Guided Tour: Portals with Silvia López Chavez

Join us for a guided tour celebrating the work of Boston-based artist Silvia López Chavez. This tour explores her vibrant new outdoor commission, Chromatic Portals, alongside her immersive indoor mural, Touching the Portal. Chromatic Portals transforms the South Lawn into a luminous landscape of movement and light. Three immersive doorways (or portals) represent a symbolic threshold into Land, Water, and Sky. Printed patterns echo forms found in leaf veins, mycelium networks, rippling water, and spiraling galaxies. Inside the museum, a large-scale mural continues this exploration of the natural world. Touching the Portal immerses the museum in color, pattern, and imagery from the natural world. Some imagery (such as the ginkgo leaf and the nautilus shell) interweave concepts about nature’s resilience and design. Through these and other references, López Chavez’s mural signals hidden orders of nature. This tour offers close-looking, conversation, and insight into the artist’s materials, influences, and vision. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/448363/

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum

Chromatic Portals: A Celebration with Silvia López Chavez and Danza Orgánica

Join us at deCordova Sculpture Park &amp; Museum for a special afternoon honoring artist Silvia López Chavez and her new outdoor installation, Chromatic Portals. This program will feature a dance performance by <a href="https://www.danzaorganica.org/">Danza Orgánica</a> inspired by the artwork. Set against deCordova’s unique landscape, this festive gathering invites visitors to engage with the vibrant colors, forms, and narratives that shape Chromatic Portals. A light reception will take place after the performance. About Danza Orgánica Mar Parrilla is an award-winning Puerto Rican interdisciplinary artist, choreographer, producer, and educator whose work explores memory, liberation, and the enduring imprint of colonial histories on the body. Rooted in Afro Taíno Boricua traditions and a decolonial artistic practice, she creates movement-based works that blend dance, theater, ritual, research, and community collaboration. She is the founder and Artistic Director of Danza Orgánica, a Boston and Puerto Rico–based dance theater company, where she also created the Dance for Social Justice™ program and the annual We Create! Festival. Mar’s work has been recognized by the BARR Foundation, the New England Foundation for the Arts, and the Boston Foundation, among others. She proudly carries forward a lineage of artists, healers, herbalists, farmers, seamstresses, scientists, writers, and the deep love and joy of her Boricua family, whose legacy continues to shape her creative practice. To learn more and register please visit https://thetrustees.org/event/448364/

eCordova Performance Series: Ellis Paul

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is thrilled to host a very special evening with legendary singer-songwriter Ellis Paul as part of the deCordova Performance Series. Ellis Paul doesn’t just write songs, he tells stories that stay with you. A true troubadour, he captures the hopes, loves, and losses of everyday life and transforms them into music that feels both deeply personal and widely resonant. Influenced by artists like Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, and Woody Guthrie, Paul blends intimate storytelling with broader social themes, creating songs that are as timely as they are timeless. Born and raised in Maine, Paul got his start in the Boston music scene while attending Boston College, eventually breaking through after winning the Boston Acoustic Underground competition. Since then, he has released more than 20 albums, toured internationally, and built a fiercely loyal following. His songs have appeared in major films and have been recorded by artists including Sugarland, Kristian Bush, and Jack Ingram. A recipient of numerous honors, including 15 Boston Music Awards and the Kerrville New Folk Award, Paul continues to evolve as both a songwriter and performer. His recent work reflects on resilience, gratitude, and connection in a complicated world. Concert begins at 6:30 PM | Doors open at 5:00 PM The concert will take place outdoors on the front lawn. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and make yourself comfortable. In the event of rain, the performance will move inside the Museum. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/447075/

eCordova Performance Series: Ezekiel's Wheels Klezmer Band

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum invites you to a lively evening with Ezekiel’s Wheels Klezmer Band as part of the deCordova Performance Series. One of the world’s leading klezmer ensembles, Ezekiel’s Wheels brings high-energy, joy-filled performances that blend virtuosic musicianship with a deep love of tradition. Whether on international stages or at neighborhood dance parties, their music is meant to move you, in every sense of the word. From Amsterdam’s Het Compagnie Theater to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, the band has built a global following. Their work has been featured on television internationally, in film, and across multiple recordings, while their collaborations span artists like Paula Cole, Jill Sobule, and Chris Botti. Beyond the klezmer stage, members of the ensemble have performed alongside artists ranging from Eminem to Hugh Jackman and Weird Al Yankovic, bringing their dynamic sound to audiences of all kinds. Concert begins at 6:30 PM | Doors open at 5:00 PM The concert will take place outdoors on the front lawn. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and make yourself comfortable, and come early to enjoy the grounds, including the Nature Sanctuary exhibition. In the event of rain, the performance will move inside the Museum. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/447083/

