What to do in Boston this weekend (Oct 24 - 26)

If you have an event, a new attraction, a hotel, or a restaurant opening you’d like me to cover, please reach out!

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Boston Magazine’s Best Boston Restaurants of 2025. This year, Somerville’s Sarma tops the list, with familiar fan favorites like Uni, Comfort Kitchen, Urban Hearth, Nightshade Noodle Bar, Saltie Girl, Yvonne’s, Pagu, and Krasi earning spots on the 50-restaurant list. (Boston Magazine)

Sam Adams debuts 30% ABV ‘Utopias’ beer. This barrel-aged “extreme beer” combines vintages up to 30 years old. Utopias 2025 is so strong that it is actually illegal in 15 states, including neighboring New Hampshire and Vermont. A 24.5-ounce bottle will set you back $240. (WCVB)

Hashi Market is coming to the Boston area. The Japanese supermarket with New York City roots is planning to open two locations: on Mass Ave in Cambridge’s Central Square and in Brookline’s Coolidge Corner. (Boston Restaurant Talk)

Add at least 45 minutes to your commute: MBTA Green Line D will be down between Riverside and Kenmore from October 24 through 8 pm on October 31. The MBTA is installing a “Green Line Train Protection System (GLTPS),” which will help “avoid train-on-train collisions, incorporate speed enforcement, and more.” In the meantime, there will be local and express shuttles, which will make the stops between Riverside, Woodland, Waban Eliiot, Newton Highlands, and then run express to Copley. (MBTA)

Delta partners with chef José Andrés for new in-flight meals. For Delta One and domestic first-class passengers flying out of over 40 airports, meal time just got a serious upgrade thanks to a partnership with José Andrés. New menu items include braised beef short ribs, stuffed piquillo peppers, and a Spanish tortilla for breakfast. (The Points Guy)

National Geographic named their Best of the World 2026. Québec, Canada, tops the list thanks to the Canadian province’s new Nibiischii Park, the first national park to be managed by a First Nation. Other highlights include the Badlands in North Dakota, Oklahoma’s portion of Route 66, and Pittsburgh, PA. (National Geographic)

Under Canvas is coming to New Hampshire. The luxury, African safari-inspired glamping resort is expanding into the White Mountains, with bookings open from the end of June 2026 through the beginning of October. (savor + roam)

Now is the time to book holiday travel. Airfares are already more expensive than they were this time last year. To secure the cheapest holiday flights possible, book before Halloween. (The Points Guy)

Michelin keys awarded to seven Boston hotels. In the second year of its key award system — similar to the stars that are awarded to restaurants — Michelin awarded seven different Boston hotels two or three stars for their extraordinary stays. (savor + roam)

Registration for voting in the upcoming election closes for Massachusetts residents on Saturday, October 25, at 5 pm. You can register online. Plus, check out WBUR’s guide for what’s being voted on locally in November.

Warm, wet winter ahead. NOAA revised its initial outlook for the weather from December through February. In Boston, we’re likely in for a warmer-than-average winter with high chances of above-average precipitation compared to our neighbors in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. (Boston.com)

Why art heists were all the rage in the 70s. The Mastermind, a new movie starring Josh O’ Connor (The Crown), tells the story of an art robbery gone wrong in Worcester, MA. But this wasn’t the only art heist making headlines that decade. (BBC)

The Louvre is reopened following a jewelry heist. Following a daylight robbery, the Paris landmark has reopened to the public. The thieves are still at large after having stolen France’s crown jewels, worth $102 million. (NBC News)

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What I’m reading this week:

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Everything here is happening this weekend only. Scroll down for recurring events every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in Boston. For more ideas of what to do, check my Boston Guide.

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The Affordable Art Fair makes its Boston debut from Thursday, October 23, through Sunday, October 26, at SoWa Power Station. Over 50 galleries from Boston and around the country are participating, with art for sale ranging from $100 to $10,000. Tickets range from $18 to $35.

Get in the spirit of spooky season at Sunken Pumpkins: Halloween at the Aquarium, on Saturday, October 25, and Sunday, October 26, at the New England Aquarium (1 Central Wharf, Boston, MA 02110). During your visit to the aquarium, take part in a fall-timed animal scavenger hunt and hunt for “sunken pumpkins” hidden in different exhibits, plus see animal skulls and bones up close. Tickets start at $25.

