Sonja's Boston Blog

Are you looking for something to do in Boston this Memorial Day Weekend (May 24 - 26)? I've compiled a list of some free family-friendly services and events happening around town, including sailing, a concert, a Memorial Day service, and more. Read more.

A great movie score helps set the mood and draws viewers into the film world. Tuesday, May 20 through Saturday, May 24, composer and Boston Pops Laureate Conductor John Williams will conduct the Boston Pops during the annual "Film Night" program, which features selections from popular film scores. Read more...

Starting Memorial Day weekend, Stone Zoo will unveil its brand new black bear exhibit, featuring two new additions to the zoo. The 2-year-old black bears are brothers from the Appalachian Bear Rescue in Tennessee.

Also at Stone Zoo, returning May 24 is the “Lord of the Wings: Birds of Prey” live, free-flight bird show, daily through Labor Day at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.

Learn more about the Stone Zoo.

Photo courtesy Zoo New England.

Whether you're in the mood for the newest blockbuster, an obscure foreign release, a raved-about art house film, or a midnight sing-a-long, chances are one of these Boston-area theaters will have what you're looking for. Read more.

This Friday and Saturday the School of the Museum of Fine Arts holds its annual Spring Sidewalk Sale. Browse a selection of ceramics, paintings, sculptures, photographs, and more made and sold by SMFA students. It's a great time to stock up on gifts or just get something to spruce up your home or office. Read more...

Coming up on Saturday, May 24 is the 15th annual Radio 92.9 Earthfest, Boston's largest free radio station concert. Headlining this year's main stage concert is popular alternative rock band Cake. In addition to musical performances, Earthfest will feature family friendly activities and booths with educational displays, exhibits, and food and product samples. Previous Earthfests have drawn more than 100,000 people. Read more.

Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, begins at sunset on Thursday, May 1 this year. Yom Hashoah is the day chosen by the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in 1951 to mourn the millions of people killed in the Holocaust.

The New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston was dedicated in October 1995 to encourage remembrance of and reflection on the great tragedy of the Holocaust. Learn more about the New England Holocaust Memorial and explore a photo gallery of the Memorial.

Photo: Detail of New England Holocaust Memorial. Sonja L. Cohen.

May is a busy month: Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Red Sox games, the Boston Pops. Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this month. Read more.

Starting this May, Bank of America's annual Museums on Us! month is going year-round. Since 1998 the bank has offered free museum admission in the month of May to customers in participating states, but now the promotion has been expanded from one month to the first full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) of every month. The promotion is both a thank you to customers and a means of increasing public awareness of artistic and cultural institutions. Read more.

Mother's Day is May 11, so you still have a couple of weeks left to plan something nice for your mom. Whether it's a trip to the ballet, a brunch cruise, or a simple picnic in the park, there are plenty of fun things happening in Boston this Mother's Day. Here are some tips on gifts for mom, as well as a list of Boston-area Mother's Day activities. Read more.