What to do in Boston this weekend (Oct 31 - Nov 2)

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25 states, including MA, sue the Trump administration over SNAP suspension. At the time this newsletter is being written, SNAP benefits will not be paid out for November due to the Government shutdown. The USDA blames the “Far Left” for refusing to approve the federal budget, while state governors like Maura Healey say there is no reason the federal government cannot fund SNAP (thanks to a contingency fund). (Boston 25 News)

Plus, where to find food assistance in and around Boston.

Boston restaurants cater to influencers — and that’s not a bad thing. Restaurateurs know that patrons are inspired to visit a restaurant today not because they’ve heard of a chef, but because they've seen a post or video about it. In this case, the set design is as important as the meal's quality. Meaning, restaurants have been leaning heavily into creating a unique vibe to help it stand out in the algorithm. (Boston Magazine)

New Trader Joe’s opens in West Roxbury. On Thursday, October 30, the newest Boston-area location of Trader Joe’s opens at 1999 Centre Street in West Roxbury. To help give back to the community, the location will also donate 100% of unsold, still-good food items (for instance, those expiring soon) to non-profit, community-based organizations. (Boston 25 News)

Brighton’s Birds of Paradise is closing this weekend. After a few years of serving carefully crafted cocktails to patrons who came through the Charles River Speedway cocktail bar, Birds of Paradise (525 Western Ave #12, Brighton, MA 02135) is setting up its final service on Friday, October 31. (Boston Restaurant Talk)

Boston Chops is up for sale. Brian Piccini, head of Boston Urban Hospitality group (think: Boston Chops, Deuxave), is selling his award-winning steakhouse to focus on The Woods, a new project he’s developing in Weston. (Boston.com)

Fine dining, delivered, to the Greater Boston Area. Anyone living outside the city (think: Newton, Medford, Watertown, Canton) will soon have access to Wonder, a food-delivery company. They mix and match virtual menus from big-name chefs like Chios Taverna, as well as popular dishes from Bellies, SriPraPhai, and Di Fara Pizza. And you don’t have to feel bad about ordering high-end takeout; proceeds from Wonder’s first week in the Boston area will go to the Greater Boston Food Bank. (Boston Magazine)

Dunkin’ changed the way we spell donut. Around the time the first Dunkin’ Donuts opened its doors, our relationship with the way we spell “doughnuts” began to change. Today, Merriam-Webster approves of this variant, citing the New England coffee chain for popularizing it, but old institutions like the Associated Press still spell doughnut the old way. (Boston.com)

Luxury travel without the price tag. A new airline out of Florida is gearing up to offer private jet-style travel at a fraction of the price. Set to launch in 2027, Magnifica will be flying six Airbus aircraft restyled with leather lie-flat seats, plus two to four enclosed “private suites,” and a bar area at the back of the plane. Plans are currently underway to link the biggest cities in the luxury market — NYC, LA, Dallas, Houston, San Francisco, and Miami — plus seasonal flights to the Caribbean and Napa. (Afar)

This is how the government shutdown is really impacting air traffic controllers. While the government remains shut down, many essential workers continue to show up for work without pay. Some air traffic controllers at Boston Logan International Airport handed out leaflets in Terminal B on Tuesday to help educate travelers on the government shutdown and its impacts on essential government workers. They’re urging people to contact their representatives and urge them to reopen the government. (WBUR)

Planning ahead: Inn to Inn Cookie Tour returns to New Hampshire’s White Mountains. For the 28th year, inns through New Hampshire’s White Mountains will be going all-out with holiday decor and encouraging guests to sample their signature sweet treats. In addition to cookies and other holiday surprises, guests also receive a commemorative cookbook full of the recipes they tried during the tour. (savor + roam)

Downtown crossing gets a makeover. In case you missed it, Winter Street in Boston’s Downtown Crossing got a whimsical makeover this month for Color Flows on Winter Street — a multi-week free initiative to make the neighborhood “safer, more engaging, and enjoyable for all.” Walk down Winter Street to discover local food and beverage vendors, games, live music, public art, and more. The Color Flows through November 16. (Boston.com)

Winter (market) season is coming. Snowport, the Instagrammable winter market, opens its gates on November 7. This year, iceless curling returns, food, seasonal drinks, a 10-foot Mistletoe Arch — and lots of shopping (over 125 vendors, with over half local to New England) seven days a week. The market is open to the public, but timed-entry tickets are available on weekends when the market reaches max capacity. Otherwise, be prepared to wait in line. (Boston.com)

Show me the money. A law Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed went into effect on Wednesday. Companies with 25 or more employees who work primarily in MA must now state salary ranges in job listings. Plus, employees can ask for the pay range at their current job. (WBUR).

Cleaning out your closet? Donate your winter clothes here. The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is currently holding its annual Winter Clothing Drive through November 20. There are various donation spots across the city, including the Shattuck Visitor Center (125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115), City Feed & Supply (66 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02130 + 672 Centre St, Boston, MA 02130), and Rx Strength Training (50 Tufts St, Somerville, MA, 02145). The complete list, as well as the donation wish list, can be found here.

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A curated rundown of unique events happening this weekend in and around Boston that I’m either attending or wishing I were. If you’re looking for weekly happenings, like wine tastings and yoga classes, scroll to the next section.

