Boston’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day long weekend has street bands, cultural festivals, a neighborhood parade and a free museum day on the calendar. Several of the biggest events cost nothing to enter, so you can make plans without committing to a pricey ticket.
Here are the standout options from Friday, Oct. 9, through Monday, Oct. 12.
Friday, Oct. 9: Catch HONK! in Somerville
Start the weekend with HONK!, the free festival of activist street bands. Friday’s events include lantern-making from 4–6 p.m. at Hodgkins-Curtin Park, followed by lantern parades from 6:30–7:30 p.m. In the evening, bands play around Union Square, including at Aeronaut and Bow Market.
It’s a good pick if you want live music and a neighborhood outing without buying a concert ticket. Check the official HONK! schedule for locations and band times.
Saturday, Oct. 10: Spend the afternoon at HONK! in Davis Square
HONK! moves to Davis Square, with opening ceremonies at noon in Seven Hills Park and bands playing around the neighborhood from 1–9 p.m. The nearby ArtHONK! program runs 1–5 p.m. on Elm Street, with interactive art-making and activist projects.
The festival is free and open to the public. You can drop in for part of the afternoon rather than treating it like an all-day commitment.
Sunday, Oct. 11: Pick a festival — or a parade
Harvard Square Oktoberfest runs 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Expect food from different cultures, crafts, live music, street performances and the fifth annual Filipino American Festival, featuring Filipino food, music and entertainment. Admission is free, but food, drinks and purchases cost extra.
The HONK! parade travels from Davis Square toward Harvard Square, departing at noon and reaching the Square around 1 p.m. See the official Oktoberfest page for the schedule.
Prefer a neighborhood parade? The East Boston Italian Heritage Parade starts at 1 p.m., proceeding from Waldemar Avenue along Bennington Street through Day Square and Maverick Square before ending in Central Square. Boston has also scheduled Open Newbury Street from 10 a.m.–6 p.m., making Newbury Street car-free for a day of walking, shopping and dining. Check city updates for any weather-related changes before heading out.
Monday, Oct. 12: Visit the MFA for free
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is holding its Indigenous Peoples’ Day Open House from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Admission is free for Massachusetts residents who provide a valid Massachusetts ZIP code. Tickets are available in person on a first-come, first-served basis, with no advance tickets.
That means the offer isn’t automatically available to out-of-state visitors or everyone visiting Boston for the long weekend. Check the MFA’s admission details before making the trip.
Before you go
HONK! is the easiest free pick for live music; Oktoberfest offers the broadest mix of food, performances and activities; and Monday’s MFA Open House is the clearest option for a museum visit without the usual admission cost.
Schedules, weather plans and free-entry rules can change. Confirm details on the official event pages before leaving.
