This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
Family Friendly Boston Cambridge
1) HONK Festival of Activist Street Bands (Oct 9)
2) Punkin Fest (Oct 10)
3) Illuminus (Oct 10)
4) Pirates on Wheels (Oct 11)
5) Kids’ Art at The Lounge at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Oct 11)
6) 37th Annual Harvard Square Oktoberfest (Oct 11)
7) Boston Symphony Orchestra Fall Parks Concert Series (Oct 11)
8) Sing at MIT (Oct 11)
9) Memorial Drive Recreation Sundays (Riverbend Park) (Oct 11)
10) Science and Cooking 2015 Lecture Series (Oct 12)
11) The Fenway Alliance Opening Our Doors 2015 (Oct 12)
12) Fall Open House at the MFA (Oct 12)
13) Guitarist/Singer-Songwriter Showcase (Oct 13)
14) Cambridge Center Farmers Market (Oct 14)
15) Blitz Chess Tournament at The Lounge at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Oct 14)
16) Farmers’ Market at Kendall Square (Oct 15)
17) Free Thursdays at the ICA (Oct 15)
18) 5th Annual Arlington International Film Festival (Oct 15)
________________________________
Detailed Listings
________________________________
1) HONK Festival of Activist Street Bands (Oct 9)
When: Friday, Oct 09, 2015 12:00p –
Sunday, Oct 11, 2015 6:00p
Where:
Various locations
Somerville
Somerville, MA 02144
Admission:
FREE
What: An awesome annual 3-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community and activism. Organized entirely by volunteers and now in its 10th year, the festival kicks off on Friday night with a lantern parade in Davis Square neighborhoods and a band showcase at Johnny D?s. On Saturday more than 25 bands take over Davis Square for a giant music and dance party. On Sunday, local community groups, artists, and activists working for a variety of progressive causes ? economic justice, protecting the environment, world peace, an end to racism ? join the brass bands to make a spectacular parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square along Mass Avenue. Other HONK! Fest activities include a Day of Action, when bands convene to play on behalf of a cause, and roundtable discussions for participating musicians and organizers of other HONK! festivals around the country to gather and share experiences. HO!
NK! in Somerville has inspired festivals near ? Providence, Brooklyn, Seattle, Austin, Detroit, and far ? Australia and Brazil. “
For more information visit http://honkfest.org
2) Punkin Fest (Oct 10)
When: Saturday, Oct 10, 2015 12:00p – 10:00p
Where:
The Lawn on D
420 D St
Boston, MA 02210
Admission: FREE
Bring the family to come pick a Punkin? from the D Street Punkin patch at The Lawn on D! Parents and kids can carve their own special jack-o-lantern and add it to The Lawn on D?s colossal illuminated Punkin? Sculpture that will glow eerily from the lawn. The sculpture will be one-part seasonal celebration, one-part community art project and all-parts fun! Punkins will come to life with high-tech interactive lighting that illuminates and responds to music in real time. Special jack-o-lanterns will be intricately carved and put on display by local artists. Families can also look forward to fun ghoulish activities including PUNKIN? BOWLING, face painting and more. Appropriately spooky & funky music will be provided.
For more information visit http://lawnond.com/calendar_events/punkin-fest/
3) Illuminus (Oct 10)
When: SAT, OCT 10th: 6:30pm ? 12:30am
Where: Lansdowne Street, Boston
Admission: Free
What: ILLUMINUS is a nighttime contemporary art event established in Boston?s SoWa Arts District in 2014 and taking place this year on Lansdowne Street. ILLUMINUS features installations and performances by artists who manipulate light, sound, and projection to create an immersive, multi-sensory spectacle. Locally-organized, ILLUMINUS is Boston?s contribution to the global ?nuit blanche? movement established in Paris and taking place in cities around the world. Last year, ILLUMINUS attracted a crowd of over 10,000.
For more information visit http://www.illuminusboston.org
4) Pirates on Wheels (Oct 11)
What: Pirates on Wheels
When: Sunday, October 11, 2015, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Where: Student Center Front Steps (W20)
Free minor bike repairs/tune-ups*
Bike pressure washing
Learn to change a flat tire station
Free food, games, music
Wallet-sized card $20 for PN2K
Bike helmets $15 for Planet Bike lights
* Please note that the free minor bike repair line might close up to an hour early so please try to arrive between 2-4 PM.
