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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].
Leviosa over to ‘Harry Potter: The Exhibition’
The Sorting Hat has chosen Cambridge to host a new exhibit celebrating the Harry Potter movies’ iconic moments and characters. Open daily through January 5 at CambridgeSide (which has dropped the “Galleria” from its name), “Harry Potter: The Exhibition” features authentic props and costumes as seen and used in the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films, and the Broadway production, “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” The exhibit also has interactive elements where guests can select their favorite Hogwarts house, practice their Quidditch skills, and learn about magical creatures. Timed entry tickets are available from 9-5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9-7 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. (Daily through January 5; 100 Cambridgeside Pl, Cambridge; $31 and up) — Lindsay Shachnow
Laugh along with Hannah Gadsby
Hannah Gadsby’s 2018 Netflix special “Nanette” was the sneakiest comedy gut punch in years. It was hilarious, yes — Gadsby expertly mined the humor inherent to navigating lesbian life in an often unforgiving Australian culture — but the sly way the special addresses the trauma that can go along with it was as gripping as it was moving. (And Hannah even gets some laughs out of that, too.) Expect more of the same at Gadsby’s highly anticipated Emerson Colonial stop. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are almost gone, but the recently added 10 p.m. show still has plenty of availability. (Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.; 106 Boylston St., Boston; $39-$144) — Peter Chianca
Rap with Rapsody at The Sinclair
North Carolina native Rapsody has made some impressive contacts in the rap/hip-hop world since the release of her 2012 debut. She was featured on Kendrick Lamar’s 2015 album “To Pimp A Butterfly,” toured with the late Mac Miller, sang on Stevie Wonder’s song “Can’t Put it in the Hands of Fate,” and had her last three albums — including this year’s “Please Don’t Cry” (which features Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, and … Phylicia Rashad) — released via Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Along the way, she was in contention for Best Rap Album (“Laila’s Wisdom”) and Best Rap Song (“Sassy”) at the 2018 Grammys. She’ll be joined at her Sinclair show this Friday by Niko Brim and LARA. (Friday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.; 52 Church St., Cambridge; $18) — Blake Maddux
Explore the Boston Athenaeum Open House
The Boston Athenaeum, a library, museum, and cultural center founded in 1807, is one of the most architecturally stunning buildings in the city. Traditionally open to members only, the Athenaeum is open to all this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guests can view the newest installation, “Extractive Landscapes,” take selfies, participate in family-friendly activities, enjoy the views from the iconic fifth floor, get a glimpse of the local red-tailed hawks, and more. Registration is optional. (Saturday, Sept. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; 10 1/2 Beacon St.; free) — Kristi Palma
Enjoy local art at South End Open Studios
This Saturday and Sunday marks the return of South End Open Studios, a tradition that dates all the way back to 1986. That’s the year that United South End Artists, a collective representing more than 100 artists at numerous galleries in the neighborhood, first joined forces to bring its work to the people of Boston. You can visit any of the five studio spaces from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day, the largest of which is at the SoWa Art + Design District at 450 Harrison Ave. (Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; various locations; free) — Kevin Slane
Rock out to local music at a trio of Porchfests
Ever since Somerville kicked off the first Boston-area Porchfest in 2011, more and more towns and neighborhoods have begun hosting their own versions, bringing amateur musicians together for an afternoon of free, live music on porches and front yards. This Saturday, you’ll have your pick of three different Porchfests, whether you’re in Boston proper (Roslindale Porchfest, 1-6 p.m.), just south of the city (Milton Porchfest, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.) or hanging out in Middlesex County (Melrose Porchfest, 2-6 p.m.). (Saturday, Sept. 21; various locations; free) — Kevin Slane
Get sticky at Somerville’s Fluff Festival
This Saturday, thousands of people will descend upon Union Square in Somerville to celebrate a distinctly New England confection: Marshmallow Fluff. The gooey, spreadable treat was first sold in Somerville in 1917 by Archibald Query, who whipped up batches of the stuff in his kitchen and sold it door to door. In Query’s honor, the 19th annual What The Fluff? Festival will take over Union Square from 2-6 p.m., where more than a dozen local businesses will whip up their favorite Fluff-filled recipes for visitor enjoyment. Eating Fluff is just one way to celebrate at WTFF. There’s also Fluff jousting, Fluff hairstyling, Fluff limbo, and a marshmallow toss, among other activities. (Saturday, Sept. 21 from 2-6 p.m.; Union Square, Somerville; free) — Kevin Slane
Grab a bite at the Salem Food Truck Festival
Before the calendar turns to October and hordes of tourists descend on Salem, enjoy all the town has to offer at the annual Salem Food Truck Festival. Run by Food Truck Festivals of America, more than 50 eateries on wheels will gather around Salem Common, including Cheese Louise, Binge BBQ, The Lobster Roller, and The Cookie Monstah. Throw in some live music and family-friendly activities, and the sheer number of options is downright scary. (Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22 from 11-6 p.m.; North Washington Square, Salem; free) — Kevin Slane
Make time for Time Out Market Oktoberfest
Fenway food hall Time Out Market hosts its Oktoberfest event once again on Saturday, Sept. 21, from noon to 5 p.m. On draft you’ll find New England craft beers, and the food hall’s several vendors are cooking up Oktoberfest-inspired dishes. There will also be a pop-up pretzel stand, photo booth, live DJ, and of course a stein-hoisting competition. Sampling brews is free, though food and full-size beer will be available for purchase. (Saturday, Sept. 21 from 12-5 p.m.; 401 Park Drive, Boston; free; 21+) — Katelyn Umholtz
Raise a stein at Trillium Oktoberfest
All three of Trillium Brewing’s locations and the Greenway beer garden have something in store for Oktoberfest this Saturday and Sunday. Find the bigger festivities at the Canton (Saturday and Sunday) and Fort Point (Sunday only) locations with menu specials, the Taqueria el Barrio food truck, a live DJ, and other activities for the family. Trillium is also hosting some friendly competitions — for costume, lederhosen and dirndl, and of course a stein-holding competition. At the Fenway and Greenway locations, you’ll find festive steins, shirts, and Oktoberfest brews on both Saturday and Sunday. No matter which event you go to, it’s free. To see more details and specific times for all four locations, check Trillium’s calendar of events. (Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; various locations; free; 21+) — Katelyn Umholtz
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