Sunset Talk with Moko Fukuyama

Join artist Moko Fukuyama for a special sunset conversation in the Sculpture Park. Fukuyama will speak about her large-scale installation <a href="https://thetrustees.org/content/moko-fukuyama-menagerie/">Menagerie</a> (2024), a vivid, open-structured sculpture that transforms salvaged trees into an array of hand-carved, lure-like forms. Fukuyama will discuss how her practice is guided by the forms of salvaged wood, as well as her interest in human desire and sustainability. Influenced by a reverence for nature rooted in Shinto thought, her work invites us to think deeply about our relationship to the environment. As the sun sets across the Sculpture Park, experience Menagerie in a new light and hear directly from the artist about the ideas, materials, and processes behind this compelling work. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/447020/

deCordova Performance Series: Leslie Mendelson

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum invites you to a wonderful evening of music with Leslie Mendelson as part of the deCordova Performance Series. With her luminous voice and deeply evocative songwriting, Leslie Mendelson has earned the admiration of both devoted fans and some of music’s most respected artists. Jackson Browne has praised her work as “timeless,” while Jakob Dylan notes that voices like hers are rare, pairing remarkable range with equally strong songwriting. A Grammy Award-nominated artist, Mendelson returns with her latest album, After The Party, a rich and layered collection produced in collaboration with industry heavyweights including Peter Asher, Tyler Chester, and Steve McEwan. Recorded at Jackson Browne’s Grove Masters studio, the album features an all-star lineup of musicians and showcases her continued evolution as both a songwriter and performer. Concert begins at 6:30 PM | Doors open at 5:00 PM The concert will take place outdoors on the front lawn. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and make yourself comfortable. In the event of rain, the performance will move inside the Museum. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/447082/

deCordova Performance Series: Arias Aloft

Join us for a magical evening of opera, musical theater, cabaret, and circus in the deCordova Sculpture Park! Spread a blanket on the ground, or bring your own chair for a wonderful, family-friendly evening. Circus 617 and Opera Untapped combine two thrilling art forms against a stunning backdrop of art in nature for a one-of-a-kind event. With vocal acrobatics and physical virtuosity featuring some of New England’s leading circus artists and classical singers, this performance showcases opera, musical theater, and cabaret classics paired with breathtaking original circus acts. Inspired by the unique natural surroundings of the Trustees of Reservation, Arias Aloft: Chromatic is shaped by the colors of the natural world—drawing audiences into a living landscape of music and movement, and capturing the beauty of a New England summer. Learn more and register at: <a href="https://thetrustees.org/event/446679/">https://thetrustees.org/event/446679/</a>

deCordova Performance Series: Vance Gilbert

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is pleased to welcome Vance Gilbert as part of the deCordova Performance Series. With more than 30 years on stage, Vance Gilbert has helped shape the contemporary folk and Americana scene, opening doors for many BIPOC artists along the way. Originally drawn to R&amp;B and jazz, he found his stride as an acoustic storyteller, known for his powerful voice, sharp wit, and magnetic stage presence. Early in his career, Shawn Colvin invited him on tour, introducing him to audiences across the country. He’s been captivating crowds ever since. A Grammy-nominated artist and fixture of the national folk scene, Gilbert delivers a night that’s as funny and disarming as it is musically stunning. Concert begins at 6:30 PM | Doors open at 5:00 PM The concert will take place outdoors on the front lawn. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and make yourself comfortable. In the event of rain, the performance will move inside the Museum. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/447074/

Maker Space: PRIDE in the Park!

At Maker Space: PRIDE in the Park, celebrate Pride Month by stepping into a vibrant world of creativity, self-expression, and community, where the deCordova Sculpture Park becomes your muse! Explore bold ideas and unexpected materials as you create art that reflects who you are. Whether you’re flying solo or collaborating with others, this is your chance to make one-of-a-kind works in a joyful, welcoming, and hands-on environment. Drop in for a few minutes or stay the whole time. All ages welcome (with an accompanying adult). Maker Space will take place in the Sculpture Park. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/447056/

Printing with the Sun: Botanical Cyanotypes with Madge Evers

Join artist and author Madge Evers for a hands-on workshop inspired by her new book,&nbsp;<a href="https://madgeevers.com/cyanotype-book-printing-with-the-sun">“Printing With the Sun,”</a>&nbsp;a beautifully crafted guide to cyanotype printing. Participants will learn the fundamentals of cyanotype as both a creative practice and a way to engage deeply with natural materials and light. Evers, who has spent years developing her own artistic exploration of the medium and teaching this technique, will lead you through preparing light-sensitive surfaces to composing and exposing botanical and found elements. Participants are welcome to bring their own pressed or fresh plant materials to incorporate into their prints, or utilize those provided in the workshop. All materials provided. This workshop offers an entry point for beginners, while also opening possibilities for experienced artists interested in expanding their printmaking practice. You’ll explore how light, composition, and the natural world come together to produce one-of-a-kind sun prints that capture both form and chance. All ages 13+ most welcome. “Printing with the Sun” will be available for presale purchase at the program. No purchase necessary to participate in the workshop. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/445546/

