The Immortal Magu: A Sixteenth-Century Chinese Painting Up Close

The Davis Museum presents "The Immortal Magu: A Sixteenth-Century Chinese Painting Up Close" beginning February 6, showcasing a rare Ming dynasty silk scroll painting of the Taoist deity Magu following extensive conservation work. Once hidden due to severe damage, the large-scale work has been meticulously restored by world-renowned conservator Jing Gao using traditional and innovative techniques. The exhibition invites visitors to appreciate this preserved immortal deity associated with longevity and beauty, now saved for future generations.

Davis Museum at Wellesley College

Only To Be There: Student Traditions at Wellesley

Celebrating Wellesley College's 150th anniversary, "Only To Be There: Student Traditions at Wellesley" showcases beloved rituals through photographs and memorabilia from the College Archives. Discover time-honored traditions like hooprolling, stepsinging, and Tree Day, alongside forgotten customs such as "forensic burning" and "Float Night" pageants on Lake Waban. Co-curated by Lisa Scanlon Mogolov '99, Professor Jacqueline Marie Musacchio '89, Dr. Amanda Gilvin, and Sara Ludovissy, the exhibition reveals how these community rituals connect generations of alumni and reflect the playful, rebellious spirit that makes Wellesley unique. On view February 6 through May 24 at the Davis Museum.

Newly-reinstalled Modern & Contemporary Art Galleries to open with well-known & never-before-seen artworks 

The Davis Museum reopens its fifth-floor galleries on February 6 with modern and contemporary works by Willem de Kooning, Lee Krasner, Horace Pippin, and Judith Rothschild, plus never-before-seen pieces like Irving Norman's Labyrinth (1955). Curated by James Oles from over 900 works, the installation is organized thematically around six themes—Modern Fragments, The Label, An Eye for Materials, Plane and Grid, Dream and Gesture, and Contemporary Art—reflecting Wellesley's interdisciplinary approach. Student employees contributed object labels, and the Contemporary Art section features recent acquisitions representing global and diasporic voices.

In Focus: Wellesley College Faculty Artists

Celebrate Wellesley College's 150th anniversary with an extraordinary exhibition showcasing nine nationally and internationally acclaimed artists who also serve as faculty members. "In Focus" presents a stunning array of works spanning photography, painting, collage, sculpture, book arts, printmaking, video, sound, and other interdisciplinary media. Featured artists include Kathryn Abarbanel, Genevieve Cohn, Claudia Joskowicz, Kathya Maria Landeros, Phyllis McGibbon, Andrew Mowbray, Daniela Rivera, Katherine Ruffin, and David Teng-Olsen—renowned creators whose work is exhibited around the world. From an energetic 20-foot mural to intimate Arizona landscape photographs and a video installation capturing everyday life in El Alto, Bolivia, the exhibition explores the extraordinary range of media, perspectives, and talents of these accomplished artist-educators.

The Worlds of Ilse Bing

Discover the remarkable career of pioneering photographer Ilse Bing (1899-1998), who distinguished herself in the male-dominated world of early 20th-century photography. Known as the "Queen of the Leica," Bing's innovative work spanned Frankfurt, Paris, and New York City, pushing the boundaries of modern art and photographic expression. This exhibition features a recent gift of vintage photographs from acclaimed musician and Wellesley College alumna Suzanne Ciani '68, exploring Bing's work in conversation with her creative contemporaries. From fashion and portraiture to street photography, Bing's total commitment to the Leica camera proved its power to capture enigmatic moments from everyday life. Experience Bing's groundbreaking contributions to photography on the 100th anniversary of the Leica camera's 1925 launch, celebrating a visionary artist who helped define the visual language of the modern world. Supported with funds given through the generosity of Linda Wyatt Gruber '66.