* courtesy of Bike Boom, who will also have (student-priced) tires, tubes, cables, brake pads, locks, and chain oil
For more information e-mail mghosh@mit.edu<mailto:mghosh@mit.edu>
** This event is sponsored by PN2K MIT **
5) Kids’ Art at The Lounge at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Oct 11)
When: Sunday, Oct 11, 2015 11:00a – 1:00p
Where:
The Lounge at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
South Market Street
Boston, MA 02109
Admission:
FREE
Kids and families are invited to stop by our Open Air Art Studio for a fun project. Trying something new each week! Drawing, stenciling, painting, crafts, origami, and more.
All materials provided, free to participate!
For more information visit http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/eventscalendar/42217
6) 37th Annual Harvard Square Oktoberfest (Oct 11)
When: Sunday, Oct 11, 2015 12:00p – 6:00p
Where:
Harvard Square
Harvard Square
Cambridge, MA 02138
Admission:
FREE
The Harvard Square Business Association is pleased to announce the return of the 37th Annual Oktoberfest and legendary HONK! Parade on Sunday, October 11th, 2015. Attended by over 200,000 people, Harvard Square?s Oktoberfest features food from all over the world, arts, crafts, vintage goods, free samples, sidewalk sales and one-of-a-kind gifts. In addition Harvard Square?s Oktoberfest boasts five beer gardens hosted by: Alden and Harlow, Charlie?s Kitchen, FiRE + iCE. Grafton Street and Night Market.
This annual celebration of fall features six stages of live music, including a Passim stage, a rock stage, and on the main stage, an all-HONK! Review! Dancing in the streets is encouraged!
The highlight of the festival is the HONK! Parade which arrives in the Square at approximately1pm. In its tenth year, the HONK! movement has become a global phenomenon. HONK! bands from around the country will march from Davis to Harvard. Spectators will be treated to a horn-tooting, hand-clapping, foot-stomping, mind-blowing spectacle and are welcomed to join the back of the parade and make their way to Oktoberfest!
Oktoberfest in Harvard Square was started 1978 by the late Frank Cardullo, a Square mover, shaker and owner of the renowned Wursthaus, which served up traditional German food from 1917 until it closed in 1996. The early festivals were in keeping with the old world customs. Over the years, however, the festival has taken on a most discerningly Cambridge vibe to become an Oktoberfest unlike any other.
For more information visit http://www.harvardsquare.com/37th-annual-oktoberfest-and-honk-parade-harvard-square
7) Boston Symphony Orchestra Fall Parks Concert Series (Oct 11)
When: Sunday, Oct 11, 2015 3:00p – 4:00p
Where:
Copley Square, Boston Symphony Chamber Brass
Boston
Boston, MA 02108
Admission:
FREE
Members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops visit five of Boston’s parks this fall for free performances, in partnership with Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
All performances are from 3pm to 4pm.
For more information visit http://www.bso.org/brands/bso/features/2015-16-bso-season/fall-parks-concert-series.aspx
8) Sing at MIT (Oct 11)
SING AT MIT!
Do you miss singing in High School or College?
Come sing with the MIT Grad Student Choir
Sunday evenings, 8:15-9:15pm
Edgerton House, Large Lounge
Music includes Classical selections, plus folk songs, spirituals, and much more!
Rehearsals begin Sunday, September 27th
For more information e-mail pmindell5@gmail.com<mailto:pmindell5@gmail.com>
** This event is sponsored by Edgerton **
9) Memorial Drive Recreation Sundays (Riverbend Park) (Oct 11)
When: Sunday, Oct 11, 2015 11:00a – 7:00p
Where:
Memorial Drive
Riverbend Park
Cambridge, MA
Admission:
FREE
What: Every Sunday from the last Sunday of April until the 2nd Sunday of November, Memorial Drive (Mem Drive to locals) is closed to traffic between Western Avenue and Mount Auburn Street, and open to recreation!
