Things To Do in Boston This Weekend: October 17-October 19
This fall, Boston is bustling with art, comedy, and family fun. Experience moving stories at the Boston Asian American Film Festival, share a laugh with Louis C.K. at the Orpheum,…
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This fall, Boston is bustling with art, comedy, and family fun. Experience moving stories at the Boston Asian American Film Festival, share a laugh with Louis C.K. at the Orpheum, and enjoy some spooky fun at the Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival. With beloved traditions such as the Head of the Charles Regatta and community celebrations throughout the region, it's a weekend filled with culture, creativity, and autumn charm.
Boston Asian American Film Festival
- What: New England's premier showcase for Asian American and diaspora storytelling through cinema
- When: Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, at 7 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, at 6 and 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at 1, 4:30, and 8 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, at noon, 3, and 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline (Thursday), and Emerson Paramount Center, 559 Washington St., Boston (Friday through Sunday)
- Cost: Opening and Closing Night Films: $25, Feature Films and Short Programs: $15, All-Access Festival Pass: $150, and All-Access Shorts Pass: $65
The Boston Asian American Film Festival is organized by the Asian American Resource Workshop in partnership with ArtsEmerson. Its program features independent films, premieres, filmmaker Q&As, and cosponsored events that amplify authentic voices and diverse experiences.
Louis C.K.
- What: Comedian Louis C.K.
- When: Thursday, Oct. 16 through Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
- Where: Orpheum Theater, 1 Hamilton Pl., Boston
- Cost: Tickets start at $55
Louis C.K. is back with a completely new tour that incorporates his trademark dry, cantankerous wit with keen observation. C.K. has built a reputation for being unquestionably honest about the mundane aspects of life. This time, however, he has taken a step back and is grappling with ideas of fame, family, and the complex paradoxes of being human. C.K. has left his impact on modern-day comedy with performances such as the critically acclaimed show "Louie" on FX and the special, "Oh My God."
Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival
- What: Family-friendly festival
- When: Friday, Oct. 17, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m.
- Where: Boston Common Frog Pond, Corner of Charles and Beacon St., Boston
- Cost: Free
Celebrate the spooky season at the Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival, presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Skating Club of Boston. This free, family-friendly event features the Haunted Zombie Maze, a Jumpin' Pumpkin, a Scarecrow Slide, Pumpkin Bowling, and a glowing LED playground. Enjoy music, crafts, treats, and field games, with live entertainment, story time, and the Mobile Dairy Experience. Costumes are encouraged for a day packed with frightful fun and festive excitement for all ages.
Other Events
Enjoy a weekend of New England tradition, community spirit, and celebration. From world-class rowing and local harvest festivities to cultural experiences that bring the arts to life, there's something for everyone to enjoy across the Boston area this fall.
- Head of the Charles Regatta: Friday, Oct. 17 through Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, beginning at 7:45 a.m. on the Charles River, between Boston University's DeWolfe Boathouse and Herter Park, Boston
- 15th Annual Fall Harvest Celebration: Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Patriot Place, Two Patriot Pl., Foxborough
- Behind the Curtain: A Community Celebration: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Boch Center, Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston
