Blessing of the Animals

Trinity Church Boston invites animal lovers and their beloved companions to its annual Blessing of the Animals, taking place at 4 pm on the church's West Porch facing Copley Square in honor of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.  This special 30-minute service welcomes pet owners, families, and community members to gather to celebrate the bond between people and animals, and to pray for the welfare for all of God's creatures.   All pets great and small are welcome, including feathered, furry, scaled and even stuffed friends. The service will offer an opportunity for pets and their human companions to receive a blessing and connect with the wider community.

Trinity Church Boston

Sole Train 5k

Join Trinity Boston Connects' Young and Old Soles on Saturday, October 3, for the 12th annual Sole Train 5K, a community run/walk that celebrates movement, mentorship, and connection. Sole Train is a year-round youth development program that uses noncompetitive running to foster goal setting, leadership, and community among Boston youth and adult volunteers.&nbsp; The event will bring together runners, walkers, families, and supporters for a morning of fun, fitness, and community spirit. Proceeds support Sole Train's year-round programming, which currently serves more than 150 Young Soles and 40 Old Soles.&nbsp; Schedule:&nbsp; <ul><li>9:00 a.m. – Check-in&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Pick up your bib &amp; enjoy light breakfast before the run/walk begins&nbsp;</li><li>9:45 a.m. – Gather for program &amp; warm-up&nbsp;</li><li>10:00 a.m. – Race begins&nbsp;</li><li>11:30 a.m. – Post-run celebration&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Stick around for lunch, music, lawn games, and family-friendly fun!&nbsp;</li><li>12:30 p.m. – Have a wonderful rest of your day!&nbsp;</li></ul>Participants should check in at the Registration Tent upon arrival. Volunteers will be available throughout the event to answer questions. Rain or shine, all are welcome to join the fun while supporting Boston youth and building community through the power of running.&nbsp;

Moakley Park Picnic Area

See Me 5k Run, Walk, and Roll 2026

Our See Me 5K Run, Walk, and Roll is more than an event—it’s a message.  &nbsp; See my strengths. See my full humanity. See me, not just my challenges or diagnosis.&nbsp; &nbsp; Join us on Saturday, September 19, at Hopkinton State Park to challenge stigma, promote well-being, and spread the message that people experiencing mental health and other life challenges are valued, whole, and vital members of our communities. &nbsp; &nbsp; Proceeds from this event benefit The Michael Jones Memorial Fund at Advocates.&nbsp; &nbsp; About The Event&nbsp;<ul><li>Includes 5K, one-mile walk, and kids fun run options&nbsp;</li><li>Wheelchair accessible event and race course&nbsp;</li><li>Family-friendly atmosphere&nbsp;</li><li>Outdoor games and activities&nbsp;</li><li>Community vendors and resources&nbsp;</li><li>ASL interpreters available&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp; All are welcome—including walkers, runners, wheelchairs, strollers, and families. For safety reasons, bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, racing wheelchairs, and racing handcycles are not permitted. Race course is fully accessible and ASL interpreters are confirmed.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; Race Day Schedule:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>9:00–10:30 a.m. Registration packet pick-up&nbsp;</li><li>9:00 a.m. Vendors and kids activities open&nbsp;</li><li>9:45 a.m. Kids fun run (50 yard and 100 yard fun run)&nbsp;</li><li>10:00 a.m. Opening remarks&nbsp;</li><li>10:30 a.m. 5K and 1-miler kick off&nbsp;</li><li>11:15 a.m. Awards and closing remarks&nbsp;</li><li>12:00 p.m. Event ends&nbsp;</li></ul>&nbsp; Thank you to our official media sponsor WCVB Channel 5.&nbsp; &nbsp; About Advocates&nbsp; Advocates is a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive services for people facing developmental, mental health, or other life challenges.&nbsp; &nbsp; About The Michael Jones Memorial Fund&nbsp; The Michael Jones Memorial Fund provides funding for activities, resources, and other items that will positively impact the quality of life, health, and wellness of people served by Advocates.&nbsp;

Hopkinton State Park

Blessing of the Backpacks

Trinity Church Boston invites all students, teachers and families to its annual Blessing of the Backpacks during the church’s 10 am Sunday Holy Eucharist service at its historic Copley Square building.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Whether you're starting kindergarten, heading off to college, returning to the classroom or teaching students, you're welcome to bring your backpack for a special blessing as the school year begins.&nbsp;&nbsp; Several hundred people attend the service each year. During the service, attendees will receive backpack tags that are blessed to mark the start of the school year, with additional tags available to share with family members and friends across the country and beyond.&nbsp; The service will be accompanied by organ, choristers and choir and includes an in-person Children’s Homily and nursery care for little ones.&nbsp; The blessing will take place in-person and can also be livestreamed at <a href="https://trinitychurchboston.org/live-worship/">https://trinitychurchboston.org/live-worship/</a>&nbsp; The service will be followed by a community picnic with games, barbecue and community on the church’s lawn from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm.&nbsp; Contact <a href="mailto:communications@trinitychurchboston.orgf">communications@trinitychurchboston.org</a> for more information.&nbsp;

