A Beautiful Resistance Live

This all-new event brings to life the vision behind Jeneé Osterheldt’s work: to celebrate Black lives in their fullness—not defined by trauma, but uplifted through joy, love, and everyday beauty. As she writes, “Blackness must not be defined by our brutalization. We are more than death. When we are depicted by our extremes, the truth of us is lost. We live, fully. Our joy, our dreams, our everyday stories? That's a beautiful resistance.” Each season of A Beautiful Resistance features original short films, long-form narratives, and artist Q&amp;As, inviting the community to reflect, share on social media, and celebrate together. This live event continues that tradition—with music, story, and love at the center. This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Museum of Science

Sounds of the Ocean

Sounds of the Ocean comes to the Mugar Omni Theater for one night only, inviting you on a mindful <a href="https://www.soundsoftheocean.com/">underwater odyssey</a> through sound, sight, and story. This immersive, family-friendly performance blends the majestic calls of whales and dolphins with live instrumental music and oceanic imagery projected across the giant dome screen. More than a performance, it’s a multi-sensory meditation—offering rest, reflection, and a renewed connection to the natural world. Rooted in the belief that healing the planet starts with reconnection, Sounds of the Ocean transforms the theater into a sanctuary of wonder, stillness, and awe.

Investing in Our Brains: The Hidden Story of Women's Brain Health

The Museum of Science, Boston and The Boston Club present a vital conversation on women’s brain health, focusing on closing the gap in awareness, research and care. Despite making up half of the global population, women remain significantly underrepresented in brain health research, and yet they are disproportionately affected by conditions like Alzheimer’s, depression and anxiety. Join us for an illuminating evening that explores the latest innovations, shares powerful stories, and charts a path forward for equity in brain health. This program will feature a panel of leading experts discussing brain health across the lifespan - from childhood and adolescence to postpartum and menopausal mental health, into aging-related conditions like dementia and Parkinson’s disease. The discussion will draw from recent studies, including a groundbreaking paper published in Nature Mental Health, to shed light on the unique challenges and opportunities in understanding the female brain. Together, let’s break the silence, challenge the gaps, get involved and reimagine brain health with women at the center. This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Walter Sickert and the Army of Broken Toys Halloween Happening

Walter Sickert &amp; the Army of Broken Toys return to the Museum of Science for one night only with their signature Halloween Happening—a genre-bending collision of masquerade, music, and immersive storytelling.

The Loneliness Epidemic: Big Tech's Role and Responsibility

How can we move beyond algorithms that foster isolation to create technology that truly connects us? Dive into the root causes of the loneliness crisis and explore how Big Tech’s business models and design choices shape our daily experiences. This program will look at how technology, including AI, can be reimagined as a bridge: strengthening relationships, enhancing cultural empathy, and helping people reconnect with their community At this one-night-only event, thought leaders will share practical ways to design digital tools with intent; tools that make people feel safe, seen, and genuinely inspired to engage with others. After the conversation, continue the evening in our Connection Marketplace—a vibrant vendor area featuring small businesses, artisans, and community organizations focused on creativity and human connection. It’s a chance to engage face-to-face with local changemakers and discover experiences that build a more connected world. This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.

Take Pride in Your Health

This event gathers doctors, health practitioners, and LGBTQIA+ specialists for a night of empowering dialogue. Through expert panels and fireside chats, explore essential topics such as gender-affirming care, mental health, preventative medicine, and the ongoing work to build more inclusive healthcare environments. Whether you're looking for insight, resources, or connection, this event offers a welcoming space to center and support the well-being of LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies. Take pride in your identity. Take pride in your story. Take pride in your health.

A Lee & Nile Albright Annual Symposium: The Mind of a Fly with the Prophet of the Connectome, Dr. Sebastian Seung

Over a decade ago, Dr. Sebastian Seung foretold the future of neuroscience in his popular TED talk and book. Now the future has arrived. Neuroscientists have achieved a remarkable milestone: a complete map of the 140,000 neurons in a fruit fly brain. This “fly connectome” was hailed as revolutionary—but can a digital map of a dead brain, however intricate, really reveal the mind of a fly? Join us at the Museum of Science, Boston for the Lee and Nile Albright Annual Symposium, featuring visionary neuroscientist Dr. Sebastian Seung, Professor of Neuroscience and Computer Science at Princeton University. In this captivating program, Dr. Seung will unveil the dazzling beauty of neural networks and guide us in deciphering their meaning—helping us understand what such maps can (and can’t) tell us about the workings of a mind. Dr. Seung will also explain how citizen scientists collaborated alongside professional scientists in FlyWire, the online community that proofread and annotated the fly connectome. Don’t miss this extraordinary evening of science, discovery, and imagination as Dr. Seung shares how cutting-edge research—and a global community of gamers—are helping unlock the secrets of the brain.

