The best things to do in Boston this weekend
Find the very best things to do in Boston this weekend including cool events, lively shows and much more
UPDATE: Events on this list have been affected due to the ongoing situation surrounding the coronavirus—if you’re unsure, please call ahead to confirm. Keep tabs on the latest local cancellations and postponements here.
The Hub’s cultural calendar is relentless this time of year; at any given time, there are plenty of noteworthy shows and events taking place across the city. If nothing on our list here strikes your fancy, take a look at our guides to the best places to see live music, best cheap things to do and best free things to do in Boston. If you’re looking to get out of the elements, consult our guide to where to see art in Boston, including the best art galleries and best museums in Boston.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston
The best of the city under one roof
Check out the action at Time Out Market Boston
Boston’s newest destination for all things food and drink has burst on to the scene, attracting hordes of ravenous foodies and a diverse mix of locals and visitors to its jaw-dropping home at 401 Park in the Fenway. Keep an eye on the @timeoutmarketboston IG handle for specific events, including DJs (every Fri and Sat from 7-10pm) and live jazz (most Sundays from 11am-1pm).
Weekends also feature a make your own Bloody Mary Bar, letting you chose your spirit and customize to your heart's content. (Think miso maple syrup from Ms. Clucks Deluxe and donut holes from Union Square Donuts.)
Things to do in Boston this weekend
The best parks in Boston
There's no better place to practice social distancing than the city's best parks. Boston may have notoriously fickle weather, but when the time is right to get outside, the city has plenty of beautiful green space to enjoy some fresh air and nature. The so-called Emerald Necklace—the nation’s oldest linear park system—links several of Boston's best parks, including The Fens, Boston Common, and the Public Garden. Other options include the celebrated Arnold Arboretum and the multi-use Rose Kennedy Fitzgerald Greenway.
The best hiking near Boston
Now that spring is upon us, next time you're jonesing for some fresh air, check out one of these top local hiking spots. Serious local hikers may head farther afield to the White Mountains or the Appalachian Trail, but when you just need a little bit of nature, there are plenty of quality hikes near Boston that are easy to get to.
Kusama’s LOVE IS CALLING at the ICA
Come and experience the new anchor of the ICA Boston’s collection. LOVE IS CALLING (2013) is the largest and most immersive of the iconic Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms, which have thrilled museumgoers across the globe. Visitors enter a darkened, mirrored room illuminated by inflatable, tentacle-like forms—covered in the artist’s signature polka dots—that extend from the floor and ceiling, gradually changing colors. The installation is accompanied by a continuous recording of Kusama reciting a love poem in Japanese.
Boston Wine Festival at the Boston Harbor Hotel
The Boston Harbor Hotel presents the 31st annual Boston Wine Festival—the nation’s longest-running wine and food pairing series—through late March. Executive Chef Daniel Bruce and the hotel have invited renowned winemakers from around the world to participate; the public can choose from numerous seminars and themed dinners.
Boston Ballet: Carmen at the Opera House
Running from Mar 12-22, Boston Ballet’s 2019–2020 spring season offers Carmen at the Citizens Bank Opera House. Celebrate the creativity, power, and beauty of women onstage and behind the scenes. Jorma Elo’s Carmen updates the anti-heroine for the 21st century, joined by George Balanchine’s Serenade.