10 things to do in Boston this weekend
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.
Samuel Adams Brisket and Brews
Despite its size, Sam Adams has never forgotten its craft beer roots, and this Thursday, the company is hosting a party honoring the American Homebrewers Association. AHA members get in for free, but anyone can attend to talk about the brewing process with Samuel Adams brewers and explore the rarely seen Nano Brewery where the company creates its new beers. Tickets include five beer samples and a full-course brisket meal from Northeast Cafe. A vegetarian option is also available. (Thursday, July 20 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Samuel Adams Brewery, Boston; $10; 21+)
Esplanade Summer Dock Party
The Charles River Esplanade is one of the best places in Boston to go for a run, watch the sunset, and take the most Instagrammable photos. To help keep the Esplanade beautiful, the Esplanade Association Friends Council will host an evening of dinner, drinks, and dancing on the docks at Community Boating on Thursday. Tickets include a barbecue dinner, dessert, beer, wine, and music from a live DJ. (Thursday, July 20 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; Community Boating, Boston; $80-100; all ages)
Shakespeare in the Park
No, the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company isn’t performing Julius Caesarwith a Donald Trump stand-in for the Roman leader. Instead, on Wednesday night, the CSC kicked off its summer slate with a performance of Romeo and Juliet at Parkman Bandstand on the Boston Common. The company will continue telling the tale of the lovelorn Montague and Capulet through Aug. 6, with performances Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 7 p.m. (Thursday, July 20 at 8 p.m.; Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common; free; all ages)
Free Fun Fridays at the MFA
Thanks to the Highland Street Foundation, you can visit several different Massachusetts museumsfor free every Friday between June 23 and Aug. 25. The institutions offering free admission this week include the Boston Athenaeum, the Museum of the NCAAA, and the Museum of Fine Arts, which will offer several family-friendly art-making activities that morning. (Friday, July 21 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Museum of Fine Arts, Boston; free; all ages)
International Sand Sculpting Festival
The International Sand Sculpting Festival in Revere is a summer staple. Each year, sand artists from across the globe convene on Revere Beach to build their granular masterpieces, with beachgoers voting for their favorites. Attendees will also get to enjoy live music each day and a fireworks extravaganza on Saturday night. (Friday, July 21 through Sunday, July 23 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Revere Beach, Revere; free; all ages)
Kendrick Lamar Pop-Up Shop
Following in the footsteps of Kanye, Drake, and Future, rapper Kendrick Lamar is branching into fashion. If you aren’t headed to his show on Saturday at TD Garden, you can still grab some authentic Kendrick swag at the rapper’s The Damn Pop-Up at Concepts in Harvard Square. And if the pop-up’s
Wednesday event in Philadelphia is any indication, you should be prepared for long lines and a possible appearance from the artist. (Saturday, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Concepts, Cambridge; free; all ages)
FIGMENT Boston 2017
The Rose Kennedy Greenway has been a prominent showcase for contemporary art in recent years, including its annual hosting of FIGMENT Boston. The festival is a free, family-friendly celebration of interactive public art dotting the Greenway lawns. Take a stroll, and you’ll encounter all sorts of interactive art projects, live music, light shows, performance art, and other cool artistic weirdness. (Saturday, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday, July 23 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston; free; all ages)
Dorchester Brewing Anniversary Bash
Dorchester Brewing is going all out for its one-year anniversary on Saturday, even securing a one-day permit from the city to double its capacity so no one will be left hanging. The brewery will hand out free giveaways throughout the day, host a trio of live music performances, and debut a new beer to mark the occasion. On the food side of things, the brewery will have pretzels, a pig roast, food trucks, and birthday cupcakes. (Saturday, July 22 from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Dorchester Brewing Company, Boston; free; 21+)
Yoga on the Pier
Sometimes all you need for a good yoga session is a yoga mat in your room and a 20-minute YouTube video. But if you want to indulge yourself, head to Brunches of Boston’s Yoga on the Pier. You’ll get an hour-long yoga class from YogaWorks on the pier behind the Tudor Wharf Residence Inn by Marriott, followed by a private brunch at Blackmoor Bar & Kitchen. Choose from three scrumptious meal options, and don’t forget the mimosa. (Sunday, July 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Residence Inn by Marriott on Tudor Wharf, Boston; $39, all ages)
Old Ironsides Afloat Again
Since 2015, the USS Constitution, the world’s oldest commissioned warship, has been undergoing a restoration, stuck indoors at the Charlestown Navy Yard instead of sailing the high seas. On Sunday, the ship will make its triumphant return to the open water. The USS Constitution Museum has planned plenty of activities, starting right before the dry dock starts taking on water at 4:15 p.m., right up until the ship reenters the harbor around 11:30 p.m.(Sunday, July 23 from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Dry Dock 1, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown; free; all ages)
