Circus Smirkus - Newbury
Fri 8/3 & Sat 8/4

Every summer, a company of talented Smirkus Troupers, ages 11 to 18, go on a two-month performance tour around New England. This year’s show, Topsy Turvy Time Travel, A Blast from the Past and Fun from the Future!, features a circus-powered time machine that arcs through the ages with acrobats, soars the centuries with aerialists, jumps decades with jugglers and laughs with playful, preposterous clowns. Adults $25; Children (2-12) $19, (under 2) Free

Free Friday Flicks - Esplanade, Boston
Fri 8/3

Movies at the Hatch Shell continue with a screening of Kung Fu Panda 2: The Kaboom Of Doom. Movies begin at sundown, but arrive early (by 6pm) to grab your spot on the lawn and enjoy free food samples, games and giveaways.

For more movie options, please check our roundup of summer outdoor movie series.

Massachusetts Marketplace Festival - Elm Bank Reservation, Wellesley
Sat 8/4

The festival is a full day of food sampling, shopping, and entertainment, plus fun for children of all ages with face painting, a bouncy house, glitter tattoos, and other attractions.

Plus, you can bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic lunch in the gardens (bring your own, or purchase food from one of the local vendors) and spend some time exploring the many gardens of Elm Bank including the New England Trial Garden, the historic Italianate Garden, Weezie’s Children Garden, and the New England Herb Society Garden. Adults $8; MassHort Members $6; Children (Under 12) $2

Salem Maritime Festival - Salem
Sat 8/4

Salem celebrates its maritime history with a full day of live music and storytelling; free 90-minute harbor cruises; Friendship of Salem Ship tours and Junior Ranger program; boat tours & demonstrations; a family muck walk, featuring "Life at Low Tide”; hayrides around Historic Salem; outdoor theater and Scottish country dancers; and more. FREE

One World Day - Franklin Park Zoo, Dorchester
Sat, 8/4

One World Day features dance, music and cultural demonstrations, learning and fun to celebrate the diverse cultures from around the world in our surrounding community. Throughout the day, visitors can watch traditional dances, including Japanese Taiko drumming, Puerto Rican Plena dance and song, Irish step dancing, professional salsa duos, Vietnamese martial arts (vovinam) and lion dancing, Greek folk dancing, Chinese traditional dance, African folk tales and song, and much more. Free with admission

Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming: Family Day - Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Sat 8/4

Newburyport’s “Yankee Homecoming” is a week long celebration featuring nightly concerts and street performers, road race, fireworks show and a parade down Historic High Street. Today’s special event: Family Day. Featuring games and activities for kids of all ages, demonstrations on the main stage, and live stage performances. Plus, tethered hot air balloon rides, pony rides, and exhibits from Curious Creatures, Joppa Flats and more. Kids can bring a plain white tee shirt for tie-dying. Shirts will be hung to dry while they enjoy their day. FREE

Battle of the Arts & Summer Art Fest - DCR Martini Shell, Boston
Sat 8/4

Join the DCR Rangers and Hyde Park Art Association for family arts and crafts activities, including chalk art, stamp printing, a group mural and bead making. Local artists (ages 16+) are invited to showcase their artistic talents in action for public viewing and voting. FREE

Family Jam with Karen K and the Jitterbugs - Georges Island, Boston Harbor
Sat 8/4

Kids love Karen K & the Jitterbugs’ “kin die” music – a term coined for the blend of kids music and indie rock – thanks to their eclectic sound and Karen Ks well-written, memorable songs. Face painting and other kids’ activities, too! FREE (ferry additional)

Circle the City - Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston
Sun, 8/5

Circle The City features a car-free corridor between Franklin Park and Jamaica Pond. The afternoon features free live performances, outdoor fitness, dance and yoga classes, Farmer’s Markets, bike clinics, children’s activities, culinary demonstrations, roller skating, hula hooping, and countless other opportunities to have fun on the streets and in the parks. FREE

Regattabar Kids’ Series: Elizabeth Mitchell - Charles Hotel, Cambridge
Sun 8/5

Kids and parents alike can enjoy the summertime series with performances by top artists. Today’s performance features Elizabeth Mitchell, a Smithsonian Folkways Recordings artist, who has been recording and performing music for children and families since 1998. In advance $12; At the door $15

Eye Wonder Family Program - DeCordova Museum, Lincoln
Sun 8/5

Families explore DeWitt Godfrey’s new monumental steel sculpture in the park and then help create a collaborative, site-specific artwork. Drop in anytime between 1pm–3pm. Free with admission

Fantastic Flowers - Boston Nature Center, Boston
Sun 8/5

Kids can take a leisurely walk through the meadows, forest, and wetlands to find and take a closer look at these summer flowers. The Mass Audubon program includes exploration, hands-on activities, and an art project. Note that all ages are welcome, though content is geared to ages 7-11 year olds. Adults free; Children $5-$7