Free Summer Arts Events

The Boston art world is alive and thriving! Here’s a list of FREE arts events happening this summer. Get out and explore the city during these sunny, warm months. With help from BU Arts Initiative staff, ArtsBoston, the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture, The Boston Calendar, and more resources, BU Arts Initiative announces its annual list of Free Summer Arts Events.

Public Art in Boston: Explore a variety of public art in Boston. Check out our website for BU Public Art on Campus, find nearby murals on the Boston Mural Map, or cross the river and explore the MIT Public Art Map. Other ongoing public art exhibits are presented by amazing organizations like the Rose Kennedy Greenway and Now + There.

BU Museum Memberships: BU Students, Faculty, & Staff can get free access, even over the summer, to the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Harvard Art Museum, and the Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA/Boston). Please check our Memberships & Discounts page for reopening and ticketing information.

Have a free arts event that you want included? Email us at artsinbu@bu.edu.

MAY

Celebrate! with Tanglewood Marionettes – May 10, 2025 | 10:30-11:30 AM

Journey below the sea in this story of fantasy, courage, and wonder from Chinese folklore. Tanglewood Marionettes bring to life fantastic sea creatures and a fearless grandmother who goes in search of the Dragon King when things go amiss in the land above. The Celebrate! series, appropriate for family audiences and children ages 5 and up, highlights America’s rich cultural diversity through the arts. This program is tied directly to President and Mrs. Kennedy’s concern for and support of the arts and culture in a democratic society. Thanks to generous support from the Martin Richard Foundation and the Mass Cultural Council ,all performances are free.

HUMAS | Monarch: A Mexican-American Musical – May 10, 2025 | 6:30-8:30 PM

The Harvard University Mexican Association of Students (HUMAS) invites you to a special live performance of Monarch: A Mexican-American Musical — a powerful and timely cultural experience. Monarch tells a moving story of migration, identity, and belonging through music and performance. At a time when conversations around borders, home, and justice are more important than ever, this musical offers a space for empathy, reflection, and meaningful dialogue. Through its rich narrative centered on the migrant experience, Monarch highlights the resilience of Mexican-American communities and the complexities of navigating binational realities between Mexico and the United States. Join us for a night that goes beyond entertainment — one that speaks to the heart of culture, community, and social justice.

Craft Night at Craft Loft – May 13, 2025 | 6 PM

Get your creative juices flowing and join us every Tuesday for craft night! Bring your work-in-progress project and mingle with other craft enthusiasts in our open studio. Show off your skills in fiber arts, drawing, sewing, and more – we welcome all crafts! Don’t forget your sewing machine if you’re working on a sewing project. And for this special event, we’re waiving the usual $20 Studio fee, so it will be free to use our space! Snacks, beverages, and craft supplies are available for purchase. We are offering 10% off all in-store purchases for those who sign up for our email newsletter!

Artist Talk with Amani Willet – May 14, 2025 | 5-7 PM

On Wednesday, May 14th, join the Leica Gallery Boston for an Artist Talk with Amani Willet. Amani will discuss his project and photobook A Parallel Road, which explores 85 years of the Black experience of driving in America—along with a look at new work in progress.

An Evening with the Venus Quartet – May 15, 2025 | 6-7 PM

Enjoy a rich blend of traditional and contemporary music performed by the Venus Quartet, an exciting and dynamic group of women committed to reflecting diverse backgrounds and voices through its programming. As the honors ensemble for Boston Conservatory at Berklee’s 2024–25 academic year, the ensemble embodies the school’s commitment to fostering artistic talent and promoting innovative musical exploration. Emily Schiccitano (violin), Clara Mazo (violin), Katy Rose Bennett (viola), and Sophie Paul (cello) are the proud members of the Venus Quartet.

Community Arts Night – May 15, 2025 | 6-8 PM

Join Arlington Center for the Arts for a free workshop and community arts event to explore our current exhibition pairing visual artists and poets together in Symbiosis. Try your hand at writing poetry with a free lesson from local poet, Tom Daly, who will lead the audience through simple writing exercises to unlock the poet in everyone! After, join featured artists and poets to learn more about their work and inspirations, and hear a few poetry performances.

You’re Invited to the Cookout – May 15, 2025 | 6-8 PM

We invite you to celebrate Ja’Hari Ortega’s Big Hoops to Fill with us on Thursday, May 15 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the opening reception, You’re Invited to The Cookout. This family-friendly celebration will feature remarks from the artist, music from DJ Séga Genn and A Trike Called Funk, lawn games for all ages, and Latin soul cuisine from Butter “UR” Biscui. Updates regarding this event will be shared to The Greenway’s and The Greenway Public Art’s Instagram.

