Summer in the
Square

Every Tuesday,| 3 – 7 p.m.

The Chelsea Farmers Market has found a new permanent home in Chelsea Square, after previously being held outside City Hall. Fresh produce, local vendors, and community energy every week, making fresh produce more accessible to the community. The markets will run through October 20, 2026.

Thursday, August 15 | 2 – 6 p.m.

The 3rd Annual Tobin Takeover Discovers Chelsea is taking over Port Park on Saturday, August 15, from 2–6 p.m. The event will feature live performances, local vendors, delicious food and drinks, artists, entrepreneurs, creators, and community connections. This event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, August 18 | 3 – 7 p.m.

The Farmers Market will bring an inflatable playzone (bounce houses) to life for kids while you mom and dad shop fresh produce and local vendors, and enjoy community energy. The markets will run through October 20, 2026. Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs is proud to bring this fun event for kids in Chelsea!

During the Farmers Market, the Fiesta Fútbol team invites the public to come together for one last hurrah to celebrate the success of Fiesta  Fútbol. All are welcome for an afternoon of music, free food while supplies last, and more.

Thursday, August 20 | 8 p.m.

Join Chelsea Recreation staff for Trivia in the Square! Test your IQ and compete against your neighbors. Winners get bragging rights. A little friendly competition is good for you.

Saturday, August 22 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Join a free open mic & art show in Chelsea, MA on Sat, Aug 22, 5:30-7:30 PM featuring headliner Star Chung, hosted by D. Ruff. Open Mic sign-up is a half-hour before the show. Sign up early—all welcome!

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Headliner: Star Chung

​Sergeant Star N. Chung is a distinguished leader and public servant with the Chelsea Police Department, making history as the department's first Asian officer since its founding in 1834. She shattered another barrier in 2021 by becoming the first Asian-American sergeant in the department's history. A seasoned poet, Chung has performed her spoken word for Chelsea Black Community, Chelsea Pride Flag Raising, and Verb, Flow and Vision. Born in Saigon, Vietnam, Chung emigrated to the U.S. under the Amerasian Homecoming Act. Chung is an advocate for mental health, representation, and inclusive policing. She spearheaded the department's first-ever Pride Patch initiative and has worked tirelessly to bridge the gap between law enforcement and the community.
 

Host: D.Ruff ​

D. Ruff is a spoken word poet and co-host of the “if you can Feel It, you can Speak It” Open Mic movement, held every second Sunday at Boston City Hall Pavilion. Writing and performing for 10 years, he has performed at The Middle East, Slades Bar & Grille, The Haley House, Darryl’s Corner, The Strand Theater, Paramount Theater, The Apollo Theater, Bay State College, BU, BC, Providence College, Emerson College and Wheelock College, in addition to Boston-area schools. He is the author of, “Staying on 94: Tales from a Misguided Soul,” a collection of his performances and written poetry. He has been on radio stations, such as Boston’s WRBB 104.9 and Big City 101.3 and performed alongside rising star Austin Brown.

Tuesday, August 25 | 3 – 7 p.m.

Chelsea Square transforms into an inflatable play space for kids in Chelsea during the Farmers Market, which brings fresh produce, local vendors, and community energy to the community every week. The markets will run through October 20, 2026.

Saturday, August 29 | 3 – 9 p.m.

The entire Chelsea Theatre Works building, along with the surrounding street and park (Chelsea Square), will come alive with Free Performances, a Beer Garden with Local Food and Craft Vendors, Live Music, Art Exhibitions, Youth Activities, Bilingual Programming, Workshops, a Costume Conversion Fashion Show and Teatro Chelsea's fresh adaptation of Don Quijote and Apollinaire's Midsummer (ish): a 6 actor, 60 minute Dream. Learn more.

Saturday, September 19 | 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Chelsea Summer in the Square is teaming up with On Clark Ave for an unforgettable evening of stand-up comedy featuring a nationally touring headliner and one of Boston's rising comedic voices.

Headliner: Corey Manning
Comedian by night, superhero by day. Corey Manning brings slick, upbeat, over-the-top comedy to Chelsea straight from his run headlining The Apollo. Catch him streaming now on Amazon Prime, seen on NBC's Family Feud with Steve Harvey, featured in Jamie Foxx's Lollapalooza New Faces in Comedy, and a World Series of Comedy finalist. Learn more at coreymanning.com.
 

Host: Dorothy Whitfield
Boston-based comedian Dorothy Whitfield brings her stand-up from top clubs like Laugh Boston, Don't Tell Comedy, The Stress Factory, and City Winery to stages, bars, and theaters across the city. She's opened for SNL's Michael Che, Kam Patterson, T.K. Kirkland, and Netflix's My Cousin Tiera.

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Thursday, July 23 | 6 p.m.

