Boston, September 25, 2025
News Summary
This October marks a vibrant array of cultural and charitable events throughout Boston, featuring festivals, galas, theater performances, and art exhibits. Major highlights include the Community Arts Initiative, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Book Festival. Many gatherings also support fundraising efforts for local causes and feature engaging performances and discussions. The month promises a dynamic experience for the community and visitors alike.
Boston
Overview
This October features a concentrated slate of cultural, charitable and community events across Boston, including festivals, galas, theater performances and arts exhibits. Key gatherings span early October through the end of the month and cover museum programming, large-scale public events and several fundraising galas. The schedule includes the Community Arts Initiative: Into the Forest, the Head of the Charles Regatta, the Boston Book Festival, and multiple benefit galas and performances at major venues.
Top events and essential details
Community Arts Initiative: Into the Forest
Dates: 10/6-10/9
Location: Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), 465 Huntington Ave.
Details: Artist Szu-Cheih Yun engages 190 students to use the forest as a metaphor for a collaborative mural. The project centers on student participation and a site-based mural activity at the museum.
To Live and Dine – Designer Tablescape Exhibit
Date: 10/14
Location: Boston Design Center, 1 Design Center Place
Details: An exhibit showcasing tablescapes created by local designers at the Boston Design Center.
Finding Refuge Together Gala
Date: 10/17
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Details: A gala celebrating RefugePoint’s 20th anniversary that supports refugee assistance efforts and includes performances and a talk with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad.
2025 Boston Key Gala
Dates: 10/17-10/19
Location: SoWa Power Station, 550 Harrison Ave.
Details: Hosted by the American Cancer Society as a fundraiser for the Boston Hope Lodge; event features a cocktail reception, seated dinner, and live auction.
The Head of the Charles Regatta
Date: 10/23
Location: Multiple locations along the Charles River
Details: The world’s largest three-day rowing competition and a longstanding Boston tradition since 1965, attracting local and international crews.
Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s 2025 Honors
Dates: 10/24-10/26
Location: MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2 Landsdowne St.
Details: Annual event recognizing notable individuals, including Donnie Wahlberg among honorees.
Tina – The Tina Turner Musical
Date: 10/25
Location: Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St.
Details: A stage performance chronicling the journey of Grammy Award-winning superstar Tina Turner.
Boston Book Festival
Date: 10/31
Location: Multiple locations
Details: A one-day festival featuring over 70 presentations, a street fair, live music and discussions with authors including Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes.
Night in the Stacks
Location: McKim Building, 700 Boylston St.
Details: A Halloween-themed fundraising event for the Boston Public Library Fund featuring live music and festive bites.
Boston Arts Festival
Dates: 09/06-09/07
Location: Christopher Columbus Park
Details: Free event showcasing artists and musicians; event runs from 11 AM-6 PM both days.
Marshfield Community Rib Cook-Off
Date: Saturday, times from noon to 7 PM
Details: Fundraiser featuring food, entertainment, and an amateur ribs competition. Admission is $8 in advance and $12 at the gate.
Sterling Fair
Date: Through Sunday of the festival
Details: A family-friendly fair including rides and livestock shows.
Context and practical information
Events in this list span museum programming, public festivals, theatrical performances and multiple fundraising galas. Venues include museums, theaters and park spaces across Boston, with some events operating at multiple locations. Dates and times vary by event; certain entries list multi-day ranges. Attendees should consult event organizers or official venue resources for ticketing, accessibility accommodations and up-to-date schedule changes.
Major annual traditions in October include the Head of the Charles Regatta, a long-running rowing competition held along the Charles River since 1965, and city cultural highlights such as the Boston Book Festival and museum-based exhibits and galas. Several events in this schedule serve fundraising purposes for arts, refugee assistance and health-related services.
FAQ
When is Community Arts Initiative: Into the Forest?
Dates: 10/6-10/9.
Where is Community Arts Initiative: Into the Forest?
Location: Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), 465 Huntington Ave.
When is To Live and Dine – Designer Tablescape Exhibit?
Date: 10/14.
Where is To Live and Dine – Designer Tablescape Exhibit?
Location: 1 Design Center Place.
When is Finding Refuge Together Gala?
Date: 10/17.
Where is Finding Refuge Together Gala?
Location: Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
When is 2025 Boston Key Gala?
Dates: 10/17-10/19.
Where is 2025 Boston Key Gala?
Location: SoWa Power Station, 550 Harrison Ave.
When is The Head of the Charles Regatta?
Date: 10/23.
Where is The Head of the Charles Regatta?
Location: Multiple locations along the Charles River.
When is Boston Book Festival?
Date: 10/31.
Where is Boston Book Festival?
Location: Multiple locations.
When is Boston Arts Festival?
Dates: 09/06-09/07; event runs from 11 AM-6 PM both days.
Where is Boston Arts Festival?
Location: Christopher Columbus Park.
When is Marshfield Community Rib Cook-Off?
Date: Saturday, times from noon to 7 PM.
What is the admission for Marshfield Community Rib Cook-Off?
Admission: $8 in advance, $12 at the gate.
When is Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s 2025 Honors?
Dates: 10/24-10/26.
Where is Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s 2025 Honors?
Location: MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2 Landsdowne St.
When is Tina – The Tina Turner Musical?
Date: 10/25.
Where is Night in the Stacks?
Location: McKim Building, 700 Boylston St.
When is Sterling Fair?
Date: Through Sunday of the festival.
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Quick reference table
| Event | Date(s) | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Arts Initiative: Into the Forest | 10/6-10/9 | Museum of Fine Arts (MFA), 465 Huntington Ave. | Artist-led student mural project; 190 students involved |
| To Live and Dine – Designer Tablescape Exhibit | 10/14 | Boston Design Center, 1 Design Center Place | Designer tablescapes on display |
| Finding Refuge Together Gala | 10/17 | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston | RefugePoint 20th anniversary; includes performances and a talk with Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nadia Murad |
| 2025 Boston Key Gala | 10/17-10/19 | SoWa Power Station, 550 Harrison Ave. | Fundraiser for Boston Hope Lodge; cocktail reception, seated dinner, live auction |
| The Head of the Charles Regatta | 10/23 | Multiple locations along the Charles River | World’s largest three-day rowing competition; Boston tradition since 1965 |
| Boston Arts Academy Foundation’s 2025 Honors | 10/24-10/26 | MGM Music Hall at Fenway, 2 Landsdowne St. | Annual honors event featuring notable individuals |
| Tina – The Tina Turner Musical | 10/25 | Emerson Colonial Theatre, 106 Boylston St. | Stage performance about Tina Turner |
| Boston Book Festival | 10/31 | Multiple locations | Over 70 presentations, street fair, live music |
| Night in the Stacks | Not specified | McKim Building, 700 Boylston St. | Halloween-themed fundraising event for the Boston Public Library Fund |
| Boston Arts Festival | 09/06-09/07 | Christopher Columbus Park | Free arts and music; runs 11 AM-6 PM both days |
| Marshfield Community Rib Cook-Off | Saturday, times from noon to 7 PM | Marshfield (community event) | Admission: $8 in advance, $12 at the gate |
| Sterling Fair | Through Sunday of the festival | Sterling (fairgrounds) | Family-friendly rides and livestock shows |
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Additional Resources
- Bay State Banner: Boston Arts Festival
- Boston 25 News: Things to Do This Weekend
- Broadway World: Boston Arts Festival Returns
- CBS News: What to Know About the Boston Arts Festival
- Axios: Allston-Brighton Festival
- Wikipedia: Boston
- Google Search: Boston Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston
- Google News: Boston Arts Festival
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
