10 things to do in Boston this weekend
BosTen is your weekly guide to not-lame events in the city.
BosTen is your weekly guide to events and cool happenings in and around Boston. Skip Netflix this weekend—here are 10 ways to get out of your home and not be bored in the city. If you’d like BosTen delivered to your inbox every Thursday, click here. Want more things to do? Check out our events calendar at boston.com/events.
Boston Comedy Festival
Many of the annual laugh fest’s shows have already happened, but the remaining sets still feature a number heavy hitters. Highlights include a screening of Airplane! followed by a Q&A with director David Zucker, a live podcast with Eugene Mirman, standup sets from Barry Crimmins and Emo Philips, and a finale that will feature the crowning of the Comedian of the Year and an appearance by John Ratzenberger (Cheers) to collect a Lifetime Achievement award. (Thursday, November 17 through Saturday, November 19; multiple locations; $12-20 per show; all ages)
Mean Girls Trivia Hosted by Kevin G
Most Means Girls fans know exactly how many Candy Cane-grams the coolest kid in class got (“Four for you, Glen Coco! You go, Glen Coco!”), which day to wear pink (Wednesdays), and that “fetch” is never, ever going to happen. But only those fans who know the movie better than the rest will be able to hang at Sissy K’s, which will host a Mean Girls trivia night hosted by Rajiv Surendra, better known as mathlete/badass MC Kevin G. The actor will also be holding a book signing after the fun and games. (Thursday, November 17 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Sissy K’s; $26; all ages)
The Future of Eating with Mario Batali
Internationally renowned chef Mario Batali will be in Boston on Friday to check in on the progress of Eataly, the massive Italian food emporium opening in the Prudential Center on November 29. Batali will also sit down with Northeastern president
Joseph Aoun for a conversation exploring what’s on the horizon in the world of culinary trends and experiences. (Friday, November 18 from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.; East Village Residence Hall, 17th Floor, 291 Saint Botolph St.; free; all ages)
Marathon Documentary at Coolidge Corner Theatre
Following a successful red carpet premiere event Tuesday at the Shubert Theatre, HBO’s new documentary chronicling the ongoing recovery of a group of survivors injured in the 2013 Marathon bombings will play at the Coolidge Corner Theatre starting Friday for a limited time. Filmmakers Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg will be on hand for a Q&A following the showing on Sunday at 2 p.m. (Shows begin Friday, November 18; Coolidge Corner Theatre;$11.25 general admission, $9.25 seniors and children; all ages)
Fantastic Beasts Scavenger Hunt
With J.K. Rowling’s newest wizarding film Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them hitting theaters Friday, the Harvard Museum of Natural History is holding a special Fantastic Beasts scavenger hunt inside its creature-filled halls. The museum also promises to educate visitors on the origin stories behind unicorns, yetis, nundus, and other beasts that wouldn’t be out of place in a the Harry Potter universe. (Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Harvard Museum of Natural History; $12 general admission, $10 seniors and students, $8 children 3-18; all ages)
Harvard-Yale football game
College football fans don’t get many chances to witness storied rivalries around these parts. One of the rare exceptions is the Harvard-Yale game, which will be played for the 133rd time this Saturday. While the game may not be close (Harvard is 7-2 this season, while Yale is 2-7), the atmosphere will undoubtedly be raucous, with enough game-day chants and signs to make even a blowout entertaining. (Saturday, November 19 at 12:30 p.m.; Harvard Stadium; $50-75 general admission, free for Harvard students; all ages)
Letters to Cleo at the Paradise
Formed by Kay Hanley and Greg McKenna in Boston in 1990, Letters to Cleo gained national recognition for tracks like “Here and Now” more than two decades ago. After a lengthy hiatus, the band is doing a small reunion tour, with Saturday’s show at the Paradise one of the few stops the band will make nationwide. (Saturday, November 19 at 8 p.m.; Paradise Rock Club; $25; 18+)
Boston Bhangra Competition 2016
Now in its 13th year, the Boston Bhangra Competition will once again draw dance teams from all over the U.S. (and one from the U.K.) to perform a lively blend of Punjabi and western moves in the hopes of taking the top prize. If you’ve never seen a Bhangra performance in your life, this is one to check out. (Saturday, November 19 at 6 p.m.; Orpheum Theater; $20-100; all ages)
Brickbottom Open Studios
With more than three decades under its belt, the Brickbottom Artists Association in Somerville is one of the oldest continuously running artists communities in the nation. To celebrate, the association will hold its 29th annual open studios, showcasing the contemporary art housed in the building’s 150 condos, which serve as homes and workspaces for artists. (Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20 from 12 p.m to 6 p.m.; Brickbottom Studios; free; all ages)
Faneuil Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular
With Thanksgiving only a week away, the time has come for Boston to ring in the holiday season with a full day of holiday festivities. Even if you can’t make it to Faneuil Hall Marketplace, WBZ will be broadcasting the celebration starting at 8 p.m., showing performances by the Boston Children’s Chorus, the Boston Ballet, and the Blue Man Group. Mayor Marty Walsh will flip the switch to light the 80-foot tree. (Saturday, November 19 from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Marketplace Center; free; all ages)
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com