The warm spring weather has finally arrived, so it’s time to get out and enjoy all that the city has to offer. Luckily, there are plenty of awesome things to do in Boston this weekend. From beer and film festivals to comedy and music shows, here are our top event picks.
Things to do in Boston this weekend
ARTS & CULTURE
Art in Bloom
Celebrate the start of the spring season with the Museum of Fine Arts. The annual Art in Bloom flower and fine arts festival kicks off on Friday night with a special preview of the newly installed floral arrangements. This weekend’s festivities will also include special tours, floral arranging demonstrations, Ikebana demonstrations and more.
April 27-30, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston, mfa.org
Japan Festival Boston
The annual celebration of Japanese culture returns for two days of fun this weekend. Head to Boston Common on Saturday afternoon to enjoy ramen and other styles of Japanese cuisine during the pre-day food festival. Make sure to come back on Sunday to enjoy even more food offerings, plus workshops, stage performances, a cosplay contest, raffles as well as a special children’s corner.
April 28-29, Boston Common, 139 Tremont St., Boston, japanfestivalboston.org
COMEDY
Anthony Jeselnik
The Pittsburgh native became a viral sensation with his 2015 special where he riffed on the phrase “thoughts and prayers.” See Jeselnik bring the laughs to Boston when his “Funny Games” tour takes over The Wilbur on Thursday night.
April 26, 10 p.m., The Wilbur, 246 Tremont St., Boston, $32, thewilbur.com
FAMILY
The Mega Awesome Super Huge Wicked Fun Podcast Playdate
Adults aren’t the only ones who love to listen to podcasts. WBUR is bringing the first ever children’s podcast festival to the Coolidge Corner Theatre this weekend, featuring “kidcasts” like “Circle Round,” “Story Pirates,” “Eleanor Amplified,” Brains On!, “But Why” and “Wow in the World.” Each performance will be recorded live for upcoming podcast episodes and the festivities will coincide with national screen-free week.
April 28-29, Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline, $10-$20, coolidge.org
FOOD & DRINKS
2018 Oyster Invitational
Get ready for the 10th anniversary of this spectacular bivalve block party. The festivities will feature some of the city’s best chefs and shuckers who’ll create street food-style dishes using their oysters. Guests will get the chance to vote on which oyster meal reigns supreme. The event will also include wine and beer bars, a cocktail station, dancing, demonstrations and even a shucking competition.
April 29, B&G Oysters, 550 Tremont St., Boston, $97.85+, bidr.co/events/74351
Power Beer Fest
Sip on beer from more than 60 local breweries when the Mass Brewers Guild’s Power Beer Fest takes over the SoWa Power Station for the second year on Saturday. More than 2,000 fans are expected to attend this year’s festivities, which will feature offerings from Aeronaut Brewing Co., Night Shift Brewing, Slumbrew and dozens more.
April 28, SoWa Power Station, 540 Harrison Ave., Boston, $25-$55, massbrewbros.com
Taste of Dorchester
Enjoy some of the best food Dorchester has to offer when this annual food fest returns this weekend. Now in its 10th year, the event will include tasty bites from 25 local restaurants, including Ashmont Grill, McKenna’s Café, Tavolo Ristorante and Zia Gianna Italian Bakery & Caffè.
April 26, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., Local 103 IBEW, 256 Freeport St., $40, mahahome.org/tasteofdorchester
MISC.
“Game of Thrones: The Virtual Final Season”
As part of a special class, Boston University students have penned their own episodes for the final season of “Game of Thrones.” Staged readings of their work will take place over the weekend and will also be streamed online. HBO is even sending over an Iron Throne to the event so fans can take selfies.
April 28-29, Boston University, 700 Beacon St., Boston, free, virtualfinalseason.com/GoT
MOVIES
Independent Film Festival Boston
The annual celebration of indie films continues this weekend with a slew of special screenings. Highlights from this year’s fest include the Ethan Hawke-starring drama “First Reformed,” the documentary “Generation Wealth” by Boston director Lauren Greenfield and “Blindspotting,” which stars “Hamilton” actor Daveed Diggs, who’ll be in attendance at Sunday’s screening.
Through May 2, various locations, iffboston.org
“Westworld”
See the film that inspired the hit HBO series. The Coolidge Corner Theatre is hosting a special “After Midnite” screening of the original “Westworld” film, directed by Michael Crichton and starring Richard Benjamin and James Brolin.
April 27, 11:59 p.m., Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline, $12.75, coolidge.org
MUSIC
Brett Eldredge
The country crooner is shipping up to the Hub this weekend. Devin Dawson and Jillian Jacqueline will join Eldredge when he takes over the Orpheum Theatre on Friday night.
April 27, Orpheum Theatre, 1 Hamilton Pl., Boston, $29.50-$59.50, crossroadspresents.com
Buddy Guy
Blues icon and seven time Grammy Award winner Buddy Guy has influenced generations of artists over the years. See the living legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member jam out at The Cabot on Thursday night.
April 26, The Cabot, 286 Cabot St., Beverly, $68.50-$102.50, thecabot.org