Test your knowledge of spooky season at Halloween Trivia on Friday, October 24, from 6 to 8 pm at Boston Public Market (100 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02108). Play is free, but please RSVP. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Join The Koji Club for a Guided Sake Tasting at 465 Bar + Restaurant inside the Museum of Fine Arts (465 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115) on Friday, October 24, from 6 to 7 pm. Tickets are $84 for members and $99 for nonmembers, and include an hour-long guided tasting and museum admission (open until 10 pm).

Join Seaav at Tall Ship (1 East Pier Drive, Boston, MA 02128) for Seaav @ Tall Ship: Coffee Bean, a morning full of pilates and pop-up shopping. Start the morning with a pilates class followed by coffee and hot chocolate samples from Drink Magna, wellness shots and IV drips from Viva Wellness, and shopping with First Aid Beauty, Ritual, Cowboy Colostrum, and more. Tickets range from $20 for class only to $175, which includes exclusive access to the Seaav Coffee Bean Collection bra, Coffee Bean Lifetline legging, Coffee Bean layering piece, and a complimentary drink.

The 17th Annual Boston Book Festival is back in Copley Square on Saturday, October 25, from 10 am to 6 pm. This is a full lineup of events, featuring workshops, panels, and keynotes from Julia Quinn, Patricia Cornwell, Kiran Desai, Geraldine Brooks, Maureen Dowd, Hafsah Faizal, Andrew Ross Sorkin, and Shonda Rhimes. Keynote events are ticketed, while others are free to attend. See full schedule for information.

Get in the spooky season spirit with No Tricks, Just Treats at Petrova Chocolates (61 Salem St, Boston, MA) on Saturday, October 25, from 11 am to 6 pm. Come for the pumpkin-painting station ($5 pumpkins, first-come, first-served), stay for the free wine tasting (natural wine from Eastern Europe) and chocolate treats.

Take a peek into your future with Tarot with Heronkind at Portico Brewing as part of the Camberville Zombie Pub Crawl on Saturday, October 25, from 5 to 8 pm. Readings are $25 for 15 minutes. Book ahead to secure your spot.

Celebrate spooky season with Ghost Stories & Fairy Tales Brunch with Opera on Tap at The Burren (247 Elm St, Somerville, MA) on Saturday, October 25, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Grab a drink and enjoy an afternoon of proud witches, vengeful queens, and more. Tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

Enjoy the beautiful New England scenery with the first-ever Fall Rail Ride on Saturday, October 25, departing from North Station at 9:15 am with stops at Porter Square, West Concord, and Wachusett, with shuttles to Wachusett Mountain’s AppleFest. Specialized bicycle coaches are available for those interested in a guided bicycle tour of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Additionally, riders can enjoy the cafe car, which serves seasonal beverages. You can book either a Passenger + Bicycle ticket (limited availability) or a Passenger + Wachusett Mountain’s AppleFest access. Round-trip tickets are $20 and include a Weekend Commuter Rail pass.

Grab your favorite four-legged friend and head to the 11th Annual Doggone Halloween parade + party at Downtown Crossing (1 Summer St, Boston, MA) on Saturday, October 25, from 12 - 3 pm. Dress to impress and a chance to win Best Costume, Cutest Costume, Scariest Costume, Best Dog & Human Duo, and Best Dog & Child Duo. This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase.

The temperatures are dropping, which means one thing: it’s chowder season. Kick things off with Chowderfest on Saturday, October 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 pm at Downtown Crossing (425 - 431 Washington St, Boston, MA 02108). Some of the city’s top restaurants will be on location serving up their favorite spins on the classic New England dish. This is a free event, with food and drink available for purchase. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite chowder.

Giving in to the need to nest at the second annual Rococo Makers Market on Saturday, October 25, at Rococo Floral Co (231 Somerville Ave, Somerville, MA) from 11 am to 4:30 pm. Come enjoy cozy vibes and shop local artisans, including Botanical Beads, Emma Tung Art, Juliette Pecaut Design, and more. Entry is free.

Whether you’re new to tarot or you’re eager to take your practice to the next level, don’t miss the Tarot Masterclass on Saturday, October 25, from 2 to 3:30 pm at Venus House (16 Cohasset St, Boston, MA 02131). This 90-minute workshop includes a full journey through the Major & Minor Arcana, weaves astrology and tarot together for deeper card meanings, teaches advanced techniques for layering symbolism and storytelling, and offers practical tips and spreads for beginners and seasoned readers. Tickets are $30.

