Trails & Sails 2012 - Salem
Two weekends of events - plan ahead!

Trails & Sails is two weekends of “walks and water” - a variety of walks, guided hikes, sails, historical tours, and boating and cycling adventures. Visit www.trailsandsails.org to create your own itinerary and customized passport. Most events are open and free, but some require reservations. Most programs free

Captains Courageous Festival - Gloucester
Saturday

The Captains Courageous Festival offers special events throughout the city that highlight Gloucester's (Cape Ann's) Maritime Heritage at many venues on both sides of the harbor. Tours, dramatic productions, movies, special presenters, concerts, children activities, art displays etc are on the schedule. Daytime events free

Faire on the Square - Watertown
Saturday

The Faire offers a wide variety of free activities for children and adults including children's rides and activities, musical entertainment and food, crafts sales and dance performances. Events take place in four adjoining locations: Saltonstall Park, in and around Town Hall (including the ball field), behind the Boys & Girls Club, and behind the Library (especially the parking lot). Free

Ballet Folklorico - Citi Shubert Theatre, Boston
Saturday

Mexico’s national dance company, Ballet Folklórico de México, is a visual feast of Mexican regional folk dances in whirling colors. Founded in 1952 by dancer-choreographer Amalia Hernández, the company of 48 dancers, musicians and singers incorporates a wide range of rituals, from Mayan and Aztec to modern traditions, all with spectacular theatrical flair. Tickets $40-$65

Rockin' with Raptors - Boston Nature Center
Saturday

The Boston Nature Center celebrates the ninth anniversary of its nature center with live raptors, Animal Adventures Petting Zoo, and the New England Aquarium Touch Tank. A live band, a cookout, raffles, and kids' crafts round out the afternoon. Rain or shine. Free

Kidsfest - Wachusett Mountain, Princeton
Saturday-Sunday

Two full days of music, food, and fun! Live performances by Flippenout Trampoline, the Marvelous Mutts and the North East Trick Stars. Walk-around characters and entertainers. Enjoy barbecue and food tents and view the fall foliage from the SkyRide. Adults $10-$25; Children $8-$21

Revels RiverSing - Cambridge
Sunday

The annual outdoor gathering to mark the transition from summer to fall features nearly a hundred area chorus members plus many other guest performers who gather by the Weeks Footbridge to join together in song. The evening closes with an improvisational sunset serenade from an illuminated Sun/Moon boat floating along the river, providing a magical ending to the end of summer and a striking herald to the onset of fall.

Family festivities begin at 5:00pm in Harvard Square and include face painting, a "honk" band, hula hoopers and a colorful puppet-filled parade to the river that all can join. Free

Hub on Wheels 2012 - Boston
Sunday

Hub On Wheels is a citywide bike ride on a car-free Storrow Drive, through hidden pathways and historic neighborhoods. The ride starts and finishes on City Hall Plaza in downtown Boston, with three different routes to choose from: 10, 30 and 50 miles. There is also an all-day festival with food, music, and an expo. Also be sure to catch the second annual mascot race and the kids' race, open to any and all cyclists age 3-9. Free to watch; $45 to ride

SHIPWRECK! Pirates & Treasure Exhibit Opening - Museum of Science, Boston
Sunday

The museum’s new exhibit, SHIPWRECK! , takes visitors on an incredible journey through thousands of years of maritime history, and allow you to explore the mysteries of the deep. The exhibit features over 500 authentic artifacts, including gold and silver treasures, as well as the incredible science and technology used to work thousands of feet below the ocean's surface. Free with exhibits admission

Read our Fall Museum Exhibits post for more exhibits opening at museums in and around Boston this fall.

Allston Village Street Fair - Allston
Sunday

The family friendly day includes live bands, multicultural street performances, an international food court, amusements area, plus an artist and vendor market. Free

Brookline Day - Brookline
Sunday

The day features a carnival of activities which include large inflatables, face painting, balloon artists, touch a truck, and tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting). Plus, food from many Brookline restaurants which are taking part in A Taste of Brookline; live local music; a pie eating contest; and more. Free

Revels RiverSing Photo: Butterflies by Gabriel Q; Photo by Arthur Ferguson