April Outdoors: SoWa Markets, Lobster Rolls & Spring Vibes 🌸🛍️⚾ (April 3rd to April 6th, 2025)
Spring is finally starting to feel real, and we’ve got your early April guide! From SoWa Sundays to breezy walks on Castle Island, it’s time for sunshine. Here are low-effort, high-vibe things to do. (April 3rd to 6th, 2025)
WHAT'S POPPIN
April at SoWa: Outdoor Markets, $2 Tacos, Studio Strolls & Weekend Fun 🌷🎶
🌻 What Is It - The SoWa Open Market is a free, vibrant open-air market in Boston's South End, specifically at 500 Harrison Avenue. The name "SoWa" stands for "South of Washington," reflecting its location. This market transforms the outdoor area into a lively gathering place every Sunday in the Spring and Summer!
🌟 Enjoy Spring Outdoors - As a spring outdoor market, SoWa features various regional and local vendors. You can explore artist studios, galleries, thrift and vintage vendors, handmade retail shops, and more. The market also hosts a variety of food and beverage trucks, offering a range of local delights. In addition to shopping and dining, the market often includes live music and other entertainment, creating a festive atmosphere!
🍃 How To Get There - For those planning to visit, the SoWa Open Market is easily accessible via public transportation. It's approximately a 10-minute walk from the MBTA Orange Line's Back Bay and Tufts Medical stations, as well as the Red Line's Broadway station. Street and metered parking is free in Boston on Sundays.
Sowa Events You Can Enjoy:
SoWa First Friday 🌷
On the first Friday of each month, from 5pm to 9pm, over 80 artists open their studios at 450 and 460 Harrison Avenue. Visitors can meet artists, view gallery exhibitions, and shop in boutiques and showrooms. The event is family-friendly and free, with ample parking available.
When: First Friday of Every Month
Where: 460 Harrison Ave, South End
First Friday's After Dark at Burro Bar 🌹
Following SoWa First Fridays, Burro Bar hosts "First Friday's After Dark" from 9pm to 1am. The event features DJ Carlitos Wave starting at 9 pm, $2 tacos at the bar, and dancing! Admission is free.
When: First Friday of Every Month
Where: Burro Bar, 1357 Washington Street, South End
SoWa Sundays 🍂
Every Sunday, from 11am to 4pm, the SoWa Artists Guild invites visitors to explore artists' studios, offering a chance to engage with creators and purchase art directly. This event is also family-friendly and free, with plenty of parking available.
When: Every Sunday
Where: 450 Harrison Avenue. South End
HIDDEN GEM
Castle Island & Sullivan’s: A Springtime Hidden Gem In Boston 🌊🌭🦞
🌊 Castle Island Spring Strolls - When you need to clear your head or just want to enjoy the Spring breeze, Castle Island delivers. The wide 2-mile walking loop wraps around Fort Independence and hugs the ocean, with unreal views of the harbor and planes landing into Logan overhead. It’s breezy in the best way — that crisp, salty air that makes you feel like it’s finally spring (even if you're still in a hoodie). It’s a great spot for a solo stroll, a long talk with a friend, or even a first date if you’re feeling bold.
🦞 Sullivan’s Famous Bites - Right by the water sits Sullivan’s, a no-frills Boston staple since 1951 that won a James Beard America’s Classics award. The line might look intimidating, but trust — it moves fast, and it’s worth it. Their $3.5 hot dogs are iconic, and the $23 lobster rolls? Mouth-watering. Grab your order, find a spot by the seawall, and enjoy one of the cheapest waterfront lunches in the city. It’s a rite of passage for anyone living in Boston.
🏰 Fort Independence – Dominating Castle Island is Fort Independence, a 15-acre granite fortress. As the eighth iteration of fortifications on this site, the current structure was completed in 1851. Its strategic position has played a pivotal role in Boston's defense history, and today, it stands as a monument to the city's rich heritage. While the fort itself is often closed to the public, the surrounding area offers panoramic views of Boston Harbor, making it a favorite spot for a quick Sullivan's picnic!
🌞 How to Get There - If you’re T-ing it, take the Red Line to Broadway, then hop on the #9 or #11 bus to City Point. If you’ve got access to a car, even better — there’s free parking right on the island.
Castle Island & Sullivan's 🌊🌭🦞
Castle Island: Learn More | Open Every Day, All Day
Sullivan's: Learn More | Open Every Day, 10am to 6pm
Where: 2010 William J Day Blvd, South Boston
THIS WEEKEND
Free and Cool Things To Do in Boston This Weekend 😍
Red Sox Home Opener Day At Fenway Park ⚾
The Boston Red Sox will welcome fans back to Fenway Park this Friday for the home opener of their 2025 season with pre-game festivities!
When: Friday, April 4th | 1pm to 10pm
Where: Fenway Park, Boston
ComEx! Emerson’s Annual Comedy Festival 😂
Enjoy free comedy shows from Emerson students - the next generation of famous comedians - including shows like:
- Blockbuster Double Feature – Fully improvised genre films, live!
- Rising Stars of Stand-Up – Comedians you’ll be quoting in five years
- Comics of Color Presents: Woodstock – A live band + comedy jam
- Clavelli Award Show – Honoring the next great comedic voice
Free | Seat Reservations Needed
When: Friday to Saturday, April 4th to 5th | 7pm to 10pm
Where: Greene Theater at Emerson College, 10 Boylston Place, Boston
VOLTA MIT Spring Dance Showcase 🩰
A multimedia dance showcase discovering the shared relationships between the body, technology, and the natural world. Enjoy dance performances by talented student dancers.
Free | Get Tickets
When: Friday to Sunday, April 4th to 6th | 8pm to 10pm
Where: MIT Theater Building, 345 Vassar Street, Cambridge
Viva Chile Boston Festival 🕺
Enjoy a unique show featuring Viva Chile Utah and Arnaldo Heresmann, the VROCC Folkloric Ballet, and Corazón Chileno, who will bring you the best of Chile’s traditional music and dances. Plus, you’ll have the chance to taste delicious Chilean food and immerse yourself in rich culture.
When: Saturday, April 5th | 5:30pm to 10pm
Where: Cultural Center Veronica Robles, 282 Meridian st, East Boston
Boozy Book Fair 📖
Sip while you shop and relive the “book fair buzz” of your childhood. Find hot titles in suspense, romance, mystery, as well as niche titles you didn’t even know that you needed.
When: Sunday, April 6th | 2pm to 6pm
Where: Castle Island Brewing Co., Old Colony Avenue, South Boston
