Zucchero

One of the finest exponents of rock blues in Italy, Zucchero brings his Greatest Hits World Tour, Overdose D’Amore to Boston. Performing for the first time at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, he invites you to join him in celebrating 40 years of his most memorable and loved hits. Zucchero’s 40-year career has seen more than 60 million records sold, including 8 million copies of the album Oro, incenso &amp; birra alone. His collaborations are legendary from Eric Clapton’s unmistakable guitar on Wonderful World to the international hit Senza Una Donna (Without a Woman) with Paul Young. From the Italian version of Mad about You, (Muoio per te) on Sting’s The Soul Cages album to Miserere with the Maestro, Luciano Pavarotti. His appeal is global. Having played in five continents, 69 states, and 650 cities including such unique destinations as Oman, Mauritius, Thaiti, New Caledonia, Armenia, and New Zealand to name but a few.

Emerson Colonial Theatre

Sesame Street Live! Say Hello

Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and their friends from Sesame Street are coming to your neighborhood to say hello!   In Sesame Street Live! Say Hello, you can sing and dance with your favorite furry friends while enjoying fun surprises along the way. So put on your dancing shoes and make your way to where the air is sweet for this all-new celebration on Sesame Street!

Anthony Rapp's Without You

A new musical based on the New York Times best-selling memoir of love, loss, and the musical RENT. In 1994, Anthony Rapp was 22, out of money and working at a Starbucks, about to audition for a new musical by a young writer named Jonathan Larson. The musical? The global phenomenon RENT. This is where WITHOUT YOU begins… Based on the New York Times bestseller of the same name and backed by a 5 piece rock band, Anthony shares his unimaginable real-life story during the early years of RENT in this intimate evening of unsurpassed joy and unspeakable loss. Featuring beloved songs from RENT alongside Anthony’s original music, WITHOUT YOU asks us the universal question of how to crack our hearts open and allow us to heal.

Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA

An Evening with Alan Ruck And Screening of "Ferris Bueller's Day Off"

Alan Ruck most recently appeared as a series regular on HBO’s critically acclaimed "Succession," for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. In 2022 he costarred in the Hulu limited series, "The Dropout" which chronicles the real-life and fall of Elizabeth Holmes and her controversial medical start up Theranos. In addition, he co-starred in the Amazon studios "The Burial" starring opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Jamie Foxx. He also joined the cast of the sequel to the 2017 Award-winning crime drama "Wind River: The Next Chapter" for Castle Rock Entertainment. He was already a seasoned young theatre actor originating the role of Don Carney in Neil Simon’s “Biloxi Blues” on Broadway when director John Huges came to see his co-star Matthew Broderick in the show. Thanks to the visit, Alan ended up as the second lead in Huges iconic film “Ferris Bueller’s Day off.”   Since then, Alan's other films have included “War Machine,” “Dreamland,” “Extraordinary Measures,” “I Love You Beth Cooper,” “Ghost Town,” “Cheaper by the Dozen,” “Three for the Road,” “Bloodhounds of Broadway,” “Three Fugitives,” “Young Guns II,” “Star Trek Generations,” “Speed,” and “Twister.” He can also be seen opposite Geena Davis, in the ESPN miniseries “Bronx is Burning” in which he starred with John Turturro and Oliver Platt.

Message In A Bottle

The peaceful village of Bebko is alive with joyous celebrations. Suddenly, under attack, everything changes forever. Three siblings, Leto, Mati and Tana, must embark on perilous journeys in order to survive. Message In A Bottle is a spectacular new dance-theatre show from five-time Olivier Award nominee, Kate Prince, inspired by and set to the iconic hits of 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist Sting, including "Every Breath You Take," "Roxanne," "Walking On The Moon" and more. With a mix of exhilarating dance styles, high-energy footwork and breath-taking athleticism, Message In A Bottle tells a unifying and uplifting story of humanity and hope. Message In A Bottle is the latest masterpiece from the ground-breaking creator behind West End hits Some Like it Hip Hop, Into the Hoods, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie (choreography) and SYLVIA (Old Vic), and features the astonishing talents of dance storytelling powerhouse, ZooNation: The Kate Prince Company. A Sadler’s Wells &amp; Universal Music UK production co-produced with Birmingham Hippodrome and The Lowry, Salford. Research and development supported by The MOVEment. Message In A Bottle contains some scenes of an adult nature.

