The Weekender: May 8 to 11

Photo by Karo K./Unsplash

May 8 to 11

Congratulations, everyone, on the—almost—completion of yet another semester. With finals ending Friday, May 9, we think it’s safe to say that you deserve this well-earned break heading your way. Regardless of whether you’re staying in Boston for the summer or just hoping to soak up your last few days on Comm Ave, we’ve got you covered with a handful of suggestions for things to do and places to explore.

Joana Choumali: Languages of West African Marketplaces at the Harvard Art Museums

Head to the Harvard Art Museums to see this exhibition by African artist Joana Choumali, who created a dozen life-size hand-quilted and embroidered portraits for this show. The portraits represent laborers in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, where Choumali was born. Her series acts as an examination of the secondhand clothing brought over from the United States—often T-shirts with “bold English-language slogans”—that many of these laborers wear, juxtaposed with the nature of their day-to-day lives.

Daily through Sunday, May 11, 10 am to 5 pm. Harvard Art Museums, 32 Quincy St., Cambridge. Admission is free.

Allston Pudding x Handhold Spring Concert Series

Take a short trip over to Zone 3 in Lower Allston for the bimonthly free concert put on by music blog Allston Pudding. This week, the concert will feature three local bands: Gollylagging, jimrat, and Pew Pew. Plus, there will be free nonalcoholic drinks and food.

Thursday, May 8, 7 to 9 pm, Zone 3, 267 Western Ave., Boston. This event is free to attend, but be sure to reserve your spot using this link.

2025 Somerville PorchFest and 2025 Somerville GyroFest

The annual Somerville PorchFest returns, showcasing the city’s best musical acts performing live from porches, driveways, and front lawns. This daylong event is broken into three stretches by neighborhood: noon to 2 pm in the West Zone (west of Willow Avenue), 2 to 4 pm in the Central Zone (Central Street to Willow Avenue), and 4 to 6 pm in the East Zone (east of Central Street). Explore these three neighborhoods at your own pace and enjoy some live music performed by local artists.

If you’re hungry, take a concert detour to GyroFest on Central Street and try the wide variety of flavorful Greek dishes, like gyro, chicken kabobs, and baklava.

GyroFest: Friday, May 9, 4 to 11 pm, and Saturday, May 10, noon to 11 pm, 29 Central St., Somerville. This event is free to attend, but bring money for food and drinks.

PorchFest: Saturday, May 10, noon to 6 pm, Somerville. This event is free to attend.

21-Plus Retro Video Game Night at Castle Island Brewing

Gather your 21-plus friends and take a jaunt over to South Boston to celebrate the end of finals at Castle Island Brewing’s Retro Video Game Night. While there’s no set agenda, the night is sure to be full of all of the classic video games you grew up playing—like Mario Kart and Street Fighter—alongside locally brewed beer, cocktails, and food.

Friday, May 9, 7 to 9 pm, Castle Island Brewing, 10 Old Colony Ave., South Boston. This event is free to attend, but be sure to reserve a spot ahead of time at this link.

Jamaica Pond Parkrun

If the rain holds out, de-stress from finals with some exercise and fresh air, and you can find both of these at the Jamaica Pond Parkrun on Saturday morning. This lively 5K loop around Jamaica Pond is an ideal way to familiarize yourself with this part of JP. After the run, join group members to grab a cup of coffee.

Saturday, May 10, 9 am, Pinebank Promontory, Jamaica Pond, Jamaica Plain, Boston. This event is free, but be sure to register ahead of time at this link, and bring a scannable copy of your barcode with you.

Lilac Sunday

In case you forgot, Sunday is Mother’s Day. If you’re looking for a family activity, there may be nothing better than going to Jamaica Plain and taking a stroll through the more than 400 blooming lilac trees at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. The arboretum’s annual Lilac Sunday isn’t just about the flowers, though—it also includes two dance performances, artists making chalk drawings throughout the day, a meditation exercise, and guided tours. The arboretum recommends guests use public transit because parking is limited. So pack a picnic and enjoy one of Boston’s best green spaces. 

Sunday, May 11, 10 am to 3 pm, 125 Arborway, Boston. This event is free.