Bring your bike, inline skates, running shoes, strollers or walking feet to take advantage of the unique access to this normally busy road with views of the Charles each summer Sunday. Fun for all ages, families & visitors.
Hours:
Sundays 11:00 am – 7:00 pm from the last Sunday of April until the 2nd Sunday of November.
For more information visit http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/parks.aspx
10) Science and Cooking 2015 Lecture Series (Oct 12)
When:
Monday, Oct 12, 2015 7:00p – 8:00p
Where:
Harvard Science Center, Hall C
1 Oxford St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Admission: FREE
Members of the public will have the opportunity to learn about the scientific side of the culinary arts during the 2015 Science and Cooking public lecture series. The popular lecture series pairs Harvard professors with celebrated food experts and renowned chefs to showcase the science behind different culinary techniques.
Now in its sixth year, the series is organized by Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS).
The public lectures are based on the Harvard course ?Science and Cooking: From Haute Cuisine to the Science of Soft Matter,? but do not replicate course content.
All talks will take place in the Harvard Science Center (1 Oxford St., Cambridge, Mass., Hall C) and begin at 7 p.m., unless otherwise noted
Each presentation will begin with a 15-minute lecture by a faculty member from the Harvard course, which will discuss one of the scientific topics from that week?s class
Seating for all lectures is first come, first seated
Monday, Oct. 12
?Science and Emotions: Delicious or Disgusting??
Science Center Lecture Hall C, 7 p.m.
*Andoni Aduriz, (@mugaritz), Mugaritz
*Ramon Peris?, Mugaritz
For more information visit http://www.seas.harvard.edu/cooking or e-mailscience_cooking@seas.harvard.edu<mailto:science_cooking@seas.harvard.edu>
11) The Fenway Alliance Opening Our Doors 2015 (Oct 12)
When: Monday, Oct 12, 2015 10:00a – 6:00p
Where:
Various locations
Boston
Boston, MA 02215
Admission: FREE
I know it?s hard to believe but fall is around the corner. And with fall comes the largest FREE cultural event in the city- Opening Our Doors!
The Fenway Alliance is delighted to announce the 14th year of Opening Our Doors on Monday, October 12! Opening Our Doors is a day where the Fenway Cultural District opens its doors so the public can experience the gems of this uniquely culturally- and artistically-rich neighborhood for FREE on Monday, October 12.
Come join the 21 member institutions of the Alliance and enjoy theatre workshops with the Wheelock Family Theatre, Boston Children?s Theatre; indoor kite flying with Kite Education; art-making with SPARC! the Artmobile; Open Studios at Fenway Studios, walking tours of the Back Bay Fens; chimes and an organ performance at The First Church of Christ, Scientist; musical performances from the New England Conservatory; Zil Misik; and the Beatbus, a music workshop and performance venue on wheels. This day is also an opportunity to view exhibits you may have missed out on, with free admission to a few of Boston?s finest museums, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, MassArt?s Bakalar and Paine Galleries, Wheelock College Towne Art Gallery, and The Mary Baker Eddy Library Mapparium.
The Kick-Off celebration begins promptly at 10:00 AM on the Christian Science Plaza in Boston, located near the intersection of the Avenue of the Arts (Huntington Ave.) and the Avenue of Music (Mass. Ave.). Performances by the Boston Children?s Chorus and a Kids Parade led by the Hot Tamale Brass Band, as well as free cupcakes by Oakleaf Cakes will begin this day-long festival with activities for all age groups.
Keep checking our website for a schedule of events!
For more information visit http://fenwayculture.org/opening-our-doors-2015/
12) Fall Open House at the MFA (Oct 12)
When: Monday, Oct 12, 2015 10:00a – 4:45p
Where:
Museum of Fine Arts Boston
465 Huntington Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Admission: FREE
Free admission for all
Join us for the MFA?s annual free Fall Open House?and the Fenway Alliance?s 14th annual Opening Our Doors Day. This fall we celebrate both the 10th anniversary of the Heritage Fund for a Diverse Collection, and the arrival of our new Ann and Graham Gund Director, Matthew Teitelbaum. The program includes performance art by Sonya Clark as part of ?Crafted: Objects in Flux?; a curatorial lecture on the impact of globalism; and art-making activities and tours for families and adults.
