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Curated guides from The ARTery to make sense of the Boston area's vast cultural scene.

A crowd watching a performance during a previous First Night Boston. (Courtesy First Night Boston, Inc.)

Your guide to First Night Boston 2022 fireworks, festivities and fun

From circus performers to outdoor musical acts, with styles ranging from jazz to country to rap, the event’s dynamic schedule is bound to entertain and fill revelers with joy.

Arts & Culture

Dec 23, 2021

Hip-hop band STL GLD will perform at the 2021 ArtBeat Festival. (Courtesy the band and OnTrck Music)

Somerville's ArtBeat Festival 'Pops' Back In-Person This Year

After a virtual festival last year, the Somerville Arts Council has organized a one-day event in Davis Square around the theme of "pop" -- from pop art, to pop music,...

Local Coverage

Jul 7, 2021

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Quontay Turner watering plants at the Emerald City Plant Shop in Norwood. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

A Black-Owned Plant Shop Blooms In The Pandemic's Wake

Started on Instagram in 2020, the storefront for Emerald City Plant Shop opened at the beginning of May and hopes to serve as a place of learning and gathering.

Local Coverage

Jun 9, 2021

A pride flag hanging in front of Boston's First Baptist Church in support of gay marriage and civil rights. B Tal/Flickr

June 2021 Boston Pride Parade And Festival Postponed

Boston Pride and the City of Boston announced the postponement of the events, citing the pandemic, and said virtual events will be held instead.

Local Coverage

Feb 19, 2021

A woman reaches to touch a lighthouse ice sculpture, Friday, Dec. 31, 2019, in Boston. Ice sculptures make a return to the Boston Harborwalk for the 2020 First Night celebration. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

How To Celebrate First Night 2021 In Boston

Beloved Boston performers will share the stage with artists from throughout New England for showcases ranging from traditional Chinese drum pieces to hip-hop sendups.

Local Coverage

Dec 28, 2020

Clockwise from top left: Lemongrass pork dumplings from Mei Mei, a bottle of wine sold at Rebel Rebel, empanadas at Buenas, a collection of giftable items from Flour Bakery + Cafe and a smoked fish platter from Mamaleh's Delicatessen. (Courtesy)

From Aprons To Meal Kits, A Gift Guide For Boston Foodies

This year, more than any other, should be all about supporting local businesses and eating delicious homemade creations. Give gifts that will keep hearts and bellies full well into 2021.

Local Coverage

Dec 16, 2020

This Sept. 11, 2015 photo shows honey nut cookies in Concord, N.H. These cookies are from a recipe by Alison Ladman. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Drive-By Cookie Swaps And Virtual Secret Santa: Here Are 5 Ways To Make Merry While Apart

Now that December is here, we're grappling with the big, end of year holidays. Here are a few safe and fun ideas for coming together while being apart.

Local Coverage

Dec 16, 2020

Clockwise from top left: Scarf by Erica Imosi; body butter from Beauty N Simplicity; an art print by Cotton Candy Fro; earrings by Stonefruit Jewelry; jogger set by Villada Michelle. (Courtesy)

Local Artists Of Color To Shop This Holiday Season

From T-shirts to earrings to candles to art prints, here is a list of local artisans of color who have beautiful creations that anyone would be lucky to receive for...

Local Coverage

Dec 11, 2020

A tunnel of snowflake lights at the Marshfield Holiday Light Show. (Courtesy BOLD Media)

Five Festive Holiday Light Displays To Enjoy By Car Or On Foot

Whether you’re looking to stroll through the trees on foot or reimagine your car as a reindeer-led sleigh, we rounded up five area light shows that offer physically distanced season’s...

Local Coverage

Dec 8, 2020

Spectators watch from balconies along the route of the Gay Pride Parade, Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Boston. (Elise Amendola/AP)

Boston Pride Clashes With Boston Black Pride And Pride For The People Over Name

The organization sent a letter to the groups that alleges inappropriate use of the Boston Pride name.

Local Coverage

Oct 9, 2020

Vistiors to Salem stop and watch a man on stilts and wearing a Halloween costume walk past them on Charter Street. Signs are posted around Downtown Salem reminding everyone it is mandatory to wear a mask in public to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.(Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Thinking Of Visiting Salem This Halloween Season? Here's What The Witch City Needs You To Know

The city is making several changes in an effort to reduce crowd density this most unusual Halloween, from eliminating haunted houses and costume parades to enforcing social distancing.

Local Coverage

Oct 6, 2020

The MFA will screen the 1997 film "Selena" on September 17 for a live audience. (Courtesy Swank Motion Pictures)

The MFA Will Offer Free Movies, Outside, In September

The MFA will offer outdoor film screenings and two concerts, livestreamed from the museum's courtyard.

Local Coverage

Aug 21, 2020

Judith Kalaora in "I Now Pronounce You Judy Stone." (Courtesy History At Play)

5 Ways To Commemorate The Centennial Of The 19th Amendment's Ratification

Aug. 18, 2020, marks 100 years since the ratification of the 19th Amendment. Here’s a roundup of events that celebrates all that has been accomplished and acknowledges the work that...

Local Coverage

Aug 18, 2020

Tricia Procaccianti of Northboro picks a blueberry from a bush at Honey Pot Hill Orchard in Stow. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Beat The Pandemic Blues With Blueberries: A Guide On How And Where To Pick Safely

Like everything these days, picking your own fruit on a farm is different this year. So we compiled a brief guide to help potential pluckers navigate their adventures.

Local Coverage

Aug 14, 2020

A sketch of Starlight Square, which is being constructed on Lot 5 in Cambridge for safe, outdoor cultural events. (Courtesy Central Square BID)

Starlight Square Is The New Communal Space Coming To Cambridge

The open-air amphitheater is set to debut the first week of August.

Local Coverage

Jul 21, 2020

Visitors are required to wear face masks at the New England Aquarium, as it opens for the first time since March. Scuba masks remain optional. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

The New England Aquarium Reopens To The Public With New Safety Guidelines

After being closed for 18 weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New England Aquarium is finally reopening its doors to the public with new safety measures in place.

Local Coverage

Jul 16, 2020

Steven Spielberg, director of "Jaws," introduces the film on the opening night of the Tribeca Drive-In on July 2 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Walmart and the Tribeca Drive-In announced a partnership to create pop-up drive-ins at 160 Walmart locations starting in August. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

A Guide To New England Drive-Ins And Outdoor Movie Pop-Ups

Having trouble keeping track of this summer’s boom of drive-in entertainment? We’ve compiled a list of where to go to see movies, sports and concerts from the comfort of your...

Local Coverage

Jul 9, 2020

A batch of Andrea's pickled veggies.

Pop Culture Care Package: Finding — And Faking — Normalcy

From running to coffee to pickled veggies -- for this week’s pop culture care package, we’re bringing you the ways in which we’re finding a bit of normalcy -- or...

Local Coverage

Jul 6, 2020

Spectators watch from balconies along the route of the Gay Pride Parade, Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Boston. (Elise Amendola/AP)

LGBTQ+ Activists Clash With Boston Pride, Demand Board Resignation

Comprised of former Boston Pride committee leaders and volunteers, a newly formed organization called Boston Pride 4 The People lists a number of grievances with the board of Boston Pride,...

Local Coverage

Jul 1, 2020

Spectators watch from balconies along the route of the Gay Pride Parade, Saturday, June 8, 2019, in Boston. (Elise Amendola/AP)

Boston Pride Postpones Most Virtual Events

The organization released a statement announcing the postponement of many of their planned virtual events after receiving backlash on a post related to police brutality.

Local Coverage

Jun 8, 2020