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Spooky season continues through the weekend with Danse Macabre, a program that connects Charles Baudelaire’s poetry to music and includes Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, Op. 9 (1948 version), presented by Seraphim Singers. You can catch performances on Saturday, November 1, in person at Holy Name Parish (1689 Centre St, West Roxbury, MA) at 87 pm, and on Sunday, November 2, in person at First Church (11 Garden St, Cambridge, MA) and virtually at 3 pm. Tickets range from $15 - $30.

Experience the beauty of tradition, memory, and community at the Ofrenda/Altar Exhibition on display at ICA Watershed (256 Marginal St, East Boston, MA 02128) on Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2, as part of the Festival Dia de Muertos 2025. Admission is free.

What better way to celebrate the spooky season than a Haunted Brewery Halloween Party at Samuel Adams Boston Brewery (30 Germania St, Boston, MA 02130) on Friday, October 31, from 6 to 9 pm. Tyler Casavant will be playing live music in the Beer Garden, plus there will be Trick-or-Treat flights — a festive line-up of brews paired with your favorite candy — and Jack-O on tap, a seasonal pumpkin ale with cinnamon and nutmeg served with an option caramel sugar rim. Entry is free. Food and drink are available for purchase.

Dance the night away at a Halloween Party at Sam Adams Downtown Boston Taproom (60 State St, Boston, MA 02109) on Friday, October 31, from 7:30 to 11:30 pm. Dress your best for a chance to win the Costume Contest, plus enjoy live music and a new Caramel Fudge Sunday Brew. This is a free event, and food and drink are available for purchase.

Watch the cult classic Disney’s Hocus Pocus in Concert on Friday, October 31, from 7 to 9 pm at Symphony Hall (301 Mass Ave, Boston, MA 02115). This special screening is an immersive experience, with the Boston Pops providing a live film score. Tickets start at $73.99.

Or, if you’re more of a Clue person, catch a special screening of Clue: The Movie hosted by Miss Scarlet herself, Lesley Ann Warren, on Friday, October 31, from 8 to 10 pm at Emerson Colonial Theatre (106 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02116). Tickets start at $47.58.

Celebrate The Life and Music of George Michael on Saturday, November 1, at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. This concert-style show chronicles George Michael’s career from his early hits with Wham! through his solo work. Tickets range from $47.58 - $200.08.

Celebrate the life and legacy of Juan Gabriel at the Dia de Muertos Concert with the Boston Symphony Orchestra on Saturday, November 1, at 7 pm at Boston Symphony Hall (301 Mass Ave, Boston, MA 02115). Tickets range between $39.99 - $69.99.

Halloween continues into the weekend at the Halloween Bash at Time Out Market Boston (401 Park Drive, Boston, MA 02215) on Saturday, November 1, from 9 pm until midnight. There will be wickedly delicious food specials, a live DJ, an airbrush tattoo artist, a tarot reader, plus an appearance by resident drag queen Big Atlas. Tickets are free. Food, drink, and activities are available for purchase.

New Recurring: Every Saturday from November 1, 2025, through April 11, 2026, you can shop for local and healthy foods at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market at Arts at the Armory (191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143). The market is held weekly from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm except for 11/29/25 and 12/27/25.

Start November with a gentle Yoga & Sound Bath session at Dray Non-Alcoholic Bottle Shop (18 Union Park Street, Boston, MA 02118 with Pete Sacco (BulldogFlowBoston) on Saturday, November 1, from 10 - 11:30 am. Tickets are $30 and include an hour-long yoga session appropriate for all levels (including beginners!) and a sound bath, followed by an NA social hour.

Gather with fellow Twilight fans on Sunday, November 2, for Twilight in Concert — a screening of the movie accompanied by a live band surrounded by thousands of candles — at Emerson Colonial Theatre. Showtimes are at 2 pm at 7 pm. Tickets range from $54.90 - $91.50.

Celebrate community, tradition, and culture at the Dia de Muertos Festival on Sunday, November 2, at Winnisimmet Square Park (179 Winnisimmet St, Chelsea, MA 02150) from 1 to 5 pm. This is a free event open to the public.

Bow Market (1 Bow Market Way, Somerville, MA 02143) is also celebrating Dia de Los Muertos on Sunday, November 2, from 4 - 9 pm. This is a free event hosted by Amantolli, featuring live music, crafts for kids, traditional Mexican food and drink, local vendors, plus a Community Ofrenda for you to add your own mementos to.

Bully Boy Distillers (44 Cedric St, Boston, MA 02119) is hosting an autumnal Popup Bookfair with Book Ends on Sunday, November 2, from 1 to 4 pm. Local cocktail expert Brian D. Hofeling will be on hand signing copies of his books, plus Bully Boy has over 15 different spirits made on-site. Grab a drink, shop for books. This is a free event with food and drink available for purchase.

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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.

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.

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).

Hosted in the newly-renovated Copley Square, shop the Copley Square Farmers Market every Tuesday and Friday from May 16, 2025, through November 25, 2025. Every week, shop a vibrant selection of produce, protein, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, artisan goods, and more from over three dozen Massachusetts farmers and food producers.

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).

New Recurring: Every Saturday from November 1, 2025, through April 11, 2026, you can shop for local and healthy foods at the Somerville Winter Farmers Market at Arts at the Armory (191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143). The market is held weekly from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm except for 11/29/25 and 12/27/25.