Back on my Feet Walk
2025-09-22 05:45 - 06:30 (America/New_York) | Franklin Park, Boston
Back on My Feet empowers people to break free from the cycles of poverty, homelessness, and/or addiction through the power of running/walking, community support, and employment resources.
They run and walk 3 times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) to build a sense of community and responsibility.

Boston Tree Alliance Tree Planting Training
2026-04-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill Street, Mattapan, MA, 02126, United States
The Boston Tree Alliance (BTA) Program is hosting a training on tree planting. Learn how to prepare a planting site, assess roots, and care of young trees through proper pruning, watering, and mulching with the BTA program’s urban forester.
This event is open to the BTA Planting Grant grantees and the public for anyone to learn how to plant and care for trees. A portion of this event will include a training on data collection for grantees on reporting and how to use TreePlotter, a digital tool to manage tree inventory and mapping.
Please RSVP here.

Hike Boston: Franklin Park
2026-04-02 15:00 - 16:00 | Franklin Park Tennis Courts, MA
Hike Boston is the City of Boston’s series where we invite you to join us for a walk, hike, or interpretive program in one of Boston’s parks or urban wilds.

Boston Park Rangers, Urban Wilds staff, and Parks employees will provide formal and informal discussions or tours during the hikes. Some hikes may be more focused on taking a walk in the park, while others may be more informational.

parkrun @ Jamaica Pond
2026-04-04 09:00 - 10:00, 2026-04-11 09:00 - 10:00 | Pinebank Promontory at Jamaica Pond, Jamaica Pond, Boston, MA, United States
A free, fun, and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate – it’s up to you!
Please register before you first come along. Only ever register with parkrun once and don’t forget to bring a scannable copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won’t get a time.

Boston Neighborhood Bike Forum
2026-04-04 10:00 - 15:30 | Bolling Building, 2300 Washington Street, Boston, MA, 02119, United States
The Boston Neighborhood Bike Forum (BNBF) uplifts BIPOC bicyclists across Greater Boston to build collective power and advance racial and economic justice in mobility. Although BIPOC residents comprise Boston’s majority, they’re often excluded from decisions reshaping streets and neighborhoods. BNBF confronts this by centering BIPOC voices and solutions in transportation planning.
Held in 2017-2018 with 100+ attendees annually, BNBF created space for organizing and policy influence. As cities transition toward biking and walking, we ask: will this shift fuel displacement or support community self-determination?
Come join us for:
Workshops with major BIPOC and streets leaders
Panel discussions with major figures in the transportation world
A “bike rodeo” for kids ages 2-10 (bike provided, no riding experience needed)
Caribbean food from the incredible Fresh Foods Generation
Bike parking and child watch, and interpretation services can be provided. For child watch, make sure to tell us you need it in the form below!
RSVP here

Boston Parks Winter Fitness Series Walking Group in Franklin Park
2026-04-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse, 1 Circuit Drive, Dorchester, MA, United States
Get moving, boost your energy, and make new friends with our fun outdoor walking program at Franklin Park! Enjoy a brisk walk that strengthens your body, improves endurance, and keeps you motivated.
Class led by Brandy Cruthird
Register here.
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) host the Boston Parks Fitness Series, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Boston Family Days
2026-04-05, 2026-04-12
Boston Family Days is an extraordinary public-private partnership between the City, corporate and philanthropic partners, and 23 of our City’s leading cultural institutions to help Boston school-aged children feel at home in places that can expand their learning and show them the world.
Through Boston Family Days, all students who live in Boston (grades K-12 and Boston Pre-K) and two guests can explore many of the City’s cultural institutions for free on the first and second Sunday of each month until December 2026.
In addition, Boston students and their families also have free access to live performances at Boston’s premier venues. Students who are registered for Boston Family Days will receive ticket reservation links and instructions from the City before the performances.
Sign up for Family Days here.
Note for BPS Families: If your child is enrolled in Boston Public Schools or Boston Pre-K, they are automatically signed up for this program. You will continue to receive your Boston Family Days pass directly via BPS. Please ensure that your email address is updated in the BPS system.
Participating institutions: 1st and 2nd Sunday of each month

Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of Science
Museum of African American History
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Boston Children’s Museum
Franklin Park Zoo
Institute of Contemporary Art
New England Aquarium
Paul Revere House
Old North Illuminated
USS Constitution Museum
Revolutionary Spaces: Old State House and Old South Meeting House – Downtown

Participating institutions: Performances

American Repertory Theater
Arts Emerson
Berklee College of Music
Boch Center
Boston Ballet
Boston Lyric Opera
Boston Symphony Orchestra
The Huntington
Wheelock Family Theater

Little Explorers at Arnold Arboretum
2026-04-06 10:00 - 11:00 | Hunnewell Lecture Hall, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA, 02130, United States
Join us at the Arboretum as we read and discover new things about the natural world. During this one-hour program for our youngest guests and their grownups, we will read a nature inspired story, do a craft/activity, and go for a nature walk to continue exploring the theme. Each week’s theme is inspired by what is happening seasonally at the Arboretum.
This program will primarily take place in the landscape. (Geared toward ages 3-5).
Please register here.