Learn all about the horrors and haunts of the West End during the Ghosts of the Old West End: A Haunted Walking Tour with The West End Museum (150 Staniford St, Suite 7, Boston, MA 02114) from 6 to 7:30 pm on Saturday, October 25. Tickets are $12.51.

Ground yourself before a new week at Yoga with Aubrea on Sunday, October 26, at Narrative Bookstore (387 Highland Ave), from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. This yoga session will be beginner-friendly. Tickets are $18.91, and include a $5 store credit to spend at Narrative. Please bring your own mat.

Trident Bookseller & Cafe is transforming into Stars Hollow and hosting a cozy Fall Book Fair on Sunday, October 26, from 1 to 3 pm. Come for the coffee bar, stay for the “Blind Date with a book: Rory Edition,” free bookmark crafts, photo booth, raffle, and more. Entry is free; food, drink, and books are available for purchase.

Limited spots left: Booger Money is popping up in Fanueil Hall (4 S Market St, Fanueil Hall, Boston, MA) for SUMO: Sundays Best (Coffee, Caviar, Vinyl) with East Boston Oysters and Newbury Street Coffee Roasters on Sunday, October 26, from 9 am to 1 pm. Come for the good vibes, stay for the caviar, cookies, and Thai Pour Covers.

For the family: Enjoy the changing leaves and cityscape during a Pumpkin Stroll with Boston Public Market on Sunday, October 26, from 11 am to 4 pm. Stroll along the Rose Kennedy Greenway from the Aquarium to Boston Public Market, searching for colorful hidden pumpkins along the way. At the Market, there will be Halloween crafts, cookie decorating, face painting, and more. This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase.

Fill up on borsch, kielbasa, kasha, kapusta, and more classic Ukrainian dishes at Ukrainian FoodFest on Sunday, October 26, from 12 to 3 pm, at St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Church (24 Orchard Hill Rd, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130). Eat in or take out. Cash or checks only.

As a reminder, the Commuter Rail has $10 weekend passes, which give the ticket holder unlimited travel on Saturday and Sunday. The pass is activated during your first trip on Saturday and remains active until Sunday night.

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Taste your way through Back Bay with a Back Bay Evening Chocolate Tour. For $55, take a guided walking + tasting tour of one of Boston’s most beautiful neighborhoods while learning about Back Bay’s historical and architectural significance. Plus, enjoy tastings at four different locations where you’ll sample hot chocolate, cookies, cupcakes, and cake from Back Bay’s most iconic establishments.

Learn the real history of Salem with a Salem Witch Tour from Boston: History, Hysteria, & Handcrafted Brooms. These guided tours begin at Boston’s North Station and take you through the streets and history of Salem before ending in a private broom-making workshop (including a custom spell). Tickets are $149 - $159 and include a round-trip train ticket, broom-making class materials, spell satchel, and guided walking tour of Salem.

You can find a full rundown of recurring walking tours, food tours, bus tours, and trolley tours of Boston in my Beginner’s Guide to Boston.

Start your weekend with a dose of wellness at The Hidden Art Gallery (25 Myrtle Street) in Beacon Hill, which hosts weekly Explore Meditation with Watercolor classes. Held every Friday from 3 pm - 6 pm, learn the basics of meditation while intuitively creating with watercolor. Classes are $55.

Ease into the weekend with a Friday Yoga Flow for all levels at Boston Public Library Honan-Allston Branch (300 N Harvard St, Allston, MA 02134) every Friday through September 19 from 3 to 4 pm. This event is free, but registration is required as each class is customized to participants’ preferences. Yoga mats, blocks, and straps will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Surround yourself with skyline views during a Saturday Community Yoga session at Rooftop@Revere, on top of Revere Hotel Boston Common (200 Stuart St, Boston, MA 02116), every Saturday from 10 - 11 am. Tickets are $10 and include a post-session smoothie.

Reconnect with your ability to digest and rest during a Sound Bath Meditation with Ramon of Ib and Flow (247 Walnut St, Brookline, 02445). Sessions ($50) are held every Sunday.

Wind down from the weekend and prepare for the week ahead with a Grounding Meditation session every Sunday from 5 - 6 pm at Blissful Monkey Yoga Studio (663 Centre Street, Boston, 02130) in Jamaica Plain. Led by Licensed Mental Health Counselor Brennan Mallonnee, you will be guided through techniques on how to calm stress responses and practice trauma-informed grounding techniques for anxiety. Tickets are $20. Yoga mats, cushions, and blankets are available, but you can bring your own.

