By late spring, Arlington begins to quietly reveal its stories, landscapes, and traditions, unfolding through a monthlong celebration of nature, culture, and history. The annual Hidden Treasures Festival returns to Arlington starting during the first weekend in May.
The festival, presented by Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area, partners with local museums, libraries, historical societies, arts organizations, land trusts and other community groups. Free, public events will be hosted throughout town until Thursday, May 28.
Featured events in Arlington include:
- “A-Town Tiny Shed” Series, every weekend in May at 12:30 p.m.: A new pop-up exhibit and arts series at Uncle Sam Plaza (4 Mystic St.).
- Intentional Framing at the Harvard Art Museums – Ford Madox Brown’s “La Rose de
l’Infante,” Saturday, May 9 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.: Old Schwamb Mill presents conservationist Allison Jackson on historic reproduction framing at the Harvard Art Museums. - 250 Years of Medal Design in America, Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m.: Cyrus Dallin Museum presents Alex Krapf of the American Numismatic Society on the evolution of medal design at Robbins Library.
- “The Inner Landscape, the Outer World,” Sunday, May 24, from 3 to 5 p.m.: A two-hour experiential photography workshop in nature facilitated by Expressive Arts Therapist, Marina Strauss.
- “Re-Examining Our Roots: The Declaration of Independence at 250,” Thursday, May 28 from 7 to 9 p.m.: A Human Rights Commission special program, exploring the relevancy of the Declaration to our lives today.
A full calendar of events is available here.
This news story, published on April 28, 2026, was written using information provided by the event organizers.