Dick & Angel Dare to Do It

Dick and Angel Strawbridge, the stars of the hit television series, "Escape To The Chateau," are heading to Boston with their hugely successful Dare to Do It tour!   Millions of viewers across the world have been enthralled over the past ten years by the family’s adventures bringing their French fairytale castle back to life and turning it into the flourishing and continually evolving business it is today. However, Dick and Angel have many untold tales to tell.   During this highly entertaining evening filled with stories, games, and laughs, the duo explains who they are, where they came from, how they met and fell in love in 2010, and why they dared to do it! A truly unmissable night at the theatre!

The Simon & Garfunkel Story

THIRD SHOW ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND! THE SIMON &amp; GARFUNKEL STORY returns to the Emerson Colonial Theatre following a sold-out engagement earlier this year!&nbsp; &nbsp; The immersive concert-style theater show chronicles the amazing journey shared by the folk-rock duo, Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel. It tells the story from their humble beginnings as Tom &amp; Jerry to their incredible success as one of the best-selling music groups of the ‘60’s to their dramatic split in 1970. It culminates with the famous “The Concert in Central Park” reunion in 1981 with more than half a million fans in attendance. &nbsp; Using state of the art video projection, incredible lighting, and a full live band THE SIMON &amp; GARFUNKEL STORY is a moving and powerful concert featuring all the hits such as “Mrs. Robinson,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Homeward Bound,” “Scarborough Fair,” “The Boxer,” “The Sound Of Silence,” and many more — this is a show not to be missed!

Giselle

Grand Kyiv Ballet "Giselle" is a timeless French masterpiece that has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide for over 180 years. Recognized as one of the greatest dramatic love stories ever told, the ballet recounts the tale of Giselle and the Willis, unveiling a narrative of love, betrayal, and vengeance.   The legend narrates the tragic fate of young, unmarried girls, who meet their untimely demise after being betrayed by their lovers. Overwhelmed by sorrow and anger, these vengeful spirits transform into the malevolent Willis, seeking retribution for their heartbreaking demise.

All Things Equal: The Life & Trials of Ruth Bader Ginsburg

SECOND SHOW ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND! In ALL THINGS EQUAL: THE LIFE &amp; TRIALS OF RUTH BADER GINSBURG, Supreme Court Justice “RBG” welcomes a friend of the family to her cozy chambers to convey, over the course of ninety fascinating and often funny minutes, a sense of her life and its many trials: losing her mother the day before she graduated as valedictorian of her Brooklyn high school ... being one of only nine young women studying law at Harvard while also raising a daughter and helping her husband battle cancer ... fighting for women's rights in the nineteen-seventies before condescending all-male courts ... and taking courageous stands for human rights as a voice of reason amid a splintering and increasingly politicized Supreme Court. An evening with a great and compassionate icon of straight-thinking American justice emerges ... an RBG who is not only “notorious” but victorious as she takes a stand for ordinary people facing the many challenges of a changing world. Bring your scrunchies, your hankies, your humor and your heart to this entertaining and uplifting event! Written by Tony Award-winning playwright RUPERT HOLMES Starring MICHELLE AZAR as Ruth Bader Ginsburg Directed by LALEY LIPPARD

Hairspray

"If life were everything it should be, it would be more like HAIRSPRAY. It's irresistible!" - The New York Times You Can't Stop the Beat! HAIRSPRAY, Broadway's Tony Award-winning musical comedy phenomenon is back on tour! Join 16-year-old Tracy Tumblad in 1960s Baltimore as she sets out to dance her way onto TV's most popular show. Can a girl with big dreams (and even bigger hair) change the world? Featuring the beloved score of hit songs including "Welcome to the '60s," "Good Morning Baltimore" and "You Can't Stop the Beat," HAIRSPRAY is "fresh, winning, and deliriously tuneful!" (The New York Times). This all-new touring production will reunite Broadway's award-winning creative team led by Director Jack O'Brien and Choreographer Jerry Mitchell to bring HAIRSPRAY to a new generation of theater audiences. Don't miss this "exhilaratingly funny and warm-hearted musical comedy" (The New Yorker).

