10 things to do in Boston this weekend

BosTen is your weekly guide to the best events and coolest things to do in Boston.

Rowers compete in the 2021 Head of the Charles Regatta John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

5 minutes to read

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].

Gear up for the 2024 election with the Globe

We’re less than a month away from the 2024 presidential election, which means The Boston Globe is ramping up its already extensive campaign coverage. This Thursday, a group of the Globe‘s politics reporters will gather at the Old South Meeting House for a panel discussion of what it’s been like on the campaign trail so far, what to expect in November, and more. Stick around afterward for refreshments and a chance to meet and greet Globe journalists and learn more about their reporting process. (Thursday, Oct. 17 from 5:45-8:30 pm.; 310 Washington St., Boston; free with registration) — Kevin Slane

Celebrate fall at Boston Public Market’s Harvest Party

This Thursday the Boston Public Market is hosting its annual Harvest Party, a celebration of all things autumn as well as a fundraiser for the nonprofit. The theme this year will turn the downtown market into a carnival, and a ticket gets guests bites from food vendors, one drink ticket for Pine Bar’s craft beer and cocktails, and a silent auction. A cash bar is also available for additional beverages. (Thursday, Oct. 17 from 5:30-9 p.m.; 100 Hanover St., Boston; $60 and up) — Katelyn Umholtz

See ‘Poltergeist’ for free on the Greenway

Catch a classic ’80s supernatural horror/thriller for free this Thursday when the Greenway BID holds an outdoor screening of 1982’s “Poltergeist.” Held on the lawn between Milk Street and India Street, the movie starts at 6:30 p.m., and features free concessions and Greenway swag while supplies last. Originally intended as a horror sequel to Steven Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” Spielberg was too busy with “E.T.” to direct “Poltergeist,” but still co-wrote the suspenseful ghost story. “Poltergeist” is significantly creepier than most of Spielberg’s filmography, though you can still sense the director’s personal touches on the script if you know where to look. (Just don’t look at the TV.) (Thursday, Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m.; 74 Milk St., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane

Get loose with Nick Lowe and Los Straitjackets

Nick Lowe is one of the most important, creative, and enduring all-around artists of the past 50 years. As a band member (Brinsley Schwartz, Rockpile), songwriter (“Cruel To Be Kind,” “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding”), producer (The Damned, Elvis Costello), and solo artist, he has left his mark on pub rock, punk, new wave, power pop, country, and folk. Lowe started recording and touring with Los Straitjackets in 2015, and will play the second of two shows with the instrumental quartet this Thursday at Brighton Music Hall. (Thursday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m.; 158 Brighton Ave, Allston; $35) — Blake Maddux

Enjoy free, family-friendly fun at Fall-o-Ween

The City of Boston will celebrate both Halloween and fall with its annual Fall-o-Ween bash this Friday on Boston Common. The free, family-friendly event features a Haunted Zombie Maze, a “Jumpin’ Pumpkin,” a Scarecrow Slide, and a number of other all-ages activities. Dance to live music, settle in for spooky story time with the Boston Public Library, or hop on for a ride on the trackless train. Adults and kids alike are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes for the event, which will occupy the Northwest corner of the park. (Friday, Oct. 18 from 5-8 p.m.; Corner of Charles and Beacon Streets, Boston; free) — Kevin Slane

Stop by Drive-By Truckers at House of Blues

Together since 1996, and hailing from Athens, Georgia, Drive-By Truckers started out with a heady dose of rock in their mix, moved into regions of Southern rock, then added in more of an alt-country sound in recent years. The band’s current tour, which visits the House of Blues this Friday, will feature the band playing their 2001 release “Southern Rock Opera” — a double album filtered through the lens of Southern rock pioneers Lynyrd Skynyrd — as well as other fan favorites. (Friday, Oct. 18 at 8 p.m.; 15 Lansdowne St., Boston. $35-$59.50) — Ed Symkus

Cheer on the rowers at the Head of the Charles

October means the return the Head of the Charles regatta (HOCR) to the Charles River in Cambridge, drawing more than 11,000 world-class athletes on the very best crew teams to Boston for the two-day spectacle this weekend. The most prestigious races, the men’s and women’s elite and championship races, happen on Saturday afternoon, but you’ll find at least once race happening at pretty much any point of the day on Saturday and Sunday. Great spots to watch the race include the BU Bridge, where you’ll have unobstructed views of the starting line; Eliot Bridge, the closest bridge to the finish line and the most likely spot for collisions; and Christian Herter Park, a wide open space near the finish line with a Nightshift beer garden. Find this year’s provisional race schedule here. (Friday-Sunday, Oct. 18-20 from 7:45 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Charles River, Cambridge; free) — Natalie Gale

Unleash your Halloween spirit at Howl-O-Ween

This Saturday, dogs of all sizes will don their Halloween best and take part in Howl-O-Ween, a pet costume contest at Peters Park in the South End. Red Dog Pet Resort & Spa will offer prizes for costume contests in four different categories (big, small, family, and owner/dog pairing), plus dog-friendly treats like pup-kin spice lattes from local businesses. The free event will also be soliciting donations for both Peters Park and Gals Best Pal Rescue. (Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m..; 230 Shawmut Ave., Boston; free) — Kevin Slane

Get lost in one of the best corn mazes in America

It’s officially apple picking season, which means it’s also the time of year when thousands of New Englanders spend countless hours lost in corn mazes across the region. If you want to try your hand at one of the the best corn mazes in America, according to USA Today readers, stop by Davis Mega Maze in Sterling, which is open Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 27. Visitors can choose from seven different levels of intensity in this year’s maze, which is themed around Willy Wonka. Depending on how many of the in-maze puzzles you attempt, plan to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours lost in the stalks. (Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 19-20 from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.; 142 Redstone Hill Rd., Sterling; $21.95-29.95) — Kevin Slane

Get silly with Sheng Wang at The Wilbur

If you watched “Fresh Off the Boat,” you’re already familiar with Sheng Wang, even if you didn’t know it: The Taiwanese American comic was a writer for the ABC series from 2015-2018. But he’s probably better known for “Sweet & Juicy,” the Ali Wong-directed Netflix special that drew praise from The New York Times for “the happy chill of stoner musings contrasting with the rigor of precise observational comedy.” You had us at “happy chill.” (Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m.; 246 Tremont St., Boston; $32.50-$42.50) — Peter Chianca

Kevin Slane

Staff Writer

Kevin Slane is a staff writer for Boston.com covering entertainment and culture. His work focuses on movie reviews, streaming guides, celebrities, and things to do in Boston.

Be civil. Be kind.

Read our full community guidelines.