2025 Greenway Spring Fest – May 17, 2025 | 11-5 PM

Come on down to Rowes Wharf Plaza on The Greenway for our Spring Fest (formerly Food Truck Festival) on Saturday, May 17, from 11am-5pm! Savor the flavors of over 15 food trucks, sweat it out at a multitude of free fitness classes, dance to the tunes of DJ CarlitosWave, enjoy free face painting, shop to your heart’s content at our artisan vendors, sip local at Trillium Beer Garden, splash in the Rings Fountain, and take a spin on the Greenway Carousel! RSVP to the event and fitness classes here, and don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and picnic blankets!

The Greater Roxbury Book Fair – May 17, 2025 | 9AM-5PM

TACC is grounded in an inclusive and collaborative approach to neighborhood revitalization by encouraging investment opportunities in the community assisting with multi-sector and multi-stakeholder partnerships that focus public and private investment to increase economic opportunity and development in Nubian Square. The ultimate goal is to advance equity initiatives that result in effective systems-level change, which actively disrupts a system of racial inequality and bias in economic advancement.

Artist Talk with Phyllis Ewen, David ABel, and Robert DeConto – May 15, 2025 | 6-8 PM

Join artist Phyllis Ewen for a conversation about her latest show at Kingston Gallery, Inundation, with filmmaker David Abel and climate scientist Robert DeConto.

A/V Comedy Club: Interactive PowerPoint and Musical Comedy – May 19, 2025 | 7-8 PM

Amateur art is good for you. Each show, comedians from a range of disciplines and backgrounds try their hand at comedy that involves some technical element, be it video, PowerPoint, music, and more, creating an optimal space for creativity and chaos! Audience members are encouraged to ask questions and participate in our feedback form as they attend one of Boston’s most creative comedic open mic spaces. Comedians change with each performance, so each experience is unique. See more on our website: constellationcomedy.com. Follow us: @avcomedyclub | Doors: 6:45 PM, at the Cambridge Foundry in Kendall Square

Seaport Sketch – May 20, 2025 | 5-7 PM

Whether you’re a mini Matisse, a Picasso protégé, or just finding your way around the drawing pad, it’s time to get sketchy. Draw out your inner artists with us at Sketch Sesh, every other Tuesday from 5:00 – 7:00pm in The Superette Courtyard. Local artist Lee “SOEMS” (and some occasional guests stars) will guide you through fun and easy drawing exercises alongside local live music and beats. Classes are free and open to the public and don’t worry, we’ll bring the drawing supplies. All you’ve got to pack is your creativity and willingness to try a new skill. Classes may cover a variety of subjects including still life arrangements, live models, Seaport views, or even some of your favorite neighborhood pups! There’s always something fresh to sketch.

Bring the kids, your partner, your besties, or come alone and make a new friend! This is a judgment-free zone where everyone is welcome and all art is good art. We can’t wait to see what you create.

Boston Public Art Triennial: Ribbon Cutting – May 22, 2025 | 11:30-12:30 PM

Boston Public Art Triennial officially opens to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Evans Way Park. Executive Director + Founder Kate Gilbert will speak, followed by words from Mayor Michelle Wu and Triennial 2025 curator Pedro Alonzo. Enjoy a drumming performance following the speaking remarks to kick off six months of dynamic, free public art experiences!

Let’s Talk: The Exchange – May 22, 2025 | 2 PM

Join us for a roundtable conversation at Roxbury Community College! Triennial 2025 curators Pedro Alonzo and Tess Lukey will be in conversation with featured Triennial artists Stephen Hamilton and Laura Lima about the exhibition, curatorial theme, and the importance of creating a public art city.

Twilight at MAAM: Community Celebration! – May 22, 2025 | 6-8 PM

Celebrate the strength of Greater Boston’s arts community with Boston Public Art Triennial, Wagner Foundation, and MassArt Art Museum (MAAM). Come toast more—increased arts access, greater recognition of mid-career artists, and stronger connections across our creative communities. All are invited to experience GENERATIONS, showcasing the work of inaugural Wagner Art Fellows L’Merchie Frazier, Daniela Rivera, and Wen-ti Tsen in MAAM’s Bakalar Gallery. In the Paine Gallery, MAAM premieres Nicholas Galanin’s commission Aáni yéi xat duwasáakw (I am called Land). And, nearby in Evans Way Park, don’t miss Galanin’s public artwork, I think it goes like this (pick yourself up), commissioned as part of Triennial 2025, Boston’s first citywide public art exhibition.