Dinosaur World Live

A DINO-MITE ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for the whole family. Grab your compass and join our intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing (and remarkably life-like) dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child's favorite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus! A special meet and greet after the show offers all our brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend. Now an international smash hit, Dinosaur World Live is back by popular demand following its hugely successful 2022 US tour. Don’t miss this entertaining and mind-expanding jurassic adventure, live on stage. Book now before tickets become extinct!

Just for Us

DIRECT FROM BROADWAY, THE SOLD-OUT HIT RETURNS TO BOSTON! Expertly crafted by one of comedy’s most distinctive voices, this singular theatrical experience is an exploration of identity and our collective capacity for empathy —and it’s also “belly-laugh funny!” (The New York Times). In the wake of a string of anti-Semitic rhetoric pointed in his direction online, standup comic Alex Edelman decides to go straight to the source; specifically, Queens, where he covertly attends a meeting of White Nationalists and comes face-to-face with the people behind the keyboards. What happens next forms the backbone of the shockingly relevant, utterly hilarious, and only moderately perspirant stories that comprise ALEX EDELMAN: JUST FOR US. Written by Alex Edelman Directed by Adam Brace

The Illusionists: Magic of the Holidays

Celebrate the holidays with the entire family at THE ILLUSIONISTS: MAGIC OF THE HOLIDAYS, a mind-blowing showcase featuring jaw-dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. The Illusionists has shattered box office records across the globe and dazzles audiences of all ages with a powerful mix of the most outrageous and astonishing acts ever seen on stage. This non-stop show is packed with thrilling and sophisticated magic of unprecedented proportions.

A Very Darren Crissmas

Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape from Fox’s hit show "Glee" over a decade ago, Emmy and Golden Globe winner DARREN CRISS has embodied the kind of kaleidoscopic artistry that’s entirely uninhibited by form or genre. The multi-hyphenates illustrious career spans television, film, music and stage.  Kicking off the Christmas season Criss will perform songs from his recent holiday album, A VERY DARREN CRISSMAS. His first ever full-length project includes a wildly eclectic collection of songs from big band Christmas classics to novelty tunes to modern-day folk-pop ballads. Made with Ron Fair, multi-Grammy nominee and producer of numerous Grammy-winning hits, A VERY DARREN CRISSMAS showcases his artistry delivering both thrillingly unpredictable moments and a timeless sense of Christmas magic. Criss is widely known for FOX’s massively successful musical series "Glee," from which many of his performances of popular songs would lead to several Billboard-topping records. In 2015 his songwriting also landed an Emmy nomination for Best Original Music and Lyrics, from penning the song “This Time” for the show’s series finale.  As an actor, Criss is a veteran of the stage whose Broadway credits include the titular role of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2015), How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying (2012), and the most recent 2022 revival of David Mamet’s seminal play American Buffalo alongside Laurence Fishburne and Sam Rockwell. In 2018 his work in Ryan Murphy’s "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" received wide critical acclaim, earning him a Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics’ Choice Award. He was also recently seen starring in Netflix’s hit series "Hollywood," for which he also served as executive producer.

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas

From the creators of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, your favorite Rock ‘n Roll legends return this Christmas for a brand-new holiday musical. Inspired by the Tony Award-nominated hit musical, MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET, this holiday reimagining once again brings together soon to be legends, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley for a musical holiday celebration featuring a nostalgic string of chart-topping favorites. This brand-new musical is inspired by the true story of the momentous homecoming in December 1956 of rock 'n' roll newcomers, and soon to be legends, as they reflect on Christmases past and contemplate Christmases present and yet-to-come at a moment when no one knew if rock 'n' roll was a fad or a revolution.

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

S19: interest based

WBUR’s 75th birthday celebrations 💫

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

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.