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Mass. Maple Weekend 2026 returns March 7 and 8
Pancakes, maple treats, and boiling demonstrations await visitors across the state. See sugarhouses near you.
Massachusetts is preparing for one of its sweetest seasonal traditions: Maple Weekend 2026, set for March 7 and 8.
Across the state, sugarhouses will open their doors, inviting visitors to see firsthand how maple sap becomes syrup — and to taste the results straight from the source.
Organized by the Massachusetts Maple Producers Association, the annual event offers a behind-the-scenes look at a homegrown industry that blends agriculture, tourism and a little bit of weather-dependent magic.
A sweet boost for local communities
Maple sugaring is big business in Massachusetts. The state is home to more than 300 maple producers, with more than 80% located west of Interstate 91, according to the MMPA. Together, they produce upwards of 60,000 gallons of syrup each year — valued at more than $5 million to farmers.
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The industry supports more than 1,000 farm workers statewide and draws over 60,000 visitors during sugaring season. Those visitors spend more than $2 million, benefiting small-town restaurants, country inns, bed-and-breakfasts and other local businesses.
Nearly all of the syrup produced in Massachusetts is sold within the state, keeping those dollars close to home.
Nationally, Massachusetts ranks as the ninth-largest maple-producing state in the country.
Why March? The science behind sugaring season
March is “Maple Month” in Massachusetts, as dubbed by the governor. But it’s also prime time for maple sugaring — the process of collecting sap from maple trees.
Maple production hinges on a delicate weather pattern: freezing nights and mild days. Sap flows best when nighttime temperatures dip into the low 20s and daytime highs reach into the 40s. The freeze allows trees to draw moisture up from their roots; daytime warmth builds internal pressure, pushing sap out through taps.
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If temperatures stay too cold — or too warm — sap flow stops. That’s why the season, typically lasting four to six weeks, varies each year. In eastern Massachusetts and at lower elevations in the west, tapping usually begins in mid-to-late February. At higher elevations in western Massachusetts, boiling may not start until early March, especially in colder years. Most producers finish by mid-April, when overnight temperatures remain above freezing and tree buds begin to swell, according to the MMPA.
What to expect during Maple Weekend
More than 30 sugarhouses across Massachusetts will welcome the public on March 7 and 8, ranging from small backyard operations to rustic, back-in-the-woods sugar shacks and roadside destinations with full restaurants.
During Maple Weekend, many operate like open houses, offering tours, tastings, and demonstrations.
Some producers add festive touches: pancake breakfasts, maple cotton candy, fresh donuts (see: Williams Farm Sugarhouse), or even making sugar on snow (see: Cranston’s Tree Farm).
The association’s website features an interactive map and directory of participating locations, making it easy to plan a route for a day trip or a maple-themed weekend getaway.
Sugarhouse spotlights
For those looking to stay closer to Greater Boston, two participating farms are located inside the I-495 belt:
- Maynard Maple in Maynard, a small sugarhouse in a residential community offering tours and free samples.
- Archalaus Hill Maple Farm in West Newbury, featuring boiling demonstrations.
Food enthusiasts can also explore maple-inspired creations beyond syrup.
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Ioka Valley Farm in Hancock offers specialty items like maple BBQ sauce and maple mustard.
Davenport Maple Farm in Shelbourne will offer breakfast all day during Maple Weekend, including homemade bread, Finnish pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, and maple baked beans.
Similarly, if you find yourself at High Hopes Farm Sugarhouse in Worthington, indulge in their all-you-can-eat sugarhouse buffet.
And at Ferrindino Maple LLC in Hampden, you can find maple creemee ice cream along with other maple treats.
More maple events
In addition to Maple Weekend, the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation hosts free programs in mid-March at state parks.
Events are scheduled for March 14 at Breakheart Reservation in Saugus and on March 14 and 15 at Blue Hills Reservation in Canton. These hands-on programs explore the history of maple sugaring in Massachusetts, including demonstrations of techniques such as tapping, as well as maple tastings.
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