We did it. It’s back to school time
Way to go, team! Summer is over. Kids are going back, the wild schedules are finding a rhythm, and all the back to school shopping and prep is done (is it?). With it comes labor day, some clunky weather, some fun events, and what’s bound to be a weekend of rest and for some (not us), out of town fun.
The Somerville Nepali Street Food Festival hits City Hall on Saturday (11 vendors between 2–8pm), Cider Hill Farm kicks off its fall season with apple picking and live music, and if you’ve got a Bank of America card, museums are free all weekend. Enjoy the last long weekend before the school routine really sets in.
Picks of the Week
Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury · Saturday–Monday, September 5–7, from 9:00 AM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
It’s a bit of a hike, but it looks really great. Cider Hill opens its fall season Labor Day weekend with apple picking, tractor rides, live music (two bands a day), hot cider, donuts, and pumpkin whoopie pies. Kids can pick apples, explore the farm store, and cut fall flowers.
Somerville City Hall Plaza · Saturday, September 5, 2:00–8:00 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Eleven Nepali food vendors take over City Hall Plaza. Get outside, weather permitting, and enjoy food like momos and other Nepali street food right in Somerville. Rain date is Sunday, September 6.
Brattle Square, Cambridge · Saturday, September 5 at 4:00 PM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
The Asian Night Market returns to Brattle Square for its second year. This year, they’re doing it up with food and vendor stalls filling Harvard Square from late afternoon on. Free to wander, bring cash for the food. Early evening is the sweet spot with kids, before the crowds peak.
☔️ Bad Weather Backups
MakerSpace, Medford Public Library · Thursday, September 3 · Free · Registration required · Ages 8–12
Kids ages 8–12 use the MakerSpace for open project time. Adult must stick around with your child. Registration required.
MFA and other Boston museums · Saturday & Sunday, September 5–6 · Free with BofA card · Drop-in · All ages
First weekend of the month: Bank of America cardholders get free admission to the MFA and several other Boston museums by showing your card at the door.
☀️ Outside Adventures
Fort Point Channel at the Boston Children’s Museum · Saturday, September 5 · Free · Drop-in · Ages 5+
Free on-the-water kayaking and on-land activities for kids at Fort Point Channel — organized by The American City Coalition, with a special invite to Roxbury and Dorchester residents.
Memorial Drive, Cambridge · Sunday, September 6 at 11:00 AM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Every Sunday through mid-November, DCR closes a stretch of Memorial Drive to cars so families can walk, bike, and skate along the Charles. Just show up.
📚 Library Picks
Auditorium, Central Library, Somerville · Saturday, September 5 · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Musician Matt Heaton plays foot-stomping, hand-clapping kids’ songs — kids sing and dance along.
MakerSpace, Medford Public Library · Tuesday, September 8 · Free · Registration required · Ages 8–12
Kids make their own Croc charms out of polymer clay at the MakerSpace. Sign up ahead.
Meeting Room A, Acton Memorial Library · Wednesday, September 9 · Free · Registration required · Grades 1+
Kids build and experiment with vibrobugs (bristlebots) using different materials to see what works best. All supplies provided.
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Fun for the whole family
Spencer · Thursday–Monday, September 3–7 · Free admission · Drop-in · All ages
The Spencer Fair runs all Labor Day weekend with ox and horse pulls, cattle and poultry shows, a midway, and old-school country fair entertainment. About an hour west — a proper day trip.
Powisset Farm, Dover · Saturday, September 5 at 9:00 AM · Free · Drop-in · All ages
Every Saturday morning, livestock staff lead an interactive barnyard session where kids meet the goats, pigs, and whoever else calls the farm home. Bring boots. with this rain, its going to be muddy
Planning further out than this weekend? We keep a running guide to where to pick apples near Boston.
The Full Rundown
Thursday, September 3
Story Time (O’Neill) (11:00 AM) — O’Neill Branch, Cambridge · Free · All Ages
Toddler Story Time (Main) (11:00 AM) — Rey Room, Main Library, Cambridge · Free · Toddlers
Friday, September 4
Japanese Storytime – 日本語おはなし会 (10:30 AM) — Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village · Free · Ages 0–5
Storytime at West — West Branch Children’s Room, Somerville · Free · All Ages
Saturday, September 5
Seaport Summer Market (11:00 AM) — Seaport, Boston · Free
Greenway Artisan Market (11:00 AM) — Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston · Free
Sunday, September 6
Dumpling Making Party (Sundays) (3:00 PM) — The Historic Windsor Inn, Cambridge · Free · Ages 8+
A Little History (1:00 PM) — Museum of African American History, Boston · Free · Young Elementary
Monday, September 7 — Labor Day
Central Square Farmers Market (12:00 PM) — Central Square, Cambridge · Free
Tuesday, September 8
Baby Lapsit — Youth Services Programming Room, Medford Public Library · Free · Babies
Baby Lapsit at Central (10:30 AM) — Children’s Room, Central Library, Somerville · Free · Babies
Wednesday, September 9
GAME DAY at East! (4:00 PM) — East Branch, Somerville · Free · Ages 4+
Jackbox Game Night (for teens) — Teen Section, Medford Public Library · Free · Teens
See all 178 events this week → the full calendar
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Have an awesome week. Dito signing off.
