Things to do in Boston this weekend
Find the very best things to do in Boston this weekend including cool events, lively shows and so much more
Boston’s cultural calendar gets hotter in summer; at any given time, there are plenty of noteworthy shows and events taking place across the Hub. If nothing on our list here strikes your fancy, take a look at our guides to the best places to see live music in Boston or best free things to do in Boston. If you’re looking to beat the heat, consult our guides to the best museums in Boston and where to see art in Boston, or go out and enjoy a meal at one of the best waterfront restaurants in Boston.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to the best things to do in Boston
Things to do in Boston this weekend
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 (this Fri and Sat from 7-10pm) and live music (this Sun from 11am-1pm).
David Byrne's American Utopia at Emerson Colonial Theatre
From Sep 11-28, the ornate 1,700-seat Emerson Colonial Theatre (built in 1900) is the site of the exclusive pre-Broadway engagement of David Byrne's American Utopia. The Talking Heads legend teams up with a diverse group of 11 musical artists for this energetic celebration of live music and performance. American Utopia is a theatrical retelling of Byrne’s latest album of the same name, which attempts to describe the ever-changing world we currently live in while posing the question: Will America ever be the utopia it was founded to be?
SoWa Open Market
Head to the South End every Sunday, when the SoWa Open Market runs from 10am-4pm. Now in its 16th year, the kid- and pet-friendly market includes more than 175 artists, makers, bakers, and other food vendors. Every week, a different local brewer will set up shop in the beer garden, and the food truck lineup includes the likes of Blackbird Doughnuts, Bon Me and the Chubby Chickpea.
Huntington Theatre Company: The Purists
Head to the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA through Oct 6 to see the world premiere of The Purists. A DJ, former rapper and showtunes enthusiast all gather on a Queens stoop to discuss music. What happens next? A rap battle, naturally. Tony-winning Billy Porter (of FX’s Pose) directs Dan McCabe’s eccentric tale of an unlikely group of friends who uncover the nuances of friendship and what it truly means to be yourself.
King Richard’s Faire
Head south of Boston to the town of Carver, site of New England’s largest and longest-running Renaissance festival. Held on weekends and Monday holidays through Oct 20, King Richard’s Faire packs lots of entertainment, exciting rides and skilled games across an 80-acre wooded site. Check out non-stop entertainment on eight stages by acrobats, aerialists, jugglers, dancers, puppeteers, fire-eaters, magicians and more. Knights battle on horseback, beggars compete in mud, wenches keep the crowds laughing, and faeries can be spotted dancing through the forest. No visit's complete with a giant spit-roasted turkey leg; lots of food and drink are available for purchase, as are crafts made by talented artisans. Visit kingrichardsfaire.net for a site map, event schedules and ticket sales.
Gordon’s Fine Wines & Liquors: A Spirit-ual Experience
On Sep 22, Gordon's Fine Wines & Liquors is hosting its signature spirits walk-around tasting, “A Spirit-ual Experience.” For the first time, this event is moving off-site to Boston’s innovative Artists for Humanity EpiCenter. There will be more than 350 spirits and 50 tasting tables, plus five lounge experiences, gourmet food pairing stations, a make your own taco bar, and live music.
Sep 22, 2-5PM; Artists for Humanity EpiCenter, 100 W 2nd St, Boston; gordonswine.com