Bring a blanket or chair and settle in for an outdoor showing of a summer classic on Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs' giant 9' x 16' LED screen, generously provided by Eastern Salt Company.

Saturday, July 25 | 2 – 6 p.m. 

Presented with the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce, this community favorite returns with show cars, live entertainment, food vendors, raffles, games, and activities for the whole family.

Tuesday, July 28 | 6 – 7 p.m.
A Latin-inspired dance fitness class that incorporates Latin and International music and dance movements for all fitness levels taught by instructor Jeanette Velez. The class will focus on all elements of fitness: cardio, muscle and balance. Sneakers and comfortable clothing are encouraged.

Tuesday, July 28 | 8 p.m.

Bring a blanket or chair and settle in for an outdoor showing of Disney and Pixar’s Elio on Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs' giant 9' x 16' LED screen. Elio follows the cosmic misadventure of a young space fanatic with an active imagination. 

Thursday, July 30 | 8 p.m.
Bring a blanket or chair and settle in for an outdoor showing of Disney and F1 the movie on Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs' giant 9' x 16' LED screen. F1 is a 2025 American sports drama film directed by Joseph Kosinski from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger, and a story by Kosinski and Kruger. The film stars Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, and Javier Bardem. The plot follows a Formula One (F1) racing driver who returns after a 30-year absence to save his former teammate's underdog team from collapse.

Saturday, August 1 | 3 – 7 p.m.

Salsa in the Park kicks off at 3 p.m. with a full hour of free salsa lessons* with Susy & MetaMovements followed by social dancing at 4 p.m featuring DJ EddieTunez & music corner opens. At 5:30 p.m., enjoy salsa presentations & performances before a final full hour of dancing, animaciones, music corner and more from 6 to 7 p.m. Funded in part by the Chelsea Cultural Council.

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*One of the dance lessons will be taught in American Sign Language (ASL).

Tuesday, August 4 | 3 – 7 p.m.

This week, the Chelsea Farmers Market will feature a live musical performance by Ashley Soto from 3 to 7 p.m. Tune in, get moving, and browse farm-fresh produce and local offerings from a robust lineup of vendors. The markets will take place every week through October 20, 2026.

Thursday, August 6 | 6–8 p.m.

Join Chelsea Recreation staff for Trivia & Karaoke in the Square to test your IQ, compete against your neighbors, and sing your favorite karaoke song in between questions. Winners get bragging rights. A little friendly competition is good for you.

Thursday, August 6 | 8 p.m.

Bring a blanket or chair and settle in for an outdoor showing of GOAT on Chelsea Recreation & Cultural Affairs' giant 9' x 16' LED screen. GOAT is an animated sports comedy about Will Harris, a small goat with big dreams who joins a professional full-contact sport called roarball—a wild, high-intensity version of basketball played by fierce, giant animals. Produced by NBA star Stephen Curry and released by Sony Pictures Animation, the film follows Will as he proves that small players can succeed against the odds.

Saturday, August 8 | 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The 11th Annual Let It Fly Classic basketball tournament returns to Chelsea High School on Saturday, August 8, 2026, and this year's event is shaping up to be our biggest yet!

Learn More.

Tuesday, August 11 | 3 – 7 p.m.

This week, the Chelsea Farmers Market will feature a live musical performance by Ashley Soto from 3 to 6 p.m. Tune in, get moving, and browse farm-fresh produce and local offerings from a robust lineup of vendors. These family-friendly events will take place every week through October 20, 2026.

Thursday, August 13 | 6 – 8 p.m.

Chelsea Summer in the Square partners with The Reel – Chelsea Film Festival for a special pop-up screening celebrating Chelsea's homegrown film community. The Reel – Chelsea Film Festival is co-produced by On Clark Ave and Endless Films.
 

Line-Up
 

"Bailando" by Michel T. A short film love story about two twenty-something Dominicans who fall for each other through the rhythm of Bachata.
 

"Extraño" by K. Elisa Garcia (Endless Films) A mother and daughter adjust to a new reality shaped by loss. A quiet visit to the cemetery reveals the fragile ways people hold on to love, memory, and each other. (In Spanish with English subtitles.)
 

"Day at the Salon" by K. Elisa Garcia (Endless Films) A bald man searches for the perfect hairstyle in this playful short.
 

"Chelsea, The Jewish Years" by Ellen Rovner A short documentary exploring Chelsea, Massachusetts' rich history as a major Jewish immigrant haven during the first half of the 20th century.
 

"Chelsea Black Community – Oral Histories" Short films produced by the Chelsea Black Community as part of the Chelsea Black Heritage Trail project.
 

...and a surprise screening!

Film submissions for The Reel – Chelsea Film Festival opens in August, so bring your ideas: sign-up sheets and additional information will be available at the screening. Follow along for updates and submission details: @hereel_thefestival on Instagram