Massachusetts

20 Great Events Happening This Weekend in and Around Boston

The weekend is here, the weather looks great and there are plenty of fantastic events to keep the whole family entertained! From Boston Pride events, to the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, a fireworks display and more, we’ve got your weekend planning covered.

Friday, June 8 

Destination Dino at the Franklin Park Zoo

It’s a prehistoric journey through time at the Franklin Park Zoo’s Destination Dino experience. Come face to face with these amazing creatures of the past, dig for fossils and more. Tickets are $21.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors 65+, $16.95 for children 2012 and free for children under 3. 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston.

Lantern Festival

The Chapel at West Parish in Andover invites you to join them for their Lantern Festival, a spectacular lighting even based on an ancient ritual. Decorate your lanterns to send messages or remember a loved one. Lanterns are launched on the pond at 9 p.m. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m., come for free, decorate and launch a lantern for $10. 7 p.m., The Chapel at West Parish, 129 Reservation Road, Andover.

50 Percent off Friday Nights at the Museum of Science

Now through the end of August, enjoy 50 percent off exhibit halls admission from 3- 9 p.m. Grab your family or friends and explore everything the museum has to offer at this discounted rate. Plus starting at 6 p.m. you can also enjoy beer, wine, small plates and oysters in the museum’s Riverview Cafe. You can also add Omni and Planetarium shows at a discounted rate of just $6.

Fireworks

Catch a fireworks show tonight over Dorchester’s Columbia Point as part of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting happening in Boston this week. Fireworks start at 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, June 9

The 39th Annual Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Come check out the oldest dragon boat festival left in North America. This annual event takes place along the banks of the Charles River and attracts more than 20,000 participants and spectators. Admission is free. 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., 409 Memorial Drive, Cambridge.

Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series

Join the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Parks and Recreation Dept. and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts as they kick off the summer of 30 free outdoor fitness classes each week in and around the city. These free classes take place throughout Boston’s 18 neighborhoods and two dozen parks all summer long. This morning enjoy a walking group at 8 am. At Franklin Park in Dorchester, yoga at 9:15 a.m. at Franklin Park, Dorchester, yoga at 10 a.m. at Healy Playground, Roslindale or bootcamp at 11 a.m. at Almont Park in Mattapan.

2018 Boston Pride Parade

The 48th Boston Pride Parade steps off at noon today in Copley Square. This annual event happens rain or shine. Be sure to check out the parade route here to grab your viewing spot. Noon, Copley Square, Boston.

2018 Boston Pride Festival and Concert

Celebrate Boston’s Pride at the 2018 Boston Pride Festival and Concert. This free event is for all ages and features diverse lineup of local and national headliners. You can event meet headliners Martha Walsh and Big Freedia at 2 p.m. before they perform. Noon to 6 p.m., City Hall Plaza, 1 City Hall Plaza, Boston.

Arlington Porchfest

Arlington’s grassroots community music festival returns today showcasing 167 live bands on porches and lawns all day long. This year’s festival is town-wide, moving west to east from noon until 6 p.m.

Boston Chocolate School Truffle Making Workshop

This hands-on chocolate workshop teaches you everything you need to know to to make show-stopping truffles filled with anything from champagne cream to chocolate peanut butter. $85. Noon, Elephant & Castle Restaurant at 161 Devonshire St., Boston.

Boston Street Art and Graffiti Walking Tour (June)

Grab your sneakers for a three-mile walking tour of some of the best street art and graffiti in the city as you and your guide explore large-scale, commissioned rurals in highly visible, public areas. Meet at Starbucks at 273 Huntington Ave. and end up at Canary Square (435 South Huntington Avenue) in Jamaica Plain. Tickets are $26.47. 2-5 p.m.

Bacon and Beer Festival

East Boston’s brings its Bacon and Beer Festival back to the SoWa Power Station for its ninth year this afternoon. A fundraiser for Community Servings and Lovin’ Spoonfuls, tickets start at $37.50. 2:30-5 p.m., SoWa Power Station, 540 Harrison Ave., Boston.

MFA Summer Party

You won’t want to miss the Summer Party at the Museum of Fine Arts. Enjoy dancing, speciality cocktails, a silent auction and more. Tickets are # and must be purchased in advance. 9 p.m. to midnight, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.

The Market Bar at Boston Public Market

Saturday afternoons enjoy a beverage while you shop or dine throughout the Boston Public Market. Stop by the special Market Bar in the HUB for local beer and wine selections. 1-5 p.m., Boston Public Market

Sunday, June 10

The 39th Annual Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Come check out the oldest dragon boat festival left in North America. This annual event takes place along the banks of the Charles River and attracts more than 20,000 participants and spectators. Admission is free. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., 409 Memorial Drive, Cambridge.

SoWa Open Market

The SoWa Open Market is back for its 15th season. Enjoy this weekly celebration of local artisans, farmers, food trucks, brewers, musicians and more. While you’re there enjoy a selection of local brews, stay for a lawn game and enjoy live music. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 530 Harrison Ave., Boston.

Destination Dino at the Franklin Park Zoo

It’s a prehistoric journey through time at the Franklin Park Zoo’s Destination Dino experience. Come face to face with these amazing creatures of the past, dig for fossils and more. Tickets are $21.95 for adults, $19.95 for seniors 65+, $16.95 for children 2012 and free for children under 3. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston.

World Oceans Day Festival

Head on over to the New England Aquarium today for the World Oceans Day Festival. Enjoy hands-on, family-friendly activities, seafood cooking demonstrations, while talking to scientists and local conservation groups and more. This is a free event (aquarium admission is not required). 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston.

Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series

Join the Boston Public Health Commission, Boston Parks and Recreation Dept. and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts as they kick off the summer of 30 free outdoor fitness classes each week in and around the city. These free classes take place throughout Boston’s 18 neighborhoods and two dozen parks all summer long. Today check out kids yoga at 11 a.m. at Jamaica Pond in Jamaica Plain, yoga at 12:30 p.m. at Winthrop Square in Charlestown or yoga at 2 p.m. at Jamaica Pond in Jamaica Plain.

Back Bay Block Party

Don’t miss the annual Back Bay Block Party featuring DJ Kitty Glitter and DJ Gay Jim. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds benefit the Boston Pride Community Fund. 1-9 p.m. on St. James Avenue, Boston.

Back to the 80s Band on The Lawn on D

Go back to the 80s tonight on The Lawn on D with a band playing your favorite tunes from that decade. 3-6 p.m., The Lawn on D, 420 D St., Boston.

Free Pointer Sisters Concert

The Grammy-Award winning Pointer Sisters will perform a free concert in Boston tonight as part of a series of celebratory events offered due to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Annual Meeting is in Boston this week. 8:15 p.m., Copley Square, Boston. 

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