Here’s How to Maximize Your Weekends in Boston This Month
Fun things to do in Boston this weekend and every weekend of August.
Unrelenting temps have made Boston feel like a skyscraper swamp where everything (including seats on the T) feels a bit spongy. If you’ve been daydreaming of childhood summers when you’d escape the heat by running away to summer camp, we’re here to validate those feelings—and also offer the adult equivalent.
August weekends in the city are definitely giving major camp vibes. Along with rooftop bars, beaches near Boston, activities for when it’s hot AF outside, and everything to do in Somerville, there’s also all-you-can-eat paella, new pickleball courts, and a blast from the past adult book fair.
We’ll update this monthly so be sure to check back regularly. Here’s everything fun to do on the weekends in Boston this August.
Sports in Boston
Puttshack Mini Golf
Every Weekend
Seaport District, $18
Playing mini golf at Puttshack is like being immersed in a pinball machine, except, instead of little pinball flippers, it’s your golf club whirling the ball through the disco-lit chutes and ramps. The ball is electronically imprinted with your profile to track scoring, so you can focus on the task at hand—drinking and achieving putt-putt glory. The Beer Pong challenge is basically mini golf Skee-Ball, and if you can manage to get your ball in the Freshman cup, it’ll whiz through the Supertube, almost always leading to a hole-in-one. The full menu features everything from Chorizo and Cheese Empanadas to their signature Boston Tailpipes—lobster mac and cheese stuffed spring rolls.
ASICS Summer Hydration Tour
August 19, 10 am
Back Bay, Free
To stay hydrated this summer, the folks at Marathon Sports and ASICS have teamed up on the Summer Hydration Tour. Stop by Marathon Sports on Boylston for a group run, free water bottle, tee, and a chance to test out the newest innovation within running sneakers. Featherstone Nutrition and Believe in the Run, hosts of these nationwide events, will be on hand to chat about staving off thirst and hand out some hydration-related swag.
Pride Sports Drag Race
August 26, 7 pm
Back Bay, $25 standing-room, $45 VIP
Pride Sports USA is open to everyone—the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike. Boston’s chapter offers ongoing kickball, sand volleyball, pickleball, and more programs throughout the year. But on August 26, sports gloves are traded for elegant, elbow-length satin gloves for the annual Pride Sports Drag Race. You must be a league member to compete, but everyone is welcome to join the fun in the audience. Contestants compete for the crown in categories including runway looks, talent, and creativity. Buy tickets and arrive at Club Café— known for its live cabaret—by 7 pm, and pre-vibe with drinks like White Peach Mango Sangria.
Pickleball Social Club
Every Weekend
Seaport District, Cost varies
Thanks to Harpoon’s Pickleball Social Club launched in partnership with Hub Sports Boston, Boston now has a major destination for pickleball leagues. From newbies to DUPR-rated athletes, there’s a league for everyone. The venue also offers court rentals, classes, and private lessons. Then, in a legit overachiever power move, they didn’t stop at just pickleball but went all in with leagues for Shuffleboard and Cornhole; and you can arrange for an Urban Field Day featuring Pickleball, Cornhole, Shuffleboard, and Giant Jenga. Libations include over ten Harpoon Brewery draft and can options, tasty bites from Harpoon Kitchen, and frozen Pickle Pops treats from WildPops.
Arts & Culture in Boston
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum: Saturday Open Studio
Every Weekend, 1 pm
Fenway, Starting at $13
Hanging on the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum walls, you’ll find some empty frames, and it’s not some esoteric art installation. Those frames are waiting for the art to (hopefully) be returned someday. Thieves stole 13 works of art in 1990, the most significant property theft on record. The Gardner is one of Boston’s most beloved museums, and you can visit any time you like, but—if you’re looking for a creative outlet—try your hand at artistic projects at their weekly Saturday Open Studio. You can dabble in sketching, sculpture, and even printmaking.
Grown Up Book Fair
August 6, 12 pm
Seaport District, Free Admission
The fine folks at Scholastic are still out there in the world getting kids all sorts of fired up about book fairs. Unfortunately, it would be wildly inappropriate to show up to said book fair, beer in hand. But there’s still hope for us bibliophiles; Trillium Brewing and Porter Square Books are teaming up to host a grown-up book fair. Yup, you read that correctly—books and beer. The organizers have a few tricks up their sleeves, so you can expect winks to that OG book fair life—like itty bitty trinkets, inspiration to help you create an epic book buying wishlist, and, of course, beer.
Night Sky Camping
August 12, 10 am
Harbor Islands, $30
If you’re looking to rejuvenate yourself in the Great Outdoors but don’t have time for a vacation, just pop over to Peddocks Island. The Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park hosts guests on night-sky camping trips. You’ll learn how to use a telescope to see the constellations and moon up close and, of course, scan the sky for the aliens that Congress is abuzz about. Plan ahead for this trip, and pack your tent, food, camping stove kit, and trash bag. There’s a no-alcohol rule, but bring your favorite zero-proof elixirs and adventurous spirit. Your ticket includes the ferry ride, a camping site, and Ranger-led night sky programs.
