Classes, Summer Programs, a one-of-a-kind shop, and a summer festival you won’t want to miss!
Whether your kids are dying to try their hand at glassblowing or you’re looking for a unique weekend outing for the whole family, the Worcester Center for Crafts located at 25 Sagamore Road in Worcester is one of Central Mass’s best-kept secrets, and this summer, they’re making it impossible to stay away.
With a Youth Summer Program packed with hands-on creativity, a can’t-miss summer festival, year-round classes for adults and kids, and a gorgeous in-house shop full of handcrafted goods, there’s something here for every member of your family.
Youth Summer Program: Eight Weeks of Creative Adventure
Summer is almost here, and registration is open for the WCC’s Youth Summer Program. Eight weeks of craft-based summer programs running from July 7 through August 16.
Each week has its own theme, and they are genuinely cool:
- Metal Magic (Week 1) – Wearable art and intro to metalsmithing, complete with stamping, sawing, and shaping
- Wearable Sculpture (Week 7) – Fashion items to wear out of non-traditional materials!
- Sculpture with an Armature (week 8) – Dip your toes into the world of sculpture
- Introduction to 2D Animation (Week 5) – Because why not learn to animate?
- Medieval Wonders Stained Glass Adventures (Week 2) – Create colorful castles, dragons, shields and other medieval things!
The program is designed for students ages 7–13 and gives kids the chance to explore the math, science, and engineering behind craft, in addition to the making of it. It’s the kind of place where kids come home with something they actually made with their hands (and probably can’t stop talking about).
Scholarships are available for families who need financial assistance. Applications can be found at worcestercraftcenter.org.
👉 Register HERE
Hot Night in the City Arts Festival
Friday, July 17th is Hot Night in the City
📍 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester | 4–9pm
Every summer, the WCC transforms into an outdoor community celebration of craft’s “hot” processes. Think fire, glass, metal, and flame. There will be 70+ local craft vendors, live music, food, drinks, and studio demonstrations happening as the sun goes down.
This year’s musical lineup includes Roomful of Blues, RioFlo, and Kayla Rae, making it a full evening out for parents who want something a little more festive than another trip to the splash pad. (No judgment — we love a splash pad.)
Inside the building, the Krikorian Gallery will host a special exhibition in conjunction with the festival, and craft artists will be demonstrating their work in the studios as dusk falls. There’s hands-on fun for the adventurous and demos aplenty for those who prefer to admire from a safe distance.
Hot Night in the City is free, open to all, and held rain or shine.
Classes & Workshops for All Ages, All Year Long
The WCC offers more than 175 community classes each year across four sessions (Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring), and the range is impressive.
Adult classes cover:
- Ceramics
- Glass (stained glass and fused glass)
- Metals and jewelry
- Printmaking, painting, and fiber arts
- Photography
- Healing arts including yoga and meditation with Third Eye Yoga
Youth and teen programming includes regular offerings like Teens at the Wheel and family-friendly classes, plus vacation week specials throughout the year.
Courses run weekly over 3, 6, or 12 weeks, and one-day workshops are available throughout each session — so whether you want a low-commitment taste or a deeper dive into a new craft, there’s an option for you!
📞 Register online at worcestercraftcenter.org/classes-workshops, by phone at 508-753-8183 x301, or in person at the Craft Center.
The Handcrafted Shop: Your New Favorite Gift Destination
Even if you’re not signing up for a class, the Handcrafted Shop inside the WCC is worth a visit on its own. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm, the shop curates handmade goods from artists across New England and the country — ceramics, jewelry, fiber goods, home décor, and more!
A Little History Worth Knowing
The Worcester Center for Crafts isn’t just any arts organization — it’s one of the oldest nonprofit craft education institutions in the United States, founded all the way back in 1856 as the Worcester Employment Society, created to help immigrant women support their families through handcrafted goods. Today, it serves over 25,000 people annually and remains deeply rooted in the same founding spirit: craft as a pathway to empowerment, connection, and community.
Worcester Center for Crafts
📍 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester, MA 01605
📞 508-753-8183 x301
🌐 worcestercraftcenter.org
Handcrafted Shop Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 10am–5pm
