Things to Do
BosTen is your weekly guide to the best events and coolest things to do in Boston.
Welcome to BosTen, your weekly guide to the coolest events and bestthings to do in Boston this weekend. Sign up for ourweekly email newsletter here. Have an idea about what we should cover? Leave us a comment on this article or in theBosTen Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].
Experience Shakepeare on the Common
The Commonwealth Shakespeare Company’s annual free outdoor productions of “Shakespeare on the Common” kicked off this week, with nightly shows (except Mondays) at 8 p.m. near Parkman Bandstand through August 4. This summer, the troupe is taking on “The Winter’s Tale,” one of The Bard’s First Folio works that has been classified as both a comedy and a romance by scholars across the centuries. You can bring your own blankets or chairs, or if you don’t want to tote seating to the office, you can rent chairs from CSC onsite or online. (Daily at 8 p.m. through August 4; Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common) — Kevin Slane
Catch a free outdoor movie (or two)
With the sweltering heat we’ve been experiencing this summer, watching a movie in an air-conditioned theater sounds like a perfect activity. But for those who prefer to see their movies for free while breathing fresh air, the Boston area will once again offer a robust number of free outdoor movies. All summer long, you’ll be able to catch a mix of fairly recent films and certified classics at pop-up outdoor movie screenings — free of charge. On Thursday, visit Lincoln Park in Somerville for an 8:30 p.m. screening of Brendan Fraser’s “The Mummy.” Or you can wait until Saturday, when the Prudential Center will screen “The Marvels” on its lawn at dusk, preceded by children’s entertainment that begins at 6 p.m. (Various times and locations) — Kevin Slane
Explore sans kids at Discovery Museum After Dark
Wouldn’t museums be so much cooler if they weren’t so full of little kids? This Thursday, the Discovery Museum in Acton is hosting “Discovery After Dark,” a 21+ event that lets adults explore all of the museum’s hands-on science and nature exhibits from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Explore the museum’s Discovery Woods, climb into its 550 square-foot tree house, enjoy live Caribbean steel pan music from PanNeubean Steel, Caribbean American street food from the Fresh Food Generation, and plenty of adult-friendly activities. (Thursday, July 18 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.; 177 Main St, Acton; $55; 21+) — Kevin Slane
Relish a hot dog at these Boston restaurants
Bostonians love their hot dogs, on griddled split-top buns, with mustard and chopped onions, at the ballpark. But some good news for hot dog fans: Some Boston chefs are getting more creative when it comes to topping your favorite summer food. Think: hot dogs made of seafood, or topped with kimchi, or wrapped in empanada dough. So even though National Hot Dog Day was on Wednesday, we put together a list of the most creative hot dogs in the city so you’ll have plenty of places (and reasons) to grab a dog any day of the week. Highlights include the dog of the day at Trina’s Starlite Lounge in Cambridge, a hot dog wrapped in empanada dough at Buenas in Somerville, or a Korean corn dog at Kimchipapi Kitchen in Allston. (Various locations) — Katelyn Umholtz
Jam with Phish at Xfinity Center
Since the first incarnation of the improvisational Vermont-based Trey Anastasio-fronted Phish in the mid-1980s, they’ve been a trio, then a quartet, then a quintet, and once again a quartet. The all-encompassing term “jam band” doesn’t really do them much justice, as the music they play takes in elements of rock, folk, country, and blues, with side trips into psychedelia. Sold-out concerts led to numerous live albums, an appearance on “The Simpsons” noted their mark on pop culture, there was a hiatus, a breakup, a reunion, another breakup … but they’ve been together again, and going strong, since 2009. Their most recent album — at least under the name Phish — was 2020’s “Sigma Oasis.” For some odd reason, their 2022 album “Get More Down,” was released under the name Sci-Fi Soldier. (Friday, July 19 at 7 p.m.; 885 S. Main St., Mansfield, $67-$290. — Ed Symkus
View sand sculpture masterpieces in Revere
Think you’re good at sand castles? While there may be a grain of truth to that, there’s a sculpting event that probably has you beat. It’s the Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival, and it’s expected to welcome close to a million people to its 20th anniversary this Friday through Sunday. For the past two decades, this festival has honored the sand carving talent of renowned master sculptors from across the U.S. and Canada by giving them a giant three-mile canvas along Revere’s crescent sandy spot, America’s first public beach. Utilizing individual 12-ton allotments of sand imported from Hudson, N.H., this year’s theme is “Wonders of the World.” A great experience for all ages, festivalgoers will enjoy a backdrop of live music, carnival games, a beer garden, 75 food vendors, amusement rides, and a fireworks show taking place Saturday evening. (Friday, July 19 through Sunday, July 21 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; 400 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere; free) — Cheryl Fenton
Take a free walking tour of the Emerald Necklace
The Emerald Necklace, Boston’s largest park system, provides miles of green relief from the steel and concrete cityscape. This Saturday, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy President, Karen Mauney-Brodek, will host a Presidents Tour of the necklace, leading guests on a six-mile educational stroll from Franklin Park in Dorchester to the mouth of the Muddy River in Charlesgate Park. Points of interest on the four-hour trek include Jamaica Pond, the Kelleher Rose Garden, and Allerton Overlook in Olmsted Park, with each stop accompanied by lessons about the history and ecology of the Necklace. Meet for this free walk at Shattuck Park Grove, right next to the Franklin Park tennis courts. (Saturday, July 20 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; 170 Morton St., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane
This Saturday at noon, the South End will herald the return of Festival Betances, one of the longest-running celebrations of New England’s Latino community and Puerto Rican culture. The family-friendly event features a parade, traditional cuisine, arts and crafts, face painting, a greased pole competition, and music performances from Latino artists both local and international. Headlining this year’s festival is legendary salsa singer Charlie Aponte, who served as lead vocalist of El Gran Combo for 40+ years. (Saturday, July 20 from 12-8 p.m.; 100 W. Dedham St., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane
Enjoy a traditional Chinese celebration
The annual Chinatown Main Street Festival already took place earlier this month, but every summer Saturday is a chance to see a variety of cultural performances in Chinatown. This Saturday at noon (as well as every Saturday through August 31), stop by the Chinatown gate on the Rose Kennedy Greenway to see a lion dance performance. Afterward, head back to Chinatown to shop or grab a bite to eat. (Saturday, July 20 at noon; 34 W Lincoln St., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane
Stroll the open streets of Jamaica Plain
It’s not just Newbury Street that will be car-free this Sunday: The City of Boston has expanded its open streets program to numerous neighborhoods, including a car-free day on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain this Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stroll between the blocks of Lamartine St. and South St., where business will host pedestrian-friendly activities and sell their wares on the sidewalk. (Sunday, July 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Centre Street, Boston; free) — Kevin Slane
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