For more information visit http://www.mfa.org/programs/special-event/fall-open-house
13) Guitarist/Singer-Songwriter Showcase (Oct 13)
When: Tuesday, Oct 13, 2015 8:00p – 8:00p
Where:
Berklee Performance Center
136 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Admission: $8 in advance / $12 day of show
Presented by Berklee’s Guitar Department, this showcase features some of Berklee’s finest guitarist/singer-songwriters, performing their original music in varied settings.
For more information visit http://https://www.berklee.edu/events/guitarist-singer-songwriter-showcase?ss=204996
14) Cambridge Center Farmers Market (Oct 14)
When:
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2015
11:00 A. M. to 6:00 P. M.
Kendall/MIT MBTA Station-Main Street
Market is open! Just harvested veggies, snacks, lunch, dessert, dog treats, cheese and MORE!
For more information visit http://https://www.facebook.com/pages/CambridgeKendall-Center-Farmers-Market/525258367584474
15) Blitz Chess Tournament at The Lounge at Faneuil Hall Marketplace (Oct 14)
When:
Wednesday, Oct 14, 2015 5:30p –
7:00p
Where:
The Lounge at Faneuil Hall Marketplace
South Market Street
Boston, MA 02109
Admission:
FREE
We’re bringing a little friendly competition to the chess area at The Lounge.
Sign up to compete in a series of “blitz” tournaments, and vie for bragging rights– and prizes provided by our Faneuil Hall Marketplace merchants!
Blitz chess is as fun to watch as it is to play, so stop by and see what it’s all about!
Wednesdays, 5:30pm – 7:00pm
Players must register online and check in by 5:15pm to secure their spot. Walk-ups will be considered on the day if we have no shows.
For more information visit http://https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blitz-chess-tournament-at-the-lounge-tickets-17819517657
16) Farmers’ Market at Kendall Square (Oct 15)
When:
Thursday, Oct 15, 2015 11:00a – 2:00p
Where:
Kendall Square South Plaza
350 Kendall Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
Admission:
FREE
Kendall Square?s annual summer Farmers? Market opens Thursday, June 4th running weekly through October. This season?s market is better than ever with an emphasis on fresh and local grab-and-go lunch options, in addition to baked goods, artisan crafts, coffee, tea, fresh juices, cold summer treats and flowering plants. This year, Kendall Square welcomes back some of its favorite vendors, while introducing a new group of local merchants bringing fresh and local treats to the neighborhood.
For the first time, in addition to local community organizations, well-known food authors will join the weekly market for book signings, recipe sharing and tastings.
The Kendall Square Farmers? Market is introducing new vendors Guru the Caterer, Abigails, Canteen + Co., Dads Treats, Sweet Art, Evy Tea, Mother Juice, Popcorn Reborn, New England Ice Lollies, The Kendall Flower Shop, Chica De Gallo, Scoopsies Ice Cream, Vintage Tea & Cakes, 7ate9 Bakery, Powerhouse Juice and Red Garden Pottery, while welcoming back local favorites Chicken and Rice Guys, Swiss Bakers and Fazenda Coffee Roasters.
For more information visit http://www.kendallsquare.org/shop/details/farmers-market
17) Free Thursdays at the ICA (Oct 15)
When: Thursday, Oct 15, 2015 5:00p – 9:00p
Where:
Institute of Contemporary Art
100 Northern Avenue
Boston, MA 02210
Admission:
FREE
Every Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., general admission to the Institute of Contemporary Art is free.
–
The Institute of Contemporary Art strives to share the pleasures of reflection, inspiration, provocation, and imagination that contemporary art offers through public access to art, artists, and the creative process.
For more information visit http://www.icaboston.org/visit/hours-and-admission/
18) 5th Annual Arlington International Film Festival (Oct 15)
When: Thursday, Oct 15, 2015 12:00a – Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 9:30p
Where:
Kendall Square Cinema
One Kendall Square, 355 Binney St, Cambridge
Cambridge, MA 02139
Admission:
$11
AIFF OPENING NIGHT: Homage to Science and Technology presented by NOVA
Q&A with filmmakers and featured scientists/researchers from our community
Kendall Square Cinema, Cambridge