Murders, Morgues, and Memories: Halloween Walking Tour

Learn the West End's sordid history from pirates to penicillin. If you DARE! Walk the streets of Boston’s West End after dark! Join us for a chilling tour of the murders and mysteries that haunt this historic neighborhood. From pirates to inmates to religious martyrs to killer nurses, hear the eerie tales of the past. Don't miss this opportunity to lean into the sinister side of the neighborhood's history. If you dare! Tours begin at the West End Museum. Costumes encouraged! The best costume will win a prize.

The West End Museum

Michael Dukakis, The Last Honest Politician: Book Talk with Scott Kerman

An evening of laughter, storytelling, history, and the remarkable friendship that inspired one of Massachusetts' most talked-about books. For four years, comedian, columnist, and author Scott Kerman visited former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis every Wednesday, recording hundreds of hours of candid conversations that became The Duke: Weekly Conversations with the Last Honest Politician. Now, those unforgettable stories come to life in The Last Honest Politician Tour—a funny, fascinating, and surprisingly moving live event that has captivated audiences across Massachusetts. Hear behind-the-scenes stories never told publicly, discover the humor, character, leadership, and humanity of one of the Commonwealth's most respected public servants, and laugh along with the unexpected moments that developed during an extraordinary friendship. This live storytelling event is filled with laughter, audience interaction, and remarkable stories that bring you to the kitchen table with Scott and Governor Dukakis. Stick around for a Q and A and book signing.&nbsp; Books will be available for purchase at the event.&nbsp;

Murder in a Nutshell Book Talk with Frances McNamara

Join local author Frances McNamara for a night of mystery as she discusses her most recent book: Unpapered Bedroom Murder in a Nutshell. Inspired by the macabre murder dioramas created by forensic science pioneer Frances Glessner Lee, this is the fourth book in the Nutshell Murder Mystery series. Set around the City of Boston in 1924, the book sees Lee try to solve the murder of a wealthy banker’s wife found dead in a rundown rooming house in the South End. Does the death have something to do with the movement to free accused anarchists Sacco and Vanzetti or is the death tied to a tawdry love triangle?&nbsp; See if you can solve the case! Books will be available for purchase at the event.&nbsp;

Bending Towards Justice • Live Music, Powerful Words

This stirring performance brings to life the words and ideals of Americans spoken at moments of national crisis, accompanied by live music. “Bending Toward Justice” is a powerful chronological journey through 250 years of the American Experiment, told through the actual words of those who fought to expand the meaning of "We the People”.&nbsp; Listen to a tapestry of distinct, powerful historical figures. Some held the highest offices in the land, while others were labeled criminals, outcasts, or property by the laws of their time. From the revolutionary spark of James Otis, Jr. to the prophetic vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the modern urgency of Bryan Stevenson, this community-sourced reading set to music weaves together historic voices to show that freedom and social justice are not permanent destinations, but active choices that must be defended by every generation. Featuring the Boston-based youth development organization City Strings United performing live accompaniment to iconic speeches of leaders of the past, read by leaders of the present.&nbsp; Speakers include:<ul><li>State Representative Jay Livingstone of 8th Suffolk District</li><li>Marlon Solomon, Founder and Sr. Project Engineer Afrimerican Academy&nbsp;</li><li>Regie Gibson, Massachusetts Poet Laureate</li><li>Dorothy Clark, Board Member, The League of Women for Community Service</li><li>Bithyah Israel, Founder, City Strings United</li><li>Samantha Courage, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Fenway-Kenmore, and Mission Hill Neighborhood Liaison</li></ul>and more!

Free to All: West End Branch Library Exhibit Opening and Book Swap

Learn the storied history of the West End Branch of the Boston Public Library in this new exhibit! Bring an old book, leave with a new one. Libraries are a place for community, culture, and activism. The West End Branch of the Boston Public Library is no exception. Join us for the opening of a new special exhibit tracing the history of the neighborhood library and its impact.  Originally opening in 1896 in the Old West Church, the branch saw decades of change as the West End gained a vibrant immigrant community and eventually faced the wrecking ball of urban renewal. The West End Branch became the cradle of memories of the Old West End as host for the collections that would give rise to the West End Museum. It wouldn’t be a library event if you didn’t leave with a book! Take a book and leave a book for The WEM’s second Free to All Book Swap. Bring gently used books to share with neighbors and exchange them with old friends and new.  Admission is free, but bringing books is encouraged! Light refreshments will be available.