Muddy River Symposium
2026-04-07 17:30 - 20:30 | Paresky Conference Center, Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
Join the Colleges of the Fenway Center for Sustainability and the Environment and our partners at the Muddy River Restoration Project for an evening of learning and sharing as we commemorate the 20th Muddy River Research Symposium.
This event will feature sustainability-focused research posters from across the Colleges of the Fenway, as well as a keynote address, “Love that Dirty Water: We can have a swimmable Charles, but we need to “Cut the Crap,” from Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association.
Tentative Event Schedule:
I. Open Poster Session
II. COF Center for Sustainability and the Environment Welcome Address
III. Muddy River Update, MMOC
IV. Keynote Address followed by Q&A
V. Poster Awards Presentation

2026 Herring Count Training
2026-04-07 18:30 - 19:30
Each year, hundreds of thousands of migratory fish return to the Charles River to spawn. But many are stopped short by defunct dams. We need you to help collect data on the number of fish that pass over the fish ladder at Watertown Dam.
Attend the Charles River Watershed Association’s training session to learn about the Charles River herring and how to be a fish monitoring volunteer! Hear from CRWA’s River Restoration Director and Volunteer and Outreach Manager about these important migratory fish and a ‘Fish Monitoring 101’ outline on everything you need to know about becoming a volunteer fish counter.
Register here

Parks and Recreation Duck Boat Challenge
2026-04-11 11:00 - 15:00 | Boston Common, 139 Tremont St, Boston, MA, 02111, United States
Back for round two! The Boston Parks and Recreation’s Duck Boat Challenge returns for its second year on Saturday April 11, 2026, bringing one of the city’s most unique and exhilarating challenges back to Boston Common. Teams of 10 will battle the clock as they pull a 21,000-pound duck boat down the course. Are you ready to take on the competition?
Beyond the thrill, the Duck Boat Challenge celebrates community spirit and the Boston Parks and Recreation programs that help young athletes grow, stay active, and stay healthy.
This event is in partnership with the Boston Duck Tours.
Register your team here.

Magnolias in Bloom: Music Inspired by Nature
2026-04-11 15:00 - 16:00 | Hunnewell Lawn, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA, 02130, United States
Gather at the magnolias for a one-of-a-kind concert celebrating this beautiful collection in peak bloom. Chloe DeSteno and Ariana Mascari, graduate students at the New England Conservatory, have assembled a collection of musical pieces about the magnolias, their cultural and historical impact, as well as plants and the Arboretum more broadly–including one original piece composed for the Arboretum’s magnolia collection itself. The concert will feature a chamber ensemble playing genres from Renaissance to jazz, all rooted in classical music.
Seating will be on the grass. We recommend bringing a blanket or lawn chair to sit on if desired, as chairs will not be provided.
Rain date: April 12, 3:00-4:00pm. Registrants will be notified via email at least one day in advance if a program needs to be rescheduled due to inclement weather, and will be notified by phone if a program must be rescheduled with less than one day’s notice. Click here to view our full inclement weather policy. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email publicprograms@arnarb.harvard.edu (inbox monitored on weekdays) or call the Visitor Center desk between 10:00am and 4:00pm at (617) 384-5209.
Accessibility: The Hunnewell lawn is flat and just off the main road, which is just inside the Arboretum’s main entrance at Arborway Gate.
Audience: This performance is appropriate for all ages.
Register here

Birding at the Arboretum
2026-04-12 08:00 - 09:30 | Hunnewell Lawn, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA, 02130, United States
Have you ever wanted to learn more about the feathered friends you see and hear on a walk through the Arnold Arboretum? If so, please join birders and volunteers TJ and Allison for a leisurely 90-minute bird watching walk. We will cover a variety of habitats and focus on the changes that seasonal migration brings to our resident birds, so come back often to keep up with the seasons! No homework is required, but binoculars are helpful for spotting in the trees. We’re looking forward to birding with you!
Register here

