Glass In Flight at New England Botanic Garden

Step into a world of color and wonder with Glass in Flight. This unforgettable exhibition at New England Botanic Garden features 30 larger-than-life stained-glass and steel sculptures expertly crafted by artist Alex Heveri. Encounter giant hummingbirds, butterflies, dragonflies, beetles, and more as they shimmer in the sunlight, soar overhead, pose in midair, or hide among the blooms. Blending brilliant color, light, and scale, Glass in Flight celebrates these charismatic creatures and their environmental significance. Discover their hidden secrets like never before. Don’t miss Glass in Flight at golden hour this summer with extended Garden hours on Wednesday and Thursday evenings! This exhibit is included with general Garden admission. Learn more at <a href="https://nebg.org/glass-in-flight/">https://nebg.org/glass-in-flight/</a>.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill 

TIMELESS: Floral Landscapes by Suzan Osborn at New England Botanic Garden

Experience the captivating work of local artist Suzan Osborn with this captivating new collection of oil paintings inspired by her time spent at New England Botanic Garden. Osborn’s luminous floral landscapes celebrate the color, movement, and quiet beauty of New England Botanic Garden, revealing fresh perspectives on cherished spaces and seasonal blooms. Rendered in Osborn’s warm, expressive style, each work invites visitors to step into scenes shaped by nature and brought vividly to life on canvas. This exhibit is included with general garden admission. Learn more at: https://nebg.org/suzan-osborn-exhibit/

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill

Extended August Evenings at New England Botanic Garden

The New England Botanic Garden is open late this summer on Wednesdays and Thursdays! Make the most of the summer season’s long days and beautiful twilights with golden hour experiences at New England Botanic Garden. Extended Wednesdays and Thursday Summer Evenings offer more hours for flowers and plenty of opportunities to savor the summer. Wander the Garden’s woodland trails, admire the vibrant summer blooms, savor delicious dinner specials, and catch colorful sunsets over the Wachusett Reservoir. Plus, discover an exciting lineup of workshops and classes for all ages — perfect for sparking creativity and connecting with nature. Extended evenings are perfect for an after-work social, a fun night with friends, or a memorable evening with your family. Your new favorite tradition awaits! Included with general admission. Learn more at: https://nebg.org/summer-evenings/

Botanical Mixology Summer Serries

Learn how to make unique craft cocktails with a botanical twist. Join us each week to practice new skills, try new recipes and spirits, and learn fun plant facts! Each session features two unique botanical cocktails: a signature drink highlighting the session’s featured spirit and a vodka-based creation with a dedicated mocktail variation. Beyond the recipes, every class introduces a new mixology technique to help you build your craft, one skill at a time.&nbsp; Recipes will be provided for you to take home. All cocktails will feature nut-free ingredients. All attendees must be 21 and provide ID.

Fairy Hollow at New England Botanic Garden

Discover a miniature world where magic blooms around every corner. The fairies return to New England Botanic Garden in a one-of-a-kind exhibit featuring more than 20 intricately designed fairy houses expertly crafted by artists from New England and beyond. From cozy mushroom cottages to enchanting seashell palaces, this collection of creative abodes will delight visitors of all ages. Magic awaits in Fairy Hollow. All you need is your imagination—and a little bit of fairy dust. Experience Fairy Hollow daily from August 29 to October 25, or enjoy featured events like Fairies Aglow, the Weekend of Wonder, or Faerie Masquerade Ball. Magically-themed programs for youth and adults enhance the experience. Learn more at <a href="https://nebg.org/fairy-hollow/">https://nebg.org/fairy-hollow/</a>.

Keys Across America Tour at New England Botanic Garden

Acclaimed pianist Mackenzie Melemed brings his celebrated Keys Across America tour to New England Botanic Garden. Inspired by the 250th anniversary of the United States, Keys Across America celebrates the spirit, landscapes, and voices of America through works by composers including Aaron Copland, Amy Beach, Florence Price, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, and contemporary composers Laura Kaminsky and Avner Dorman. Whether you are a longtime classical music lover or discovering these works for the first time, Keys Across America promises a moving and memorable night of artistry, emotion, and celebration. Learn more and reserve tickets online.

Fairies Aglow at New England Botanic Garden

On select evenings this fall, Fairy Hollow at New England Botanic Garden becomes even more mesmerizing with dazzling light displays and illuminated fairy houses. This special after-hours event offers a unique opportunity to see the fairy houses of the exhibit, Fairy Hollow, illuminated at night, providing an experience distinct from daytime viewing. The family-friendly event also includes enchanting activities, ethereal music, and real-life fairy friends. Explore the wonders of the season and experience the Garden in a whole new light. All ages welcome. Don’t forget your wings and wands!

