May 15-17, 2026

Check out the top events in Boston this weekend below.

Highlights

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Browse weekend highlights below.

Panda Fest Boston May 16
  • Ohiri Field, Harvard University

Panda Fest, one of the nation’s fastest-growing outdoor Asian food and culture festivals, is thrilled to announce its return to Boston for its second year, taking place from May 15 to May 17, 2026, at Ohiri Field at Harvard University. Following a successful debut that sold out…

Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival May 16
  • Franklin Park Playstead, Roxbury

It’s opening day in Franklin Park! Don’t miss out on this 50-year tradition in our park. You can make a kite, buy one, or bring your own! Food trucks Bikes to try for younger kids with Countdown to Kindergarten Bicycle repair station by REI Contact us to sponsor this wonderful…

Canton Heritage Festival May 16
  • Paul Revere Heritage Site, Canton

Join us for a day of community, culture, and celebration at the Canton Heritage Festival! Date: Saturday, May 16, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Location: Paul Revere Heritage Site, 4 Rolling Mill Way, Canton, MA Admission: FREE & open to everyone! Parking: Free parking…

Seasonal Markets / Shopping

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Find unique goods at one of Boston's pop-up markets.

Picnic at The Current May 16
  • Seaport
  • Recurring daily

Boston Seaport is bringing back The Current this spring with a new “Picnic” theme, opening this Thursday, April 30 and running through August 30 along Seaport Common. The seasonal installation features nine pop-ups, ranging from a matcha shop and donut concept to a perfumery and…

The Boston Open Market May 16
  • Boston Public Garden
  • Recurring weekly on Saturday

This vibrant open-air market features 50 local artists and small businesses, making it a must-visit destination for anyone who appreciates handcrafted goods and locally-made products. Conveniently located at the Boylston Street entrance to the Boston Public Garden, the market…

The Greenway Artisan Market May 16
  • Rose Kennedy Greenway
  • Recurring weekly on Saturday

The Greenway Artisan Market is a vibrant open-air market run by Somerville Flea featuring talented area artists, crafters, and independent designers. Visitors will find exceptional art, locally produced products, and much more! Explore the parks, stroll tree-lined promenades…

SoWa Open Market May 17
  • SoWa Art + Design District
  • Recurring weekly on Sunday

The SoWa Open Market is one of the largest open-air farmer and artist markets in Boston. With a variety of regional and local vendors, plus food + beverage trucks, nestled among artist studios, galleries, and retail shops on the pedestrian-only Thayer Street, the SoWa (South of…

Family-friendly

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Make the most of your family time with exciting activities for the whole family. Discover fun things to do with kids in Boston below.

Swan Boats in the Public Garden May 16
  • Boston Public Garden
  • Recurring daily

Embark on a uniquely Boston experience with a Swan Boat ride in the Public Garden. Nestled in the heart of the city, the Swan Boats have been enchanting visitors since their opening in 1877, preserving a glimpse of Boston's rich history while offering a serene escape from the…

Spring Into WNDR Stamp Rally May 16
  • WNDR Museum
  • Recurring daily

Say goodbye to the last chilly days of winter and welcome the season of renewal by visiting WNDR. As part of the celebration, families can take part in WNDR’s interactive Stamp Rally, an installation-inspired scavenger hunt designed to spark curiosity and exploration. Guests…

Dino Safari May 16
  • CambridgeSide
  • Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Step into a Prehistoric adventure and journey through a realistic jungle filled with 50+ life size, animatronic dinosaurs! At Dino Safari you can dig up fossils, learn about cutting-edge research, complete a passport scavenger hunt, experience a virtual reality adventure, and…

Teen Saturdays Workshops May 16
  • Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology, Harvard University

Join Teen Saturdays Workshops at the Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology this spring to explore ancient ingredients and cooking in two workshops. In this series, teens ages 13–18 are invited to learn the stories behind what we eat—past, present, and future. From…

Ready to laugh until your face hurts? Check out the best comedy shows happening this weekend in Boston below.

