AUGUST DOWNTOWN DIGEST
Get Ready for a Sensational September Downtown 
The month begins with a jam-packed day on Thursday, September 1. First up is Out To Lunch, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on the Worcester Common. This free event features musical performances, local artists and crafters, area restaurants, farmers, and community organizations and nonprofits. Out to Lunch will also offer a makeup date on Thursday, September 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., extending the season by an extra week.
At 3 p.m., also on September 1, Pride Worcester 2022 holds a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, kicking off a week of exciting events that culminate in this year’s Pride Worcester Festival on Saturday, September 10. Running from 2 to 7 p.m., the festival features a wide range of LGBTQIA+ artists, makers, and crafters, along with live entertainment and a kids’ activity zone.
But that’s not all! Come nightfall on September 1, you can enjoy a screening of Encanto at Movies on the Common, courtesy of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) and the City of Worcester. Make sure to arrive early because we’ll be picking up the tab for the first 40 orders of chicken tenders and fries from The Grub Guru and 125 orders of popcorn from Minuteman Kettle Corn.
On Saturday, September 17, the 3rd Annual Beats & Barbecue Festival kicks off on the Common at 11 a.m., highlighting an impressive roster of hip-hop artists and local food vendors. This ticketed, community-friendly event wraps up at 7 p.m.
Finally, the Central Mass Jazz Fest returns on Tuesday, September 20, with several events held at venues Downtown, including September 20 at Mercantile Center and September 21 at the Worcester Beer Garden. The Fest culminates at Mechanics Hall with five acts on Saturday, September 24.
Downtown Worcester Means Business
New businesses continue to flourish Downtown, including the Worcester-based tech company, Bluefin Technologies, which recently announced a $5.2M funding award to expand staffing and speed up product development.
Hungry? Keep an eye out for Ziggy Bombs forthcoming brick-and-mortar operation at 72–78 Franklin Street. In the meantime, follow them on Facebook and Instagram @Ziggybombs to track their food truck locations and stay informed about the official restaurant opening in September.

Another beloved Downtown eatery, Oishi, is relocating from 8 Franklin Street to 389 Main Street and plans to open in early September. Oishi’s new location will feature a larger dining room, a private party room, and plenty of modern flare as the staff serves up delicious Japanese cuisine and drinks Downtown.
Perfect Fit Tailoring is also expanding this September, opening a new store around the corner from their Mechanic Street location to 250 Commercial Street. Trust them for your specialty alterations, zipper repairs, and dry cleaning needs.
Spread the Word about Your Next
Downtown Event
Did you know our Downtown events calendar feeds from the Discover Central Mass calendar? We want to make sure all of your important Downtown events are included. It’s easy! You do not need to be a Discover Central Mass member to create an account. Navigate to the BID’s website for step-by-step instructions located at the bottom of the event’s page. Please submit events at least two weeks in advance, as it can take up to nine days for your event to appear on our events calendar. You can review the complete set of event guidelines here.
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The focus of our Instagram page is to highlight the businesses and people of Downtown Worcester. Follow our page for our shop local/eat local series, community event announcements, did you know facts, and Downtown history.