We Had a World

A dying woman calls her grandson and asks him to write a play about their family. “But I want you to promise me something,” she says. “Make it as bitter and vitriolic as possible.” In this searing, funny, and deeply personal play, the author of&nbsp;Prayer for the French Republic recreates thirty years of family fights, monstrous behavior, enduring love,and unexpected dishes of home-cooked spaetzle.&nbsp;

Huntington Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, Wimberly Theatre

Spotlight: A Gothic Wedding

The Huntington Hosts and Spotlight: A Drag Extravaganza About the Event: Spotlight takes on a sensual and scary endeavor in February on Friday the 13th. Love is in the dark and gloomy air, but will it frighten you enough to stay for the honeymoon? With Spotlight’s special guest, the legendary Julie J, and hosts Lulu Levity and Silva, there is nothing short of ghoulish glamour to find at our next rendition of Spotlight! Featuring: Lucite, Andi Van Dyke, Lilly Rose-Valore, and Patty Bouree Approximate Run Time: 90 minutes Ages 18+

Huntington Theatre, Maso Studio

Oedipus El Rey

Luis Alfaro reimagines Sophocles’ classic in his acclaimed and electrifying&nbsp;Oedipus&nbsp;El Rey, set in the heart of Los Angeles. Oedipus dreams of rewriting his own story — but liberation comes at a price: can he truly escape the destiny laid out before him? What’s fate, and&nbsp;what’s&nbsp;just the&nbsp;system? A searing tale of love, family, and prophecy,&nbsp;Oedipus El Rey&nbsp;blends ancient myth with modern urgency and Chicano swagger with swaths of sly humor. Artistic&nbsp;Director Loretta Greco, who led the acclaimed premiere of Oedipus El Rey&nbsp;at The Magic Theatre, creates a production especially for Boston.&nbsp;

Huntington Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, Roberts Theatre

Eureka Day

Hot from celebrated productions on Broadway and in London,&nbsp;Eureka Day&nbsp;is a new, wildly funny, on-the-pulse satire which asks if parents at a progressive, welcoming private school can uphold their harmonious shared values when Eureka Day faces an outbreak of the mumps. Jonathan Spector’s sharp comedy explores in surprising turns what happens when facts become subjective, when inclusivity turns performative, and a “community activated conversation” turns into an all-out brawl — with uproarious, fresh, thought-provoking results. Margot Bordelon returns to direct following her hit production of&nbsp;John Proctor&nbsp;is&nbsp;the Villain. &nbsp;

Huntington Theatre

The Anania Show: Holiday Debauchery

Your favorite multi-hyphenate– Anania (Saturday Church, Kinky Boots, Lucky Stiff, Host of Gaydar Show) brings a high-energy, hilarious, and beautifully manicured night to The Huntington this December. The night will be a sum of amazing vocals and raving stand-up. And an exploration of what love, drag, the Iowa-to-NYC culture shock, and sex ((non-exclusive) but could be exclusive) has been like with their transition. The Anania Show is more than a cabaret, it’s a night to relax, connect, and hopefully learn something new about the perspectives of others in your community. With a current and polished sound of pop music, musical theatre, and holiday favorites on the set list you’ll be glad you went to this night of LGBTQIANANIA+ debauchery. Age: 18+

A Cosmopolitan Christmas

Two performances: 7pm and 9:30pm The Huntington Hosts and Mary Callanan, Robert Saoud, and Brian Patton **A Cosmopolitan Christmas** is a lighthearted, sometimes naughty, sometimes poignant musical celebration of the holiday season. Join **Mary Callanan** from Broadway’s *BANDSTAND*, *Mamma Mia*, and *ANNIE,* and Boston favorite **Robert Saoud** from The Huntington’s productions of *Merrily We Roll Along* and *The Band’s Visit,* along with **Brian Patton** on the piano, for an evening of joy, laughter, and gaiety! Age: 18+

Calderwood Pavilion

Three Bears

Join us for The Winter New Play Intensive!  Taking place on December 16th &amp; 17th, The Winter New Play Intensive is a series where audiences can take a peek inside the artistic development process. Theatremakers of many disciplines join forces to collaborate on exciting new projects, and we hope you'll join us at public events where artists will share their work-in-progress.  The Winter New Play Intensive is free to attend, but tickets are required. Wednesday, December 17th at 7pm by Lloyd Suh Directed by Morgan Green Part of the Winter New Play Intensive <a href="https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/hat-directions-and-parking/">The Maso Studio in The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115.</a> <a href="https://bostontheatrescene.huntingtontheatre.org/30879/30880"> RESERVE TICKETS </a>Free event, ticket required. About the Play: Three Bears Playwright Lloyd Suh’s newest work follows two intergalactic refugees racing toward a distant outpost before their resources run out. Is anyone else out there? What will they have to risk in search of the community they crave? And what stories do we cling to when we’re on the edge of extinction? An intimate, theatrical, science fiction epic, Three Bears explores the power of companionship, the myths we build to survive, and the dangers of generosity in desperate times.