Mass Audubon at Boston Nature Centers
Every Saturday
Mattapan, Cost varies
Birds, bees, and beach combing. It’s summah in Boston, no doubt, and Mass Audubon has an experiences roundup that’ll inspire you to hop off that rooftop pool float. Each Saturday in August, through the Boston Nature Center, get in on outdoor workshops ranging from Backyard Birding, Beekeeping, or a hands-on fruit-inspired poetry sesh. Save the date for a guided beach combing class on August 26, where experts will share some insight on driftwood, shells, and the various beach rocks you find along the three-mile stretch of Carson Beach and the surrounding sandy areas. Bring a small net bag—a citrus bag from the store will do—which will allow you to save your beachy treasure yet leave the pesky sand behind.
Music in Boston
’90s Karaoke
Every Weekend
Financial District, Free
Now’s your time to shine as bright as your mirrored-mod sunglasses and dive deep into the ‘90s songbook at Lily’s Bar. Between sets of Aqua’s Barbie Girl, take advantage of Lily’s all-star menu, featuring their signature pizzas, made from dough fermented for a full 24 hours, and toppings like Artisan Smoked Pepperoni and their must-try Cheeseburger Pizza with Wagyu beef, cheddar, and American cheese, and diced pickles.
Sam Smith: Gloria The Tour
August 5, 8 pm
West End, Tickets starting at $35
If the summer's not hot enough for you, add an Sam Smith’s Gloria The Tour extravaganza when it comes through town. Definitely leave plenty of time for fit planning, and bust out your leather, feathers, and most extroverted looks. The day of, don't forget to warm up your vocal cords for his earlier classics like Stay With Me. He's performing just one show at TD Garden, so grabbing tickets early is best.
ZaZ Fest
August 18–20, 12 pm
Seaport District, Cost varies
Join the local Afro-Caribbean community for a three-day celebration of its music, culture, and food. Day one includes a panel discussion on the importance—and impact of—fashion on everything from music, tech, and sports followed by a mixer with music and light bites. The highlight event is Saturday’s Afro beats, soca, and reggae-centric concert that includes genres from the Caribbean, Africa, and beyond. Close the weekend with a legendary collaboration with Berklee College of Music for The Living Art Boston Fashion Show, which brings together a kaleidoscope of rich art, fashion, creativity, music, and culture.
ICON Nightclub
Every Weekend
Theater District, $25 advance purchase
Speaking of drama, ICON Nightclub is serving it up in excess with chandeliers, blasts of confetti, party fog, and bottle service presented with next-level flare. La Formula Fridays is a Latin vibe, and Saturdays is a wild card but usually features plenty of house and hip-hop beats. Saturday, August 19, brings DJ Snax to the mixer, delivering his usual blend of genre-blending beats mixed with his mantra that all music is everyone’s music. You might get a little Led Zeppelin from the ‘70s sliced and diced with SZA, funk, or some far-flung jam you’ve never heard before, and you’ll leave at 2 am a cooler version of yourself as a result. Doors open at 10pm but get on the list early and be sure to check out the dress code.
Drinking in Boston
Paella & Pitchers
Every Saturday, 6 pm
Seaport District, Starting at $40
Paella is an often-overlooked comfort food, and Para Maria’s patio vibe is just the scene to help the dish ascend to its rightful place. Enjoy slow-cooked bomba rice, seafood, and summer peas with the aroma of the saffron wafting through the air as chefs cook on the patio. A price of $40 gets you all-you-can-eat paella and non-alcoholic beverages, and you can buy discounted pitchers of margaritas or their signature sangria. Choose from Red, White, or Solerno Blood Orange.
Dog Days of Summer: Pup Chug Competition
August 12, 12 pm
Everett, $5 Admission
Night Shift Brewing is taking the dog days of summer to a whole new slurpy level with its partnership with Red Dog Pet and Resort Spa. The event is everything you’re hoping for: a drinking contest for dogs. Based on their weight class, dogs compete in chug-a-thons, with canines over 30 lbs kicking it off at 3 pm. The chug-fest rules are simple. The first pup to finish their non-alcoholic doggie piña colada first wins. Ultimately, everyone's a winner because there's doggie pools, JB Doggie Delights serving up frozen pupsicle treats, and for us humans, a hotdog eating contest andFar Out Ice Cream’s New Zealand-style sweet delights.
Sunday Wine Garden
Every Sunday
Cambridge, Free
Each Sunday through during Harvard Square’s Open Market, Bonde Fine Wine Shop transforms the front of their shop into a wine garden with a different weekly theme. On August 6, East Coast wines are in the spotlight; August 13 is “On the Trail of Sasquatch: Oregon Wine;” the 20th ushers in some Washington-based sips; and the last Sunday of August is a celebration of New Mexico’s best. The folks at Bonde are passionate about eco-responsible, natural, biodynamic, and altogether brilliant wines, and they adore sharing the vino know-how with visitors.
Whiskies of the World
August 26, 6:45 pm
Downtown, $125 General Admission, $175 VIP
They had us at “Free-flowing global whiskey.” The price of admission for this 200+ tasting includes high-end single malts, bodacious bourbons, scotch, the big names, and emerging small craft distilleries alike. Grab a dram and chat up the experts about the history of their spirits, lingering long enough to analyze the aromas and complexity. Admission includes access to all the featured whiskies, gourmet bites, and a souvenir glass. For an additional $10, partake in a 30-minute masterclass.