Jamaica Pond Boathouse Study Community Meeting
2026-04-15 18:00 - 19:30
Join the City of Boston for an online community meeting about site analysis and next steps for the Jamaica Pond Boathouse Study!
Register here for the Zoom link.
More info:
The Boston City Planning Department has launched a comprehensive engineering study of the Jamaica Pond Boathouse and Jamaica Pond Bandstand to assess their infrastructure and explore future improvements and uses. Over the coming months, engineers and public engagement staff will evaluate the physical condition of these spaces while gathering community input on design ideas and future public use priorities.
Have thoughts to share? Take a few minutes to complete the City’s survey and sign up for updates. Your feedback will help shape the future of these cherished community spaces, and we hope you’ll join upcoming public review opportunities as plans take shape. More Info & The Boathouse & Bandstand Survey

$5 Third Thursdays at the MFA
2026-04-16 17:00 - 22:00 | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 465 Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, United States
Make the MFA your Thursday night destination! On the third Thursday of every month, enjoy the Museum after dark with $5 admission from 5 to 10 pm. Explore the galleries, join hands-on art-making, shop unique finds, and grab drinks and a bite to eat. Every month brings something new! From community celebrations to live performances, there are plenty of reasons to gather with friends, meet new ones, or escape with art at the MFA.
What’s on View
Make the most of your Thursday evening—wander the collection galleries, visit old favorites, and discover something new. Celebrate spring with the major exhibition “Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination.”
Events and Activities
Spotlight Talk: Gardens and Gardeners
6 and 7 pm
Gund Gallery, LG31
Discover the often unseen labor that goes into creating gardens. Looking at 20th-century photographs on view in the exhibition “Framing Nature: Gardens and Imagination,” learn about the people whose work has brought gardens to life and sustained them through changing seasons.
With Karen Haas, Lane Senior Curator of Photographs.
Sound Bites: Gregory Groover Jr.
6–6:45 and 7:15–8 pm
Gallery 168
Join tenor saxophonist Gregory Groover Jr. as he celebrates the release of his album Old Knew (Criss Cross Jazz, 2025). Groover performs original new music alongside a stellar cast of musicians, including Joel Ross, Paul Cornish, Harish Raghavan, and Kendrick Scott.
Drawing in the Galleries: Gardens and Nature
6–8 pm (last entry 7:45 pm)
Gallery 255
Drop in to sketch works of art in the galleries! Whether you’re a seasoned illustrator or picking up a pencil for the very first time, all ages and skill levels are welcome to join. Museum educators are available to help you get started and offer tips and suggestions along the way—just bring your creativity! All drawing materials are provided.
Nick Shea Pop-Up
6–9 pm
Shapiro Family Courtyard
Local artist Nick Shea, best known for his pop-ups on the Boston Common, joins us to draw his signature index-card portraits! Portraits are drawn on a first-come, first-served basis. The line opens at 5 pm—we recommend getting there early to guarantee a spot!
Spotlight Talks: Student Perspectives
Meet at Sharf Visitor Center
Explore a work of art for 15 minutes with MFA Ambassadors, members of a program for local university students with a passion for art.

August Coleman, “Battleship Kate” tattooed trade figure (about 1935)
6:30–6:45 pm
Presented by Gina D’Itria, Suffolk University

Fernando Botero, Venus (1977–78)
7:30–7:45 pm
Presented by Logan Phesay, Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Frank Duveneck and Clement John Barnhorn, Tomb Effigy of Elizabeth Boott Duveneck (1894)
8:30–8:45 pm
Presented by by Catherine Stewart, Boston University

Xandra Ibarra: Nude Laughing
8–9 pm
Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art, Level 2
In conjunction with the exhibition “Subvert, Repair, Reclaim: Contemporary Artists Take Back the Nude,” experience a performance by artist Xandra Ibarra that uncovers the vexed relation racialized subjects have not only to their own skin, but also to their entanglements with whiteness and white womanhood.
This performance contains nudity and may not be suitable for all audiences.

Historic Follies & Native Gardens Tour at Franklin Park Zoo
2026-04-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Franklin Park Zoo, 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA, 02121, United States
Step back in time with the Franklin Park Zoo horticulturalist for an up-close look at the Zoo’s historic follies. These ornamental towers, made from chunks of Roxbury puddingstone—the state rock of Massachusetts—have stood for nearly two centuries. Just steps from the African lion habitat, we’ll visit Sargent’s Folly. Built around 1840, this tower is the oldest structure in Franklin Park and the only surviving architecture that predates the park itself.
We’ll then walk to the Rock Garden to view the second tower, which was modeled after Sargent’s Folly. Here you’ll learn about our five-year effort to restore the historic garden to reflect its appearance from a century ago, including period-style plantings and a flowing water feature. You’ll also discover the vital role native plants play in building a resilient, healthy ecosystem.

