5 things to do this weekend, including Blue Man Group's final shows and Boston Harborfest

Beginning Wednesday, Boston’s 43rd annual Harborfest kicks off the tradition of celebrating the city’s maritime and revolutionary history. There are hundreds of activities to choose from, including the opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing at 11:30 a.m. July 2 with a performance by the Middlesex County Fife & Drum Corps, historical reenactments and live music across the three days, and fireworks launched from a barge at Long Wharf. There will also be a waterfront concert and artisan market at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park (also on Wednesday). The festivities conclude on Independence Day with the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Hatch Memorial Shell. — Cristela Guerra

The Blue Man Group takes its final Boston bow on July 6, ending a 30-year residency in the city. The popular, impossible-to-define stage show is such a cultural juggernaut (and famous punch line on the satirical early-aughts sitcom “Arrested Development”) that it’s easy to forget its humble origins as a quirky piece of performance art in the East Village of the early 1990s. The show spawned residencies in multiple cities, three studio albums, countless TV appearances and a Grammy nomination. Today, Blue Man Group’s unusual combination of humor, pantomime, music and, of course, bald performers covered in blue paint, remains unique. Tickets are still available for the last few shows this weekend. — Amelia Mason

If you’ve never caught a Puppet Showplace Theater show before, you’re missing out on some serious magic. Music, colorful puppets and captivating storylines are staples of Puppet Showplace Theater productions geared toward children and adults. This summer, you have a chance to catch some of their offerings for free!

Every Saturday at noon, Puppet Showplace Theater will be at Emerson College’s Stage at UnCommon Corner at Boston Common (located at the corner of Boylston and Tremont streets). Each week, attendees can expect a new show, most of them for children between the ages of 3 and 10. On July 5, catch “Party Animals” by Sarah Nolen, resident artist at Puppet Showplace Theater. The production, which includes hand puppets and rock ‘n’ roll, follows five friends as they attempt to throw their first party. — Arielle Gray

After Fourth of July festivities, swing by the Summer Boston Celtic Music Festival this Sunday. The event is meant to “showcase the diversity of sounds and styles found in Boston’s Celtic music community.” The afternoon shows, previously scheduled to be held outdoors, have been moved inside Club Passim. The Clare Fraser Trio takes the stage at 2 p.m. followed by Forsyth at 3 p.m. Both of these shows are free. The evening performances kick off at 7 p.m. with the Adam Hendey Band, followed by Matt & Shannon Heaton, and Katie McNally & Neil Pearlman. Tickets for the evening portion of the fest are $28 and cover all three sets. — Cristela Guerra

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How do contemporary artists see themselves? How do they see others? Artists are able to immortalize themselves and the people important to them through a variety of mediums, including photography, paint and textiles. “Portraits from the ICA Collection” is an exhibition of almost 30 works that explores who gets to make portraits and what these portraits mean to the artists and viewers. Starting July 12, you can go on Saturday tours at 1 p.m. with an ICA graduate student lecturer to gain more insight into the collection. The tour doesn’t require pre-registration and is free with museum admission. — Arielle Gray