Things to do in Boston this weekend: July 25-28, 2024

Welcome to BosTen, your weekly guide to the coolest events and best things to do in Boston this weekend. Sign up for our weekly email newsletter here. Have an idea about what we should cover? Leave us a comment on this article or in the BosTen Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Sit down with the author of ‘The Waltham Murders’

Catch a free outdoor movie (or two)

With the sweltering heat we’ve been experiencing this summer, watching a movie in an air-conditioned theater sounds like a perfect activity. But for those who prefer to see their movies for free while breathing fresh air, the Boston area will once again offer a robust number of free outdoor movies. All summer long, you’ll be able to catch a mix of fairly recent films and certified classics at pop-up outdoor movie screenings — free of charge. On Thursday, visit Lincoln Park in Somerville for an 8:30 p.m. screening of the ’90s classic “Good Burger” or head to Revere Beach for the underrated “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem.” Or you can wait until Saturday, when the Prudential Center will screen Pixar’s “Elemental” on its lawn at dusk, preceded by children’s entertainment that begins at 6 p.m. (Various times and locations) — Kevin Slane

Enjoy a K-Pop Party at the MFA

This weekend is the final time you’ll be able to visit “Hallyu! The Korean Wave,” the MFA’s exhibition exploring the growing influence of South Korea on global pop culture. To celebrate, the museum is staying open late Friday night for K-Pop Night. Enjoy a dance party curated by Boston-based K-Pop dancer Jamie Wong, strike a pose at the K-Pop Idol photo booth, and enjoy other art making activities and performances throughout the evening. If you haven’t already visited, be sure to save time for the exhibit itself, which features approximately 250 objects — including costumes, photographs, videos and props — that define the rise of hallyu, including a scale-model recreation of the bathroom from “Parasite” and a suit worn by Psy in the music video for global hit “Gangnam Style.” Admission to K-Pop Night is included with general admission, and is free for students with a valid ID from participating colleges and universities. (Friday, July 26 from 6-10 p.m.; 465 Huntington Ave., Boston; $27) — Kevin Slane

Get folksy at the Lowell Folk Festival

The Lowell Folk Festival, billed as the oldest and second largest free folk festival in the nation, will once again take over downtown Lowell for three days of musical fun this weekend. As is tradition, the fest will feature a number of nationally renowned folk artists, as well as traditional crafts demonstrations, art, food, and plenty of kid-friendly activities. Be sure to catch Cyril Neville, the last performing brother of the renowned Neville Brothers, who has three sets throughout the weekend — Saturday at 8:45 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and 5:15 p.m. For a full list of performers and venue information, visit the Lowell Folk Festival website. (Friday, July 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday July 27 and Sunday, July 28 from 12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at various locations in Lowell; free) — Kevin Slane

Tap into your imagination at LEGO club

In the words of Alice Cooper, school’s out for summer, which means you’re likely scrambling for kid-friendly things to do pretty much every day of the week. For a hands-on activity, visit the Boston Public Library’s Honan-Allston branch and build, build, build during LEGO club, which meets monthly on the final Saturday of the month throughout the summer. Both LEGO and Duplo bricks are provided by the library, so matter what your child’s skill level, they’ll have something to put together. (Saturday, July 27 from 10-11:30 a.m.; 300 North Harvard St., Allston; free) — Kristi Palma

Chow down at the Puerto Rican Festival of Mass.

The Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts has changed a few things in recent years, shifting from a three-day festival to a two-day celebration and moving the revelry back to Franklin Park after a one-year shift to City Hall Plaza in 2023. The fun starts at noon on Saturday with a mix of free concerts, carnival rides, cultural merchandise, and plenty of Puerto Rican food. Be sure to stop by for Day 2 on Sunday to see the annual Puerto Rican parade, one of the largest in Boston each year. (Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 from 12-10 p.m.; 1 Pierpont Rd, Boston; free) — Kevin Slane

Feel the beat at Cambridge Jazz Festival

It’s been a hot summer, but you know what’s cool? Jazz. That’s doubly true at the ninth annual Cambridge Jazz Festival, which features two full days of performances at Danehy Park from 12-6 p.m. Saturday’s lineup is Afro Jazz-centric, and is headlined by Eguie Castrillo y Su Orquesta. Sunday’s general jazz lineup features Gabrielle Goodman performing a tribute to legendary singer Roberta Flack (“Killing Me Softly with His Song,” “Feel Like Makin’ Love”). (Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 from 12-6 p.m.; 99 Sherman St., Cambridge; free) — Kevin Slane

Get saved by Redd Kross at Brighton Music Hall

Speaking of artists with tangential connections the Beach Boys, Jeff and Steven McDonald, the brothers who founded rock band Redd Kross, hail from the same LA County city as Brian, Carl, and Dennis Wilson. The McDonalds released their debut EP — which included soon-to-be members of Black Flags and Circle Jerks — while the younger Steven was still in middle school. Like Australia’s Hoodoo Gurus, Redd Kross initially drew unapologetically from lowbrow pop culture, but in even more kitschy, campy, and trashy fashions. Fecundity has never been Redd Kross’s calling card, and the forthcoming eponymous double album is only their third since 2012. The relative infrequency with which they tour is all the more reason to be at their upcoming Brighton Music Hall show this Saturday. (Saturday, July 27 at 8 p.m.; 158 Brighton Ave., Allston, $25) — Blake Maddux

Sing along with Jessica Pratt at The Sinclair

San Francisco-born and LA-based singer-songwriter Jessica Pratt’s first three albums each built on the critical acclaim of the previous one. This year’s “Here In the Pitch” has not only continued this trend, but may very well be her greatest leap forward yet. Pratt, who visits Sinclair this Saturday, is frequently compared to Joan Baez, Laurel Canyon folk musicians such as Joni Mitchell and David Crosby, and “Pet Sounds”-era Beach Boys. Like Joanna Newsom, Pratt’s voice is something of an acquired taste. Once one does, though, it is something to savor. Like its predecessor (2019’s “Quiet Sounds”), the nine tracks on “Here In the Pitch” run a couple of minutes short of half an hour, with nary a false note in the bunch. (Saturday, July 27 at 8:30 p.m. 52 Church St., Cambridge; $25) — Blake Maddux

Buy bivalves galore at Oysterfest

There’s no need to trek to a beachside shack to find great oysters this weekend. On Sunday, head to Bow Market in Somerville for its annual Oysterfest, which will be hosted by Bluefin from 1-5 p.m. There will be multiple raw bars and drink specials spread across the Moroccan-inspired market, letting visitors sample three different varieties of oysters served with mignonette, cocktail sauce, lemon, and horseradish. Other Bow Market vendors will offer seafood-themed specials on their menu as well, including white chocolate nori and sea salt macas from maca boston, fried oysters and fries basket from Saus, and crab arepas from Carolicious. Register for a timed entry ticket on Bow Market’s website. (Sunday, July 28 from 1-5 p.m.; 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville; $18 and up) — Kevin Slane