Lot Lab Celebration – May 24, 2025 | 2-4 PM

Celebrate the Triennial Accelerator artists: Alison Croney Moses, Andy Li, and Evelyn Rydz! The festivities will run from 2—4PM and will center around a flag-raising ceremony at Andy Li’s installation, Today Is The Day. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy other interactive activities and explore the Triennial sites at Lot Lab throughout the afternoon.

Memorial Day Open House – May 26, 2025 | 10-5 PM

Start your summer off right at our annual Memorial Day Open House. This year, the MFA offers free admission—including access to the special exhibition “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits”—for Massachusetts residents. Enjoy music, dance, art making, and more!

The City Talks: Creativity and the Mind – May 29, 2025 | 7-8 PM

Inspired by the exhibition “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits” and the artist’s personal journey, join this engaging conversation with mental health practitioners, organizations, researchers, and artists. Explore the transformative power of art as a healing tool while also examining how mental illness can impact the creative process and artistic vision.

Learning How to Read by Moonlight by Gaven D. Trinidad – May 29, 2025 | 7:30 PM

a CHUANG Stage & Company One Theatre co-production. All tickets are Pay-What-You-Want! While his mother struggles to earn money in New York City and his father waits alone in Manila for their daily phone calls, six-year-old Eddie learns English from his imaginary friend. Between the War on Drugs in the Philippines and the anti-immigrant movement in the United States threatening their humanity, will this undocumented family be able to pursue their dreams and address unspoken truths? A musical and multilingual journey of childlike wonder, Gaven D. Trinidad’s Learning How to Read by Moonlight is equal parts playful, poignant, and hella Pinoy. To spotlight Boston’s own community leaders and activism, a new narrator (a fellow artist, community organizer, or elected official) joins the storytelling every night. Learning How to Read by Moonlight is spoken in English and Tagalog with subtitles.

JUNE

Pride Pop-Up: ACM Gift Shop – June 1, 2025 | 11-2 PM

Join us for a vibrant Pride Pop-Up, a celebration of local queer artists and the diverse, powerful voices that shape our community. This special event showcases an inspiring group of artists working across a range of mediums — from ceramics, jewelry, illustration, stickers, paintings, stickers — all by LGBTQ+ artists based right here in our city. More than just an art show, the Pride Pop-Up is a space for connection, visibility, and empowerment. A portion of all proceeds will be donated to Trans Resistance MA, a Boston-based organization that advocates for the safety, joy, and liberation of Trans, Queer, Black, Indigenous People of Color (TQBIPOC). By attending and purchasing art, you’re not only supporting local queer creatives — you’re also directly investing in critical community work. Come celebrate Pride with ACM, experience local talent, and stand with our trans community. Let’s make art, joy, and resistance visible together.

SomerStreets: Carnaval – June 1, 2025 | 2-6 PM

Carnaval is a vibrant celebration of East Somerville’s diverse cultures, expressed through dance, music, and cuisine. Broadway transforms into a bustling open street filled with piña coladas in pineapples, fresh coconuts, tacos, and more. Enjoy an artisan market, connect with local community organizations, and bring the whole family for fun activities like face painting and a dunk tank.

Boston Comic Arts Foundation: Picture + Panel – June 2, 2025 | 7-8:30 PM

Picture + Panel is a monthly conversation series that brings fantastic graphic novel creators to the Greater Boston area. Discover terrific authors and fascinating stories that combine text and art through conversational confabulation. Produced in partnership by Porter Square Books, the Boston Figurative Art Center, and the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, Picture + Panel provides thought-provoking discussions for adults about this unique form of expression.

Sew a Felt Pencil Pouch – June 6, 2025 | 2-3 PM

Join artist Maria Fong to sew a felt case for your devices or to use as a make-up pouch or pencil case. Space is limited. Registration is required.

Somerville Art Fair | Studio Showcase at Bow Market – June 6, 2025 | 7 – 9 PM

A new art experience is coming to Somerville! Discover art in Bow Market’s beautiful space where you can explore, ask questions, and connect with local artists. Starting in June, four one-night Studio Showcases will run at Upstairs at Bow Market, culminating in a December art fair featuring all participating artists.

Pride Craft Night – June 12, 2025 | 6:30-7:30 PM

Mark this LGBTQIA+ Pride Month with an arts and crafts night! You’ll have several crafts to choose from and the chance to hang out with friends and neighbors in an affirmative environment. We have wooden rainbows to paint, customizable buttons, and things to make your own mini Pride float. All materials are free while supplies last. No registration required, but if you would like an email reminder of the event, please contact kluca@bpl.org.

