Town Day Returns Tomorrow — Three-Miler Signups Close Today

Arlington, MA · September 18, 2026

Setting up canopies and sound stages along the avenue will keep crews busy long before tomorrow's crowds arrive. Today is all about gearing up for the busiest weekend on the autumn calendar.


The Lead

The 49th annual Town Day takes over Massachusetts Avenue tomorrow, September 19, from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM, stretching between Jason and Pleasant streets with over 200 vendor, civic, and artisan booths. Festivities kick off bright and early at 9:00 AM with the Walter V. Moynihan Town Day Three-Miler around the Reservoir—online signups close today through the recreation department. Along the avenue, expect live music on the Town Hall stage, the Friends of the Robbins Library book sale, touch-a-truck demonstrations behind the library, and family activities throughout the afternoon. Celebrations wrap up after dusk with the traditional fireworks display over Spy Pond at 7:30 PM. With side streets restricted and MBTA bus route 77 detoured all day, walking, biking, or using designated municipal bike corrals remains the easiest way to navigate the festivities.


Local Pulse

  • Arts Center Appoints Mary-Liz Murray Executive Director Community Murray takes the helm to lead upcoming seasonal programming, gallery exhibitions, and community education workshops across town.

  • Town Releases Annual Community Development Report Housing Residents can review and submit feedback on local affordable housing and neighborhood improvements through next Friday.

  • State Opens Community Health Equity Survey Health Local households can share input on healthcare access and public wellness priorities through an anonymous multilingual questionnaire.


Today's Outlook

  • High 78°F · Low 57°F — Overcast
    • Grab a light layer for the cooler start before comfortable afternoon temperatures settle in.

What's On Around Town

Today

  • Veteran Coffee Hour Arlington Community Center (27 Maple St), 8:30–9:30 AM Drop-in coffee and informal community conversation for local service veterans.

  • Learn to Skate Information Session LoConte Memorial Ice Rink (97 Locust St), Medford, 10:00 AM Program details and on-ice scheduling previews for youth skaters.

  • Tandem 20th Anniversary Opening Reception 13FOREST Gallery (167A Massachusetts Ave), 6:00–8:00 PM · Free Celebrate two decades of regional art with collaborative artist pairings.

Tomorrow

  • Walter V. Moynihan Town Day Three-Miler Arlington Reservoir, 9:00 AM · $25

  • Canadian Arabic Orchestra Sing-Along Regent Theatre (7 Medford St), 6:30 PM · Paid

  • Jagged Little Pill: The Musical Arlington Friends of the Drama (22 Academy St), 8:00 PM · $30

Sunday

  • Cambridge Arts Open Studios Cambridge Arts, Cambridge, Noon–6:00 PM · Free

  • Tiny Shed Concert: The Chordless Trio Arlington Visitor Center (4 Mystic St), 12:30–2:00 PM · Free

  • Jagged Little Pill: The Musical Arlington Friends of the Drama (22 Academy St), 2:00 PM · $30


Spotlight & Story

  • Samuel Whittemore
    • A weathered granite marker in Whittemore Park commemorates where this 80-year-old farmer ambushed retreating British regulars on April 19, 1775. Shot point-blank and bayoneted repeatedly, he was found attempting to reload—and lived another 18 years, reaching age 98.

Arlington Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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