Humanity at the Dawn of AI

Through “At the Table,” SYREN journeys into the complicated experience of being human at the onset of the AI era, embracing the questions of this age with joy and tenderness, curiosity just as much as caution. Central to this journey is the acceptance—even celebration—of the ways in which AI may, in fact, get us even closer to our own humanity. SYREN believes that this journey is a collective one and aims to empower audiences to actively partake in the process of ingesting and shaping this new technology, and its role in the future of our species. Most importantly, SYREN seeks to remind its audience that science—like art—belongs in the hands of the public. Families are welcome, suitable for all ages, recommended for ages 10+, run time is one hour Choreographer: Kate Sutter Composer, Pianist, Vocalist: Lauren Cregor Dancers: Alice Chacon, Rivkins Christopher, Jessica Nolan, Lynn Peterson,  Roxanne Potes, Jules Assue (swing) Music Producer: Alex Weinstein Violin: Doori Na Cello: Emily Brausa The creation of "At the Table" was made possible thanks to the support of SYREN's individual donors, Museum of Science-Boston, NXTHVN, a commissioning grant from the O'Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation, as well as with the collaboration of former SYREN Company Member Victoria Ellis.

Being Human in the Age of AI

Presented by the Museum of Science, the AI Blueprint for Massachusetts, and the Harvard Business School Association of Boston, this conversation will examine how AI is transforming our health, our jobs, and our relationship with technology—and how we, as individuals and communities, can adapt, lead, and thrive. Whether you are an AI specialist or simply curious about what AI means, this conversation is for you. To access an exclusive networking pre-reception as well as the main program, please purchase a combination ticket for $50. Access to just the main program is free with pre-registration.

Are You Smarter Than AI?

Think you’ve got what it takes to outsmart artificial intelligence? Join us for a wildly entertaining and highly interactive evening where you go head-to-head with the machines in a one-of-a-kind AI-powered trivia night!

Obscured Vision

Join us for an evening of immersive sound and story. Created in collaboration with science reporter and producer Ari Daniel and sound designer/composer Ian Coss, this edition of Obscured Vision features sonic stories inspired by the Museum’s yearlong theme: Being Human. Take your seat, slip on a blindfold, and plunge into the sonic depths of narrative journeys. Over the course of the evening, you’ll experience an ascent into madness, the reconstruction of a loved one, the peril of fleeing a giant, and the suspense of a secret escape. From whispered moments to sweeping soundscapes, these journeys carry you across five continents—all in one unforgettable night. Obscured Vision is more than a performance—it’s a one-of-a-kind experience that stirs the senses, sparks the imagination, and invites you to rediscover the world through sound alone.

Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins: A Conversation on the Science of Human Difference

