North Adams FAQ

Please see MASS MoCA ticketing for current pricing here. Please note: This is a rain-or-shine event; there will be no refunds.

Yes, while plots last! Buy now.

FreshGrass happens at MASS MoCA in North Adams, Massachusetts. North Adams is about 120 miles west of Boston, 160 miles north of NYC, and 45 miles east of Albany. The nearest airports are Albany, NY, and Windsor Locks, CT (near Hartford). Bus service from New York and Boston is available via Peter Pan. Detailed directions are available here.

Information about volunteering can be found here. To inquire about volunteering at FreshGrass this summer, please email [email protected]. Advance training is required. The work involves considerable standing, though we will try to accommodate volunteers with special needs. The volunteer shifts are for 5 hours each, and two shifts are required to receive free all-fest passes.

We encourage it and there will be a convenient parking lot for bicycles within 200 feet of our front door. Bring your bike!

Children are welcome, and admission is free for those 6 and under with an accompanying adult. There is a reduced price for kids 7–16. FreshKids events will be programmed at the festival. Kidspace is MASS MoCA’s gallery program tailored to children. Family offerings are detailed here. Please note that certain venues, especially in the galleries, will not be able to accommodate strollers.

There are many lodging options, including state campsites and nearby hotels and inns.

YES: Sealed or empty water bottles, instruments, blankets, strollers, camp-style folding chairs

NO: Weapons of Any Kind, Outside Food & Beverages Except for Those with Medical Needs or Infants, Flammable Materials Including Lighters, Glass Containers, Coolers, Pets Except Service Animals, Aerosol Cans, Professional Cameras & Recording Devices Unless Authorized, Drones Unless Authorized, Poles & Tripods, Laser Pointers & Glow Sticks, Sports Equipment, Skateboards, Roller Skates, Bicycles, Mechanized vehicles Except Accessibility Related, Prohibited items cannot be admitted or checked. Please leave these items at home or in your locked vehicle. For questions, please contact [email protected].

DISCOURAGED: Large bags, backpacks, umbrellas

To help protect delicate art, strollers, umbrellas, folding chairs, large bags + backpacks (and other large, ungainly objects) are not allowed in the galleries. Strollers and chairs will not be permitted in some venues. There is no bag check, so please leave your disallowed items in your locked car.

Strollers and folding chairs are permitted on Joe’s Field (where space is ample), and not in the smaller courtyard venues or galleries (where space is more limited).

There will be a limited instrument check service at the box office, but please do not leave instruments with us overnight!

There are no coat or chair checking services provided.

PERMITTED: Polaroid, SLR, point and shoot, pocket and phone cameras for personal use

NOT PERMITTED: flash photography, tripods, cameras with detachable lens, all video We ask that you refrain from using your phones and devices during the live performances at FreshGrass, as they are disturbing to both patrons and performers. Long lenses and tripods are not permitted. Since there is no bag check, you should leave your long-lens cameras and tripods locked in your car for safekeeping. Professional photographers MUST obtain a photo pass. Email us at [email protected].

The main stage and most outdoor courtyards will accommodate everyone. Some venues are space-limited, will not accommodate everyone in attendance, and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. You must make reservations for the workshops on the morning of the events.

This is a rain-or-shine event.

Thank you for your interest, but we are not currently accepting submissions for the festival. However, click here for our FreshGrass Awards page for information on how your band might win a chance to participate in FreshGrass.

Love to have you. Email your request to [email protected].

Please note the following:

• Audio recording equipment is permitted at FreshGrass Festival. Audio recording is permitted solely at each artist’s discretion. The equipment must be turned off or removed immediately if requested by the artist or festival staff.
• All audio recording equipment must be placed in designated areas beside the soundboards. No equipment will be allowed beyond that point. No audio recording equipment is permitted in the Hunter Center.

No, a festival pass is for you and you only. It is not to be transferred between different people attending different days. The day pass is meant for a single day guest.

Encouraged!

We will continue to monitor local COVID-19 trends and meet or exceed protocols mandated by state and local governments. Check back for updates as guidelines are subject to change. For more information visit our Health & Safety page here.