Community Volunteer Day in Franklin Park
2026-04-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Long Crouch Woods in Franklin Park, Walnut Ave & School Street, Boston, MA, 02119, United States
The Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Wilds Division is inviting you to join us in removing non-native plant species and build habitat walls at our first volunteer event of the year!

This natural area is home to beautiful rock outcrops, heritage trees, and attractions like the Bear Dens. However, it needs our help to stay healthy and remain an important park for us and future generations. We hope that by bringing people together to work towards restoring the ecological health of the Long Crouch Woods, we can showcase this area’s beauty and potential.

For this event, there is no experience necessary! The focus is to clean up trash and glass from the site, clean up trails, remove invasive understory plants, and build habitat walls with the brush generated; all of which are done to improve overall forest health and increase visibility into the woods. There will be lots of learning opportunities for residents of all ages and backgrounds.
The event will happen, rain or shine. We will cancel in the case of extreme weather such as thunderstorms. Staff will provide all the tools, supplies, and instruction needed for the project(s). Please dress in comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing, as well as wearing closed toe shoes. We recommend participants bring their own water, snacks, sunscreen, and bug spray. All ages are welcome, we just ask to note if any children will be joining for the day!
For the understory plant removal aspect, expect to be utilizing hand cutting tools like loppers and pruners, moving brush, raking, and maybe even kneeling/crouching. Please let us know in the form if you have any special accommodations or needs in order to joyfully participate!
There is limited street parking near the entrance we are meeting at, but it can be limited, so we also encourage you to bike, walk, or take public transit. There is also public parking at the Playstead and Giraffe Gate of the zoo, which is about a 10 minute walk to the school street entrance.
We hope to see you there, and we would also love to hear your ideas for future projects! Be sure to fill out our Google Form to sign up.

Explorers Garden Tour at the Arboretum
2026-04-18 10:30 - 12:00 | Centre Street Gate of the Arboretum, 1100 Centre Street, Boston, MA, 02130, United States
The Explorers Garden rests in a microclimate just below the summit of Bussey Hill. This nearly five-acre site provides ideal growing conditions for many species that have been challenging to grow in less protected areas of the Arboretum. As such, it has proven to be a perfect testing ground for plants collected in the expeditions of E. H. Wilson in the early 1900s to the NACPEC (North America-China Plant Exploration Consortium) expeditions of our own time. Join docent Marie Herbert for a guided tour to learn more about some of the plants showcased in this special collection and to hear stories of the plant exploration expeditions that brought them to the Arboretum.
Accessibility: This tour will include paved roads and woodchip paths. Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed toe walking shoes.
Audience: This program is geared towards adults.
Weather Policy: Tours may be canceled in cases of the following weather conditions: severe wind, snow, ice, thunder or lightning events; temperatures over 90 degrees; temperatures below 20 degrees; or other weather events at the discretion of Arboretum staff. In the case of cancelation, you will be contacted by Arboretum staff no later than 2 hours before the start of the event. If you have questions about the status of a program, please email or call the Visitor Center at (617) 384-5209 between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
Register here

Cherry Blossom Celebration
2026-04-18 13:00 - 16:00 | Bradley Rosaceous Collection of Arnold Arboretum
Come celebrate Japanese culture amongst the Arboretum’s beautiful cherry blossoms with taiko drumming, traditional Japanese dance, Japanese games and calligraphy, family activities, and the inside scoop on the Arboretum’s own cherry collection.
Performance schedule:

1:45-2:00pm: Traditional Japanese dance by the Showa Boston Institute
2:00-3:00pm: Taiko Drumming with Odaiko New England

Public parking is available on Arborway, but parking can be tight at larger events like this. Please allow yourself extra time to park or consider using other modes of transportation. If Arborway is full, there may be parking on the small side street that runs parallel to Arborway on the other side from the Arboretum.
The event takes place on the grass, so please bring your own lawn chairs or blankets.
Rain plan: This event will run rain or shine, but the performances will be canceled in the event of rain.
Accessibility: This program will take place on mowed grass in the Bradley Rosaceous Collection.
Audience: This event is appropriate for all ages.
Registration is not required but helps us plan and allows us to communicate any changes due to weather, etc.