Join us for a thought-provoking evening with author Dr. Shoumita Dasgupta celebrating her groundbreaking new book, Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins, part of the yearlong Being Human spotlight at the Museum of Science.    In conversation with award-winning science journalist and author Angela Saini, this evening of dialogue will explore the science behind race, ethnicity, sex and gender, and disability —unpacking how these aspects of identity have been misunderstood, misused, and often weaponized in medicine, policy, public discourse, and emerging technologies today.    Drawing on years of classroom conversations and scientific research, Dr. Dasgupta offers a clear, accessible, and interdisciplinary look at the biological facts—and persistent fictions—that shape our understanding of human difference.     Written for readers from high school to the professional world, Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins is a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of science, equity, and social justice. Come ready to learn, reflect, and explore how we can all contribute to a more inclusive and informed future.    Followed by book signing of Where Biology Ends and Bias Begins with Dr. Shoumita Dasgupta.    FEATURING-    Dr. Shoumita Dasgupta is a scientist educator whose significant scholarly contributions center around curriculum design, teaching, and service. She is a Professor of Medicine and an Assistant Dean of Diversity &amp; Inclusion with a demonstrated history of working in a diverse and inclusive higher education environment. Dr. Dasgupta has leveraged her expertise in basic and medical genetics and genomics, graduate education, and medical education to transform and advance the clinical and scientific training of MD and PhD students at Boston University, nationally, and internationally. Her passion for genetics, genomic medicine, diversity and inclusion, and mentoring allow her to serve as a supportive and creative leader in the field.    Angela Saini is an award-winning journalist and author. She presents radio, podcasts, and television programmes, and her writing has appeared across the world, including in The Financial Times, National Geographic, Foreign Policy, and Wired. She teaches science writing at the Massachusetts Institute of technology, and was made an honorary fellow of Keble College, Oxford in 2023.     Angela's latest book, The Patriarchs, was published in March 2023 and named a finalist for the Orwell Prize for Nonfiction and a Waterstones politics book of the year. Her 2019 book Superior: The Return of Race Science was published to enormous critical acclaim, and became a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize, the Hughes Prize, and the Foyles Book of the Year. Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong was published in 2017 and named the Physics World book of the Year. Her work has been translated into eighteen languages.     In 2020 Angela was named one of the world's top 50 thinkers by Prospect magazine, and in 2018 she was voted one of the most respected journalists in the UK. In 2015 she won the American Association for the Advancement of Science's Kavli Science Journalism gold award for a BBC Radio 4 documentary about birdsong and human language. She has also received a best feature award from the Association of British Science Writers.

Disrupt the Narrative

Disrupt the Narrative is an experiential conversation series centered on radical narrative change, inviting artists and communities to explore how they have/are disrupting the narrative.&nbsp; &nbsp; From the narratives of James Baldwin to Zora Neale Hurston, Sobonfu Somé to Steve Harvey, one common thread unites their works: timelessness. Across centuries, their experiences remain both relatable and uniquely their own.&nbsp; Disrupt the Narrative adds immense value by offering expertise, inspiration, and educational insights that enrich discussions. Speakers bring deep knowledge and personal narratives that resonate with audiences, inspiring them to challenge norms and advocate for social change. Their presence not only educates on complex issues but also empowers attendees to take meaningful action in their communities.&nbsp; &nbsp; By sharing experiences of narrative disruption, speakers serve as catalysts for thought-provoking conversations and collective engagement, fostering a sense of community and inspiring ongoing efforts towards equity and social justice.&nbsp; &nbsp; This program is free, thanks to the generosity of the Lowell Institute.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; FEATURING-&nbsp; Catherine Nakato is a multidisciplinary creative utilizing her skills to bridging the intersectionality between the arts, technology, culture, and community. She curates events in the community to ignite conversation and change. With a drive for knowledge and an expansive taste for understanding how to dive into meaningful events in a fun and digestible way, her work amplifies digital knowledge-sharing among the African diaspora and leaves great impact on our cultural institutions. &nbsp;

Digital Justice: Bridging the Tech Gap for Incarcerated Communities

In a world driven by digital access, tech literacy isn’t a luxury—it’s a lifeline. For incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals, the lack of exposure to modern technology can be one of the greatest barriers to successful reentry. As we navigate an increasingly digital society, how can we ensure that those impacted by incarceration aren’t left behind?&nbsp; &nbsp; Join us for a powerful conversation that explores how tech literacy can serve as a vital tool in breaking the cycle of recidivism and supporting successful reintegration. From access to education and digital training programs to partnerships with the tech industry, this event will highlight the transformative role that technology can play in restoring agency and opening doors to meaningful opportunities.&nbsp; &nbsp; Featuring LeRon L. Barton—writer, essayist, and international speaker— who brings a wealth of insight drawn from his work on mass incarceration, race, and reentry. With writings featured in Harvard Business Review, Newsweek, and Salon, and talks delivered at TEDx, Oxford University, and Al Jazeera, LeRon is a leading voice advocating for equity and access.&nbsp; &nbsp; Joining him is Eric Gentry, a reentry-focused social worker and clinician, who provides mental health counseling and digital skills support to justice-impacted individuals, helping them overcome barriers and thrive in a connected world.&nbsp; &nbsp; Whether you’re in education, tech, justice reform, or community outreach, this conversation will illuminate the critical intersection of digital access, equity, and second chances.&nbsp; &nbsp; FEATURING-&nbsp; LeRon L. Barton is a writer and speaker from Kansas City, Missouri currently living in San Diego, CA. A graduate of Paseo Academy of Fine Arts, LeRon is the author of two books, Straight Dope: A 360 degree look into American Drug Culture and All We Really Need Is Love: Stories of Dating, Relationships, Heartbreak, and Marriage. In addition to his books, LeRon is an essayist whose topics cover racism, mass incarceration, politics, gender, and dating. These works have appeared in Black Enterprise, Newsweek, Salon, Harvard Business Review, The Good Men Project, Your Tango, Media Diversity, Raconteur, Elephant Journal, Slate, and MoAD. LeRon is an international speaker who has given multiple talks and appeared on TEDx, Al Jazeera, Oxford University, the University of San Francisco, Navis, Speakers Who Dare, University of Massachusetts-Amhurst, Nas Dubai, Glide Memorial Church, HCA, The City of Cupertino, Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, Square, Lockton, United Way of Los Angeles, and Defy Ventures. In his spare time, LeRon enjoys mentoring African-American youth and backpacking around the world.&nbsp; &nbsp; Eric Gentry is a social worker who provides clinical support, mental health counseling, and reentry services to help individuals overcome barriers, reintegrate, and challenge stigma, promoting education as a path to reentry.&nbsp;

