This Weekend @ BU: October 23 to 26
From music and theater to innovation talks and citywide crawls, how to make the most of your weekend on and off campus
This Weekend @ BU: October 23 to 26
The semester’s halfway mark has officially arrived, and there’s no better time to take a breather. This weekend, you can explore Boston’s sustainability scene, cheer on women’s ice hockey at Walter Brown Arena, or unwind with music and theater on campus. Whether you’re in the mood for a citywide bar crawl or a front-row seat at a performance, there’s plenty happening before the Halloween rush kicks in.
BERDO Fest
Looking for a new kind of city festival? BERDO Fest isn’t about food trucks or concerts—it’s about building Boston’s cleaner and greener future. Hosted by the city’s Environment Department, BERDO (Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance) brings together everyone working to cut carbon from local buildings, from engineers to energy start-ups. Drop by to explore the vendor fair, learn more about Boston’s Climate Action Plan, and pick up a few tips you can use in your dorm or apartment.
Thursday, October 23, noon to 6 pm, Artists for Humanity, 100 West 2nd St., Boston. Free registration is encouraged here.
ArtsThursdays: Halloween at the Museum
Spend your Thursday night surrounded by sea monsters, velvet worms, and brain-controlled fruit flies. The Harvard Museum of Natural History is opening its doors after hours for a free evening of art, science, and lighthearted scares. Visitors can explore the galleries, decorate trick-or-treat bags, enter a raffle, and snap photos in costume. Don’t miss the museum’s newest exhibition, Velvet Worms: A Fierce Hunter with a Secret Weapon, or the fan-favorite Sea Monsters display.
Thursday, October 23, 5 to 9 pm, Harvard Museum of Natural History, 26 Oxford St., Cambridge. RSVP here, but walk-ins are welcome.
Trombone Faculty Recital
Get ready for a night of bold brass and brilliant collaboration. Don Lucas, a College of Fine Arts associate professor and chair of the woodwind, brass, and percussion department, and Gabriel Rice, a CFA lecturer in music—both trombone players—team up with Shiela Kibbe, a CFA associate professor and chair of keyboard, for a dynamic recital blending music, multimedia, and mastery. Expect music by David Popper, John Stevens, and other award-winning trombone composers. Whether you’re a CFA major or just looking to unwind with a free concert, this is your chance to see BU faculty at their best.
Thursday, October 23, 8 to 9:30 pm, College of Fine Arts Concert Hall, 855 Commonwealth Ave. Free and open to the public.
BU Women’s Ice Hockey vs. New Hampshire
Cheer on the women’s hockey Terriers as they take on the University of New Hampshire in an early season Hockey East matchup. Expect fast-paced action, a fired-up student section, and plenty of Terrier pride. Streaming is available on ESPN+ if you can’t make it in person.
Friday, October 24, 6 pm, Walter Brown Arena, 285 Babcock St. Purchase tickets here.
Dream
Shakespeare meets artificial intelligence in CFA’s bold new take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directed by Clay Hopper, a CFA senior lecturer in directing, this collaboration between BU’s School of Theatre, School of Visual Arts, and the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences blends classic performance with cutting-edge technology. Using a custom-built design tool called Random Actor—developed over seven years—the show projects interactive visuals powered by machine learning, turning the stage into a living digital forest.
Friday, October 24, 7:30 pm, Saturday, October 25, 2 and 5 pm, and Sunday, October 26, 2 pm, Juliane Ethel Leilani Miller Studio Theatre (Jewels 1), 855 Commonwealth Ave. Free general admission at the door.
IDEA Con 2025
Got an idea that could change the world, or just want to meet people who do? IDEA Con is back at BU this weekend, hosted by Innovate@BU and the Cynthia Cohen 2040 Impact Fund. The free daylong conference brings together students and alums from across the Northeast for workshops, “ignite” talks, and panels on issues from AI to social impact. Come for the inspiration, stay for the networking—and enjoy the dessert.
Saturday, October 25, 9 am to 4:30 pm, George Sherman Union, 775 Commonwealth Ave. Get free tickets here.
Crawl-O-Ween 2025
Halloween may be next week, but Boston’s already in costume mode. Think of Crawl-O-Ween as the city’s ultimate Halloween pregame—thousands of people bar-hopping through more than 50 venues across Fenway, the Seaport, Faneuil Hall, and beyond. Expect DJs, party trolleys, and plenty of wild costumes (with a cash prize for the best one). One ticket gets you cover-free entry to every participating bar, so grab your friends and kick off spooky season early.
Saturday, October 25, noon to 9 pm, check-in available at participating venues citywide. Must be 21+, with valid ID. Purchase tickets here.
North End Curling Club Open House
Ever wanted to try that Olympic sport where people slide stones and sweep ice like their lives depend on it? Now’s your chance. The North End Curling Club is opening its doors for a hands-on intro session where you’ll learn the basics—rock delivery, sweeping, and strategy—all in about an hour and 15 minutes. No prior experience needed, just warm clothes and a little curiosity.
Sunday, October 26, 12 time slots, starting at 3:45 pm; Steriti Memorial Rink, 561 Commercial St., Boston. Register here; admission is $20.