There have been a bunch of new people who joined the email so I want to take a second and say hi! 👋. I’m Dito and I run this thing. I started Boston Family Calendar because we moved here about a year ago and didn’t know where to start finding places to take our kids and exploring the area. So, anyway, thanks for being here and I hope that this labor of love is helpful to you each week when you get it. And - you’re doing great. This parenting thing can be hard. You’re crushing it. Keep it up.

Now - back to business…

If you haven’t walked the Commonwealth Avenue Mall in the last several weeks, you should. the 100 life-size elephants migrate to another city after the weekend. Other than those beautiful creatures, its fall fest galore in greater Boston… the 101st Feast of Saints Cosmas & Damian takes over East Cambridge, Cambridge Carnival fills University Park on Sunday, and Riverfest ends with fireworks over the Mystic on Saturday night.

For us, this week was filled with back to school action, friends visiting and exploring Boston, and one of the last beach days of the season up in Gloucester. Enjoy the weather as the indecisive Boston Hot and then Cold is already here.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Back Bay  ·  Any day through Sunday, September 13  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

Each of the 100 life-size elephants is modeled on an actual wild Asian elephant living on a reserve in southern India where elephants and people coexist, and they’re woven from lantana, an invasive plant the artisans pull out of the forest. The tour raises money for wildlife coexistence — in Boston, some of it goes to the Aquarium’s whale program. We visited a couple of weeks ago. it’s a beautiful exhibit and a nice little walk and interactive exhibit through the Back Bay.

17 Porter Street, East Cambridge  ·  Friday–Sunday, September 11–13, from 6:00 PM Friday  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

East Cambridge’s Italian feast turns 101 this year — three days of food booths, live music, and rides on the streets around Porter and Warren, capped by the Sunday procession of the saints through the neighborhood. Friday at 830pm is a Millenial music bash with O-Town, Chris Kirkpatrick from NSync, LFO, and Ryan Cabrera.

University Park Commons, Cambridge  ·  Sunday, September 13 at 11:00 AM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

African and Caribbean music, costumes, and culture take over University Park with the parade starting promptly at 12:30. Come to see tons of dancing, live performances, beautiful bright colors, and eat great food.

Tech Lab, Medford Public Library  ·  Thursday, September 10  ·  Free  ·  Registration required  ·  Ages 8–12

Kids learn how 3D printing works and print something to take home. A parent must attend; registration required.

Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village  ·  Saturday, September 12 at 10:15 AM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

A clarinetist plays live, explains how the instrument works, and kids get to try it themselves.

The Old State House, Boston  ·  Sunday, September 13 at 10:30 AM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  Kids

Kids dress up and play real 18th-century games while learning what children’s lives were like during the Revolution.

Boston Nature Center, Mattapan  ·  Saturday, September 12 10am - 12pm ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

Kids meet a beekeeper up close and see how the hive works. Its a full on interactive and hands on learning day! Free and drop in making it easy to add to the schedule

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln  ·  Saturday, September 12  ·  $17  ·  Registration required  ·  ages 2-8

Seasonal farm activities tied to the fall harvest at Drumlin Farm.

Fenway Park, Boston  ·  Sunday, September 13, after the game  ·  With game ticket  ·  All ages

Kids run the bases after the Sunday home game. You need a game ticket to take part — then head down after the final out. It’s the last game of the season with running the bases!

Coolidge Corner Library, Brookline  ·  Friday, September 11 at 10:30 AM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  Ages 0–5

Kids sing, dance, and move through a 40-minute interactive music set with a live musician.

Parlin Memorial Library, Everett  ·  Saturday, September 12  ·  Free  ·  Registration required  ·  All ages

Kids mix clay and compost into seed bombs to throw in a garden or give as gifts, with the Blackstone Valley Veggie Gardens crew.

Library Lawn, Winchester Public Library  ·  Saturday, September 12  ·  Free  ·  Drop In  ·  All ages

Stories and songs outside on the lawn, then parachute games for everyone.

Sing Along with Matt Heaton — Bonsignore Hall, Medford Public Library · Free · Ages 0–3

Read to a Horse with Mobile Whinnies! — Condon Shell, Medford · Free · Ages 4–18

Drop In Coding (Ages 8–12) — Tech Lab, Medford Public Library · Free · Ages 8–12

Family Story Time — Youth Services Programming Room, Medford Public Library · Free · Ages 3–7

Memorial Drive Recreation Sundays (11:00 AM) — Memorial Drive, Cambridge · Free · All Ages

Second Sunday Open House Tours (1:00 PM) — Golden Ball Tavern Museum, Weston · Free

Babytime (10:30 AM) — Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village · Free · Babies

Littlest Larks Storytime for Babies — Children’s Program Room, Belmont Public Library · Free · Babies

Kids’ Home School Maker Club (ages 8–12) — MakerSpace, Medford Public Library · Free · Ages 8–12

See all 345 events this week → the full calendar

Know a Boston family who needs this? Forward this email to them — it’ll make their week.