A Tuesday evening Zumba class at Boston's Hatch Memorial Shell. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

Boston on a budget: Free, fun things you can do this summer in the city

Here's a guide to the free museum days, fitness classes and music festivals happening around Boston this summer.

5 freshwater swimming spots around Boston you can get to on the MBTA

Looking for someplace to take a quick dip, but don't want to drive out to the ocean? Here are five freshwater swimming spots you can visit this summer in Greater...

7 Juneteenth events happening around Boston this week

Boston will be bustling this weekend and on Wednesday with events honoring Juneteenth, from Franklin Park to the Museum of Fine Arts to WBUR's CitySpace.

Want to spot fireflies this summer in Massachusetts? Here’s when and where to find them

Hoping to spot fireflies this summer? You don’t have to travel far to see them. Here are some tips on the best spots and times to find fireflies in Massachusetts.

6 ways to celebrate Pride in Boston this June

Throughout the month, there will be all sorts of ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride in the Boston area, from dance parties and boozy brunches to concerts and historical tours.

A 'Postmortem' postmortem: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of WBUR's latest podcast

WBUR reporter Ally Jarmanning, the host of the "Postmortem" podcast, gave us a behind-the-scenes look at what it was like producing the five-part series on human remains — and the...

Boston's Ruthzee Louijeune on Haitian pride, from flag to food

May 18 is Haitian Flag Day. To mark the occasion, WBUR spoke with Boston City Council President Ruthzee Louijeune — the city's first Haitian-American elected official — for a quick...

Boston's open-air market season has arrived. Here are 3 you can't miss

This weekend marks the seasonal debut of some of Boston’s best open-air artisan markets and free local festivals, from Seaport to SoWa to Back Bay.

The best Boston-area shops to find unique gifts for your mom, dad or new grad

Looking for a present for Mother's Day, Father's Day or an upcoming wedding or graduation? These eclectic Boston-area shops will make your search easier — and maybe more enjoyable, too.

Waltham’s Sheepshearing Festival returns Saturday. Here’s what to know before you go

The annual Sheepshearing Festival returns to Waltham's Gore Place this Saturday. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can come watch sheep be shorn, check out handmade crafts and learn...

From yoga to fine dining, these Mass. cannabis businesses are lighting up marijuana-centered spaces

April 20 — or 4/20 — is an unofficial holiday for marijuana enthusiasts. And while recreational marijuana use is legal in Massachusetts, there still aren't public places dedicated for social...

Party like a Boston marathoner: Where runners will hang during and after the race

We got leaders from three local run clubs — Midnight Runners, Frontrunners Boston and Unnamed Run Crew — to share their favorite ways to keep the Boston Marathon magic going...

During a somber Ramadan, a uniquely American tradition sparks joy for Boston Muslims

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan comes to a close Wednesday with Eid al-Fitr, or “the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast.” It's been a somber time for many...

What it takes to grow the Gardner Museum’s striking nasturtiums, from greenhouse to grand display

Like all spectacular works of art, Gardner Museum's nasturtiums display requires fine craftsmanship. Erika Rumbley, director of horticulture at the Gardner, takes us behind-the-scenes on what it takes to get...

Local Coverage

Mar 30, 2024

A card vendor shows his collectible wares to a child at the Northeast Sports Card Expo. (Photo by Shawn Harding and Shawn Kreckie)

Nostalgia and new obsessions: What you’ll find at the Northeast Sports Card Expo

The Northeast Sports Card Expo, one of the largest trading card shows in Massachusetts, returns this weekend, March 23 to March 24, at the Marriott hotel in Quincy. Here's what...

Local Coverage

Mar 23, 2024

People celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a musical performance at the Irish Cultural Centre in Canton. (Courtesy the Irish Cultural Centre)

Passing on the parade? Here are 4 other ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Greater Boston

Not lining up along the Southie parade route this Sunday? These Boston-area St. Patrick's Day events offer lots of the same Irish culture, camaraderie and craic — just off the...

Local Coverage

Mar 16, 2024

Dominic Sessa and Paul Giamatti in "The Holdovers." (Courtesy Seacia Pavao/Focus Features)

A Massachusetts movie buff's guide to this year's Oscar best picture nominees

Here’s a rundown of all the 2024 Academy Awards best picture nominees and their reviews — with a special spotlight on those with a Massachusetts connection.

Arts & Culture

Mar 9, 2024

The Boston Women's Memorial on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall with statues of Lucy Stone, Abigail Adams and Phillis Wheatley. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR)

5 leading Boston women on the people who changed their lives

March marks the beginning of Women's History Month, and there are a lot of women shaping history right now in Massachusetts. We asked five of the city's most prominent female...

Local Coverage

Mar 1, 2024

People dance salsa at the now-shuttered Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge. (Hadley Green for WBUR)

Warm up at these salsa dancing socials and classes in Greater Boston

Salsa dancing can make a cold night go from frosty to fiery. Here's a collection of some of the most lively regular salsa nights in Cambridge and Boston.

Local Coverage

Feb 24, 2024

Fieldstone wall detail, Cape Cod. (John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Uncovering the hidden history of New England’s many stone walls

Old stone walls are an iconic part of New England's countryside — and forests. Here's how scientists are using new technology to learn even more about them.

Local Coverage

Feb 17, 2024

The Weekender: Boston's Saturday Morning Newsletter

Boston on a budget: Free, fun things you can do this summer in the city

5 freshwater swimming spots around Boston you can get to on the MBTA

7 Juneteenth events happening around Boston this week

Want to spot fireflies this summer in Massachusetts? Here’s when and where to find them

6 ways to celebrate Pride in Boston this June

A 'Postmortem' postmortem: A behind-the-scenes look at the making of WBUR's latest podcast

Boston's Ruthzee Louijeune on Haitian pride, from flag to food

Boston's open-air market season has arrived. Here are 3 you can't miss

The best Boston-area shops to find unique gifts for your mom, dad or new grad

Waltham’s Sheepshearing Festival returns Saturday. Here’s what to know before you go

From yoga to fine dining, these Mass. cannabis businesses are lighting up marijuana-centered spaces

Party like a Boston marathoner: Where runners will hang during and after the race

During a somber Ramadan, a uniquely American tradition sparks joy for Boston Muslims

What it takes to grow the Gardner Museum’s striking nasturtiums, from greenhouse to grand display

Nostalgia and new obsessions: What you’ll find at the Northeast Sports Card Expo

Passing on the parade? Here are 4 other ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Greater Boston

A Massachusetts movie buff's guide to this year's Oscar best picture nominees

5 leading Boston women on the people who changed their lives

Warm up at these salsa dancing socials and classes in Greater Boston

Uncovering the hidden history of New England’s many stone walls