When We Free the World: A Film by Kevin Powell

What does it truly mean to be a man? Join us for a special screening of When We Free the World, the powerful directorial debut of GRAMMY-nominated poet, acclaimed author, and Tupac Shakur biographer Kevin Powell. This bold and urgent documentary brings together 70 male voices across five generations and a spectrum of identities to confront and redefine the meaning of manhood.    Raw, reflective, and deeply human, When We Free the World challenges stereotypes, explores vulnerability, and opens up a vital conversation about masculinity in today’s world. It’s a film on manhood unlike anything you’ve ever seen—unflinching in its honesty, and transformative in its vision.    Don’t miss this compelling new documentary followed by an open dialogue and Q&amp;A with Kevin Powell as we reflect on how we move forward together.    FEATURING-  Kevin Powell is one of the most celebrated political, cultural, literary, and hip-hop voices in America. The Jersey City product of a single mother, absent father, horrific poverty, and violence, he was able to study at Rutgers University in his home state of New Jersey due to the Educational Opportunity Fund, a program created during the Civil Rights Movement to benefit poor youth. Says Powell, “Just to be able to get to college, to be exposed to a new world, a new way, changed my life forever, and I am forever grateful for the chance.” Powell has gone on to be a poet and journalist and the author of 15 books, such as Grocery Shopping with My Mother, his new collection of poetry; and his critically acclaimed autobiography, The Education of Kevin Powell: A Boy’s Journey into Manhood, which is being adapted for the screen. His upcoming books are The Kevin Powell Reader, a collection of his writings, interviews, and speeches covering three decades; and his biography of Tupac Shakur, whom Kevin interviewed several times while a senior writer for Quincy Jones’s Vibe. Indeed, he has penned articles, essays, and blogs for a wide range of newspapers and magazines and major websites, like The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, The Nation, NPR, ESPN, Essence, Ebony, Rolling Stone, Esquire, HuffPost, Utne Reader, The Guardian, The Baffler, The Progressive, Complex, and British GQ. As a civil and human rights activist, Powell will launch a new American organization in 2023, yet to be named, focused on voter education and voter empowerment, and bringing people together, and which will showcase a website full of blogs from contributors of diverse backgrounds.    Powell’s activism has also included an annual clothing drive for homeless youth in New York City; a leadership role in the movement to redefine manhood away from sexism and violence; a deep responsibility to mentorship and development of people of all ages as agents of change; and a commitment to democracy, justice, diversity, inclusion, and equality for the American people. This applies to education, #MeToo, immigrant rights, gun violence prevention, marriage equality, economic opportunity, healthcare access, or an end to racial profiling. Further demonstrating that commitment to a life of service, he ran for Congress in his adopted hometown of New York City in 2008 and 2010. He has also lectured, worked, and traveled to all 50 American states and five continents; he is directing, writing, and producing his first documentary film, When We Free The World, about healthy manhood versus toxic manhood, about fathers and sons; and he is the playwright of an upcoming stage play based on the poems in Grocery Shopping with My Mother. He is a proud and long-time resident of Brooklyn, New York.

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.

mos

Experiences