This weekend marks the official start of fall and it’s a good thing, too, because there’s lots of fall fun to go around. Enjoy a kid’s cooking event, Oktoberfest, the Lantern Festival and a whole lot more!
Friday, Sept. 21
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 try Bootcamp at 6:30 a.m. at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End or a walking group at 10 a.m. at Moakley Park in South Boston.
Guided tours take place daily at Harpoon Brewery, giving visitors an up close and personal view of the brewing process. As part of the tour, visitors 21 and over will enjoy a range of freshly-brewed Harpoon and UFO beers. Tours last approximately one hour. Tickets are $5 and only available the day of the tour and can only be purchased in person. Noon to 6 p.m., Harpoon Brewery, 306 Northern Ave., Boston.
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Dispatch at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Dispatch, one of America’s most successful independent bands, takes the stage at the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion for the second two shows with special guest Nahko and Medicine for the People. Tickets start at $42. Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston.
Mayor Walsh’s Movie Night: “The Karate Kid”
Grab your chair or blanket and catch a free outdoor movie tonight with Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s Movie Nights, part of the Boston Parks and Recreation Dept.’s ParkARTS program which features popular films under the night sky in 12 of the city’s parks throughout August and September. Tonight catch “The Karate Kid” at dusk (approximately 7:45 p.m.). Free popcorn will be provided by AMC Loews Theatres. Boston Common Frog Pond.
Saturday, Sept. 22
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.
Kids in the Kitchen: Apple Bread Pudding
Children ages 6-12 can explore and taste the food of the season at Boston Public Markets Kids in the Kitchen series. Today Emily from Red Apple Farm will teach them her famous Apple Bread Pudding recipe and all about the different apple varieties that grow on the farm. $9-$15, 10-11 a.m., Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston.
Smolak Farm's Annual Fall Children's Festival
Grab the family and head to Smolak Farm for its Annual Fall Children’s Festivals every weekend through Oct. 28. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St., North Andover.
New England's largest and longest running Renaissance Festival is back for another season filled with entertainment, rides, games and more. Open weekends through Columbus Day. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., 235 Main St., Carver.
Celebrating its eighth season, this open-air artisan market features talented area artists, crafters and independent designers. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Rose Kennedy Greenway, 185 Kneeland St., Boston.
Night Shift Brewing Oktoberfest
Celebrate Oktoberfest at Night Shift Brewing’s fourth annual celebration. Featuring NSB’s German inspired beers, the event includes a beer garden, brass bands, food vendors, lawn games and more. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Night Shift Brewing, 87 Santilli Highway, Everett.
The 5th Annual Lantern Festival takes place today in Boston’s Chinatown. Enjoy a day of fun including games and mooncake sampling to kick off the celebrations for this traditional autumn festival. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Rose Kennedy Greenway - Chinatown Park, John F Fitzgerald Surface Road, Boston.
Celebrating its eighth season, this open-air artisan market features talented area artists, crafters and independent designers. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Rose Kennedy Greenway, 185 Kneeland St., Boston.
Head down to the Fenway area and sample a hundred of the Phantom’s favorite foods at the Phantom Gourmet Food Festival. Tickets are limited and are $40 in advance and $50 if available at the event. Noon to 4 p.m., Lansdowne and Ipswich Streets next to Fenway Park.
Bites + Brews with Remnant Brewing
Out and about today? Stop by the Remnant Brewing pop-up on the plaza alongside rotating BPM food vendors at the Boston Public Market. Noon to 8 p.m., Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston.
Disney Jr. Dance Party on Tour
If your child is a fan of Disney Jr., don’t miss the Disney Jr. Dance Party on Tour with all their favorite characters when it comes to the Boch Center for two performances today at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets start at $39. Boch Center, 270 Tremont St., Boston.
Celebrate the invention of Fluff at the 13th annual Fluff Festival on Saturday, Sept. 22 (rain date is Sept. 23). 3-7 p.m., Union Square, Somerville.
Sunday, Sept. 23
Head to The Stevens-Coolidge Place for Enchanted Forest Day to say farewell to their garden season and celebrate the flower fairies and elves that keep the gardens in bloom. Build homes for them to nest over winter, enjoy storytimes and more. $9 for trustees member child, $15 for non-member child and adults are free. 10 a.m. to noon, The Stevens-Coolidge Place, 137 Andover St., North Andover.
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.
Smolak Farm's Annual Fall Children's Festival
Smolak Fall Festival Grab the family and head to Smolak Farm for its Annual Fall Children’s Festivals every weekend through Oct. 28. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Smolak Farms, 315 South Bradford St., North Andover.
New England's largest and longest running Renaissance Festival is back for another season filled with entertainment, rides, games and more. Open weekends through Columbus Day. 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., 235 Main St., Carver.
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 enjoy 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.
Dumpling Festival at the Central Flea
In honor of Joyce Chen, 15 local restaurants and food trucks will be serving up their dumpling variations at the Dumpling Festival at the Central Flea. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., University Park, 91 Sidney St., Cambridge.
Bites + Brews with Remnant Brewing
Out and about today? Stop by the Remnant Brewing pop-up on the plaza alongside rotating BPM food vendors at the Boston Public Market. Noon to 6 p.m., Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston.
Learn how to make pasta from scratch with Law of Pasta (formerly Nella Pasta Workshop). This hands-on pasta making workshop is led by the famous Chef Avery, the founder/owner of Law of Pasta in The Boston Public Market. Tickets are $52 for Trustee members and $65 for non-trustee members. Noon to 2 p.m., Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston.
Portugal The Man & Lucius at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion
Portugal The Man brings it s2018 tour to the Blue Hills Bank Pavilion tonight and brings Lucius with them. Tickets start at $42. 7:30 p.m., Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, 290 Northern Ave., Boston.