Pao Arts Center Movie Night: Didi – June 13, 2025 | 6-8 PM

Join us in a screening of the critically acclaimed film by Sean Wang, Didi, starring Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, Shirley Chen, and Chang Li Hua. In 2008, during the last month of summer before high school begins, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: how to skate, how to flirt, and how to love your mom. Part of a film screening series curated by Nate Shu.

Celebrate! with Benkadi Drum & Dance – June 14, 2025 | 10:30-11:30 AM

The multicultural Benkadi Drum and Dance group returns to perform new dances showcasing traditional West African rhythms and movements. With vivid costumes, interpretive dance, and audience participation, join us in honor of Juneteenth! The Celebrate! series, appropriate for family audiences and children ages 5 and up, highlights America’s rich cultural diversity through the arts. This program is tied directly to President and Mrs. Kennedy’s concern for and support of the arts and culture in a democratic society. Thanks to generous support from the Martin Richard Foundation and the Mass Cultural Council all performances are free.

MFA Open House Juneteenth – June 19, 2025 | 10-5 PM

Admission to the MFA—including access to “Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits”—is free for all Massachusetts residents on June 19 in honor of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally observed commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Join us for performances, participate in art-making activities, catch a talk, and see “Van Gogh” a new exhibition dedicated to the Roulin portraits and the deep bonds of friendship between the artist and this family

We Create The World: A Juneteenth Celebration – June 19, 2025 | 12 PM

The ICA is offering FREE museum admission for all on June 19, in honor of Juneteenth. In partnership with the Boston Ujima Project, enjoy a a day packed with excitement, including films, music, and activities that highlight the Black experience.

Pao Arts Center Movie Night: The Fall of I-Hotel – June 20, 2025 | 6-8 PM

As part of a film screening series curated by Nate Shu, join Pao Arts Center in a special screening of The Fall of I-Hotel by film-maker Curtis Choy. The Fall of I-Hotel documents the beautiful yet heartbreaking history of Filipino manongs in San Francisco, the fight to defend Manilatown, and the unfortunate destruction of this Filipino community.

Queer Crafts – June 21, 2025 | 3-4 PM

Are you an adult who likes crafting and making art? Do you want to meet other local queer people? Bring your own craft or try one of ours! No registration required!

Author Talk: Daniel Gonzalez – The Rise and Fall of Boston Pride – June 26, 2025 | 6-7 PM

We are very excited to have author Daniel Gonzalez here to talk about his book The Rise and Fall of Boston Pride which delves into the vibrant history of LGBTQ+ activism and community in one of America’s most historic cities. From its early roots in the 1970s to becoming a symbol of resilience, visibility, and celebration, this book traces the evolution of Boston Pride and its profound impact on both the city and the national movement for LGBTQ+ rights. This book represented over two years of research from sources such as the Boston Public Library, the History Project, and two college universities, this is currently the only book that tracks the complete history of Boston Pride.

Watercolor Flowers with Crayon Resist – June 27, 2025 | 2-3 PM

Welcome Summer! Join artist Maria Fong to learn how to draw beautiful watercolor flowers with Crayon Resist. Space is limited. Registration is required.

Donna Summer Disco Party – June 27, 2025 | 5-9 PM

Come join us for a groovy night filled with the best disco hits at the Donna Summer Disco Party! Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie down on Fri, Jun 27, 2025 at City Hall Plaza. The party starts at 5:00 PM so make sure to arrive early to secure your spot on the dance floor. Let’s celebrate the disco era in style and dance the night away! O’Mega Red will be hitting the stage alongside Mary Gaines Bernard (Donna Summer’s sister) & DJ Vince1—you already know it’s gonna be legendary!

JULY

Boston Comic Arts Foundation: Picture + Panel – July 7, 2025 | 7-8:30 PM

Watercolor by the Water – July 25, 2025 | 1-3 PM

Learn, play, and create in this beginner-friendly, drop-in watercolor class. Relax by Boston Harbor, and let the colors of your environment inspire you. With the guidance of a local teaching artist, participants will be encouraged to get messy, embrace mistakes, and create something uniquely their own. While all experience levels are welcome, this workshop is designed for adult audiences. Supplies are limited; first come, first served. This series has been organized to accompany the exhibition— Stanley Whitney: How High the Moon.

AUGUST

Boston Comic Arts Foundation: Picture + Panel – August 4, 2025 | 7-8:30 PM

Watercolor by the Water – August 22, 2025 | 1-3 PM

ONGOING

ICA Free Thursday Nights – Every Thursday | 5-9 PM

The ICA is free for all visitors every Thursday from 5 to 9 PM. Tickets for Free Thursday Nights will be available at icaboston.org/tickets at 10 AM on that Thursday morning. Check-in for Free Thursday Nights begins at 5PM. Last entry to the museum is at 8:30PM. Advance reservations are strongly recommended. On-site reservations are not guaranteed.

