10 things to do in Boston this weekend
BosTen is your weekly guide to cool 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.
8th Annual Chili Cook-Off
Tailgating season may be over, but the frigid winter weather means that it’s chili season until further notice. If you stop into Ned Devine’s on Thursday evening, you can enjoy chili from more than a dozen local restaurants as part of a cooking competition that benefits Community Work Services. (Thursday, February 16, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.; Ned Devine’s, Boston; $10-20; 21+)
New Belgium Brewing Kickoff Party at Stoddard’s
Starting Monday, Massachusetts craft beer enthusiasts were finally able to get their hands on the brews of New Belgium Brewing Co., one of the nation’s largest craft breweries. The brewery has been helping Boston beerheads celebrate the arrivals of Fat Tire, Ranger IPA, and all of New Belgium’s signature beers at tastings around the city, but in case you haven’t had a chance to sample any, Stoddard’s will be holding their New Belgium arrival party on Thursday night. (Thursday, February 16, from 8 to 10 p.m.; Stoddard’s Fine Food and Ale, Boston; free; 21+)
Explore-a-saurus at the Children’s Museum
With school vacation week kicking off, lots of Boston-area museums are rolling out special programs aimed at kids. Of course, there’s probably no museum more kid-friendly than the Children’s Museum, and their new dinosaur exhibit is perfect for the younger set. Explore-a-saurus, the museum’s first-ever hands-on dinosaur exhibit, introduces children to fossils, and how archaeologists use these prehistoric clues to learn about the long-extinct animals. (Opens Friday, February 17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Children’s Museum, Boston; $16; all ages)
Disney on Ice
Another great family activity for vacation week is Disney On Ice, which is bringing its “Follow Your Heart” show to the TD Garden starting on Friday. With favorite characters from recent films like Finding Dory and Inside Out, as well as Disney princesses like Ariel, Cinderella, and Rapunzel, and classic characters like Mickey and Minnie, every Disney fan in your family is sure to have someone to cheer for. (Opens Friday, February 17, various times; TD Garden, Boston; $10-115; all ages)
George Saunders
George Saunders is arguably one of the greatest writers in America today, with his short story collections winning numerous awards and critical acclaim. His first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, is centered around the weeks during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln returned home to mourn his dead son. Given the subject matter, it’s fitting that Saunders will be at the First Parish Church on Presidents Day weekend for a reading from Lincoln. (Friday, February 17, at 7 p.m.; First Parish Church, Cambridge; $5 GA, $28.75 for ticket and book; all ages)
Cupid’s Undie Run
Normally, running through Fenway Park in your underwear would net you a mandatory meeting with park security. But on February 18, jogging through Friendly Fenway in your skivvies is encouraged as part of Cupid’s Undie Run. The run is part of a nationwide campaign by Cupid Charities hoping to raise millions for the Children’s Tumor Foundation and neurofibromatosis research. (Saturday, February 18, from noon to 4 p.m.; House of Blues, Boston; $35; 21+)
Boston Wine Expo 2017
One of the country’s biggest celebrations of wine and culture, the Boston Wine Expo will be bringing countless wines from hundreds of vineyards worldwide to the Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center this weekend. Attendees can attend single sessions from celebrity chefs and sommeliers, or buy passes for grand tastings that provide four hours of food, drink, and entertainment. (Saturday, February 18, and Sunday, February 19, from 1 to 5 p.m.; Seaport Hotel & World Trade Center, Boston; $35-160; 21+)
Cereal Buffet and PJ Party
February vacation week is sure to leave your kids plenty of opportunities to sit in front of the TV in their PJs eating cereal and watching cartoons. If you don’t want them to have all the fun, stop by Trident Booksellers and Cafe on Presidents Day for an unlimited cereal and cartoons buffet if you come in wearing pajamas. Oh, and there’s mimosas for the adults, too. (Monday, February 20, from 8 to 11 a.m.; Trident Booksellers and Cafe, Boston; $10-15; all ages)
Presidents Day at JFK Library
In celebration of Presidents Day, the JFK Library will host its sixth annual Family Festival. Featuring storytelling from presidential impersonators, hands-on activities, museum tours, musical performances, and more, the museum hopes to bring history alive for young audiences and adults alike. (Monday, February 20, from 10 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; JFK Presidential Library and Museum, Boston; $10-14 GA, free for kids ages 17 and under; all ages)
Presidents Day Winter Fest 2017
Given that Quincy is known as the City of Presidents, it’s a bit surprising that 2017 is the first year that the city will be holding the Presidents Day Winter Fest, a free event featuring live music, fire breathers, and stilt walkers, historical tours from costumed reenactors, a 35-foot snow slide for the kids, and more. (Monday, February 20, from 4 to 7 p.m.; Hancock/Adams Green, Quincy; free; all ages)
