Pan in the Park Jamboree

Experience the vibrant spirit of Caribbean-American culture through food, music, and art! Immerse yourself in the rhythms of the islands with music from steel pan bands Tempo and the Cambridge Youth Steel Orchestra that will have you dancing in no time. Try delicious, authentic Caribbean food, and explore hands-on craft activities that bring the region's artistry and traditions to life. This event is made possible by Cambridge Carnival International, who have celebrated the revolutionary legacies of Afro-Caribbean and African American communities for over 30 years.

Magazine Beach Nature Center

Nature Journaling in the Wild

Connect with nature on a new level by slowing down, looking closely, and putting your creative energy on the page. This monthly gathering at Boston Nature Center is a welcoming space for anyone who loves to journal, sketch, or simply slow down outdoors. Each session explores a seasonal topic through creative prompts—observing local plants, animal signs, and ecological changes—while building a warm community of curious participants. All experience levels are welcome, and materials are available to borrow if you don't have your own. Whether you've kept a nature journal for years or are just starting out, you'll leave with fresh observations and a deeper appreciation for what's growing and moving around you.

Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center

Birds and Brew

Kick back with brews, food and activities at the Boston Nature Center after dark! Meet charismatic birds of prey from our sister sanctuary, Blue Hills Trailside Museum, groove to music, and sip on craft beer and cider from local brewers. Then, challenge your brain with trivia, try your luck in the raffle, and grab a complimentary bite from delicious food trucks! Early Bird pricing ends May 31st! Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/103171-birds-and-brew#">Register!</a>

Greener Good Market at Magazine Beach

Discover unique, eco-friendly treasures at Magazine Beach Park Nature Center's first ever Greener Good Market! Local vendors will showcase handcrafted goods made from sustainable materials, including upcycled art, natural skincare, zero-waste home essentials, and more. Every purchase supports small businesses and promotes a greener future in our community. Entry into the market is free for all. Check in when you arrive. Preregistration is not required for this program.

Boston Compost Certificate Program

Do you want to waste less and live more sustainably? This Boston Compost Certificate Program, in partnership with the City of Boston, digs into the hows and whys of composting in Boston. This three-day training is designed to help you learn about the impact of food waste on the environment and its connection to climate change. Each module will include practical knowledge, hands-on activities, and guest speakers. This series will begin with a hands-on introduction to soil science at the Boston Nature Center, followed by field trips to Brick End Farm and The Urban Farming Institute. Participants will experience hands-on composting and gardening techniques, and the program will conclude with an opportunity to explore individual and collective actions to support soil health and mitigate climate change. This program is open only to Boston residents. Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/102077-boston-compost-certificate-program#">Register!</a>

Bike and Bird

Pedal through dedicated bike lanes with stops at Jamaica Pond and the Emerald Necklace, where birds are actively foraging in the early morning light. You'll spot species grabbing breakfast, learn to distinguish residents from travelers, and discover which birds treat these urban greenways as home. The bike ride will conclude at Magazine Beach, where you can explore the Greener Good Market happening that day. Register for free here: <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/102058-bike-and-bird#">Register!</a>

Statewide Volunteer Day at the Boston Nature Center

Celebrate Earth Month with a day of service at Boston Nature Center! Spend your morning working on trail maintenance, play-yard refurbishment, and waking up pollinator gardens as part of Mass Audubon's Statewide Volunteer Day. Volunteers will be provided with the tools and equipment needed to help clear litter and debris, weed pollinator gardens, remove invasive plants, and refresh our preschool play yards. Learn more and sign up for free here: <a href="https://volunteer.massaudubon.org/need/detail/?need_id=1225859">Accessible Work for Wildlife | Mass Audubon</a>

Nature and Wellness: Wildflower Identification and Making Natural Remedies

As the landscape wakes up from winter, it brings with it some of nature's most powerful medicine. In this workshop, you'll step into the world of traditional herbal wisdom and discover how spring's first wildflowers can support the body, especially the lymphatic system, which craves movement after the slower cold months. We'll explore the Clark Cooper Community Garden together, learning to identify wildflowers and understand their botanical elements before foraging them firsthand to make a fresh herbal tea. You'll also craft a take-home remedy to carry a little bit of spring's healing energy with you. This program is free if you are a member of Dot Rx. Please email&nbsp;bnc@massaudubon.org&nbsp;to register. Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/101928-nature-and-wellness-wildflower-identification-and-making-natural-remedies#">Register!</a>

Greener Good Market at the Boston Nature Center

Discover unique, eco-friendly treasures at the Boston Nature Center’s second Greener Good Market! Local vendors will showcase handcrafted goods made from sustainable materials, including upcycled art, natural skincare, zero-waste home essentials, and more. Every purchase supports small businesses and promotes a greener future in our community. Entry into the Greener Good Market is free for all, no registration required! For more information please visit the Mass Audubon website: <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/boston-nature-center/news/greener-good-market-at-the-boston-nature-center2">Greener Good Market at the Boston Nature Center</a>