Suzanne Ciani: Sound Lounge

Step inside the sonic world of five-time Grammy Award nominee and Wellesley College alumna Suzanne Ciani '68, an electronic music pioneer whose innovative compositions have shaped the soundscape of modern culture. From her iconic Coca-Cola pop-and-pour to groundbreaking albums like Seven Waves and The Velocity of Love, Ciani has carved out a remarkable career as one of the world's most creatively successful composers. This immersive sound experience celebrates Ciani's illustrious career, featuring her dreamy, contemplative compositions created on the Buchla synthesizer. Inducted into Keyboard Magazine's Hall of Fame and recipient of the Moog Innovation Award, Ciani's work spans film, games, commercials, and more than 20 solo albums that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. Part of Wellesley College's 150th anniversary celebration, Sound Lounge honors an extraordinary alumna whose groundbreaking musical and technological innovations inspire the next generation of electronic music creators. Presented in collaboration with the Wellesley College Music Department Concert Series and generously supported by the Mellon Academic Programs Fund.

Get a Sneak Peek of America’s 250th Exhibit at Old North Church Historic Site This February School Vacation

Step into the story that launched a revolution. During February School Vacation Week, Old North Church Historic Site invites students, families, and history lovers to be among the first to experience new additions to its exhibit celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States. As the nation looks ahead to July 4, 2026, there’s no better place to explore the origins of American independence than the site where Paul Revere’s famous “one if by land, and two if by sea” lanterns were hung. Located in the heart of Boston’s North End, Old North offers a fun, immersive, and educational vacation-week experience. Visitors can explore the soaring 18th-century church, discover new semiquincentennial content, and connect classroom lessons to the real places where history happened. Designated a Site of Conscience by the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience in 2023, Old North Church Historic Site brings Revolutionary-era history together with stories that inspire curiosity, conversation, and civic engagement&nbsp; — making it an ideal School Vacation destination for learners of all ages. The historic site, which is typically closed to the public during the winter season, will be open Feb. 14 through Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m (open 12:30 - 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15). Families can take advantage of a $10 combo ticket, which includes admission to the church, an immersive audio guide, and a self-guided tour of the historic crypt, where more than 1,100 people are buried. Tours of the Bell Chamber and the Balcony will also be offered periodically throughout the day. For more information, visit: <a href="http://www.oldnorth.com">www.oldnorth.com</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Old North Church Historic Site

Imagining Museums: The Next 150 Years of Stewarding Art at Wellesley

In this hybrid, bilingual symposium hosted by the Davis Museum at Wellesley College in English and French, students, scholars, and alumni around the world will extend Wellesley's legacy of learning directly from works of art. Held in Tishman Commons and live-streamed, the symposium will propose new strategies for the ethical stewardship of artworks collected by the College since 1875. In collaboration with the Wellesley Club of France, Centre International de Recherches André Malraux, Pluralism Initiative, French House, and French, Francophone, and Italian Studies Department, the symposium pays special attention to the influence of novelist, politician, and cultural critic André Malraux on Wellesley's museum in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. This symposium is supported by the Mary Hammond Norton '54 Endowed Fund for the Davis Museum and co-sponsored by the Pluralism Initiative, French House, Art Department, Religion Department, Suzy Newhouse Center for the Humanities, and Africana Studies.

Artist Roundtable with Dr. Nicole Berlin and Dr. Semente: In Focus: Wellesley College Faculty Artists

Join an engaging conversation with three acclaimed artists featured in the special exhibition In Focus: Wellesley College Faculty Artists. Dr. Nicole Berlin, Associate Curator of Collections, and Dr. Semente, Curator of Education and Public Programs, will lead a roundtable discussion with Claudia Joskowicz, Associate Professor of Art; Daniela Rivera, Luella LaMer Slaner Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Art; and Dr. Katherine Ruffin, Director of the Book Studies Program and Senior Lecturer in Art. Hear firsthand from these distinguished artist-educators as they discuss their creative practices, inspirations, and the intersection of artmaking and teaching. This special conversation celebrates 150 years of faculty excellence at Wellesley College as part of the College's anniversary celebrations.

The Reshaping of New England’s Seasons: What's Happening to Our Weather?