If you’re trying to bring balance into your life this year, start your Sunday brunch with a gentle yoga flow with Brewery Yoga at Lamplighter CX. The class is held every Sunday from 12:30 - 1:30 pm at Lamplighter Brewing Co.’s CX location (110 North First Street, Cambridge, 02141) in their upstairs taproom. Tickets are $25 and include a beer token or a complimentary non-alcoholic drink.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to navigate Boston by bicycle but have been too intimidated to start, join a Weekend In-And-Back Guided Ride with A Better City TMA. On Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm this spring and summer, join a free, three-hour bicycle ride from one of the many bike paths outside the city (meeting location disclosed upon sign up) and traverse the Urban Loop through downtown before returning to the start location.

If you need a weekend pick-me-up, come to The Moxy Boston Downtown (240 Tremont St, Boston 02116) for Rooftop Yoga on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 - 10 am. Led by Julianne Maquire (Saturday) and Claire Metrick (Sunday) from YogaHub, you’ll flow through a dynamic vinyasa yoga experience, expending energizing movement with breath and community. Tickets are $25.

Whether you already love screenprinting or are completely new to this printing method, DARK MODE hosts DIY Screenprinting workshops at their storefront in Bow Market (1 Bow Market Way, #24) in Somerville on Friday (7 pm) and Saturday (6 pm and 7 pm) nights. Tickets are $45, including t-shirts.

DARK MODE also hosts Candle Making and Intention Setting Workshops every Thursday at 7 pm in their storefront at Bow Market in Somerville. Tickets are $50.

Spend your Friday learning to make classic Italian cuisine with Self Up Cooking Classes (19 Kingston St) in Downtown Crossing from 6 pm - 9 pm. Every week, they host an Italian Dinner with Tiramisu Finale cooking class and dinner experience, where you can learn how to make a three-course meal, including a luscious tiramisu for dessert. Tickets are $100 and include all ingredients.

New to natural wines? Don’t miss the free wine tastings at Petrova Chocolates (61 Salem Street, Boston, MA) in the North End every Friday (3 - 7 pm) and Saturday (12 - 3). Each week, they open bottles of Eastern European natural wines from countries like Georgia, Bulgaria, and Greece. These tastings are free and require no tickets or reservations.

Love Child hosts free wine tastings every Friday from 5 pm to 7 pm and Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm at their South Boston location (364 West Broadway, Boston, MA). These tastings are free and require no reservations.

Coffee lovers, this one is for you. Every Friday at 10 am, Counter Culture Coffee (374 Somerville Ave) in Somerville opens their Training Center for free coffee tastings. Anyone can learn and connect over perfectly brewed, high-quality, sustainable coffee.

Come to DeLuca’s Market Wine Cellar (11 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114) in Beacon Hill for a free wine tasting every Friday from 4 - 7 pm. Every week, resident wine expert Donovan handpicks a mix of familiar favorites and bottles from up-and-coming vineyards or hard-to-find vintages to share among participants. No ticket is required.

On Saturdays, Boston Harbor Distillery (12R Ericsson St, Boston, 02122) leads VIP tours ($50) and barrel-side tastings of their spirits ($20).

Shop local artisans every Thursday and Friday at the Downtown Boston Arts Market. Located in Downtown Crossing (8 Summer St, Boston, MA 02110) between Macy’s and Roche Brothers, this outdoor market will recur weekly from 11 am until 5 pm until October 24.

The Boston Open Market returns to Boylston Street, between Arlington and Charles (across from the Boston Public Library), every Saturday through October from 12 to 5 pm.

Alongside the Boston Waterfront, shop over 50 vendors at the Greenway Artisan Market on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Beginning May 3, the market will be held every Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and every Saturday and Sunday beginning June 1.

Jamaica Plain holds its weekly Farmers Market every Saturday from 12 pm to 3 pm year-round in the Bank of America parking lot (677 Centre St, Jamaica Plain, 02130).

The Unique Square Farmers Market returns for their 21st season in Somerville’s Union Square Plaza (66-70 Union Square Plaza, Somerville, MA 02143) every Saturday through October 25 (except Sept 20).

One of Boston’s largest open-air markets, SoWa Open Market (500 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA), is held every Sunday from 11 am - 5 pm until October 26. Stop by to shop with various regional and local vendors, including food and beverage trucks.

Shop the Seaport Summer Market (88 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210) every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm. Like the winter market, the summer market is filled with unique vendors selling a wide range of items, from original artwork to pet supplies. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase, along with a DJ and a game area for all ages.