Blue Train

Join us for The Winter New Play Intensive!&nbsp; Taking place on December 16th &amp; 17th, The Winter New Play Intensive is a series where audiences can take a peek inside the artistic development process. Theatremakers of many disciplines join forces to collaborate on exciting new projects, and we hope you'll join us at public events where artists will share their work-in-progress.&nbsp; The Winter New Play Intensive is free to attend, but tickets are required. Tuesday, December 16th at 7 pm BLUE TRAIN By Sam Marks Directed by Kimberly Senior Part of the Winter New Play Intensive <a href="https://www.huntingtontheatre.org/hat-directions-and-parking/">The Maso Studio in The Huntington Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave. Boston, MA 02115.</a> <a href="https://bostontheatrescene.huntingtontheatre.org/30879/30880"> RESERVE TICKETS </a>Free event, ticket required. About the Play: Blue Train In Sam Marks’ newest play Blue Train, a blended family discovers everything interpersonal is subject to monetary value — from bonds between father and son to second marriages to co-parenting. Jake hopes his father Alan’s beloved beach retreat will pass to him and his children, but Alan’s declining health and his second wife Brenda stand in the way. Caught in a familial tug-of-war, each of them must confront an unsettling truth: can even the things we cherish most be negotiated, traded, or taken away?

Fun Home

Winner! Five Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book&nbsp; Winner! Two Obie Awards, including Outstanding Musical&nbsp; Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical,&nbsp;Fun Home&nbsp;is a beloved, groundbreaking, and emotionally rich story of seeing your parents through grown-up eyes. Based on Alison Bechdel’s best-selling graphic memoir, the musical traces Alison through childhood, college, and adulthood, as she unravels her complex relationship with a brilliant, volatile, and closeted father. How have the mysteries of her father’s life shaped her own understanding of love and self-acceptance? With a soaring score by Jeanine Tesori and a sharp, heartfelt book by Lisa Kron,&nbsp;Fun Home is a beautiful, can’t-miss theatrical experience, directed by Logan Ellis. &nbsp;

Kim's Convenience

Add another dash of heart and hilarity to your season! This laugh-out-loud, deeply touching comedy centers around Mr. Kim, a Korean-Canadian convenience store owner, as he navigates family dynamics, cultural identity, and the ever-changing neighborhood around him.&nbsp; Please note that Kim’s Convenience is a Huntington Selects production, which are specially curated shows that we are offering to our audiences in addition to our usual mainstage fare.

Moulin Fool: A Big Tom Cabaret

DRAG. DJ. DANCE PARTY. Big Tom Circus presents a night of old Broadway glamour brought to you via the drag circus of your dreams. Join us, as well as some of the premier talent in Boston, for a night of dancing, glamour, and drag. Featuring CeCe Knight Jones, Martha Speaks, and Ms. Tom Foolery Ages 18+ Tickets are Pay What You Wish starting at $12 Dress Code: GLAMOUR

Wicked Trivia

Are you feeling… Wicked? Join us for a thrillifying night of trivia about all things Wicked! From the iconic Broadway musical to the blockbuster movies, and even the original The Wizard of Oz, we’ll quiz you on it all. Just in time for the release of Wicked: For Good, coming to theatres November 21. Grab your most wizomaniac pals, create a team of 1-6 people, and get ready to show us what you know! The winning team will score some popular goodies, including tickets to your choice of a Huntington production, a Trident Booksellers gift card, and Huntington merch.

Sardines (a comedy about death)

Fresh from a celebrated run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival,&nbsp;Sardines&nbsp;explores – with tremendous grace and humanity – the tragic, hilarious, and important questions of our time: Can we enjoy life if we know how it ends?&nbsp;Does making art&nbsp;actually help?&nbsp;And if Rihanna’s song is called ‘Don’t Stop the Music’,&nbsp;why does the music… stop? Find out in this deliciously authentic, insightful, and laugh–out–loud show created and performed by actor-comedian Chris Grace (TV’s&nbsp;Superstore,&nbsp;Dropout’s&nbsp;Chris Grace: as Scarlett Johansson). &nbsp;

Terrible Plays & The Great Boston Rat War

The Huntington Hosts and Fork &amp; Shoe Theatre Co-Op Join us for a wildly hilarious evening with Boston theatre makers! The Terrible Plays are a series of absurdist micro plays that have been described as “poems written in the medium of stage direction”. A selection of Terrible Plays will be performed in a random order, as chosen by the audience! The Great Boston Rat War tells the tale of the 100+ year “war on rats” in Boston… from the perspective of the rats! This play invites viewers to rethink who deserves access to public resources, and provides some insights into how the political process has historically worked in Boston.

An Evening with Stephen Russell

Join us for an in-depth and intimate discussion with renowned MA-based actor Stephen Russell (Thief , Fallout video game series, The Huntington: The Last Hurrah, A Civil War Christmas) as we reflect on his illustrious decades-spanning career in voice, stage, and screen acting, playwriting, and music. With an illustrious decades-spanning acting career in voiceover, stage, and film, Massachusetts-based artist Stephen Russell joins us for an evening of reflection on his most notable work. From lending his voice in the Thief and Fallout video game series, to appearing in The Huntington’s productions of The Last Hurrah and A Civil War Christmas , to playwriting and making music, come hear Stephen indulge us with stories of his experiences from over the years. This will truly be an evening to remember! Moderated by Robin Russell, Stephen’s daughter and beloved Huntington staff member. Come in costume! Represent your favorite Stephen Russell character or moment and be entered to win a special prize at the end of the night.

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

thehuntington

Experiences