Join us for Day in the ’YOKE 2025 on Sat, Oct 11, 2025
Celebrate Holyoke with a full day of community, culture, and fun! Experience the city through Doors Open Holyoke, the Great Holyoke Brick Race, the Paper City Food Festival, and many more events happening throughout the city. Enjoy free Day in the ‘Yoke Shuttle Bus service from MGM Springfield to Holyoke City Hall, running every 30 minutes from 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
Doors Open Holyoke 2025 is Coming — Be Part of the Magic!
10 am – 1pm
The Office of Planning and Economic Development (OPED) is proud to once again celebrate Holyoke with this citywide event. Since 2021, Doors Open has welcomed thousands of visitors to explore the businesses, landmarks, and organizations that make our city unique.
For one day only, local businesses, cultural institutions, and historic spaces open their doors to the public — free of charge. It’s a chance to uncover Holyoke’s hidden gems, learn its history, and connect with the people and places that shape our community.
The Great Holyoke Brick Race
Noon – 3pm
As the name implies, a “Brick Race” involves designing and building a brick racer that is cleverly mounted on wheels and raced down an inclined track using only gravity to cross the finish line. The Brick Race will emphasize creativity and the sculptural quality of the race cars as well as making the fastest machine to cross the finish line.
WINGS of PEACE FESTIVAL
Noon – 3pm
Celebrate Indigenous People’s Day at Butterflies: Wings of Peace in Holyoke’s Carlos Vega Park! This community gathering will honor and uplift Indigenous wisdom through the symbol of the butterfly with music, art, dance, stilt-walking, and creative expression. Enjoy performances, interactive activities, and handmade butterfly art from local children as we come together to celebrate life, culture, and peace.
The 5th Annual Paper City Food Festival
2pm – 10pm
The Paper City Food Festival is a vibrant celebration of local cuisine, culture, and creativity, filling downtown Holyoke with vendors, businesses, community organizations, live music, and plenty of delicious food. Each year, the festival also carries a deeper purpose by supporting a member of the Holyoke community battling cancer. This year, the event is dedicated to Gracie, a brave four-year-old girl courageously fighting leukemia, with the annual walk held in her honor.
Cemetery Tours at Forestdale Cemetery
3 – 5pm
Step past the gates of Forestdale Cemetery and join Wistariahurst volunteers as they bring Holyoke’s history to life through the voices of its ancestors. Established in 1860, the cemetery is the resting place of the city’s founding families, politicians, and notable figures. Guests will explore monuments, crypts, and winding paths while uncovering stories of life, death, and legacy in Holyoke. Tours last about 45 minutes and offer a unique blend of history, mystery, and local heritage—tickets sell quickly, so don’t wait to reserve yours!
FREE Shuttle Service from MGM and Holyoke City Hall on THE DAY IN THE ‘YOKE!
10:30am – 7:30pm
The City of Holyoke and the Tourism Advisory Committee are excited to announce free Day in the ‘Yoke Shuttle Bus Services! Thanks to funding from the Mass Gaming Mitigation Grant, the OPED team and Tourism Advisory Committee are proud to provide complimentary shuttle service throughout the day.
Keep the Celebration Rolling into the Night
Here are a few more ways to spend your night in the ‘Yoke.