Gardening Basics for Fall at New England Botanic Garden

Dig in and discover the secrets to a thriving autumn garden! Get hands-on tips for planting, soil prep, and seasonal care to help your garden flourish throughout the season. Fall is often overlooked, yet it’s one of the most important seasons for future productivity. How a garden is managed at the end of the season affects soil health, pest pressure, and spring readiness. This session focuses on thoughtful transition, closing the season well while preparing the garden for rest and renewal.

Rotten Botany: Bizarre, Beautiful and Grotesque Plants

Dive into the strange side of the plant world with author Varla Ventura as she explores bizarre, beautiful, and grotesque plants from her newly released book Rotten Botany. Discover toxic blooms, eerie folklore, and the dark history rooted in plants we love to fear. Perfect for gardeners, history buffs, and anyone curious about the moment where botany, beauty, and speculation collided. Includes Q&amp;A and book signing.

Weekend of Wonder at New England Botanic Garden

Discover a weekend full of magic this autumn at New England Botanic Garden. Explore gardens of seasonal blooms and while enjoying brews and local fare at our beer garden, browsing our fairyland artisan vendor market, and discovering hidden fairy houses along the way. This weekend-long event, included with general admission, features magical crafts, workshops, and entertainment for all ages. Spread your wings and come dressed up as your favorite magical being!

Speaker Series Writing Nonfiction for Curious Kids

Join award-winning children’s book creators Sarah S. Brannen, Susan Edwards Richmond, Melissa Stewart, and Mia Wenjen for an inside look at how curiosity meets creativity in crafting science and nature books for young readers.&nbsp; Hear each panelists personal stories of how they created their most recent books, get tips and tools for creating finely-crafted children’s books, and leave with new ideas for using children’s science-based literature in the classroom. Perfect for educators, librarians, and aspiring writers, artists, caregivers, and nature enthusiasts alike!

Crafts & Cocktails: Modern Script Calligraphy at New England Botanic Garden

Sip, swirl, and script your way into the elegant art of modern calligraphy. Unwind with a cocktail and explore the timeless art of calligraphy in this beginner-friendly workshop. Whether you're a stationery enthusiast, a DIY bride-to-be, or simply love getting crafty, this session introduces you to the elegant world of modern calligraphy using a traditional dip pen and ink. Rooted in centuries of handwritten tradition, calligraphy has evolved from illuminated manuscripts to modern design. With step-by-step guidance, you'll learn foundational strokes, letterforms, and layout techniques—perfect for adding a personal touch to cards, home décor, or wedding goods. The workshop includes 1.5 hours of instruction and a complete beginner’s calligraphy kit (two nibs, black ink, straight pen holder, tracing paper, and guides)—yours to take home so you can continue your lettering journey long after class ends.

Crafts & Cocktails: Photographing Golden Hour at New England Botanic Garden

See the Garden Through Your Lens Photographing gardens during golden hour offers a unique opportunity to capture rich colors, soft shadows, and a warm, inviting atmosphere. In this class, you’ll learn how to work with natural light just before sunset to elevate your garden photography. We’ll cover camera settings, composition techniques, and how to use light direction to highlight textures and depth in flowers and landscapes. Participants will also explore creative approaches such as backlighting, silhouettes, and capturing subtle details. Whether you’re using a DSLR or smartphone, this class will help you develop an eye for timing and light.&nbsp;All experience levels and equipment types are welcome.&nbsp;

Swing Night – Dance Concert on the Lawn at New England Botanic Garden

Join New England Botanic Garden for a high-energy dance concert of timeless big band swing featuring the 18-piece local talent, the Beantown Swing Orchestra. Step back in time as the band brings the golden age of swing to life with a vibrant mix of instrumental and vocal classics. Learn basic swing moves to dance the night away or sit back and enjoy the music with a picnic and a pint in the Lawn Garden. Whether you are a seasoned dancer, a curious beginner, or simply want to take in the sights and sounds, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The band will be offering a beginner swing dance lesson at 6 p.m., then will play from 6:30–8:30 p.m. with a Shim Sham line dance lesson during their break. The lesson rotates leads and followers frequently which is a great way to meet people! No partner or experience is required. In addition to the Shim Sham and other line dances, the band will organize other fun activities, including a dance-off, Soul Train Line, circle jam, beach ball bonanza, bubble machine, and more. Learn more: <a href="https://nebg.org/swing-night/">https://nebg.org/swing-night/</a>

Speaker Series | Gardens of the Gilded Age at New England Botanic Garden

Step back into America’s golden era with acclaimed author, garden designer, and speaker Jana Milbocker as she presents her newest book, Gardens of the Gilded Age.&nbsp; In this richly illustrated talk, Jana explores the breathtaking estates and legendary landscapes created for families such as the Cranes, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers—alongside the visionary architects and designers who brought their grandeur to life. Discover the stories behind these magnificent gardens and the people who shaped them, then meet the author during a post-talk book signing.

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

newenglandbg

Experiences