Cultural Programming in Cambridge and Somerville This Week

Cambridge and Somerville, September 26, 2025

News Summary

A vibrant array of arts, music, film, and community events is scheduled this week in Cambridge and Somerville. The lineup includes art exhibitions, film screenings, live performances, and workshops, with many activities being free or low-cost. Notable events include the Agua, Sol y Sereno art collective residency, informative gallery talks, film screenings, and a global street food festival. This week’s events offer enriching experiences for all ages and interests.

Cambridge and Somerville

Overview: Major cultural programming across Cambridge and Somerville this week

This week offers a dense schedule of arts, music, film, readings, workshops and community events across Cambridge and Somerville. Art exhibitions and museum residencies, film screenings and public festivals appear alongside talks, concerts and family activities. Most events are free or low-cost, with some requiring RSVP or paid tickets.

Top highlights (immediate details)

• The Agua, Sol y Sereno art collective is in residency at the Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge.
• Gallery Talk: “Sketch, Shade Smudge” featuring German Drawings runs from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at Harvard Art Museums, free admission.
• “P’alante: Stories Moving Somerville Forward” film screening from 4 to 6 p.m. at Somerville Public Library, free admission.
• Beer Garden pop-up with Lamplighter Brewing from 4:30 to 9 p.m. at Urban Park Roof Garden in Kendall Center; $5 for beer tokens.
• Mike Pepi discusses “Against Platforms: Surviving Digital Utopia” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at MIT, free but RSVP required.
• Artist Xiang Li’s “Chinese Empresses” exhibition opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gutman Gallery, RSVP required.
• ArtsThursdays: “Agua, Sol y Sereno” from 5 to 9 p.m. at Harvard Museum of Natural History, free admission.
• Stand-Up Comedy fundraiser for the Korean American Citizens League at 6 p.m. at Arts at the Armory; $50 to $100 tickets.
• Ignite: A Global Street Food and Fire Festival on September 28 in Union Square from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.; free admission.

Full event listing (schedule and logistics)

The following items list scheduled cultural events and basic access information for attendees. Each line states the event title, time, location and admission as provided by organizers.

