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Arts Around The Armory, 2025

Summer at the Armory on the Assabet was all about good vibes, art, and community coming together under the sun (and the open sky). Set right along the Assabet River in downtown Hudson, the Armory’s historic building served as a backdrop to a summer series that mixed music, theater, film, brunches and lawn-games. The goal? To light up the future of the Armory as a regional arts & culture hub while simply giving folks in town a chance to gather, relax and enjoy creative experiences together. 

Here are a few highlights from the season

  • Kicked off June with the Battle of the Bands under the Armory canopy on June 7 — local student musicians took center stage, and you could feel the energy of a young crowd owning the space.
  • June 22 delivered Acoustic Sunday Brunch on the Assabet — live local artists, brunch bites by the water, casual conversations with friends and neighbors.
  • July 12 was a little different in the best way: the Jane Austen Garden Party invited everyone to lean into Regency-era charm along with lawn games like croquet, skittles and even archery, all under the canopy of the Armory and along the river. It was playful, whimsical, and completely welcoming.
  • In August, the mood shifted toward theater and classical music: from August 8-10 the Armory Lawn hosted an open-air production of Much Ado About Nothing — picnics and blankets recommended, laughter guaranteed.
  • On August 21 the evening glow of the open-air concert by the Symphony Pro Musica filled the space with woodwinds, strings and brass under the stars.

On August 29 the “Movie on the Lawn” family night (presented in partnership with the Hudson Public Library and sponsored by Main Street Bank) brought blankets, lawn chairs and summer snacks to the riverbank for a relaxed outdoor cinema vibe.

  • Rounding things out in September, the Celebrate Hudson Festival put dance and marionette theater in the spotlight (with support from organizations like InFlyte Entertainment).

Through it all were the bigger dreams: this summer series wasn’t just about having fun (though it absolutely was) — it was about showing what this historic building can become. Studios, classrooms, artist-in-residence programs, a place where music and performance live side by side with visual art and the community.

Stay Tuned!

Get ready for an unforgettable summer with Arts Around the Armory in 2026! Highlights include Shakespeare performances, an electrifying Battle of the Bands, Symphony Pro Musica, a special tribute to the 250th anniversary of the Revolution, acoustic brunches, a vibrant film festival, engaging art classes, and the lively Celebrate Hudson event. Stay tuned for all the excitement!