Ashburnham is a hilly town in north-central Massachusetts near the New Hampshire line, home to Cushing Academy and Mount Watatic. It has no music venues of its own, but Fitchburg, Leominster, Templeton and Jaffrey, New Hampshire, all have open mics within 20 to 30 minutes. This guide covers Ashburnham's history, the regional music scene and venues, and where to find open mics and open jams nearby.
A Brief History of Ashburnham
The lakes and hills around Ashburnham were part of the Nipmuc homeland. Colonists settled the area, first called Dorchester Canada, in the 1730s, and it was incorporated as Ashburnham in 1765.
In the 1800s, Ashburnham was known for chair-making, along with neighboring Gardner, the "Chair City." Cushing Academy, a private boarding school, opened in 1865 and remains a town landmark.
Today Ashburnham is a rural town of about 6,000, known for its lakes and for Mount Watatic, the start of the Wapack Trail.
The Ashburnham-Area Music Scene
Ashburnham's music life is regional. Fitchburg and Leominster, 20 minutes south, have bars with weekly open mics, and Templeton's Otter River Pub hosts a Wednesday open mic. Just over the border, Jaffrey, New Hampshire's Park Theatre hosts a monthly open mic.
Worcester, about 45 minutes away, adds coffeehouse open mics and a bigger club scene.
Popular Live Music Venues In and Near Ashburnham
- The Park Theatre (19 Main St., Jaffrey, NH) – A restored community theater with a monthly open mic.
- Paddock Lounge (Fitchburg) and Classics Pub (Leominster) – Bars with weekly open mics.
- Otter River Pub (Templeton) – A Wednesday open mic.
Open Mics and Open Jams In and Near Ashburnham
Ashburnham players head south to Fitchburg and Leominster, west to Templeton, or north to Jaffrey. Below are the closest options, followed by a schedule.
Before you go: Open mics and jams change hosts, nights and venues often. Always check the venue's or host's website or social media before heading out with your gear.
Nearby
- Classics Pub Open Mic (Leominster) – Tuesdays.
- Open Mic at Otter River Pub ("The Onion") (Templeton/Baldwinville) – Wednesdays. Confirm the time with the pub.
- Paddock Lounge Open Mic (Fitchburg) – Thursdays.
- Open Mic Night at The Park Theatre (19 Main St., Jaffrey, NH) – Second Wednesdays, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Two to three songs or 5–10 minutes per act; donation requested.
Ashburnham-Area Open Jam & Open Mic Schedule at a Glance
| Day | Event | Venue | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday | Open Mic | Classics Pub, Leominster | All Styles |
| Wednesday | Open Mic | Otter River Pub (The Onion), Templeton | All Styles |
| Thursday | Open Mic | Paddock Lounge, Fitchburg | All Styles |
| Wednesday (2nd) | Open Mic (6:30 p.m.) | The Park Theatre, Jaffrey, NH | All Styles |
Tips for Playing Ashburnham-Area Open Mics and Jams
- Look north and south. Jaffrey and Fitchburg are each about 20–25 minutes away.
- Plan for winter. Snow and ice can cancel nights; check social media before heading out.
Helpful Local Resources
- Discover Central Massachusetts (discovercentralma.org) – Regional event listings.
- WCUW 91.3 FM (wcuw.org) – Worcester community radio and events.
- openmikes.org – Open mic listings for North Central Massachusetts.
