10 things to do in Boston this weekend (2024)

Events

BosTen is your weekly guide to the best events and coolest things to do in Boston.

By Kevin Slane

April 18, 2024

Welcome to BosTen, your weekly guide to the coolest events and best things to do in Boston this weekend. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter here. Have an idea about what we should cover? Leave us a comment on this article or in the BosTen Facebook group, or email us at [emailprotected].

Bag seedlings in the Seaport

Speak for the Trees, an organization that aims to preserve and plant trees in Boston, once again hosts its seedling giveaway in the Seaport on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.Checktheir websiteto register to volunteer, and to find out more about other Earth Week events like author Christine Carmichael of “Racist Roots: How Racism Has Affected Trees and People in Our Cities – and What We Can Do About It” giving book talks on April 22 and 23. (Thursday, April 18 from 11-2 p.m.; 111 Harbor Way, Boston; free) — Natalie Gale

Make history fun at the Old South Meeting House

The learning doesn’t have to stop just because your children are out of school for the week. Sneak in a history lesson during family hours at the Old South Meeting House. Held Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during school vacation week, guests of all ages can enjoy conservation- and preservation-themed activities, crafts, and games. If your child is younger than 12, they’ll be admitted free to both the Old State House and Old South Meeting House. As always, Massachusetts teachers receive free admission for themselves and a guest.(Thursday, April 18 and Friday, April 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 310 Washington St., Boston; $0-15) — Cheryl Fenton

Help clean up the Charles River

Since 1999, volunteers have come together to clean up the “Dirty Water” of the Charles River, picking up trash from Hopkinton to Charlestown. The waterfront area needing the most help is the “Muddy River,” asection of the Emerald Necklacenear the Esplanade and Storrow Drive, where volunteers will gather from 10 a.m. to noon this Saturday in honor of Earth Day. To see a full list of cleanup sites and times, check out the Charles River Cleanup website. (Saturday, April 20 from 10 a.m.-noon; Emerald Necklace; free) — Kevin Slane

‘Dress Up’ at the MFA

The Met in New York isn’t the only museum that exhibits elaborate costumes and clothing. Earlier this week, the Museum of Fine Arts opened “Dress Up,” featuring over 100 works of 20th- and 21st-century clothing, accessories, and photographs from the museum’s collection. The show aims to blur the lines between clothing and jewelry — when objects use beads, sequins, and sparkles, when does clothing become jewelry, and vice versa? Visitors can meditate on that question, or just enjoy the sophisticated, embellished looks. (Daily through Sept. 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 20 Museum Rd., Boston; $27) — Natalie Gale

Say hello to your favorite Sesame Street characters

Say “goodbye” to April break and “hello” to Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their furry friends from Sesame Street as the group takes over the Emerson Colonial Theatre this Friday and Saturday for “Sesame Street Live! Say Hello.” You can sing and dance with your favorite characters while enjoying fun surprises along the way. This all-new celebration on Sesame Street is perfect to round out the week-long vacation, so bring your dancing shoes.(Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 at various times; 47 Boylston St., Boston; $29 and up) — Cheryl Fenton

Meet Larry Bird, David Ortiz, and more legendary Boston athletes

In honor of opening its first location in Boston proper, Dick’s Sporting Goods is planning a weekend of events at its “House of Sport” at the Prudential Center. Following a ribbon-cutting on Friday morning, many Boston athletes (both current and former) will make appearances and sign autographs throughout the weekend. The fun starts on Friday evening with David Ortiz (5-6:30 p.m.) meeting fans. Then on Saturday, a quartet of Celtics legends from the 1984 championship team — Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Cedric Maxwell — will sign autographs from noon to 1 p.m., while recently retired Bruins center Patrice Bergeron will be on hand from noon to 1:30 p.m. (Friday, April 19 from 5-6:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 20 from 12-1:30 p.m.; 760 Boylston St., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane

Raise a glass at the Massachusetts Craft Brewers Festival

You’ll have more than 40 local breweries to choose from at the annual Massachusetts Craft Brewers Festival, which returns to Cyclorama this Saturday. With breweries like Exhibit A, Lamplighter, and Tree House on tap, it will be tough deciding which beersnotto try. Choose between the afternoon (1-4:30 p.m.) or evening (6-9:30 p.m.) sessions, then check out the Craft Brewers Guild website to see a full offering of beers and start making your to-drink list. (Saturday, April 20 from 1-4:30 p.m. or 6-9:30 p.m.; 539 Tremont St.; $55; 21+) — Kevin Slane

Branch out with Taylor Acorn

By the titles alone of the songs “Famous Last Words,” “Psycho,” “Coma” (featuring “The Voice” winner Cassadee Pope), and “Everything Sucks,” not to mention that of the EP itself, it is clear that Taylor Acorn isn’t holding anything back with her first new release in six years, “Certified Depressant,” the whole of which expertly demonstrates the value of a well-placed F-bomb. Interestingly, perhaps tellingly, it is one of the more optimistic-sounding titles — even though the song is less so — that lends itself to her Good Enough tour, which includes a Saturday night date at Brighton Music Hall alongside openers World’s First Cinema.(Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m.; 158 Brighton Ave., Allston; $54) — Blake Maddux

Get soulful with Jordan Mackampa at Sinclair

Zaire-born, London-based musician Jordan Mackampa self-released two EPs before signing to AWAL, which released his 2020 full-length debut, “Foreigner,” and another EP, “Come Around,” in 2021. His songs have gained immense exposure via their use as television themes (“Battycry” for the UK series “Our Girl”) and in commercials (“Use Your Voice” for Levi’s and Intel, “Magic” for Boots Pharmacy and J. Crew). Feb. 16 saw the release of “Welcome Home, Kid!,” much of which was written during a trip to LA and which focuses on the themes of — in his words — “growth, love and acceptance.” You’ll likely hear a mix of all those recent releases during Mackampa’s show at Sinclair this Saturday.(Saturday, April 20 at 8 p.m.,52 Church St., Cambridge; $18) — Blake Maddux

Check out Newton’s Earth Day Festival

Green Newton hosts Newton’s third annual Earth Day celebration at Newton North High School this Sunday from noon to 4 p.m.Expect family-friendly activities like face painting, a petting zoo, food from vendors who prioritize sustainability, live music, and an electric vehicle expo. The day aims to connect folks looking to live a more Earth-friendly lifestyle. (Sunday, April 21 from 12-4 p.m.; 457 Walnut St., Newton; free) — Natalie Gale

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