Free panel discussion with climate science leaders: Thursday, Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre The New England Aquarium’s Lowell Lecture Series presents an in-depth conversation with some of New England’s top weather and climate science leaders in partnership with The Boston Globe and moderated by the Globe’s Lead Meteorologist Ken Mahan. New England’s seasons are shifting dramatically because of climate change—warmer winters, erratic springs, hotter summers, and muted autumns—as bouts of extreme weather become more prevalent. These increasingly unpredictable weather patterns are redefining the region’s identity, blurring the lines between our distinctive seasons. The conversation will explore the science behind these changes. Thursday, January 29 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with a cash bar available. A reception will follow the panel discussion from 7:30 to 8:00 p.m. In person at the New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre, 1 Central Wharf, Boston. The lecture will also be livestreamed via Zoom.  <a href="https://events.bostonglobe.com/2026/reshaping-NE-seasons/NEAQ">Register here</a> for in-person and virtual attendance to the event. Advance registration is required. This New England Aquarium Lowell Lecture Series event is presented in partnership with The Boston Globe through the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre

Family Movie Night at the New England Aquarium: Finding Nemo

The New England Aquarium invites guests to experience Disney and Pixar's Finding Nemo like never before on the Simons Theatre's five-story giant screen. This family-friendly evening on the Saturday after Thanksgiving offers audiences the chance to revisit the ocean adventure that introduced millions to the wonders of marine life, from clownfish and blue tangs to sea turtles and white sharks. The screening provides an opportunity to connect beloved animated characters with the real animals and conservation work that visitors can explore throughout the Aquarium. Concessions including hot dogs, popcorn, candy, assorted beverages, and themed cocktails will be available for purchase. A holiday gift shop popup in the theater lobby will allow guests to complete their seasonal shopping while supporting the Aquarium's mission. Doors open at 5:30 p.m and the movie begins at 6:00 p.m.

New England Aquarium

Secrets of the Octopus: A lecture with Sy Montgomery

WHAT: The <a href="https://www.neaq.org/engage/events-and-programs/aquarium-lectures/">New England Aquarium’s Lowell Lecture Series</a> welcomes bestselling author and National Book Award Finalist Sy Montgomery for a talk about octopuses and insights from her work studying these fascinating animals. Starting with the welcoming touch of a giant Pacific octopus named Athena at the New England Aquarium, these intelligent cephalopods helped open the ocean to Montgomery. The result was a slew of watery adventures, leading to more than half a dozen marine-themed books, helping to inspire a golden age of octopus research and appreciation. In the space of a decade, our views of octopuses have transformed from monsters to superheroes—and the latest research has shown that many species of these mollusks are far more varied, emotional, and socially complex than previously imagined. In her talk, Montgomery will share personal insights from her extensive study of octopuses and new scientific findings from her latest octopus book, Secrets of the Octopus. WHEN: Thursday, November 6 at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. with a cash bar available. WHERE: In person at the New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre, 1 Central Wharf, Boston. The lecture will also be livestreamed via Zoom.   HOW: <a href="https://support.neaq.org/site/Calendar?id=109648&amp;view=Detail">Register here</a> for in-person and virtual attendance to the event. Advance registration is required. This New England Aquarium Lowell Lecture Series event is free to the public and presented through the generosity of the <a href="https://www.lowellinstitute.org/">Lowell Institute</a>. WHO: Researching articles, films, and her 39 books for adults and children, nationally bestselling author Sy Montgomery has been chased by an angry silverback gorilla in Rwanda, hunted by a tiger in India, and swum with piranhas, electric eels, and pink dolphins in the Amazon. Her work has taken her from the cloud forest of Papua New Guinea (for a book on tree kangaroos) to the Altai Mountains of the Gobi Desert (for another on snow leopards). For The Soul of an Octopus (a National Book Award finalist) she befriended octopuses at the New England Aquarium and scuba-dived and snorkeled with wild octopuses in Mexico and French Polynesia. Her work has been honored with dozens of awards, including the 2024 Cook Prize Gold Medal, the 2021 Sarah Josepha Hale Award, the 2017 Henry David Thoreau Prize for Literary Excellence, and Montgomery is the recipient of four honorary degrees.