• The Agua, Sol y Sereno art collective is in residency at the Harvard Museum of Natural History in Cambridge.
• Gallery Talk: “Sketch, Shade Smudge” featuring German Drawings runs from 12:30 to 1 p.m. at Harvard Art Museums, free admission.
• Curator Lynette Roth explores German artists: Lotte Laserstein, Max Beckmann, Erwin Spuler, and Willi Baumeister.
• “P’alante: Stories Moving Somerville Forward” film screening from 4 to 6 p.m. at Somerville Public Library, free admission.
• The film, a photo project by local photographer Mario Quiroz, lasts 20 minutes and includes discussions.
• Beer Garden pop-up with Lamplighter Brewing from 4:30 to 9 p.m. at Urban Park Roof Garden in Kendall Center; $5 for beer tokens.
• Mike Pepi discusses “Against Platforms: Surviving Digital Utopia” from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at MIT, free but RSVP required.
• Artist Xiang Li’s “Chinese Empresses” exhibition opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. at Gutman Gallery, RSVP required.
• ArtsThursdays: “Agua, Sol y Sereno” from 5 to 9 p.m. at Harvard Museum of Natural History, free admission.
• Richard Higgins reads from “Thoreau’s God” from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Center for the Study of World Religions; free but RSVP required.
• Stand-Up Comedy fundraiser for the Korean American Citizens League at 6 p.m. at Arts at the Armory; $50 to $100 tickets.
• “The Goonies” screening at 6 p.m. at Urban Park Roof Garden; free admission.
• Climate Action Book Club from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Cambridge Public Library; this month’s book is “The High House” by Jessie Greengrass.
• Eliana Ramage reads from “To the Moon and Back” at 7 p.m. at Harvard Book Store, free admission.
• “Papyrus: The Authoritative Origin Story” at 7 p.m. at Katherine Small Gallery; $10 admission.
• Poets reading at Grolier Poetry Book Shop from 7 to 8 p.m.; $5 to $10 but registration required.
• “The Menopause Mixtape: Separating Science from Fiction” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Cambridge Main Library; free admission.
• Dave Fox Trio performs at 7:30 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing, free admission.
• “Shakespeare In Love” screening at 7:30 p.m. at Side Quest Books & Games; $13 admission.
• Oktoberfest at CX, Lamplighter CX from 4 to midnight on Friday and continuing Saturday; $10 admission.
• Máirtín de Cógáin performs from 6 to 10 p.m. at Arts at the Armory; $20 admission.
• Cuban dance event from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Foundry; $15 admission.
• “Fall Into Dance” performance from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at The Dance Complex, free admission but registration required.
• Boston Minifest at 7 p.m. at Cantab Lounge; $22 for admission.
• Steven Pinker reads from “When Everyone Knows That Everyone Knows …” at 7 p.m. at First Parish, $15 or $40 with book.
• Outdoor movie “Time After Time” from 7 to 9 p.m. at Kendall/MIT Open Space; free admission.
• Are You Smarter Than AI? at 7:30 p.m. at Museum of Science, $10 admission.
• Overtonight with Imar from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Lilypad; $15 to $18 admission.
• Jeffrey Gaines performs at 8 p.m. at Club Passim; tickets range from $38 to $40.
• The Boston Circus Guild performs during the Ignite Festival in Union Square on September 28.
• Wasn’t That A Time: The Boston Folk Revival from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Arrow Street Arts; $30 to $50 admission.
• Annual MIT Great Glass Pumpkin Patch sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kresge Auditorium; pumpkins priced from $35.
• Villari’s Martial Arts Somerville 50th anniversary celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Lincoln Park Soccer Field; free entry.
• Commonwealth Pen Show from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Arts at the Armory; $12 admission, $15 for a two-day pass.
• Children’s scavenger hunt with author Jef Czekaj from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Somerville Museum; tickets ranging from $3 to $12.
• Kendall Square for Newbies tour at 10:30 a.m.; pay what you like.
• U.S. Citizenship course through art at Harvard Art Museums from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; free but RSVP required.
• Family Workshop: Stop Motion at MIT Museum from 10:30 a.m. to noon; $15 for ages 11-18, $20 for ages 19-plus.
• Charles River Exploration Day with Canoemobile from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mass Audubon Nature Center; free session.
• “Synth-Tember” Community Day from noon to 6 p.m. at New Alliance Gallery; free admission.
• ¡Celebremos Puerto Rico! event from 1 to 4 p.m. at Harvard Museum; free entry with activities and food for purchase.
• Arts in the Park at Clement Morgan Park from 1 to 5 p.m.; free admission.
• Book discussion of “Practical Radicals” from 2 to 3 p.m. at Cambridge Main Library; free entry.
• Johnny Cash event at Somerville Public Library from 2 to 4 p.m.; free but RSVP required.
• Ignite: A Global Street Food and Fire Festival on September 28 in Union Square from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.; free admission.
• Oktoberfest continues at Lamplighter CX from 4 to midnight; $10 admission.
• Eastern Medicine Singers’ sunset drum circle from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Mass Audubon Nature Center; free admission.
• Black Biz Ball at The Foundry at 5 p.m.; $50 to $100 tickets.
• Sweater Comedy at The Comedy Studio at 5:30 p.m.; tickets range from $20 to $26.
• Oboe and Piano performance at New School of Music at 7 p.m.; free entry.
• Cafe Raqs belly dancing performance from 7 to 9 p.m. at Arts at the Armory; $5 to $10 suggested donation.
• Grammy winner Eguie Castrillo performs at 7:30 p.m. at Regattabar; tickets between $30 and $42.
• Amythyst Kiah performs at Somerville Theatre at 8 p.m.; tickets range from $38 to $50.
• Reimagining Lilith Fair at Club Passim at 8 p.m.; $25 tickets.
• “Smoke This” Rib Fest on September 29 on Cambridge Street from noon to 4 p.m.; free entry with tasting tickets for $33.
• Grown-Up Book Swap at Aeronaut Brewing from 1 to 3 p.m.; free entry.
• Hound & Handler at Aeronaut Brewing at 2:30 p.m.; free admission.
• Concert “Memory Palaces” at Longy School of Music at 3 p.m.; $15 to $35 tickets.
• Boston Chamber Music Society concert at Sanders Theatre at 3 p.m.; tickets range from $32 to $72.
• “Words & Music” benefit concert at New School of Music at 4 p.m.; free entry, $20 donation suggested.
• Harvard Square Book Circle from 6 p.m. at Harvard Book Store; free admission.
• The David Haas Group performs from 7 to 9 p.m. at Lilypad; free entry.
• “Sobo” documentary screening at Aeronaut Brewing at 7 p.m.; free admission.
• Vieux Farka Touré performs at Somerville Theatre at 7:30 p.m.; tickets are $34.

Practical notes for attendees

Many events are free or low cost; several require RSVP or paid tickets. Outdoor events may be weather-dependent. Attendees should check exact venue access rules and arrive early for capacity-limited programs. Selected events identify age or registration restrictions in the listing above.

FAQ

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Additional Resources

• Cambridge Day: Events from Rib Fest to Ignite
• Wikipedia: Cambridge, Massachusetts
• Cambridge Day: Fluff Fest and Open Studios
• Google Search: Cambridge events
• Cambridge Day: Riverfest and Talks
• Google Scholar: Cambridge Somerville events
• Cambridge Day: Afro-Caribbean Fest and Circus
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Somerville
• Cambridge Day: Bluegrass Festival and Theater
• Google News: Somerville events

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