A long weekend with Vikings, Oktoberfest and all the fall.
It’s a three-day weekend for many, with Indigenous Peoples’ Day on Monday. Harvard Square Oktoberfest takes over the Square on Sunday, Newton’s Indigenous Peoples Day celebration fills Albemarle Field on Monday, and the Viking festival in Newton that got rained out in September is finally happening on Saturday.
Enjoy these beautiful sunny days and get outside and enjoy the crisp fall air as it will become colder before we know it.
Picks of the Week
Harvard Square, Cambridge · Sunday, October 11, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Harvard Square closes to cars for live music stages and out comes food from all over the world and full street-fair chaos. It historically gets pretty packed by midday, so go before noon to enjoy the fun before the crowds come out. REd line is your best bet
Albemarle Field, Newton · Monday, October 12, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
The sixth annual celebration full of music, dance, cultural presentations, Indigenous vendors and food. Its a good way to spend the day off and actually talk with the kids about what the holiday is if they’re old enough.
Scandinavian Cultural Center, Newton · Saturday, October 10, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM · Adults $20, kids 12 & under $10 in advance ($25 / $15 day of) · All ages
We had this one in the September 24 issue and then weather postponed it. Same plan: live battle demos, Norse crafts and games, music, food, and a kids corner. Buy ahead and save $5 a ticket.
☔️ Bad Weather Backups
The Umbrella Arts Center, Concord · Saturday, October 10, 2:00–4:00 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Drop-in crafts (mosaic coasters, tile painting, fingerprint painting), open galleries, and artist-led walks through the town forest. They’d like you to register by Friday at 2 PM, but it isn’t required.
Boston Children’s Museum · Saturday, October 10 · Included with museum admission ($24) · Ages 6+
Kids build a marble maze on a paper plate out of cardboard, straws and pipe cleaners. check in at the STEAM Lab when you arrive.
Tech Lab, Medford Public Library · Thursday, October 8, 3:30–4:30 PM · Free · Registration required · Ages 8–12 with an adult
Learn how 3D printing works, then use the library’s printers to make something of your own.
☀️ Outside Adventures
Powisset Farm, Dover · Saturday, October 10, sessions at 12:00, 1:30 and 3:00 PM · $15 child / $20 adult (members $9 / $12, under 3 free) · Pre-registration recommended · All ages
Hayrides, live music, a climbing haystack, a StoryWalk, a fall scavenger hunt and the barnyard animals. Walk-ins are welcome if there’s space, but book a session to be safe.
Drumlin Farm, Lincoln · Saturday, October 10, 10:00–11:30 AM · $18 per person (members $15) · Registration required · Ages 5–12
A short guided hike up the drumlin through the changing leaves, a read of Leaf Man, then a leaf craft to take home.
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, Natick · Sunday, October 11 · From $15 · Register ahead · All ages
Explore the foliage with a naturalist, then make leaf crafts together. Check the link above for the time and open spots.
Boston Nature Center, Mattapan · Saturday, October 10 · From $8 · Register ahead · All ages
A slow, guided birding walk for all ages.
📚 Library Picks
Medford Public Library · Saturday, October 10, 2:00–5:00 PM · Free · Registration required · Ages 8–12
Kids get taught the game, play a few rounds, and go home with their own Structure Deck. beginners welcome
Shute Memorial Library, Everett · Friday, October 9, 2:30–4:30 PM · Free · Drop-in
Solve puzzles with mechanical circuits in Spintronics, or see if your bridge holds the weight in “Bridge or Bust.”
Central Library, Somerville · Wednesday, October 14, 10:30–11:15 AM · Free · Drop-in · Ages 0–5
A 40-minute sing-and-move concert with real drums, shakers and tambourines for the little ones.
Acton Memorial Library · Wednesday, October 14, 2:00–3:30 PM · Free · Registration required
Fold origami pumpkins, torches and ghosts with Lisa Corfman.
Know a Boston family who needs this? Forward this email to them — it’ll make their week.
Fun for the whole family
Waterfront Plaza, Atlantic Wharf, Boston · Sunday, October 11, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Two packed hours: live music from Little Groove, a magic and juggling show, face painting, pumpkin decorating, an instrument petting zoo, fishing with Save the Harbor, and cider donuts. Indoor option is already planned in if it happens to rain.
Church Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge · Sunday, October 11 from 11:00 AM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Filipino food, music and cultural performances, a block from Oktoberfest. go for the one two punch if youre feeling frisky
Hosmer Elementary School, Watertown · Sunday, October 11, 12:00–3:00 PM · Drop-in · All ages
Wampum and corn husk doll demonstrations, Indigenous arts vendors and food, with the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers performing from 1 to 2 PM.
New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill, Boylston · Saturday–Monday, October 10–12, 10:00 AM–4:00 PM · Included with garden admission · All ages
Fairies, unicorns and owls: a live owl meet and greet all three days, fairy wand crafts, scavenger hunts, bubbles, live music and a fairyland market. Costumes encouraged. Pony rides and some workshops cost extra. It’s about an hour west, so make a day of it.
Veronica Robles Cultural Center, 282 Meridian St, East Boston · Saturday, October 10, 5:30–9:00 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
An evening of Salvadoran music, dance and community. A later one, so better for the bigger kids.
🍁 Our fall guides, in case you missed them
Apple picking near Boston — six orchards worth the drive, real prices, and how to beat the October weekend crush.
Pumpkin patches near Boston — where to go with kids, and when each one opens.
Halloween & pumpkin festivals near Boston — the October dates that are actually on the calendar.
Fall foliage hikes near Boston — ten walks with real color and short enough legs.
The Full Rundown
Thursday, October 8
Art Smart (3:30 PM) — Medford Public Library · Free · Drop-in · Ages 5–12
Friday, October 9
Imagination Station: Crafting for Kids (4:00 PM) — Newton Free Library · Free · Ages 6–9
Saturday, October 10
Learn Origami with Jingting (2:00 PM) — Putterham Library, Brookline · Free · Ages 5+
Sunday, October 11
East Boston Italian Heritage Parade (1:00–4:00 PM) — East Boston · Free · All ages
Monday, October 12 — Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Weekend of Wonder, final day (10:00 AM–4:00 PM) — New England Botanic Garden, Boylston · Garden admission
Tuesday, October 13
Make Way for Storytime (10:00 AM) — Newton Free Library · Free · Ages 0–5
Wednesday, October 14
Girls Who Code (6:30 PM) — Brookline Village Library · Free · Grades 3–5
See all 318 events this week → the full calendar
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Have an awesome week. Dito signing off.
