Things to Do

10 things to do in Boston this weekend

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

By Kevin Slane

July 11, 2024

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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 [email protected].

Visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for free

With July 4 falling on a Thursday this year, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has pushed its regular free admission on the first Thursday of every month back a week. That means you have another opportunity to see exclusive summer exhibits free of charge, including “On Christopher Street: Transgender Portraits by Mark Seliger” and “Hakeem Adewuni: Possession of a Recalcitrant Dream.” (Thursday, July 11 from 11-9 p.m.; 25 Evans Way, Boston; free) — 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 Revere Beach for a sunset showing of “Trolls Band Together,” preceded by live entertainment from 6-8 p.m. Also on Thursday, visit Lincoln Park in Somerville for an 8:30 p.m. screening of Timothee Chalamet’s “Wonka.” Or you can wait until Saturday, when the Prudential Center will kick off its summer screening series with “Legally Blonde” on its lawn at dusk, preceded by children’s entertainment that begins at 6 p.m. (Various times and locations) — Kevin Slane

Crash into Dave Matthews Band at Xfinity Center

They have been the jam band of note for three decades, creating a sound that encompasses bar rock and plenty of jazzy grooves. From the 1994 debut album “Under the Table and Dreaming” right up through last year’s “Walk Around the Moon,” vocalist-guitarist-songwriter Matthews – originally from South Africa, but living in the Charlottesville, Virginia, since the mid-’80s – has led an ever-changing line-up of band members but has remained the darling of a ravenous fan base. The group is constantly on the road, concert halls are always filled, and album releases are no strangers to the number one spot. Also of note: The band has so much material to choose from, it’s pretty much guaranteed that no two sets are ever the same, including this Friday’s show at the Xfinity Center. (Friday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m.; 885 S. Main St., Mansfield; $67 and up) — Ed Symkus

Dine out at a new restaurant

With all of the opening and closing announcements in the Greater Boston restaurant industry, keeping up with the deluge of new restaurants in the area is a challenge. To help, we’ve built an updating guide to the most notable new and upcoming restaurant openings, which you can revisit any time for the latest and greatest in Boston-area dining. June and July’s notable openings include Jahunger, a Uyghur restaurant opening in Cambridgeport whose chef received a James Beard nod this year for its original Providence location; Matria, an Italian steakhouse that is one of three new concepts opening at The InterContinental Boston; and Merai, a new spot in Brookline featuring global cuisine and Thai-inspired cocktails from the same team behind Thai tapas restaurant Mahaniyom. (Various locations) — Katelyn Umholtz

Get spicy at Boston JerkFest

Spice up your weekend at the award-winning Boston JerkFest, a two-part festival of fiery Jamaican jerk barbecue and other Caribbean fare held at the Harvard Athletic Complex this Friday and Saturday. The fun starts Friday night during the 21+ Rum and Brew Tasting, where visitors can cool their mouths with their choice of 60+ Caribbean themed cocktails, craft beers, ciders, or meads in between bites from Jamaica Mi Hungry and The Bone Sauce. Then on Saturday, Visitors can try Caribbean food from more than 15 vendors, then cool their mouths with rum punch, craft beer, or wine from the Reggae Bar. The afternoon will be soundtracked by live music, including a performance from Grammy-nominated THIRD WORLD BAND  with special guest Kumar Fyah. (Friday, July 12 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 13 from 11-8 p.m.; 145 North Harvard Street, Boston; $6 and up) — Kevin Slane

Learn to grow your own cannabis

You can learn just about anything at your local library. This Saturday, that includes learning how to grow your own marijuana. If you’ve always wanted to DIY your own cannabis, cannabis and pollination design company Weedscape will hold an informational workshop this Saturday at 2 p.m. at BPL’s Parker Hill branch in Roxbury. You’ll discover the ins and outs of homegrown cannabis, as well as learn growing guidance and tips and information on how these plants can even entice ecosystems to flourish. Registration for the free event is required. (Saturday, July 13 from 2-3:30 p.m.; 1497 Tremont St., Roxbury; free) — Cheryl Fenton

Saddle up at Southie’s Countryfest

South Boston’s newest event space, The LOT, is hosting its first Countryfest this Saturday from 2 to 8 p.m. There will be pony rides for your little cowboys and cowgirls, along with the best of live country tunes, games, and activities for all ages. In case of inclement weather, the rain date is July 14. (Saturday, July 13 from 2-8 p.m.; 383 Dorchester Ave., Boston; free) — Cheryl Fenton

See the animals sans kids at Brew at the Zoo

Visiting the zoo is a great family activity, but this Saturday, the adults will run the show at the Franklin Park Zoo. That’s because of the return of its annual Brew at the Zoo, when visitors can wander from one animal to the next, all while enjoying beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages from more than 15 local breweries and cideries, including Devil’s Purse, Artifact Cider Project, and Dorchester Brewing Co. The whole zoo will be open with the exception of the playground, which will hopefully stave off any potential monkey business. (Saturday, July 13 from 5-7:30 p.m.; 1 Franklin Park Rd., Boston; $75 GA, $40 for designated drivers; 21+) — Kevin Slane

Relive your childhood at Story Land

Nostalgia Nights will return to Story Land in Glen, N.H., giving 21+ guests a chance to tap into their childhood every for three Saturdays this summer: July 13, 27, and August 10 from 6 to 10 p.m. Since 1954, the 35-acre theme park has attracted thousands of visitors a year to the White Mountains region of New Hampshire for fairy tale-themed rides and attractions typically aimed at kids ages 2 through 12. On Nostalgia Nights, Story Land guests can revisit their favorite attractions and check out new ones. The park aims to have all rides open for the duration of the evening, from the antique cars to the teacups to the roller coasters. Face painting, photo ops, and live shows round out the evening, so guests can enjoy every Story Land feature of their childhoods. For tickets and more info, check out Story Land’s website. (Saturday, July 13 from 6-10 p.m.; 850 NH-16, Glen, NH; $45 and up) — Natalie Gale

Listen locally at Charles River Jazz Festival

Settle in for some jazz music by the water this Sunday at the fourth annual Charles River Jazz Festival, a showcase for local up-and-coming talent. Held at the Herter Park Amphitheater in Allston, the free festival runs from noon to 9 p.m. and will feature seven acts, including Charles Haynes and the Tabernacle. Because space is limited at the amphitheater, pre-registration is now closed, and walk-up space may be limited, so get there early. (Sunday, July 14 from 12-9 p.m.; 1175 Soldiers Field Rd, Boston; free) — Kevin Slane