Spring is in full swing and Boston is coming alive once again. From flower festivals to tea parties and everything in between, here are the top events, activities, and things to do in Boston this month.
1. Enjoy a performance of classical music under candlelight
Calm your mind and experience classical music in a whole new light with these sensational concerts located in historical Boston venues. Throughout May, the Candlelight Concert series will feature a wide variety of themed repertoires, including tributes to Fleetwood Mac (for you Daisy Jones & The Six fans)!
Find it at Old South Church on May 26
2. Live out your Eras at a Taylor Swift Candlelight Concert
Speaking of tributes, it seems the whole state is trying to snag tickets to the Eras Tour which will be at Gillette from May 19-21. If you are dealing with FOMO because you won’t be at the Eras Tour, fret not!
Candlelight Concerts is throwing a special Taylor Swift tribute of its own with hots old and new. This one is selling out just as fast as the original Eras Tour, so snag those tickets swiftly!
Find it at First Church in Cambridge on May 12
3. Takeoff on an otherworldly Space Adventure
Go on an awe-inspiring journey at Space Adventure: The Arrival of Man on the Moon! This must-see exhibition in Boston features over 300 original NASA items, an immersive room simulating a departure to the Moon, and more! Lose yourself to the gravitational pull of a space mission and learn everything about launch from an original Apollo Control room! Make sure to get tickets to this awesome Space Adventure before it departs from earth for good.
Find it at 121 Webster Ave Chelsea, MA 02150
4. Visit the massive Daffodil & Tulip festival in the Berkshires
Open now through mid-May, Naumkeag’s fifth annual Daffodil & Tulip Festival lets you wander through 8 acres of springtime flowers in full bloom. Decorated with over 75,000 daffodils and tulips, you’ll be able to tiptoe through the garden and the first floor of the house, which has a seasonal gift shop inside right now. Read more about it here.
5. Sail around the Boston Harbor for a day of sightseeing
Cruise aboard the beautiful Adirondack III, a 80-foot pilot schooner of the 1890s on this 90-120 ride through the beautiful Boston Harbor. You’ll sail past Seaport, Castle Island, Fort Independence, Spectacle Island, and Long Island Head Light. The knowledgeable captain and crew will show you Boston like you’ve never seen it before on this family-friendly ride filled with history and beauty!
Meet your captain at the Classic Harbor Line Boston behind the Boston Harbor Hotel
6. Celebrate mom with a festive brunch
May 14 is Mother’s Day! Take mom out for a classic Mother’s Day brunch at one of these locations throwing specials celebrating all the moms:
- Artisan Bistro at The Ritz-Carlton prixe fixe brunch with Asparagus and Goat Cheese Frittata, Chef Chris’ Decadent Dessert Table, and, St. Albans Baked Brie
7…or take mom for a spin in a private helicopter
Helicopter Tour Boston is an awesome treat to show mom just how much she means to you! The private rides fit two passengers, and have a photographer on board, so you and mom can capture the memories while staying present in the moment! You can fly over the city, take a sunset ride, a night tour, or for the Cape fans check out the sea from above!
Find it at 125 Access Rd, Norwood MA
Norwood Memorial Airport
8…and treat her to a proprietary laser facial in Back Bay
If your mom is a self-care junkie or tech fanatic, she’ll love the proprietary laser facials at Skin Laundry. Bridging the gap between consumers and professional-grade medical lasers, Skin Laundry offers quick 15-minute facials that pause the clock and give an instant glow. Treat her to one facial or enroll her in “Laundry Club” for some regular pampering.
Find it at 128 Newbury Street, Unit B
9. Go on a self-guided foodie adventure with clues and mystery picnics
Enjoy the lovely springtime weather and go on an adventurous culinary experience! This mystery picnic date includes solving puzzles and riddles sent to your smartphone to figure out the location of your stunning secret picnic spot. You can go on this 3-hour picnic extravaganza celebrating your mother or with a group of friends—it’s up to you!
10. Take an educational and delicious pizza tour in the North End
Whether you’re looking to entertain out-of-towners or want to learn some pizza history yourself, you can enjoy a pizza-powered guided tour around Boston’s historical North End. On the tour, you’ll visit five history-laden Freedom Trail sites and snack on pizza as you go along. Get your tickets to the experience here.
11. Work out in Seaport at Boston’s largest free outdoor workout series
Looking to get in shape this summer? We have the perfect activities for you! Seaport is bringing back their free outdoor workout series, Seaport Sweat, from May 1 through September 30 this year. Back for its eighth season, the community-driven series offers nearly 200 fitness classes.
