance of summer events in an effort to attract customers and build the center into a community hub.
RELATED: Your Guide to Shopping at Assembly Row
While an outlet center isn’t exactly inherently Somerville, the diverse array of events planned at Assembly Row, including a food truck festival, free fitness activities, live music, and arts markets, are likely to appeal to a variety of patrons. Whether that appreciation will turn Assembly Row into a cash cow, only time will tell.
For now, sit back, relax, and reap the benefits of this fully-loaded summer lineup:
— Grand Opening Season Kick-Off —
Friday, May 30, through Sunday, June 1
Friday, May 30, 6:30 p.m., Assembly Row Bar Stars Cocktail Mix-Off: Bartenders from restaurants at Assembly Row will compete to see who can make the best cocktail.
Saturday, May 31, 9 a.m., Yoga on the Mystic: O2 Yoga studio instructors host a session at Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park. Free.
Saturday, May 31, 12 p.m., Picnic in the Park: Picnicking is optional; the special offer here are the children’s activities that will take place through 4 p.m. including face painting, balloon twisting, magic shows, and games. Free.
Saturday, May 31, 6 p.m., Concert in the Park: Enjoy live performances by The Change Up and Richard James & The Name Changers. Free.
Sunday, June 1, 9 a.m., Complimentary Boot Camp in the Park: Evolve will host fitness sessions throughout the summer. Free.
Sunday, June 1, 12 p.m., Jazz and Java: A four-piece ensemble will perform while you chill out or warm up with some J.P. Licks.
Saturday, May 31, 11 a.m., and Sunday, June 1, Fashion on the Row: “Fashion Flashes” will take place until 3:30 p.m. with special offers, a Q&A with Sarah McManus, and a live DJ. Free.
— Somerville Food Truck Festival —
$5, June 7, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Wine and beer will be available for sale, and kids activities are promised. The food trucks in attendance shall be…
The Whoo(pie) Wagon / Cameo Macaron / Plouf Plouf Gastronomie / Bon Me / Fugu / Makin’ Jamaican / The Latin Spoon / The Pasta Pot / Roxy’s Grilled Cheese / Compliments / The Bacon Truck / Sweet Tomatoes / Chicken & Rice Guys / M&Mribs’s BBQ / Munchies / Frozen Hoagies / Uyghur Kitchen / Pennypackers / The Dining Car / Evan’s NY Style Deli / Trolley Dogs
— Radio 92.9 Rock and Run —
$75, June 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
This inaugural 5K obstacle course will challenge racers to power through monkey bars, climbs, hurdles, and walls. But here’s a fun twist: because it’s Radio 92.9, live music at each mile marker will help keep your adrenaline going, so you can leave that iPod at home.
The event also boasts an exclusive concert with a national recording artist at the post-race party, where those over 21 can rest their legs with a nice cold beer.
Register at rockandrunboston.com.
— Art in the Park —
Free, Sundays, June 29-July 27, 2-3 p.m.
Free art lessons at the park every Sunday—sure, why not? Presented in conjunction with the Somerville Arts Council. Lineup TBD.
— Pet Palooza —
Free, August 2-3
Along with responsible dog-ownership nonprofit SomDog, Assembly Row will host Pet Palooza, a two-day family-friendly event with pet-centric events including demos, training seminars, pet adoptions (why must you tempt us so?!), and DockDog’s Northeast Regional Championship Competition.
— Race to the Row —
$30, August 24, 9:30 a.m.
This 5K starts and ends at Assembly Row. Runners and walkers travel through the square and along the Mystic River. Proceeds benefit the East Somerville Main Streets program and Somerville TrackPAC.
Register at srr.org.
— Patio Music Series —
Free, Friday nights in August
Local bands will perform in restaurant patios at the Row. Lineup TBD.
— Sylvester Baxter Riverfront Park Movie Series —
Free, Saturday nights in August
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will host free movie nights every Saturday evening in August. Lineup TBD.
— Back to Basics & Back to School —
Throughout August
All month long, dull the pain of back-to-school stress with giveaways, live music, movies, family activities, and more. Details TBD.
— Design Museum Boston Summer Series at Assembly Row —
Monthly, July-September
DMB will host a monthly speaker series that “celebrate social connectivity in our urban context.” Lineup TBD.
— Assembled, The Handmade Arts Market —
Saturdays, June 7-September 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
The handmade arts market will feature the work of Somerville artists, so get ready for some Etsy crushes.
— Fitness at Assembly Row —
Free
Yoga with O2 Yoga Studio: Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Saturdays at 9 p.m. at Baxter Riverfront Park.
Boot Camp with Evolve Bootcamp: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. Register at evolve-bootcamp.com.
— Riverfest —
Free, Saturday, September 13, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
The seventh annual celebration will close out the summer series with live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, and a fireworks show over the Mystic River.
Assembly Row, 100 Foley St., Somerville, assemblyrow.com.
Want more summer? Of course you do.
Check out our June cover story, “Summer in the City.”
Plus: more summer series at local venues.