Artists for Humanity • Portrait Project Exhibit Opening

Frederick Douglass, one of the most photographed Americans in history, is a name many recognize. But what about Belinda Sutton or Edmonia Lewis? Join us for the opening of this special exhibition, in which we invite visitors to discover the lives and legacies of individuals who may not appear in our textbooks but whose contributions helped shape the American story.&nbsp; As we reflect on a nation’s fight for independence 250 years ago, we also look forward—through the eyes of these emerging artists—toward a future shaped by awareness, creativity, and the power of untold stories. &nbsp; Each teen artist from Artists for Humanity has chosen someone who resonates with them personally, crafting thoughtful statements that highlight their connection to their subject. At this opening, hear directly from teen artists and learn more about their process and inspiration.&nbsp; View powerful paintings, digital prints, and drawings by young creators at the West End Museum, curated by Artists for Humanity.&nbsp; Light refreshments will be available.&nbsp;

Boston Trivia Night

Test your knowledge on Boston fun facts and enjoy an evening of friendly competition! The summer of 250 has come and gone. Let’s see what you learned about Boston! Join the West End Museum for a night of brain-bending questions, friendly competition, snacks, and drinks at 155 on Portland. Sign up with a team or join one on the spot. Whether you’re a Boston history-buff, a wine connoisseur, or just looking for a fun night out, this event has a place for you! The winning team will receive a prize from the West End Museum! Enjoy local craft beer, wine selection, and bar bites. Arrive as early as 5:30 PM for a drink and a snack before the trivia starts! Teams may be no larger than 6 people. This event is made possible by our partners at the Pennyweight Hotel.

Pennyweight Hotel

West End Community Clean-Up

Pick up your trash grabber and gloves and help keep the West End clean. Meet neighbors and spend the afternoon beautifying the neighborhood! Help clean up the West End! Spend an afternoon picking up litter, chatting with neighbors, and making the West End a more beautiful place. Join us to make the most of the weather and fill your hearts and trash bags.&nbsp; Sponsored by Equity Residential.&nbsp;

Paint, Sip & Spurs

Be inspired by cowboys of the vintage rodeos of old! Enjoy wine, crafting, and a good time with your favorite buckaroos. Celebrate the West End’s Rodeo history with this Western themed evening of wine and water colors.  The yearly rodeos at the Boston Garden might be a thing of the past, but the memories of cowboys, steers, and lassos are still here. Draw inspiration from vintage Rodeo materials pulled from The WEM’s collections. Enjoy a glass of wine while saying howdy to neighbors and friends, old and new.  Crafting supplies and wine will be provided.  This event is 21 and up. ID required, cowboy boots optional.

West End Story: Celebrating Community and the Music of Leonard Bernstein

Join the West End Museum for an unforgettable evening celebrating the timeless music of Leonard Bernstein, the brilliant composer, conductor, and Broadway legend whose music continues to inspire generations. From the dazzling streets of West Side Story to the heartfelt melodies of Candide, this lively musical program will feature the talented combo ensemble Josiah Reibstein and the Hubtones alongside dynamic vocalists Dan Gabel and Rhiannon Hurst performing some of Bernstein’s most beloved songs and showstoppers. Expect romance, rhythm, laughter, and soaring harmonies as we bring the spirit of Broadway and Boston together for one extraordinary night. This event will take place at the Hub Community Room, 52 Causeway Street.&nbsp; Presented in partnership with Queer History Boston and Crescendo Productions, with support from Boston Properties.&nbsp; This event has been generously supported by the exclusive sponsors of our queer history series MA 250 and Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce.

