There’s a little something for everyone this weekend. For some reason, people can make multi tiered detailed sand scenes and I’m excited when I get the perfect singular bucket shape. Anyway, sand stuff, Harry Potter drones (second time Harry Potter has come up this week for me), and a sure to be great music Latin / Puerto Rican festival. Go on and get your sun, your robes, or move your hips…whatever you’re into.

Revere Beach, Revere · Friday–Sunday, July 17–19 · Free · Drop-in · All ages

The Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival is free, outdoors, and worth a beach trip — world-class sculptors carve massive works right on the beach (this year's theme: international soccer - shocking, I know), and kids can walk right up to them. 75+ food vendors, rides, and fireworks over the beach Saturday night round it out. Take the Blue Line to Revere Beach station and walk right up — no parking headaches.

Plaza Betances, South End, Boston · Saturday, July 18, 12:30pm · Free · Drop-in · All ages

Festival Betances is New England's longest-running Latino cultural festival, held at Plaza Betances in the South End starting at 12:30pm Saturday. Live music, food, and community on the street — free admission. This one has been going for decades and draws a real neighborhood crowd.

Davis Square, Somerville · Saturday, July 18, 12–9pm · Free · Drop-in · All ages

ArtBeat 2026 fills Davis Square on Saturday from noon to 9pm — about 100 craft and food vendors, two music stages, a dance showcase at the Somerville Theater, and community art on the street. Free admission, easy T access via the Red Line. Rain date is Sunday the 19th.

Bonsignore Hall, Medford Public Library · Friday, July 17 · Free · Drop-in · All Ages

A playable Nintendo museum at Medford Library — every console from NES to Switch is set up on old-school CRT TVs, and kids can play them all while learning how Nintendo evolved. Free, drop-in, all ages.

Central Library, Somerville · Saturday, July 18 · Free · Drop-in · Ages 6–12

Playful Engineers bring their Chain Reactions program to Somerville Central Library — kids ages 6–12 build Rube Goldberg-style chain reaction machines. Free, drop-in Saturday.

Danforth Museum, Framingham · Saturday, July 18, 12pm · Free · Drop-in · All ages

Danforth Hype the Arts in Framingham is a free community art day — kids do make-and-take activities, watch artist demos, go on a museum scavenger hunt, and help build a collaborative artwork. Free, drop-in Saturday.

Drumlin Farm, Lincoln · Saturday, July 18 · Paid – check website · Ages 4–10

Turtle Trek at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln — kids ages 4–10 meet live turtles and search for them on the sanctuary grounds. Paid; check Mass Audubon's site for pricing and to register.

Carson Beach, South Boston · Saturday, July 18 · Paid – check website · Drop-in · All Ages

City Shorebird Festival at Carson Beach in South Boston on Saturday — Mass Audubon staff help families spot and ID shorebirds on the beach. Check Mass Audubon's site for pricing.

West Acton Citizens' Library · Thursday, July 16 · Free · Drop-in · All ages

Kids make snails out of cardboard and wooden tongue depressors at West Acton Citizens' Library on Thursday. Free, drop-in, all materials provided.

Story Hour Room, Milton · Thursday, July 16, 3pm · Free · Registration required · Ages 6–11

Egg-Drop Challenge at Milton Library on Thursday — kids ages 6–11 work in teams to build a carrier that protects an egg from a drop, using only select materials. Free; registration required.

Central Library, Somerville · Wednesday, July 22, drop-off 1–6pm · Free · Drop-in · All ages

Stuffed Animal Sleepover at Somerville Central Library on Wednesday — drop off a stuffed animal between 1–6pm, then follow the library's social media to see what it gets up to overnight. Free, drop-in.

DCR Hatch Memorial Shell, Boston · Friday, July 17, dusk · Free · Drop-in · All ages

Settle in under the stars for one of Boston's favorite summer traditions — free Friday night movies at the Hatch Shell along the Charles. Bring a blanket and snacks; the movie starts at dusk.

Ohiri Field, Harvard University · Fri & Sat, July 17–18, 9pm · Free · Drop-in · All ages

The Harry Potter DroneArt Show at Harvard's Ohiri Field on Friday and Saturday nights uses a swarm of drones set to film score music to create shapes and scenes in the sky. Free, drop-in — bring a blanket and arrive before dark to get a good spot.

Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury · Sat–Sun, July 18–19 & 25–26 · Free admission · Drop-in · All Ages

Blueberry & Flower Fest at Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury runs July 18–19 and 25–26 — pick your own blueberries, cut your own flower bouquet, take a hayride, and catch live music. Free admission to the festival; PYO is priced separately.

Farmers' Market Storytime (4:00 PM) — Belmont Center Farmers' Market · Free · Ages 2–6

Japanese Storytime – 日本語おはなし会 (10:30 AM) — Coolidge Corner, Brookline · Free · Ages 0–5

Winnie-the-Pooh Escape Room (9:00 AM) — Newton · Free · All Ages

Spanish Fun Time (ages 5-11) — Bonsignore Hall, Medford Public Library · Free · Ages 5–11

Family Bingo (10:30 AM) — Children's Program Room, Newton · Free · Ages 6+

Newton Disability Pride Celebration (2:00 PM) — Off Site, Newton · Free · All Ages

Mommy & Me — Origami (Burlington) (10:30 AM) — Craft Loft · Free

Singalong with Matt Heaton (BYO picnic) at West! — West Branch Backyard, Somerville · Free · All Ages

Perler Beads at West — West Branch, Somerville · Free

Summer Outdoor Storytime (10:30 AM) — Off Site, Newton · Free · Ages 0–5

See all 346 events this week → Browse the full calendar

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