Trails & Sails - Salem
9/27-9/29
Most programs FREE

It’s the second weekend 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. [Details]

Smithsonian Museum Day
Sat 9/28
FREE

Museum Day is an annual event hosted by Smithsonian magazine in which participating museums across the country open their doors to anyone presenting a Museum Day Ticket...for free. Boston-area museums include the MFA, Children's Museum of Easton, Concord Museum, Harvard Art Museums, Harvard Museum of Natural History, and the EcoTarium. [Details]

Fluff Fest - Somerville
Sat 9/28
FREE

Local artists, musicians, theatrical performers, inventors, and humorists pay tribute to the creation of this great American foodstuff: performances, Fluff games, samples, and more.  [Details]

New England Americana Festival - Cambridge
Sat 9/28 - Sun 9/29
Daytime activities FREE; Evening tickets $15        

The New England Americana Festival celebrates a long tradition of deep rooted American folk music. Bands from throughout the Northeast come to Cambridge to share their versions of American folk music. Family-friendly activities include a coloring station, bean-bag-toss games, potato sack races, and face painter. Look for Fiddlin' Quinn - a 7 year old fiddle player. [Details]

National Public Land Day
Sat 9/28
FREE

Entrance fees are waived today at National Parks across the country. Massachusetts has 15 National Parks, most of which are in and around Boston. This is in conjunction with National Public Lands Day, during which volunteers across the country join to clean up public parks and other public lands. See a list of MA volunteer opportunities here.

American Music and Harvest Festival - Spencer-Peirce-Little Farm, Newbury
Sat 9/28 - Sun 9/29
$15/day        

Enjoy two days of music, baseball, and farm activities and four centuries of American music. Featuring Buffalo Tom, Bruce Molsky, and many more, this festival celebrates everything from tavern songs of the seventeenth century to bluegrass, funk, folk, and beyond. [Details]

Rocket Day - Cambridge Science Festival - Danehy Park, Cambridge
Sat 9/28
FREE

Build and launch rockets with Parts & Crafts. The rockets, powered only by water and compressed gas, can reach altitudes of over 300 feet and accelerate to speeds approaching 200 miles per hour. *Please bring at least one 2-liter or 1-liter soda bottle and a tennis ball to participate. (Rescheduled from April 20) [Details]

Abrakidabra - The Center for the Arts in Natick (TCAN)
Sat 9/28
Adults $10; Children $8        

Magician Mike Bent wows crowds with his wacky and outrageously funny tricks and jokes. His creative and imaginative routines landed him as a featured performer at the 2013 White House Easter Egg Roll. [Details]

Boston Harbor Island Regatta - Georges Island, Boston Harbor
Sat 9/28
FREE to watch; Regular ferry fees apply        

Families can take a ferry to Georges Island and watch nearly 100 sailboats as they participate in the annual Boston Harbor Regatta. Race start times are at 10am and 11am. [Details]

Boston Seafood Festival - Bank of America Pavilion, Boston
Sat 9/28
$10; Children under 6 free        

The Boston Seafood Festival features an oyster shucking contest, chef cooking demonstrations, education and nutrition, kids activities, and music. Food vendors are on hand with a wide selection of some of Boston's best seafood, too (separate fees apply). [Details]

Newtonville Village Day
Sun 9/29
FREE

The festival takes place at various locations in Newtonville:

• Bullough's Pond Fair (8:30am-12n, Dexter Road & Bullough's Pond): Guided bird watching, fly fishing, painting lesson; model yacht regatta, arts and crafts, music and more.
• Jazz Festival and Craft Fair (12n-5pm, Walnut Street between Washington St & Washington Park): Craft booths, kids' activities, and StreetMURALS painting
• Norumbega Fraternity Lodge of Masons Open House (1pm-4pm, 460 Newtonville Avenue): Tours, exotic animals and snacks
• New Art Center Open House (1pm-4pm, 61 Washington Park): Free exhibitions art activities, tours of the building and faculty demonstrations

[Details]

Circle the City Open Streets, Open Parks - Blue Hill Avenue, Boston
Sun 9/29
FREE

Walk, bike, roll, dance and play together in the streets of Boston. Blue Hill Avenue from Dudley Street to Warren Street is closed to buses and cars to allow for more than 50 free activities for thousands of community residents and visitors to celebrate community on 'paved parks' in the streets of Boston. [Details]

Photo credit: Linda Skuchak