The Hub on Causeway Community Room

Free Admission @ WEM for Labor Day Weekend

Enjoy free admission to The West End Museum on September 5th and 6th to celebrate Labor Day Weekend. The West End Museum is dedicated to <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/archives/">collecting</a>, <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/archives/">preserving</a>, and <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/programs/">sharing</a> the history and culture of Boston’s West End Neighborhood. The history of the West End is one of continual change, American firsts, Boston innovations, and modern icons. The West End Museum celebrates the story of the neighborhood that led the way in Boston’s immigrant era, supporting thousands of the world’s “huddled masses” as they found their way from North End slums to the American Dream. By then, the West End had already produced America’s <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/history/era/west-boston/charles-bulfinch/">first native-born architect</a>, provided a home for free <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/history/era/west-boston/prince-hall/">Black citizens after the Revolution</a>, and led the way in the construction of <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/history/era/west-boston/the-many-faces-of-north-station/">railroads</a>, <a href="https://thewestendmuseum.org/exhibits/from-stagecoach-to-subway-the-west-end-street-railway/">electric street cars</a>, and so much more. The neighborhood changed dramatically after 1950. Two decades of Urban Renewal led to the clearing of more than half the neighborhood, and reinvention in its modern form. Today, we continue to collect West End artifacts, investigate stories of West End community and culture, and share those stories with the public through our programs and exhibitions. Experience all we have to offer FOR FREE Septmeber 5th and 6th. Last admission is 30 minutes before close. We will be closed September 7th.

Once Upon a Time in the South End: Book Talk with Alison Barnet

Join local author Alison Barnet for a trip down memory lane as she discusses her book Once Upon a Time in the South End. Originally moving into the South End in 1964 after her alma mater Boston University did not provide enough housing, Barnet has been getting to know the South End’s character and history ever since. The founding editor of the South End News, a former reporter for Neighborhood Network News, and the author of several books, Barnet offers a unique perspective and in-depth understanding of the South End over the last sixty plus years.  Join Barnet and The West End Museum to learn more about how urban renewal, gentrification, and neighborhood change has affected the South End and the people who have long called it home.  Books will be available for purchase at this event.

SOLD OUT – Big Dig Walking Tour: From the Central Artery to the Rose Kennedy Greenway

Join The West End Museum for a walking tour of the Big Dig’s triumphs and tribulations from the Central Artery to the Rose Kennedy Greenway. The Big Dig was an ambitious project, an engineering marvel, and a complicated solution to a complicated problem. From burying a highway under an active city to building the world’s first asymmetrical cable-stayed bridge, this tour will uncover how the Central Artery Project left its mark on Downtown Boston and beyond. Walk the streets of the West End and trace the path of Boston’s biggest urban planning project from the old central artery to the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Tours begin at the West End Museum. This program was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Footage Screening: 1988 Boston Pride March

Screen archival footage of Boston's 1988 Pride March. Plus: Routes of Pride presentation &amp; community gathering with snacks and crafts. Join The West End Museum and Queer History Boston for a special look at archival footage, community storytelling, and celebration. Watch a video documentation of the 1988 Boston Pride March in this casual event with snacks, 80s tunes, crafts, and community.  In 1988, Boston's Pride March took to the streets with speeches, music, and voices that shaped the movement. The theme of the year was “Rightfully Proud” and featured the symbol of queer liberation in Boston: The Lavender Rhino. This screening invites you to witness that moment, hear those voices, and connect with the local queer history of Boston. Before the screening, discuss the Routes of Pride — QHB’s poster from the 2000s exploring how Boston's Pride marches changed over the decades and why those shifts matter. What routes did they march? What do those changes tell us about the city's queer geography? Join us for a short talk unpacking this history. Bring your craft work in progress or use complimentary craft supplies in this informal screening and gathering. Thanks to our exclusive sponsors MA250 and the Massachusetts LGBT Chamber of Commerce. This event is made possible in part by the Institutue of Museums and Library Services.

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

jaydiewem

Experiences

Murders, Morgues, and Memories: Halloween Walking Tour

Murders, Morgues, and Memories: Halloween Walking Tour

Michael Dukakis, The Last Honest Politician: Book Talk with Scott Kerman

Murder in a Nutshell Book Talk with Frances McNamara

Bending Towards Justice • Live Music, Powerful Words

Free to All: West End Branch Library Exhibit Opening and Book Swap

Artists for Humanity • Portrait Project Exhibit Opening

Boston Trivia Night

West End Community Clean-Up

Paint, Sip & Spurs

West End Story: Celebrating Community and the Music of Leonard Bernstein

Free Admission @ WEM for Labor Day Weekend

Once Upon a Time in the South End: Book Talk with Alison Barnet

SOLD OUT – Big Dig Walking Tour: From the Central Artery to the Rose Kennedy Greenway

Footage Screening: 1988 Boston Pride March