Aquarium to screen documentary Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story

The Lowell Lecture Series at the New England Aquarium and National Geographic present the documentary Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster movie that shocked and excited the world. From Peter Benchley’s epic novel to Spielberg’s film, Jaws continues to influence pop culture, cinema, and shark conservation. In Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story, Steven Spielberg offers an exclusive look inside the making of the film, with interviews from Hollywood’s most influential directors and shark scientists, including <a href="https://www.neaq.org/person/john-mandelman/">Dr. John Mandelman</a>, vice president and chief scientist at the New England Aquarium’s <a href="https://www.neaq.org/conservation-and-research/anderson-cabot-center-for-ocean-life/">Anderson Cabot Center for Ocean Life</a>. Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story was directed by Laurent Bouzereau for National Geographic, in partnership with Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Documentaries, Nedland Films, and Wendy Benchley and Laura Bowling. At the start of the screening, Dr. Mandelman will provide opening remarks on the legacy of Jaws and how it has contributed to shark conservation.

Health, Wellness, and Healing Forum

The Reggie Lewis Track &amp; Athletic Center (the Reggie) at Roxbury Community College (RCC) will host its Health, Wellness, and Healing Forum on Saturday, September 27 from 10 a.m. -3p.m., as part of the center's 30th Anniversary celebration. The Forum is a day for the entire community to prioritize physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional wellbeing. It will bring together community leaders, health professionals, residents, and advocates to engage in critical conversations about mental health, discover sustainable routines and practices for healthy living, address health equity challenges and solutions in Roxbury and Greater Boston, and encourage the community to get moving.  The event will feature:<ul><li>Panel Discussions: There will be multiple panel discussions focused on mental health, community health, and addressing health inequities in the Roxbury area. Panelists include experts such as:</li><li>Petrina Martin Cherry, Vice President of Community Engagement and External Affairs, Boston Medical Center Health System</li><li>Dr. Michael Curry, Esq., President &amp; CEO, Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers</li><li>Juan Lopera, Chief Community and Health Impact Officer, Beth Israel Lahey Health</li><li>Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health, City of Boston </li><li>And more</li><li>Day of Play: Every square inch of the Reggie will be utilized to give the community the opportunity to play. From the field house, 200m track, gym, fitness studio, and weight room, there is something for everyone to get moving. </li><li>Wellness Row and Resource Fair: Getting access to the right information and resources and navigating health systems can feel daunting. Wellness Row will provide an overview about the health resources in Roxbury’s backyard.</li><li>Nutrition Demos: Christine Sinclair from Stop &amp; Shop and Tracy Skelley from Little Cocoa Bean will conduct live demonstrations and share insights into kick starting or maintaining healthy cooking, eating, and grocery shopping habits.</li></ul>The event is free and open to the public. A full agenda for the event can be found <a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/health-wellness-healing-forum-tickets-1591437044039">here</a>.

Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center

Classic film Jaws returns to the giant screen at New England Aquarium for film’s 50th anniversary

As the film marks its 50th anniversary, Jaws will return to the giant screen at the New England Aquarium’s Simons Theatre with nightly screenings Sept. 4-6. The film tells the story of a massive great white shark that terrorizes a summer resort town where a police chief, a grizzled fisherman, and an intrepid marine biologist battle the bloodthirsty animal. Experience the fully restored classic film on the Simons Theatre’s giant screen, nearly five stories high with wrap-around digital surround sound. Tickets are $10 each. Themed concessions will be available for purchase, including specialty cocktails. Visitors can also pair a film with a visit to the Aquarium, grab dinner and drinks at Dockside Beer Garden on Central Wharf, and create a special evening with friends and family. Thursday, Sept. 4 through Saturday, Sept. 6 at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Simons Theatre at the New England Aquarium, 1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA. <a href="https://buy.acmeticketing.com/events/577/detail/6894b221a4f3741ce01d7b89">Purchase tickets here.</a>

Simons Theatre

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 ⭐️

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 📈

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.

Where

joyraft.host1278

Experiences