By Joshua Lyford

Looking at a staycation this year? No worries, Central Massachusetts has tons of stuff happening this summer. Whether you’re looking for art, culture, festivals or food, there is something going on that you’ll love ~ and many of these events are free! So kick back, relax and enjoy the dog days of summer!

Celebrate!

African American Juneteenth Festival

In its 16th year, this festival brings people together to recognize the oldest commemoration of the end of slavery in the U.S. Featuring crafts, food, dancing and awesome music, Institute Park will be celebrating in June.

1-5 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Institute Park, Salisbury Street, Worcester. Free. Juneteenthfestival.org.

Latin American Festival

The Worcester Common becomes home to the fantastic Latin American Festival on Aug. 17. The event is a family affair, featuring Latin food, a beer garden, a tent for children sponsored by the Worcester Art Museum and Latin-American inspired crafts, all to the tune of non-stop musical acts.

Noon-9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17, at the City Hall area of Worcester. Free. Worcesterlatinfestival.com.

Asian Festival

Experience Asian culture through an afternoon of dance, costumes, music and food at the city’s Asian festival in June. This year marks the festival’s 10th anniversary, and plans are in the works to make this the biggest and best Asian festival to date.

Noon-7 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at the Italian-American Cultural Center, 28 Mulberry St., Worcester. Free. Seacma.org.

Fourth of July

No summer in Central Massachusetts would be complete without some great Independence Day celebrations, and of course, 2013 will be no different. The City of Worcester’s Independence Day celebration at Cristoforo Columbo Park on Shrewsbury Street on July 3 will include fantastic musicians, children’s activities and food. The Massachusetts Symphony Orchestra will perform, and the fireworks will be, as always, incredible. Other towns noted for celebrating the Fourth with a bang include Auburn Bolton, Clinton, East Brookfield, Fitchburg, Harvard, Milford, Millbury, Northbridge, Putnam, Spencer, Sturbridge, Rutland, Webster and West Brookfield.

Check with your town or city for full details.

For Foodies

Food Truck Fest
Back by popular demand, the Food Truck Festival will be rolling into  Elm Park on June 22. The festival will feature more than 20 of New England’s finest food trucks. Fancy a gourmet grilled cheese or some lobster mac and cheese? You can get that and much more, in addition to children’s games and entertainment.

11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, June 22, at Elm Park in Worcester. $7 for adults ($10 day of event), $5 for children 6-12 and free for children 5 and younger. Foodtruckfestivalsofne.com.

Worcester Restaurant Week
The summer edition of the Worcester Restaurant Week is coming the first two weeks of August and is certainly not an event for foodies to miss. Enjoy some of the city’s finest food for an easy-to-stomach price, and some of the best restaurants offer a special Chef’s Menu. Participants will serve up a variety of dishes, from seafood to steak, Italian to Mexican, and everything in between.

Aug. 5-17 at participating Worcester restaurants. Three-course meal for $23.13. Facebook.com/worcesterrestaurantweek.com.

Taste of Shrewsbury Street
More than 40 restaurants and pubs around Shrewsbury Street come together June 18 to offer a rare chance to sample some of the area’s best food and drink for one low price. In addition, there is some great entertainment and crafts, and the proceeds benefit the beautification of Shrewsbury Street and local children’s organizations. Just purchase a button for entrance to the whole event.

5-9 p.m.Tuesday, June 18. $25 for a button, available from participating restaurants and at Shrewsburystreet.com.

Summer Sounds

Disc Jam Festival
Three summer nights of camping, music, fun and a great disc golf tournament in gorgeous Brimfield ~ what more can you ask for? How about 50 local and national music acts, a silent disco each night, yoga sessions, a hula hoop workshop and fun activities for kids?  If that doesn’t get you in the door, maybe the $1,000 disc golf tournament prize will.

Friday, June 14, to Sunday, June 16, at 6 Mill Lane Road, Brimfield. $60-$100. Facebook.com/DiscJamFestival.

Wachusett Mountain MusicFest
On Sept. 8, Wachusett Mountain will play home to the 16th annual Music Fest. Having won several fan-voted awards, the event is always one to remember. Featuring two stages of great live music, awesome food, a craft fair, a car show and more. Don’t forget to bring your blankets and lawn chairs!

Noon-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, at Wachusett Mountain, 400 Mountain Road, Princeton. $15-$25 for adults, $4-$6 for children. Wachusett.com.

Paulie’s New Orleans Jazz N’ Blues Fest

The sixth annual NOLA Jazz N’ Blues Festival is set for  June 21-23. With a slew of incredible jazz and blues acts like Irma Thomas, Walter Wolfman Washington and Shaka and the Soul Shakers, the weekend will be one to catch.

7 p.m.-midnight Friday, June 21; noon-midnight Saturday, June 22, noon-9:30 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at Village of Piedmont Urban Fairgrounds, 231 Chandler St., Worcester. $15-$65. Baevents.com

Out to Lunch Summer Concert Series
Kicking off on June 20 and running every Thursday through the summer, these concerts allow folks to enjoy music and lunch on the Worcester Common Oval. The series is free to the public and features awesome live musical acts, great food from local restaurants and a farmers’ and crafters’ market.

11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursdays from June 20-Aug. 29 on Worcester Common, 455 Main St., Worcester. Free. Facebook.com/OutToLunchConcertSeries.

Indian Ranch Summer Series
The Indian Ranch Summer Series runs throughout the season and features big acts at a gorgeous locale in Webster. With musicians like Dwight Yoakam, Montgomery Gentry, Charlie Daniels, Pat Benatar and The Marshall Tucker Band, attendees get a chance to see some huge performers in an intimate setting. There’s also a campground for those that want a true summer experience.

Days, times and ticket prices vary. 200 Gore Road, Webster. Indianranch.com.

Hot Art

Movies on the Common
Returning this summer, Movies on the Common brings folks together to spend some time downtown behind the courthouse to watch classic films. Kid-friendly and fun, the events are free and feature live music acts in addition to the films themselves. Bring a blanket or a chair and settle in for some entertainment!

Worcester Common. Free. Check worcesterfilmworks.org for dates, times and movies.

Hot Night in the City
Taking place in August, Hot Night in the City is a fun, block party-style crafting festival at the Worcester Center for Crafts. Featuring all sorts of crafts like glass-blowing, blacksmithing and wood turning, the night includes live music.  WOOcard holders will see some extras for attending and flashing their card.

5-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, at Worcester Center for Crafts, 25 Sagamore Road, Worcester. Worcestercraftcenter.org.

Art in the Park
Held in Elm Park, this unique exhibition runs from July 27-Oct. 13 and features art installations set up throughout the park. Seeing Elm Park transformed into an outdoor art gallery is truly a sight to behold, and since you can peruse at your own leisure, there is no excuse to miss it!

Opening Day is Saturday, July 27, with a rain date of Sunday July 28. Exhibition runs through Oct. 13 in Elm Park. Free. Artintheparkworcester.org.