The best things to do in Boston this weekend: May 23-25

The UNIQLO Festival of Films from Japan returns to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) from May 22 through June 1. With an electrifying selection of bold new releases, this year's festival marks the eighth-annual showcase of Japanese cinema made possible through the MFA’s 10-year partnership with global apparel retailer UNIQLO. This year’s festival spans genres and generations, from Shinya Tsukamoto’s haunting war drama Shadow of Fire (2023) to the heartwarming journey of grief and reconciliation in Cottontail (2023). Kiyotaka Oshiyama’s Look Back (2024), adapted from the beloved manga by Tatsuki Fujimoto, explores artistic passion and collaboration, while Bushido (2024) delivers a thrilling samurai epic infused with social critique. The festival also features the inventive time-loop comedy River (2023) and the nostalgic, jazz-infused biopic Between the White Key and the Black Key (2023). Check here for showtimes and dates.

Step back into the late ‘90s on May 23 from 7:30-11:30pm for a special screening of “She’s All That” at Medford’s Chevalier Theatre, followed by a live conversation with the film’s iconic stars, Freddie Prinze, Jr., and Rachael Leigh Cook. Relive the romance, the makeover magic, and the unforgettable moments that made the film a generation-defining classic. After the screening, the two actors take the stage to share behind-the-scenes stories, reflect on the film’s lasting impact, and revisit their on-screen chemistry that made Zack and Laney’s love story so memorable. For those looking for an extra-special experience, a limited number of VIP tickets are available that include a personal post-show photo opportunity with Prinze and Cook.

Flip open your Sidekick, dust off those low-rise jeans and velour tracksuits, and get ready to party like it’s the early oughts at Middle East – Downstairs. On May 23 at 8pm, the space transforms into a high-energy, neon-drenched night filled with nonstop bangers from Britney, N*SYNC, Missy Elliott, The Killers, Gwen Stefani, Usher, and more of the Y2K era with a live DJ spinning the best throwbacks. There will be plenty of photo ops and sing-along moments. 

Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops bring audiences among the stars for a multimedia program on May 23 and 24 at 7:30pm that explores the intersection of music, space, and science fiction. Featuring the incomparable George Takei as your cosmic storyteller and developed in partnership with the Museum of Science, Boston and its Center for Space Sciences, the Music of the Cosmos concert will boldly go where no man (or woman) has gone before. Stay after the concert for a meet and greet with Takei and special guest Astronaut Sunita Williams. 

Returning on May 24 for its third year in Boston, The World Afrika Day Block Party is festive outdoor activation of the sounds and culture of Afrika (the continent's pre-colonial spelling). What began in Boston in 2022, today now is a schedule of events nationwide including founder Jonathan Bekele’s ancestral home of Ethiopia. The event, held from 2-7pm at the Summer Street Plaza, brings a vibrant celebration and unforgettable day of music, culture, and connection to Downtown Crossing - complete DJs, artists, vendors, and sponsors from across the continent to highlight the diasporic sounds and traditions.

The Spring Grill Party is back at Troquet during Memorial Day Weekend. To celebrate the opening of their patio (although if the weather isn’t cooperating, they’ll hold the event indoors), the Binchotan grill will be hard at work in the kitchen on May 23 and 24 from 4-8 pm, featuring Spicy Soy Salmon Collar, Kabiyaki Glazed Beef, Chicken Peanut Satay, Garlic Lemon Shrimp, Thai Chili Watermelon, and Brown Sugar Pineapple. The bartenders will be serving spring cocktails like our Pineapple Express and Watermelon Spritz. Get there early, before all the tasty treats are gone, as this is “a while supplies last, first-come, first-served” event.

The World's Okayest Skater Tour 2024-25 wraps up in Boston on May 24 with a free, all-levels skate meet-up. Our city gets a dose of empowerment on wheels as GRLSWIRL—the world's largest women's skate collective—hits Moakley Park from 2-4pm and invites women (from beginner to seasoned skater) to join the worldwide skate movement. With a focus on community, the entire tour had a goal of unifying locals by bringing together skaters from all backgrounds. The tour, which has spanned 16 cities globally, including Austin, Miami, Bangkok, Melbourne, Mexico City, and more, was a celebration of skateboarding, community, and personal empowerment, and Boston is the final stop of the party.

The Boston Ballet’s 2025 Spring Experience program at the Citizens Opera House combines three sublime ballets that showcase the breadth and beauty of ballet today. Alongside Mikko Nissinen’s brilliantly reimagined Raymonda, the program includes two beloved works (Petite Mort and 27’52”) of Jiri Kylián, who is the among the most revered choreographers of our time. The performance schedule is May 15 at 7:30pm, May 16 at 7:30pm, May 17 at 7:30pm, May 18 at 1:30pm, May 22 at 7:30pm, May 23 at 7:30pm., May 24 at 1:30pm and 7:30pm, and May 25 at 1:30pm.

Charleston-based jewelry brand HART is popping up at Newbury Street's Candlefish Boston on May 25 to host two candle-making workshops at 10am and noon. Guided by expert chandlers, you'll craft two custom nine-ounce candles, blending fragrances and exploring top, mid, and dry notes, to create scents that are uniquely yours. Six HART charms will be hidden inside your candles, revealing their magic as they burn. You'll also leave with a lurex bracelet cord to adorn.