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Field Guide to Boston
5 things to do this weekend, including a fall crawl and a Latin music and dance festival
Editor's note: The Fall Crawl at Boston Landing was postponed after this article published.
Boston should live in a perpetual state of fall. The leaves on the trees lining the walkway in Boston Common turn a perfect burnt orange, local coffee shops sell delectable pumpkin spice lattes and a cool breeze erases upsetting memories of sticky humidity and unbearably hot afternoons. Local suburbs seemingly turn into sets from comforting coming-of-age films, and as the school year gets into full swing, the air feels full of possibilities. It’s important to mention that I’m from Colorado where seasons aren’t so cut and dry, so I am definitely biased in my love of a New England fall. (I’m not above leaning into the seasonal lifestyle a little early and sipping apple cider at the end of August.)
There are plenty of autumnal activities to engage in for other fall fans like myself, including Boston Landing’s Fall Crawl for all ages. If you’re still in denial about the end of summer, there are also events reminiscent of July and August’s vast lineup of music fests, like the East Boston Latin Music and Dance Festival. Check out those weekend happenings, and more, below. And if you need more suggestions, check out our fall arts guides here.
East Boston Latin Music & Dance Festival
Saturday, Sept. 21
Get on your feet and move at the East Boston Latin Music and Dance Festival. The third annual event hits East Boston Memorial Park on Saturday with free performances by local artists and dance groups, encouraging families to dance and celebrate. Some of the performers include dance group Salsa y Control and Puerto Rican singer and composer Jesus Pagan with his band. Young musicians from ZUMIX, one of the event organizers, will also hit the stage. Local restaurants, including La Hacienda and Con Sabor a Colombia, will serve food and drinks during the day. State Sen. Lydia Edwards, Veronica Robles Cultural Center, East Boston Main Streets and the City of Boston are also organizing the event.
Boston Landing's Fall Crawl
Postponed
“The crawl is for all!” A motto coined by fictional character Nick Miller in an episode of “New Girl” where he leads down-on-their-luck strangers on a bar crawl through Los Angeles. In this case, the crawl truly is for all. Boston Landing’s Fall Crawl will have everything from craft beers to kids' activities at Athlete’s Park at Boston Landing on Saturday. The first 150 guests will receive a free slice of pizza from American Flatbread, in addition to other free giveaways for early attendees. There will be additional food for purchase from American Flatbread, Crumbl Cookies, Kohi Coffee Company and Railstop Restaurant. Aside from delectable bites, there will also be live music from a Taylor Swift-inspired DJ and the Blackstone Valley String Quartet. Kids can line up for free face painting or purchase henna and hair tinsel. At 10 a.m., attendees can take a yoga class at American Flatbread. Tickets for this event are $8. Guests can RSVP for the crawl for free at Boston Landing’s Eventbrite page.

'Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse' Live in Concert
Saturday, Sept. 21
If Shameik Moore’s Miles Morales and Jake Johnson’s Peter B. Parker captivated your heart in theaters, you may want to check out the upcoming screening of the animated “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” with an accompanying live concert at Emerson Colonial Theatre on Saturday. An orchestra, a scratch DJ, percussionists and electronic instrumentalists will play Daniel Pemberton’s score as well as the soundtrack featuring music by Jaden Smith, Lil Wayne, Post Malone and more. Performances will take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. with ticket prices ranging from $45 to $105.
Community Day at the Boston Athenaeum
Saturday, Sept. 21
Have you wondered what treasures lay inside the Boston Athenaeum? While the book bound in human skin is still off view, visitors can wander the five floors of the library, museum and cultural center for free. The Athenaeum will display some of its rare books and special collections for the event. There will also be a bookmaking activity and live music by local musicians International Strings and Joe Sabourin. Kids and parents can stop by the children’s section for story times. Every visitor will be automatically entered to win an Athenaeum membership. Registration is not required.
Cambridge Science Festival
Monday, Sept. 23-Sunday, Sept. 29
While this one technically doesn’t kick off this weekend, it’s too exciting not to include. The MIT Museum is kicking off Cambridge Science Festival on Monday with over 275 free events and activities spanning seven days. Throughout the week, the museum will also be free to visit. Some of the events include a discussion over how AI could obstruct democracy on Tuesday, Sept. 24, and a “Discovery After Dark” party at the Broad Institute on Wednesday, Sept. 25. All events will highlight “the newest ideas and innovations in science, art, technology, engineering, design, and more, that spark conversations about the role of science and innovation in our society and for all humankind.”
This article was originally published on September 19, 2024.