Curator Tour of Nature Sanctuary at deCordova Sculpture Park

Guided by Chief Curator and Museum Director, Sarah Montross, immerse yourself in Nature Sanctuary, an evocative outdoor exhibition that reveals the deep connections between art, the natural world, and our shared sense of home. This curator-led tour invites participants to engage closely with the original, site-specific works by six outstanding women artists—Venetia Dale, Kapwani Kiwanga, Joiri Minaya, Zohra Opoku, Kathy Ruttenberg, and Evelyn Rydz. Sarah Montross will unpack how each artwork expresses themes of refuge, care, and protection, spotlighting artistic responses to ecological change, histories of land use, and the movement of people, plants, and animals across homelands. Together, we’ll consider how notions of sanctuary can be both nurturing and contradictory, inviting reflection on the ways humans shape the environments we inhabit. Please note most of the Sculpture Park consists of grass and paved paths or drives. There is one accessible pathway through the property, and several additional areas are wheelchair friendly with assistance. A few sculptures are located on uneven ground or along steeper inclines. Learn more and register at: https://thetrustees.org/event/445548/

Maker Space: Earth Day

Celebrate Earth Day at deCordova with a hands-on Maker Space inspired by the natural world! Explore themes of sustainability, renewal, and our connection to the environment as you experiment with creative and unexpected materials. Work independently or collaborate to build imaginative works of art that honor our planet. Join us for a short visit or stay for the entire drop-in session. For any age and an accompanying adult – all are welcome. Maker Space will take place on the third floor of the Museum building. Learn more and register at: <a href="https://thetrustees.org/event/444068/">https://thetrustees.org/event/444068/</a>

2026 Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture: Ella Mahoney, May Babcock, and Posey Moulton

Join us for the 2026 Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture, featuring the three artists behind the original commissions for&nbsp;Art &amp; the Landscape: The Land Tells Our Stories, opening across multiple Trustees properties in June 2026. This special program introduces the artists and the distinct landscapes that will host their site-responsive works, offering an early look into how each project reflects personal histories, ecological narratives, and place-based storytelling. Ella Mahoney (Aquinnah Wampanoag) will draw on her connection to her ancestral homelands in Massachusetts through an installation at Rock House Reservation in West Brookfield, grounding her work in Wampanoag relationships to land, memory, and presence. May Babcock, known for using natural materials to explore themes of displacement and belonging, will create a new work for Moose Hill Farm in Sharon that reflects on our relationship with current day landscapes with their future ecologies. Posey Moulton will transform discarded materials from the fishing industry into a large-scale sculptural environment at the Crane Estate in Ipswich, magnifying the fragile micro-worlds these industries depend on. Together, these artists ask a powerful question at the heart of this year’s lecture: Can art create an ecology? Register for free at: https://thetrustees.org/event/442448/

Maker Space: February Break

Step into the world of imagination at Maker Space, where the deCordova Sculpture Park becomes your muse! Explore bold ideas and unexpected materials inspired by the artists and themes on view in the Sculpture Park. Whether you’re flying solo or teaming up with others, this is your chance to create one-of-a-kind works of art in a fun, hands-on environment. Drop in for a few minutes or stay the whole time. All ages welcome (with an accompanying adult). Maker Space will take place in the Museum building. Please visit https://thetrustees.org/event/442446/ to register.

Galentine's Day with the Blackstone Valley Quartet: Bridgerton

Celebrate lasting friendship at our special Galentine’s Day event featuring the Blackstone Valley Quartet! Inspired by the lavish world of&nbsp;Bridgerton, this enchanting evening blends live classical string music with a modern twist, showcasing the beloved pop-inspired covers featured in the hit series. Gather your best friends and step into a world of regency charm. This special night will include masquerade mask-making and unforgettable memories with your gal pals! This program is for 21+. deCordova’s programs are designed to welcome a wide range of ages and abilities. Sensory kits are available to help anyone feel more comfortable and engaged. Please contact&nbsp;<a href="mailto:mnelson@thetrustees.org">mnelson@thetrustees.org</a>&nbsp;to discuss reasonable adaptations to benefit anyone in your group. Pre-ticketing is required in order to anticipate capacity. This program is for 21+. Cancellation Policy: In the event The Trustees cancels a program due to severe weather, low enrollment, or other circumstances, we will notify registrants by email and issue a full refund or transfer to another scheduled program within two weeks of the cancellation. To cancel a reservation, please reach out 7 days prior to the start of the program to receive a full refund. Refunds and transfers may not be granted for cancellations placed fewer than 7 days before the start of the program.

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 📈

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.host65317

Experiences