The Museum of Bad Art – Open daily at 11:30 AM

MOBA s the world’s only museum dedicated to the collection, exhibition, and celebration of art that would not be welcomed to any traditional art museum. Our collection includes sincere art in which something has gone wrong in a way that results in a compelling, interesting image.

Leonora Carrington: Dream Weaver – May to June

“Leonora Carrington: Dream Weaver,” the artist’s first-ever museum exhibition in New England, brings together over thirty works of art, some rarely seen, that span over six decades of Carrington’s prolific art-making career.

Harvard Art Museums at Night – Last Thursday of every month

Join us for an evening of art, fun, food, and more! This event is free and open to everyone. Gather with friends and mingle inside our Italian-inspired courtyard while taking in the smooth sounds from DJ C-Zone. Browse the museum shop and chat over a snack or drink for purchase from local vendors. And of course, wander the galleries to take in our world-class art collections—over 50 galleries to explore! Don’t forget to check out the current exhibitions. After you’ve explored the galleries, circle back to see what’s happening in the courtyard. Harvard Art Museums at Night takes place the last Thursday of every month (holidays permitting), from 5 to 9pm. Each night features a new mix of local talent and community partners to make this a festive occasion for all.

Poetry Open Mic at Trident Bookstore – Sundays | 7-9 PM

Join us for a fun evening of open mic poetry! We invite you to bring your own works and perform them in front of a supportive crowd. There’s no better place to find your voice and share it with the world! The sign-up list opens at 6:30 pm in the upstairs cafe and the mic opens at 7:00pm.

SoWa Open Studios – First Friday of every month | 5-9 PM

On the first Friday of every month, over 80 artists open their studio doors for this monthly New England art event. Make it a night out in the vibrant South End community. Free event.

SoWa Vintage Market – Sundays | 11 AM – 4 PM

Located downstairs at 450 Harrison Ave, the SoWa Vintage Market is Boston’s weekly destination for antiques, collectibles, vintage goods, and other one-of-a-kind curiosities.

First Thursdays at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum – Third Thursday of every month

Join us for an evening of discovery and community. Explore our permanent collection, Spring Blooms in the Courtyard, and our current exhibition, Waters of the Abyss: An Intersection of Spirit and Freedom. Café G is open late for dinner and drinks, and be sure to shop at the treasure trove that is Gift at the Gardner.

The Solomon Collection: Dürer to Degas and Beyond – May 24, 2025–August 17, 2025

The Solomon Collection: Dürer to Degas and Beyond celebrates a significant recent bequest to the Harvard Art Museums from passionate collectors Arthur K. and Mariot F. Solomon. The exhibition spotlights over 135 works, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, and prints by some of the most significant artists from the Renaissance to the 20th century, and offers visitors an intimate view into the highly personal yet inherently collaborative nature of art collecting.

Greenway Artisan Market – Sundays May through October | 11-5 PM

The Greenway Artisan Market is a vibrant open-air market run by Somerville Flea featuring talented area artists, crafters, and independent designers. Visitors will find exceptional art, locally produced products, and much more! Explore the parks, stroll tree-lined promenades, take in the city sights, soak up the sunshine, play in the Rings Fountain, grab a bite to eat at a food truck, and shop local at the Greenway Artisan Market. It’s truly an original Boston experience! In line with City and State guidance on retail operations, the Greenway Artisan Market will be open every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on The Greenway from May 3, 2025 through October 25, 2025.

New England Open Market – Saturdays May through October | 12-5 PM

New England Open Markets has been supporting the local small business community for 20 years. We curate a unique market experience bringing together local artisans, makers, and vintage dealers in some of the best locations in the region. What started in 2003 as a passion project to connect consumers with local artists and makers has grown into a New England tradition. Come meet the makers and artisans at our three headline open markets this year; there’s something for everyone in Boston’s bustling Boylston Street, Cambridge’s vibrant Harvard Square, and along Plymouth’s historic waterfront!

ICA Vinyl Nights – Fridays July through August | 5-9 PM

FREE, no tickets required! A summer favorite returns, presenting some of the area’s most forward-thinking and creative selectors. Expect highly-curated, vinyl-only DJ sets from the collectives who have carved out warm places in the hearts of music lovers across the city. This year’s tasting notes include soul, cumbia, disco and house, all paired with natural wines from our friends at Rebel Rebel.

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