The Main Stage Show May 16
  • Improv Asylum
  • Recurring weekly on Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

The Main Stage cast brings you their latest revue, The North End Justifies the Means! This show is a celebration of our grand return to our North End theater, and these six actors are bringing you a show full of non-stop, lightning-paced improv scenes inspired by your…

Dave Attell May 16
  • The Wilbur

Dave Attell is one of the most influential and flat-out funniest stand-ups alive, and 2024 proved it yet again. His new Netflix special, HOT CROSS BUNS, premiered in March to huge numbers and rave reviews, reminding everyone why he’s a comedian’s comedian and a fan favorite…

Zarna Garg May 17
  • The Wilbur

With her unique blend of humor, wit, and fearless social commentary, Zarna Garg has emerged as a comedic trailblazer. An Indian immigrant mom based in New York City, Zarna showcases her sharp and relatable humor in her first comedy special, One in a Billion , available on Amazon…

Music & Theater

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Experience a captivating performance in Boston. Explore top shows happening this weekend below.

Something Rotten May 16
  • Lyric Stage Theater
  • Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Enjoy this history-twisting mash-up set in the 16th-Century with 21st-Century Broadway dazzle. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and then there’s Nick and Nigel Bottom. Two brothers stuck in the shadow of a certain Renaissance rock star — yes, the William Shakespeare…

Boston Ballet: Spring Experience 2026 May 16
  • Citizens Opera House
  • Recurring daily

The 2026 Spring Experience is made up of three contrasting works that showcase the versatility of Boston Ballet dancers and the varied styles of contemporary ballet storytelling. A Boston premiere of Jerome Robbins’ signature ballet, Dances at a Gathering is about human…

Oedipus El Rey May 16
  • Huntington Theatre Company
  • Recurring daily

Luis Alfaro reimagines Sophocles’ classic in his acclaimed and electrifying Oedipus E l Rey , set in the heart of Los Angeles. Oedipus dreams of rewriting his own story — but liberation comes at a price: can he truly escape the destiny laid out before him? What’s fate, and what’s…

Louisa May Alcott's Little Women May 16
  • Arlington Friends of the Drama Theatre

A new adaptation by one of America's hottest playwrights, Lauren Gunderson, known for her portrayals of strong independent women. This is the first performance of this play in Massachusetts! The beloved March sisters of Louisa May Alcott's classic story come to life in this…

Lotus Land May 16
  • City Winery Boston

Boston music lovers, welcome to an unforgettable night with Lotus Land - A Tribute to Rush at City Winery - Boston, right here in Boston. Lotus Land - A Tribute to Rush - Boston Boston is shaping up to be a local favorite for anyone craving precision prog-rock and big-stage…

Renaissance String Quartet May 17
  • Calderwood Hall

The Gardner Museum is thrilled to present the Renaissance String Quartet for the closing performance of the Winter/Spring 2026 Weekend Concert Series. These four terrific musicians (violinists Randall Goosby and Jeremiah Blacklow, violist Jameel Martin, and cellist Daniel Hass)…

Museums & Exhibitions

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Explore recently opened exhibitions and upcoming museum events below.

Exhibit: Discovering King Tut's Tomb May 16
  • Discovering King Tut's Tomb - The Experience
  • Recurring daily

Walk through ancient chambers and uncover the secrets of Egypt's most iconic pharaoh. Experience the wonders of King Tut’s Tomb as it was discovered over 100 years ago without leaving Boston. Take a spellbinding tour of the tomb, its treasures, and ancient Egyptian civilization…

Frank Bowling and 5+1 May 16
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
  • Recurring daily

In late 1969, while living in New York City, Frank Bowling organized “5+1,” an exhibition held in a classroom space at Stony Brook University, New York, with support from the university’s recently established Black Studies program. “5+1” presented work by five African American…

Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination May 16
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
  • Recurring daily

A plot of land, a relaxing retreat, a formal landscape, a place of constant labor: gardens can carry a range of associations, especially in the world of art. “Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination” brings together art from across the MFA’s global collection to explore striking…

Derrick Adams: View Master May 16
  • Institute of Contemporary Art
  • Recurring daily

This first mid-career survey of the prolific New York–based artist Derrick Adams (b. 1970 in Baltimore) offers a sweeping view of his multidisciplinary practice over twenty years. Adams celebrates contemporary Black life and culture through a distinct representational…

Celtic Art Across the Ages May 16
  • Harvard Art Museums
  • Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Discover the many forms of Celtic creativity and their artistic legacies in this sweeping story that spans ancient to modern times. When you think of the word “Celtic,” what do you picture? Perhaps intricate knotwork designs, legendary warriors, or mystical spirituality? Maybe…