$5 Third Thursdays at the Museum of Fine Arts

Join us to celebrate the ancient festival of Nowruz, which signals the beginning of spring! Observed by over 300 million people for more than 3,000 years in places including the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Black Sea Basin, the Middle East, and the Balkans, Nowruz is a beloved holiday that is recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Stop by the Museum to discover unique Nowruz traditions from around the world, revel in magnificent works of art, enjoy lively dance and music performances, and much more. EVENTS &amp; ACTIVITIES Nowruz Celebration Displays 5–8 pm Shapiro Family Courtyard, Level 1 View the diverse traditional table displays that are a key element to any Nowruz celebration. Learn more about the many cultures who celebrate Nowruz and what they include on their table display. When the Mountains Bloom: Nowruz in Tajikistan 5–8 pm Gallery 168, Level 1 “When Nowruz arrives, the world becomes young again; the human heart fills with hope.” —Mirzo Tursonzoda, modern-day Tajik poet Experience Nowruz as it is celebrated in Tajikistan, where ancestral rituals, music, dance, and artistic traditions welcome the return of light and life. Enjoy a community art display, and participate in a hands-on art activity inspired by traditional Tajik fire rituals. Ablikim Emet: My Homeland Through the Camera Lens 5–8 pm Remis Auditorium entryway, Level 1 Don’t miss a rare chance to see work by photographer Ablikim Emet. Through his lens, Emet captures the natural grandeur of his homeland, East Turkestan—from towering mountains and vast deserts to flourishing rivers—while also documenting the timeless traditions and ancient civilizations that define the region’s vibrant culture. Drop-In Art Making: Painted Wooden Eggs 5–9 pm (Last entry 8:45 pm) Druker Family Pavillion, Level 1 Welcome the new year and celebrate the spring equinox by adding bright colors and intricate patterns to a wooden egg using acrylic paint markers. Sounds of Central Asia 5:30–5:50 pm Shapiro Family Courtyard, Level 1 Experience the rich traditions of Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Uzbek, and Uyghur communities through lively music and dance. Featuring traditional folk music performed on the long-necked string instrument known as the&nbsp;dombyra&nbsp;or tambura. Presented by the TurkicStan Center. Gallery Tours: Three in 30 5:30 and 7 pm Meet in Sharf Visitor Center, Level 1 Take a 30-minute tour exploring three objects in the MFA galleries that highlight and connect to Nowruz around the world. ASL interpreter available at 5:30 pm Rostam Toward Mazandaran: A Children’s Naqqāli Performance by Bagche 6–6:30 pm Riley Seminar Room, Level 1 This live performance brings the ancient Persian storytelling tradition of&nbsp;naqqāli&nbsp;to life through the voices of children ages eight to 10. Experience a blend of narration, gesture, and live music inspired by Ferdowsi’s epic poem the&nbsp;Shahnameh, shared in a playful and engaging way that connects ancient heritage with a new generation. Created especially for Nowruz at the MFA, this performance invites audiences of all ages to experience the joy of Persian storytelling, community, and renewal. Students performing attend Bagche, a nonprofit dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible Persian-language education to individuals of all backgrounds. Bagche is a nonreligious and nonpolitical educational institution, focused on fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment for all students. ASL interpreter available Aftab Dance Group 6 and 7:15 pm Shapiro Family Courtyard, Level 1 Experience the diverse cultures of Iran through a medley of Persian dance performed by Aftab Dance Group, featuring students and young professionals in the Boston area. Turkmen Bardic Tradition and Dutar Performance 6:15–7 pm Shapiro Family Courtyard, Level 1 Enjoy Turkmen bardic music and festive traditions, including songs associated with Nowruz (Nowruz toýy). Hear a range of songs from romantic and heroic epics, alongside instrumental pieces from the&nbsp;dutar&nbsp;(two-stringed lute) repertoire, performed by Mohammad Geldi Geldi Nejad, known as “Oghlan Bakhshi.” Spotlight Talk: Treasures and Symbols in Woven Art 7:15–7:45 pm Riley Seminar Room, Level 1 Join Amir Oskouei to uncover how symbols in antique rugs and woven textiles carry deep cultural meaning and personal messages from the weavers and artisans of the Safavid era. Explore these woven treasures and learn about the stories they tell of family, protection, identity, and tradition across the textile arts of Azerbaijan, Iran, and Central Asia. Amir Oskouei is a dedicated advocate for the preservation of Azerbaijani language and culture. A second-generation antique carpet specialist of Azerbaijani heritage, he is an avid collector of historic Azerbaijani textiles. ASL interpreter available Afghanistan Freeharmonic Orchestra: Music of Renewal and Resilience 7:45–8:15 pm Shapiro Family Courtyard, Level 1 Celebrate the arrival of spring and honor the enduring spirit of Afghan culture with this special musical performance. The Afghanistan Freeharmonic Orchestra’s Qudrat Wasefi and Huma Rahim present Afghan folk songs and melodies, many originally created by women, alongside songs from the 1970s, amplifying voices that persist despite displacement and silence. Dining Specials Head to New American Café or Taste for meals, snacks, drinks, and other treats inspired by Nowruz.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mfa.org/visit/dining">Learn more about dining at the MFA</a>.

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S22: conversations

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S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

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S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

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S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

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S28: calendar experiences

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S20: c+d experiences

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S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

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S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

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S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

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S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

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$5 Third Thursdays at the Museum of Fine Arts

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