The Weekender: March 13 to 16

Photo courtesy of Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras/Michael J. Lutch

March 13 to 16

With spring just around the corner, the city of Boston is slowly waking up from its winter hibernation (of sorts). Red Sox season is so close, we can almost taste the Fenway Franks! Whether you stayed local for all of spring break or are just returning to campus, fret not—there’s lots more fun to be had before classes start back up on Monday. 

Vivant Vintage on Newbury Street

Calling all shopaholics and vintage style enthusiasts: Vivant Vintage now has a storefront on Newbury Street. With their Allston location a staple for almost 11 years, the business has just celebrated the March 1 grand opening of a spot in Boston’s iconic retail neighborhood. Shoppers are more than likely to get caught up in the shop’s impressive selection of vintage clothing and accessories, which range from belts and bags to jewelry. While you’re there, check out the store’s refurbished vintage photo booth. 

332 Newbury St., Boston. Find store hours here.

Ice Bumper Cars in Harvard Square

If you’re one of the rare Bostonians who’s sad to see winter go, we recommend you reminisce on the year’s chilliest time by catching the final day of the ice bumper cars at Harvard University’s Plaza Winterfest. A fun event for all ages, riders sit in a vehicle resembling an inner tube on wheels, gliding across an ice rink and bumping into other participants (safely, of course) along the way.

Thursday, March 13, noon to 3 pm and 4 to 7 pm, Harvard Science Center Plaza, One Oxford St., Cambridge. Tickets are $10 for the general public.

Queer Board Game Night at Trident Booksellers & Café

Trident Booksellers & Café is set to host a free Queer Board Game Night on Thursday. It’s designed as a way for LGBTQ+ Bostonians to meet other members of the community, but everyone is welcome. As usual for most of Trident’s evening events, the café will be open and serving up some delicious dinner and drinks. Is there a board game that you feel particularly passionate about? Bring it with you!

Thursday, March 13, 6 to 9 pm, Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury St., Boston. Admission is free, but seating is limited and is first come, first served.

Dine Out Boston

If you’re hoping for one last respite from dining hall food, you’re in luck. For three weeks each winter (February 23 through March 15 this year), a smattering of Boston’s best restaurants offer impressive lunch and dinner menus at a discounted price ($22 to $36 for a two- or three-course lunch menu, $36 to $55 for dinner). A few of the participating establishments: Antico Forno in the North End, Blue Ribbon Brasserie, right on Commonwealth Ave., and Sonsie on Newbury Street. Reservations are essential and go quickly .

Thursday, March 13, through Saturday, March 15. Check out the list of participating restaurants here.

Dropkick Murphys 2025 St. Patrick’s Day Tour at MGM Music Hall

Top o’ the mornin’ to ya! St. Patrick’s Day is this upcoming Monday, which means it’s time to pull whatever green articles of clothing you own out of the depths of your closet and fully embrace the holiday by heading to a Dropkick Murphys concert. Arguably best known for their song “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” (which happens to be the theme song for our very own men’s ice hockey team), the group has lots of great songs with Celtic influences, guaranteed to evoke the luck o’ the Irish. The group is set to play a whopping four shows at MGM Music Hall in Fenway this weekend: one on Friday, two on Saturday, and one on Sunday.

Friday, March 14, 7 pm, Saturday, March 15, 2:45 and 7 pm, and Sunday, March 16, 6:45 pm, MGM Music Hall, 2 Lansdowne St., Boston. Purchase tickets here.

Lamplighter’s Great Brewery Bake Off: “Pie Day” Edition

Calling all dessert lovers! On Pi Day, March 14, 10 amateur bakers will meet at Lamplighter Brewing Co. to compete in its third Great Brewery Bake Off, inspired by the Great British Bake Off. The bakers will create samples for audience members and judging will be conducted by local dessert pop-ups like Lone Orchid Bakery. This event aims to raise funds to support STEM education for girls in Cambridge in partnership with the Science Club for Girls.

Friday March 14, 7 to 8:30 pm, admission: $12.51, Lamplighter Brewing Co., 284 Broadway, Cambridge. 

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras Spring Fanfare 

A celebration of music will be in full bloom as the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra presents its inaugural Spring Fanfare. The event will showcase chamber orchestra performances and offer interactive workshops and building tours, opening the doors to the new BYSO Youth Center for Music. 

Saturday, March 15, 2 to 5 pm, BYSO Youth Center for Music, 235 Huntington Ave., Boston. The event is free, but registration is requested.

The Naghash Ensemble of Armenia at Berklee Performance Center

On Saturday night, the Naghash Ensemble of Armenia will perform at the Berklee College of Music Performance Center. This unique group features seven musicians and highlights both eastern and western culture and tradition, meshing Armenian poetry and folk music with more modern westernized musical genres, such as jazz, classical, and post-minimalism. 

Saturday, March 15, 8 pm, Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. Buy tickets here.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade 2025

We couldn’t put out a list of things to do on St. Patrick’s Day weekend without including this absolutely iconic Boston event. Head over to South Boston (colloquially known as Southie) on Sunday morning for a celebration of Irish heritage, military veterans, and Evacuation Day (honoring the ousting of British troops from the city on March 17, 1776). Although the parade is a little different each year, you can certainly expect extravagant floats, lively music, and most likely, some Irish step dance. 

Sunday, March 16, 11:30 am, starting at Broadway T Station in South Boston; find the parade route here.