The Weekender: May 9 to 12

Photo via iStock/ph2212

May 9 to 12

With final exams ending on May 10, there are so many great ways to celebrate the end of a successful school year and the start of a well-earned break. On top of that, it is also Mother’s Day weekend, so there are plenty of local activities to help you celebrate mom. This includes a stroll through blooming flowers, a shopping spree at one of Boston’s most well-known markets, and a walking tour of Somerville’s musical talent.

Sound On: Boston Calling Night

While the popular Boston Calling music festival might not be held until Memorial Day weekend, the event is partnering with WBUR CitySpace this year to give a platform to local musicians on the rise. The event will feature Ward Hayden & The Outliers, a country band originating from Scituate that is coming off the release of its ninth album. Don’t forget to stick around for fellow local acts ToriTori and Kieran Rhodes.

Friday, May 10, 7 pm, WBUR CitySpace, 890 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Purchase tickets, starting at $5 for students with valid ID and $15 for general admission, here.

MFA Late Nites

Celebrate the end of the semester with a party at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, complete with dancing, DJs, performances, food and drink, art-making activities, and, of course, art exhibitions. The MFA also invites you to wear your best outfit and express yourself through fashion. This only happens a few times a year, so you won’t want to miss out.

Friday, May 10, 8 pm to 1 am, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Reserve them here. 

Somerville Porchfest

Imagine dozens of city blocks filled with free, impromptu concerts given by local musicians—and they’re all playing in the same place: on their own front porches. That’s the concept behind Somerville Porchfest, a collaborative event put on by the city’s arts council that spans multiple neighborhoods in the heart of the city. Check the map before you check it out, and spend the day on a long, winding walk through the area’s best musical talent.

Saturday, May 11 (rain date: Sunday, May 12), all day. The event is free.

Lilac Sunday

For generations of Boston-area families, there’s no better way to spend Mother’s Day than a stroll through the 407 blooming lilac trees housed in Jamaica Plain, at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University. The arboretum’s annual Lilac Sunday has a host of events beyond simply stopping to smell the flowers, including two dance performances and artists making chalk drawings throughout the day. There will also be meditation and self-guided tours. The arboretum recommends guests use public transit because parking is limited, so pack a picnic and enjoy an escape from the concrete jungle. 

Sunday, May 12, 10 am to 3 pm, 125 Arborway, Boston. This event is free and no reservation is required. 

SoWa Open Market

The annual open-air market is back just in time for the warming weather. A summer staple in Boston, the SoWa (South of Washington) Open Market is held on a pedestrian-only street filled with more than 100 farmers and artist stands, as well as plenty of food and beverage trucks. Whether you are looking to do some shopping or just looking for a place to walk around, SoWa is a perfect destination.

Sunday, May 12, 11 am to 4 pm, 530 Harrison Ave., Boston. Market entry is free.