Institute of Contemporary Art

Harborwalk Sounds transforms the ICA Boston’s waterfront into an open-air stage for Berklee College of Music’s rising stars. Each Thursday, the harbor breeze mingles with a rotating lineup of genres, from jazz and indie pop to global rhythms, all performed by musicians on the cusp of their careers. The setting is as much a draw as the music: audiences sprawl across the waterfront, city skyline on one side and the harbor’s shimmer on the other, soaking in the long summer evenings. There’s no ticket required, just a willingness to discover new voices and let the music drift over the water. The series has become a low-key ritual for locals and visitors alike, blending the city’s creative energy with the laid-back pace of summer by the sea.

Step into Derrick Adams: View Master with the guidance of an ICA educator, where families with young children are invited to look closer and think deeper. This hands-on session transforms the gallery into a space for discovery, using games and drawing to unlock the layers of Adams’s vibrant, story-rich works. Children and adults alike are encouraged to play, question, and create, tracing the artist’s process through activities designed to spark curiosity. The group gathers on the museum’s fourth floor, keeping things intimate and lively with a cap of 20 participants. Rather than simply viewing the art, families become part of the conversation, connecting with the exhibition in ways that feel both personal and communal. The result is an experience that feels less like a tour and more like a collaborative adventure in seeing and making.

Vinyl Nights transforms Boston’s summer evenings into a celebration of analog sound, where local DJs dig deep into their collections to spin records that rarely surface elsewhere. The event’s open-air setting buzzes with the energy of a crowd tuned in to everything from rare funk to global grooves, all delivered through the warmth and crackle of vinyl. This year, the experience expands beyond the waterfront: Central On Air captures each set live, archiving the performances so the music lingers long after the night ends. The selectors’ personal touch and adventurous taste keep the vibe unpredictable, drawing both crate-diggers and casual listeners into a shared sonic journey. Vinyl Nights isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s a living, breathing showcase of Boston’s evolving music scene, where every week brings a new perspective on what it means to listen together.