Need weekend plans?
The best events in the city, delivered to your inbox
10 things to do in Boston this weekend
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 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].
Sip ‘Equali-tea’ at the BPL
Every Thursday in March at 2 p.m., the Roxbury location of the Boston Public Library hosts “Equali-tea: A Conscious Raising Group.” The Women’s History Month programming is designed to foster conversations about issues like work-life balance, aging and gender, women in leadership, and family planning. The events are free, open to the public, and yes, tea will be served. (Thursday, March 7 at 2 p.m.;149 Dudley St., Boston; free) — Natalie Gale
Join a celebration of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
If you’re looking for a place where classic talent meets avant garde creativity and cultural exploration, the Berklee Performance Center is where you’ll find it. The 1,215-seat theatre located on Mass. Ave. in Boston is the largest space of its kind on the Berklee College of Music campus, and while primarily used for college-affiliated activities, it also boasts a performance calendar you won’t want to miss. This Thursday you’ll be able to see an uplifting student concert of Berklee singers, instrumentalists, arrangers, track producers, and dancers showcasing the work of jazz legend Tony Bennett (who received an honorary doctorate from Berklee in 1974) and avant-garde pop empress Lady Gaga. (Thursday, March 7 at 8 p.m.; 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston; $15-20) — Cheryl Fenton
Attend the International Women’s Day Breakfast
This Friday is International Women’s Day, and Simmons University will once again host its annual breakfast celebrating and uplifting gender equity efforts worldwide. Two dozen feminist organizations around Boston typically come together to celebrate at the breakfast, and it’s free to sign up as a partner organization. WCVB CityLine’s Karen Holmes Ward will once again emcee the event, hosting a panel discussion entitled “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges.” (Friday, March 8 from 9-noon; 300 Fenway St., Boston; free) — Natalie Gale
Laugh along with Jo Koy at TD Garden
Poor Jo Koy. The Tacoma, Washington, native has been killing it as a stand-up comedian since the ’90s, was usually the best thing about “Chelsea Lately,” and has six Netflix and Comedy Central specials under his belt. But he has one off night at the Golden Globes and suddenly he’s persona non grata. You can find out why they gave him the gig in the first place — i.e. his highly respected stand-up chops, lauded by the likes of Steve Martin and Whoopi Goldberg — when he brings his raucous personal stories about his family and Filipino culture (and probably zero “Barbie” jokes) to TD Garden. (Friday, March 8 at 8 p.m.; 100 Legends Way, Boston; $46-$66) — Peter Chianca
Get dark with Marc Maron
Although for most people starting a podcast is not a good idea — if you’re considering it, please, just don’t — for Marc Maron it was the best thing he could have done. With his standup career slowing down, the 1986 Boston University grad launched “WTF with Marc Maron” in 2009 and, more than 1,000 episodes later, has wound up basically revolutionizing the long-form podcast interview format. Not only that, he revived his comedy career, churning out five well-received comedy specials since 2013, including last year’s adventurous “From Bleak to Dark” on HBO. Plus he was the standout co-star of Netflix’s “GLOW,” which we will never forgive them for canceling. (Friday, March 8 at 7:30 p.m.; 30 Forest St., Medford; $49.50-$69.50) — Peter Chianca
Raise a glass at Harpoon’s St. Patrick’s Festival
Who says St. Patrick’s Day celebrations need to be constrained to only one day, or even one weekend? Just look at Harpoon Brewery, which will kick off its two-day St. Patrick’s Festival this Friday with a spirited lineup of live music and kegs of beer. Sip on Harpoon, UFO and Clown Shoes while listening to live bagpipes or tunes from bands like Dicey Riley and Slainte. Friday’s entertainment will also include the Shamrock Slam, a live wrestling showcase presented by Beyond Wrestling. If you’re willing to shell out a few extra gold coins, a VIP pass gets you access to the Leprechaun Lounge with perks like an expanded drink menu, exclusive green beer, and free Irish-inspired food. (Friday, March 8 from 6-11 p.m. and Saturday, March 9 from noon-7 p.m.; 306 Northern Ave., Boston; $35–$60; 21+) — Kevin Slane
Listen to the next generation of musicians
This Saturday at 11 a.m., the Boston Public Market will host a captivating 45-minute live performance by the talented students of the renowned New England Conservatory. The extraordinary musical skills blending with the vibrant atmosphere of the city’s bustling marketplace together promise a unique experience, and offer the perfect break from the weekend errands. (Saturday, March 9 at 11 a.m.; 100 Hanover St., Boston; free) — Cheryl Fenton
Kick off St. Patrick’s Day early at DBco
Harpoon isn’t the only local brewery getting in on the St. Patrick’s Day fun early. This Saturday, don your finest green duds and head over to Dorchester Brewing Co. for an early St. Paddy’s party, featuring live music, food specials, and the release of the DBco’s new Boston Dry Stout, Cobblestone. The revelry begins bright and early at 11:30. (Saturday, March 9 from 11:30-11 p.m.; 1250 Massachusetts Ave., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane
Snag restaurant deals during Dine Out Boston
Dine Out Boston returns this Sunday, providing a two-week window to visit some of the restaurants you’ve been meaning to try at a fraction of the normal cost. Through Saturday, March 23, restaurants in Boston and beyond will offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus at four different price points — $22, $27, $32, and $36 for lunch, and $36, $41, $46, and $55 for dinner. So far, 171 spots have joined this year’s list of participating restaurants, with multiple options in every Boston neighborhood and beyond. Note that some restaurants don’t offer their prix fixe menus during peak times like Saturday nights, and reservations are recommended since restaurants can book up quickly. (Sunday, March 10 through Saturday, March 23 at various times and locations; $22-55) — Natalie Gale
Dress your best at Trident’s Oscars party
The 2024 Oscars are this Sunday, and as is tradition, Trident Booksellers and Cafe is staying open late for its annual Academy Awards party. The Back Bay literary hub will have Oscars games, predictions, specialty cocktails, wine tastings, and photo ops. Organizers recommend you “dress to impress,” which we interpret as an invitation to don what you’d wear on the red carpet. Be sure to get there early: Not only do the Oscars start an hour early than normal at 7 p.m. this year, Trident’s free event is first-come, first-served. (Sunday, March 10 from 6:30-11 p.m.; 338 Newbury St., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane
Be civil. Be kind.
Read our full community guidelines.To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address