Two harvest festivals anchor the weekend: Hayfest at the Jackson Homestead and Codman Farm's whole-hog feast under the tent.
Historic Newton's fall festival turns the Jackson Homestead backyard into a 19th-century afternoon: pressing apple cider, dipping candles, making butter, crafting corn husk dolls. Drop in anytime; the museum is free all day.
Sun, Oct 4, 12:00–4:00 PM · Jackson Homestead and Museum, Newton · Walk-in · Details
Old-timey games in the morning—egg toss, pie eating, the annual Rooster Run—then a harvest feast under the tent. Tillie's pulled pork comes from a whole heritage-breed pig raised on the farm, served family-style with maple cornbread and apple crisp. BYOB; feast orders close Tuesday at midnight.
Sun, Oct 4 · Codman Community Farms, Lincoln · Registration required · Details
Chef Ashley Lujares brings her Filipino-American pop-up series Mango Tao to Equal Measure for one night, teaming up with Good Neighbor for a Cantonese-inflected ladies' night dinner. Fenway, Friday only.
Fri, Oct 2 · Equal Measure, Boston · Details
A two-hour dusk trek through Broadmoor's fields and forest with ultrasonic detectors to pick up who's flying overhead. Listen for Great Horned Owls calling from the woods between bat sightings.
Sat, Oct 3, 6:30–8:30 PM · Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, Natick · Details
Putt through the stacks at the library's annual fundraiser. Sunday morning is family day with a continental breakfast, silent auction, Cabot's ice cream, and a special guest. The Saturday evening session is adults-only.
Sun, Oct 4, 8:30 AM–12:00 PM · Newton Free Library · Registration required · Details
Wilderness Inquiry guides lead canoe trips on the Charles, covering the river's natural history, local wildlife, and the human marks along its banks. Multiple sessions run through the afternoon; all ages welcome.
Sun, Oct 4, 12:00–4:30 PM · Magazine Beach Park Nature Center, Cambridge · Details
Fermentation educator and author Alex Lewin runs a hands-on workshop at The Block at Woods Hill, pitched at tackling that overloaded CSA crisper drawer. You'll leave with jars of kimchi and dilly beans.
Sat, Oct 3 · The Block at Woods Hill, Boston · Details
The Tony-winning musical returns to Boston for the first time in nearly two decades. Flying cows, killer rabbits, and the rest of the absurdist Grail quest, four nights at the Wang Theatre.
Thu, Oct 8 – Sun, Oct 11 · Wang Theatre at the Boch Center, Boston · Details
Ira Glass and Israeli author Etgar Keret share a stage for one night at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, riffing on grief, family, and storytelling.
Tue, Oct 6 · Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston · Details
Boston Lyric Opera stages Rossini's grand opera at the Emerson Colonial Theatre, running Friday through Sunday.
Fri, Oct 2 – Sun, Oct 4 · Emerson Colonial Theatre, Boston · Details
Newton's sixth annual celebration features booths, crafts, and programming amplifying Indigenous history in the local area. Historic Newton's table includes a craft to take home.
Mon, Oct 12, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM · Albemarle Field, Newton · Walk-in · Details
Seven films, anchored by the 1932 Mummy and a rare archival print of Hammer's The Mummy's Shroud. Five titles stay secret until they hit the screen.
Sat, Oct 31 · Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline · Details
The Australian acrobatic ensemble performs its acclaimed show over two nights at the Boston Arts Academy Theater.
Fri, Oct 23 – Sat, Oct 24 · Boston Arts Academy Theater · Tickets required · Details
The MSNBC host presents her new book on the Justice Department at the Orpheum. Every ticket includes a copy.
Wed, Nov 11, 8:00 PM · Orpheum Theatre, Boston · Tickets required · Details