12. Sun and slurp on Boston’s only floating oyster bar
On a sunny day, have an adventure in East Boston. The 245-foot floating “Tall Ship” is one of the best places in the city for a waterfront meal and making new friends.
13. Watch athletes make waves at North America’s only ‘Sailing’s Toughest Race’ tour stop
The Ocean Race is an epic test of sailing skill, tactical decisions, navigation, boat handling, and extreme mental and physical challenges. It will sail through Newport, Rhode Island this May.
Before reaching the shores of the U.S. in May, the sailors will have to conquer 28,650 nautical miles (approximately 89% of the route) of open ocean racing between Alicante, Spain to Cabo Verde, Cape Town, and through the icy depths of the ferocious Southern Ocean up to Brazil. The boats are expected to arrive in Newport, Rhode Island from Itajai, Brazil, on or close to May 10, 2023, and their trans-Atlantic race leg to Aarhus, Denmark departs on May 21.
Open to the public, “Ocean Live Park” will open May 13-21 at Fort Adams State Park and includes activities for all ages allowing visitors to see the race boats up close at the dock, learn about the global race, and even try their hand at sailing. Additional event experiences include sailing inspired film screenings, concerts and culinary entertainment.
14. Explore Boston’s brand-new 21-stop innovation trail
Candy factories. The instant camera. Getting Apollo spacecraft to the moon. The first surgery under anesthesia. The Innovation Trail shows a myriad of discoveries and advancements from a diverse group of men and women, how gaining our independence as a nation after the Revolution was just the beginning. What happened in Boston after America became an independent nation is equally as astounding and this 21-stop trail from Downtown to Cambridge shows it all.
15. Check out the 70-foot ‘Song of the Whale’ research vessel docked at Fan Pier
Commissioned by IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) in 2002, the Song of the Whale—a 70-foot research sailing vessel—is currently on an expedition to follow the migration of the North Atlantic right whale and conduct research and monitoring on this critically endangered species from their calving grounds in the Southeast US to the Gulf of Maine. Landing in Boston on the tour, Song of the Whale will dock at Fan Pier Marina for free tours, and IFAW experts and scientists will be available for questions and sharing information about how and where to reduce the life-threatening risks whales face every day.
Find it May 5 and 6 at Fan Pier starting at 10 AM
16. Awe at the inspiring performance of Nehanda: a powerful portrait of anti-colonial resistance
Once described Nehanda as “a Zimbabwean Joan of Arc,”nora chipaumire shares an inspiring and illuminating story on the Shona People of Zimbabwe and central Mozambique. Using the 1896 case “Regina v NIANDA” to inform the libretto, this new concert experience features elements of opera and instruments that wholly subvert the form—think: turntables, Ngoma drums, and samples of field recordings. With the electric charge of a political rally and the power of a ritual, Nehanda weaves together a powerful portrait of anti-colonial resistance at this 5-night performance taking the stage via ArtsEmerson.
Find it May 17-21 Emerson Paramount Center, Robert J. Orchard Stage
559 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111
17. Play outdoor pickleball at this rooftop in Kendall Square
The newly installed pickleball courts at Kendall Square’s rooftop urban oasis are a must this spring and summer! The space also doubles as a volleyball court and boasts plenty of green space for free yoga classes, outdoor cookouts, and even dance classes!
18. Enjoy a Star-Wars themed meal from Clover Food Lab
Back by popular demand, Clover Food Lab is re-releasing their May the Fourth Meal Box in honor of the iconic Star Wars holiday. The box is packed full of meals inspired by George Lucas’ timeless creations, such as Baby Yoda pancakes, blue milk, “Bantha” meat gyros, and pita pizza planets. The box is the perfect accompaniment for an all-day Star Wars marathon or May the Fourth party.
May the Fourth Meal Boxes are available in small (feeds 2-3) and large (feeds 4-5) sizes. Boxes can be ordered now through Monday, May 1, 2023, or until sell-out for pick-up or delivery on Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
19. Attend Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum
Harvard’s beloved Arnold Arboretum has a beautiful selection of trees year-round, but it’s most popular in early May when the lilacs bloom near the path on Bussey Hill. Their annual Lilac Sunday always falls on Mother’s Day (which is May 14 this year), and it’s a gorgeous display of springtime blooms.
20. Explore the hidden gardens of Beacon Hill
Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood hosts a tour once a year of the houses’ gardens, and the Hidden Gardens tour is set to return this year on May 18. Whether rain or shine, you’ll have access to see the fabulous private gardens of the Beacon Hill Garden Club, and they’re certainly a sight to behold. Get your tickets and more information about the event at their website.