IINE WILLOW Fund Breakfast 

The International Institute of New England will host its 2026 WILLOW Fund Breakfast Panel, an engaging morning event focused on advancing support for refugee and immigrant women. The program will explore three key areas shaping women’s resettlement experiences: access to education, pathways to economic opportunity and well-being, and the systemic barriers that often limit progress in these areas, along with the solutions and programs designed to address them. Panelists will share firsthand perspectives on the challenges and opportunities newly arriving women face, highlighting efforts to expand access to health, safety, and employment resources.&nbsp; Panelists include:&nbsp; <ul><li>Ana Hebra Flaster, Author of “Property of the Revolution: From a Cuban Barrio to a New Hampshire Mill Town”&nbsp;</li><li>Yves Salomon-Fernández, President, Urban College of Boston&nbsp;</li><li>Mariana Siqueira, Talent Acquisition Lead, Triumvirate Environmental&nbsp;</li><li>Alexandra (Xan) Weber, SVP and Chief Advancement Officer, International Institute of New England&nbsp;</li></ul>The event will also feature a compelling Suitcase Stories® performance by a young Afghan refugee, offering a personal account of migration and resilience through IINE’s storytelling program, which elevates lived experiences of refugee and immigrant communities.&nbsp;

WBUR CitySpace

Let’s Get Movin’ & New Balance Foundation 5k for Fitness 

Join us for the Let’s Get Movin’ &amp; New Balance Foundation 5K for Fitness, a family‑friendly walk and run celebrating community health, wellness, and movement. Hosted by NeighborHealth in partnership with the New Balance Foundation, this annual event brings together children, families, and neighbors to promote healthy lifestyles through physical activity and nutrition education.&nbsp; Whether you choose to walk, jog, or run, participants of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. The event celebrates the dedication of Let’s Get Movin’ program participants and encourages everyone to prioritize their health in a fun, supportive community setting.&nbsp; Proceeds and participation support NeighborHealth’s Let’s Get Movin’ program, which empowers children, teens, and families to build healthier habits and improve access to nutritious food and active living opportunities.&nbsp; Information&nbsp; Race Day Schedule (Tentative)&nbsp; 8:30 AM "Day of" Registration and Bib Number Pickup opens (only accepting cash or credit payment)&nbsp; 9:30 AM Warmup led by LGM team&nbsp; 10:00 AM Race begins, followed by refreshments and live music&nbsp; 11:30 AM Awards and Recognition Ceremony&nbsp; &nbsp; Registration&nbsp; $15 for Adults, FREE entry for children and youth under age 18!&nbsp; Free T-shirts for the first 250 people to register.&nbsp; All finishers receive medals and awards will be presented to top finishers in each age category&nbsp; Teams that register by May 15th will receive a custom sign along the route&nbsp; Race Bib Pickup&nbsp; Early Bib-Pickup:&nbsp; Friday, June 5th from 4:00 to 7:00pm at the Let's Get Movin' office (250 Sumner Street, East Boston, MA)&nbsp; &nbsp; Race Day Bib-Pickup and Registration:&nbsp; Saturday, June 6th from 8:30am to 9:30am at Memorial Park.&nbsp; &nbsp; About Us&nbsp; Let’s Get Movin’ is a program of NeighborHealth (formerly East Boston Neighborhood Health Center) that empowers children, teens, and their families to build healthy lifestyles. The program promotes physical activity, provides engaging nutrition education, and increases access to healthy foods to support the community.&nbsp; If you have further questions, please contact Alexander Eap at eapa@neighborhealth.com or please call 617-568-4071.&nbsp;

Memorial Park

The Art of Health Care 

Join us for&nbsp;The Art of Healthcare, a special fundraising gala celebrating&nbsp;NeighborHealth’s&nbsp;commitment to delivering the care our neighbors need to live longer, healthier lives together. This annual event makes it possible for us to provide health care beyond the clinic to everyone who needs it. &nbsp; During the event,&nbsp;NeighborHealth&nbsp;will proudly present the&nbsp;2nd Annual Advancing Health Equity Award&nbsp;to our&nbsp;Community Resource &amp; Wellness Center,&nbsp;recognizing its vital role in strengthening our community. We look forward to seeing you at the fundraiser in June! &nbsp; With your support, we can extend care beyond our clinic, remove barriers to health, and ensure everyone has an opportunity to thrive.&nbsp; Please contact development@NeighborHealth.com with any questions. &nbsp;

Institute of Contemporary Art Boston 

Flight House Fitness Launch Party

After an incredible response from the Charlestown community, Flight House Fitness has moved its Launch Party to Saturday, May 30, opening the experience to even more guests and delivering a bigger, more complete look at Boston’s newest premium fitness destination. Flight House Fitness is a family-owned brand redefining premium fitness in New England. Ahead of opening its second location in the final week of May, the team invites the community to celebrate at this free launch event. The 50,000-square-foot Charlestown facility brings Boston its first truly complete fitness destination, combining elite open-gym training, structured HYBRID workouts, strength-focused and studio-based group classes, and private luxury recovery suites under one roof. What to expect:<ul><li>A signature Flight House HYBRID group workout blending strength training and conditioning in a high-energy, coached environment</li><li>An additional studio class, newly added to the schedule</li><li>Facility tours and meet-and-greets with the Flight House team</li><li>Refreshments, live DJ, giveaways, raffles, and product sampling</li></ul>With the new date, guests will have more time to explore the space, connect with the community, and experience Flight House brand partners throughout the facility. If you already RSVP’d, your registration will automatically carry over. Schedule:<ul><li>Check-in: 8:00–8:45 a.m.</li><li>Workout(s): 9:00–10:00 a.m.</li><li>Tours and socializing: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.</li><li>Space is limited and advance registration is required.</li></ul>Benefiting the Boys &amp; Girls Club of Boston

Flight House Fitness

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

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

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

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

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything to do around Boston.

Things to do in Boston and beyond

Things to do in Boston

New at Museum of Science, Boston 💫 

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

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

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 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

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

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

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.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

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.

Where

ecochran

Experiences