Family Winter Birding

During the cold winter months, Boston becomes home to a remarkable variety of birds that either migrate here or brave the season alongside us. Explore the winter landscape and discover the diverse avian life that thrives here, from cheerful cardinals and dark-eyed juncos to sparrows, robins, and even majestic hawks and owls. Learn to identify these winter residents and understand their behaviors, habitats, and survival strategies in the colder season. Whether you're new to birdwatching or looking to sharpen your identification skills, you'll build confidence in spotting and recognizing the species that make Boston their winter home. We provide all equipment, including binoculars and field guides, so you can focus entirely on observing and connecting with the natural world around you. Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/101231-family-winter-birding#">Register!</a>

Nature and Wellness: Winter Series

This three-part experiential series invites participants to deepen their connection with the natural world while developing practical skills in botanical wellness and creative expression. Set against the backdrop of Boston's vibrant outdoor spaces, including the Boston Food Forest, and Clark-Cooper Community Garden, each program combines hands-on learning with the therapeutic benefits of nature immersion. January 22 - Winter Wild Edibles and Tea: A cozy winter walk at the Boston Nature Center where participants forage seasonal herbs and berries to make a warm, comforting tea while enjoying nature and good company. February 26 - Foraging and Crafting Natural Immune Remedies: Craft your own fire cider using wild edibles foraged from BNC trails while learning to identify winter medicinal plants and exploring the rich cultural history of herbal medicine across different communities. March 26 - Forest Mindfulness Walk and Yoga: Experience the forest through mindful movement and sensory awareness, beginning with grounding yoga and progressing to contemplative exploration of the BNC's diverse habitats, where you'll discover the unique characteristics of each ecosystem through present-moment observation. This program is free to DotRX members - please register by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:bnc@massaudubon.org">bnc@massaudubon.org</a> Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/101187-nature-and-wellness-winter-series#">Register!</a>

Nature Journal Club

Would you like to slow down, observe the natural world, and capture your experiences in a nature journal? This monthly gathering is for people who enjoy looking closely at nature and want to grow their journaling practice in a supportive, creative community. Each week, we'll meet at the nature center and on the trails of our wildlife sanctuary to share ideas, sketch, write, and explore different journaling techniques together. Whether you're just getting started with nature journaling or have been keeping a journal for years, this club is a space to connect with the natural world and others who are inspired by nature, curious about the world around them, and eager to learn from one another. Bring your favorite journaling supplies, or use materials provided. All levels of experience are welcome! This program is free for Dot Rx Members. Please email&nbsp;bnc@massaudubon.org&nbsp;to register. Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/101764-nature-journal-club#">Register!</a>

Maple Sugaring at Magazine Beach

In late winter, with nights below freezing and the days mild, maple trees across the state begin to flow with sap. Join us to learn about the history of producing maple syrup, how to identify different species of maples, and how to tap a tree firsthand! Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/magazine-beach/99624-maple-sugaring#">Register!</a>

Magazine Beach Park Nature Center

Maple Sugaring at the Boston Nature Center

There's nothing quite like the taste of pure maple syrup made from trees you tapped yourself. This sweet New England tradition comes alive at the Boston Nature Center as we transform fresh sap into liquid gold. You'll learn the art of tapping Sugar Maples and discover what makes these trees so remarkable. Taste the clear, slightly sweet sap straight from the tree, then watch as heat and time work their magic, concentrating it into the rich syrup we love. We'll explore the traditional techniques and modern equipment that make sugaring possible throughout the region. But maple trees offer more than just syrup—they're vital to countless woodland creatures. Our scenic trails feature a self-guided storybook walk and scavenger hunt that reveal the surprising ways wildlife depends on these magnificent trees throughout the seasons. From the first tap to the final taste, you'll gain a deeper appreciation for this beloved tradition and the forests that make it possible. Come celebrate spring's sweetest ritual—the maples are running! Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/100790-maple-sugaring#">Register!</a>

Nature and Wellness: Foraging and Crafting Natural Immune Remedies

Step into the world of traditional herbal wisdom and discover how winter landscapes offer powerful natural medicine for strengthening immunity during the coldest months. You'll craft your own batch of fire cider, a potent vinegar-based tonic renowned for its immune-boosting properties, incorporating wild edibles foraged directly from the BNC trails. As you explore the winter landscape, you'll learn to identify medicinal plants that thrive in the cold and understand their therapeutic applications for supporting your body's natural defenses. You'll leave with your own handcrafted fire cider, the ability to identify and harvest winter medicinal plants, and a deeper knowledge of natural remedies that have sustained communities for generations. This program is free if you are a member of Dot Rx. Please email <a href="mailto:bnc@massaudubon.org">bnc@massaudubon.org</a> to register. Registration is required. <a href="https://www.massaudubon.org/programs/boston-nature-center/101202-nature-and-wellness-foraging-and-crafting-natural-immune-remedies#">Register!</a>

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

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 ⭐️

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

World Cup Watch Parties 🎉⚽️

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

hazen.emersonbnc

Experiences