21. Gallup through fields of Lavender in Holden
To celebrate one of the prettiest times of the year, The Farm at Summitwynds blooms into a Lavendar Haze, with over 4,000 lavender plants in the ground. Walk through fields of lavender all through the summer, try lavender honey, check out the show horses, and snap photos at the retro lilac photo booth.
22. Catch a new movie on the big screen
We can’t wait to see the newest movie releases on a screen larger than our laptops! This spring, there are plenty of anticipated films, like The Little Mermaid and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Get your tickets to the hottest films in Boston here with an exclusive discount.
23. Visit a magical rose garden
The Kelleher Rose Garden recently reopened for the season, and it will only get more beautiful as the season progresses! The garden contains more than ten classes and 200 varieties of roses. In total, the garden has almost 1,500 plants! It’s completely free to visit and it’s open to the public from 7am to 5pm daily, now through October.
24. Try out a new restaurant
New spots have been popping up left and right in the city this spring! For your next night out in May, try something new and venture out of your comfort zone by checking out a new business. Our favorite new spots open this spring are:
- Hecate, a Greek-goddess-inspired, magical underground bar.
- Miznon, a world-famous Israeli street food spot in Seaport
- La Royal, an adventurous Peruvian restaurant in Cambridge
25. Dine out at a rooftop restaurant
It’s officially rooftop season in Boston again. From Lookout’s stunning views of the Seaport to Felipe’s Taquería’s cozy rooftop with twinkling lights and scrumptious tacos, these awesome Boston rooftops have it all! Enjoy the warmer weather and check out our favorite rooftops in the city.
26. Kickoff summer with a trip to one of these local beach towns
Two Massachusetts beach towns were named among the “best small coastal towns in America.” Take a trip for Memorial Day or plan a few throughout the month!
27. Toast with oolong and scones at the Public Library’s secret tearoom
Whether for Mother’s Day or just a treat, the Boston Public Library Tea is a quintessential experience. The elegantly refined tea towers with yummy treats and fragrant sips.
28. Cheer on the Sox at Fenway Park
It’s Sox season and if you’re out of things to do, a Red Sox game never fails! After, grab dinner and make sure to check out this late-night donut spot in Fenway serving up fried deliciousness until 2 AM.
29. Take a round-trip train to Portland, Maine for only $20
Now through May 7 Bostonians can take the Downeaster to Portland for just $20 round-trip. The first hour of the transit will be by train and the second hour by bus due to construction, but hey-with a fare that low, who’s complaining? Treat yourself to one of the best lobster rolls in the world while you’re there!
30. Hang around a private treehouse in Vermont
Winvian Farm offers a lovely hideaway just under 3-hours from the city. You can have your very own treehouse and live in it too! Check out our full list of abstract retreats in and around the city for the perfect Memorial Day Weekend.
31. Support the Bakes for Breast Cancer movement
Bakes for Breast Cancer Massachusetts returns for its twenty-fourth year from Friday, May 12 through Thursday May 18, helping to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer research. “We are on a mission to end breast cancer for good, one sweet treat at a time,” said Bakes for Breast Cancer Founder Carol Sneider. “The Massachusetts culinary scene is thriving, and in addition to our trusted partners that have participated year after year, we had more new venues reach out to us than in years past. Here’s to what
Participating Boston restaurants include Tuscan Kitchen Seaport, Beehive, Banks Fish House, Tatte, TAMO Bistro + Bar, Stillwater, South End Buttery, Sorellina, Rowes Wharf Sea Grille, Roche Brothers DTX Boston, Parish Café, Ostra, Ned Devine’s, Nebo, Mistral, Metropolis, Lucie Drink & Dine, Lolita, Kane’s Donuts, Grill 23 & Bar, Fuji at Ink Block, Formaggio Kitchen South, Figs, El Pelon, Davio’s Cosmica, Coquette, Cocorico Boulangerie, Coco Leaf, Black Lamb, Bistro du Midi, Bar Mezzana, Aquitaine and Mooo. Find the full list of Massachusetts participants online.
32. Commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party
New Bedford’s Whaling Museum will host a historic reenactment, and tea-fueled reception at the on May 18 — commemorating the 250th Anniversary of the Boston Tea Party appropriately deemed The Dartmouth & The Destruction of the Tea. The audience will participate in a dramatic Meeting of the Body of the People then follow the fife and drum players to the Bourne Building gallery to reenact the Destruction of the Tea onboard the Lagoda.