Lilac Sunday, concerts, yoga class

Suddenly, trees are flowering, the grass is greener, and mornings are filled with the sweet noise of chirping birds. Hitting the streets for a bit of entertainment becomes that much more exciting, but when it comes to outdoor fun, the May sunshine can sometimes feel like the only perk without a price tag. Thankfully, Boston has plenty of free spring events to fill our days. From fresh air sketching sessions to moments for mindfulness, here are this week’s free events around Greater Boston.

DOWNTOWN CELEBRATIONS For those who celebrated Cinco De Mayo last weekend with margaritas and tequila, and want to keep the party going without the repercussions of cocktails, the Downtown Boston Alliance and Boston’s Consulate General of Mexico will be holding a cultural party in Downtown Crossing. Expected to showcase traditional Mexican folk music as well as various artisan goods, the event allows attendees to stop by during lunch hour to immerse themselves in the historical and cultural background of the holiday. May 5, noon-2 p.m. 1 Franklin St. downtownboston.org

Get Love Letters: The Newsletter

A weekly dispatch with all the best relationship content and commentary – plus exclusive content for fans of Love Letters, Dinner With Cupid, weddings, therapy talk, and more.

PICASSO FOR A DAY If you view detailed sketches in utter awe, wondering how people produce landscapes and portraits with pencil strokes, you’re not alone. The Seaport organizes sketching classes for both budding artists and experienced drawers. This Tuesday, the class will be taught by Boston-based artist Lee SOEMS. DJ Real P spins a set to get the creativity flowing. May 6, 5-7 p.m. 131 Seaport Blvd. bostonseaport.xyz

SING YOUR PRIDE When Molly Knight, a New England Conservatory soprano, was awarded a 2024 Entrepreneurial Musicianship grant, she set out to create “Gay as a Songbird,” selected programming that elevates queer voices within classical music. This Thursday, Knight’s curatorial efforts will culminate with a gala, featuring a celebratory showcase of music by notable queer musicians and composers — from Roan to Poulenc. May 7, 7 p.m. NEC, Burnes Hall, 290 Huntington Ave. necmusic.edu

Locals can enjoy the spring air this Friday with a free meditation class at the Boston Public Garden.Kadampa Meditation Center, Boston

BREATHE IN, BREATHE OUT Spring is a time of rebirth, rejuvenation, and replenishment, or so they say. For those looking to do some mental self-care, free meditation classes will be conducted at the Boston Public Garden. The class will be led by Gen Kelsang Khedrub, the resident teacher at the Boston Kadampa Meditation Center, who will teach participants how to introduce mindfulness into their hectic lives. May 9, 6:30 p.m. Boston Public Garden, Lagoon Edge meditationinboston.org

GG TO ALL In honor of the inauguration of its newest brew, The Last Boss, Sam Adams Boston is transforming its taproom into an arcade with a helping hand from Wicked Retro Night, a local game provider, and Boston Gaymers, a queer collective of gamers in Greater Boston. May 9, 7-10 p.m. 60 State St. samadamsbostontaproom.com

Movement instructor Juliana Berfield will be leading participants through a free yoga class at the BPL’s Allston location.Juliana Berfield

MOVING MINDFULLY If you’re intimidated by the twisting, contorting positions of yoga, taking a class may ease your nerves about taking up the practice. BPL’s Honan-Allston branch will host a free class taught by Juliana Berfield, a movement instructor at the Zakim Center. During the hourlong session, participants will be led through a series of stretches and poses that will both challenge and strengthen. May 10, 9:30-10:30 a.m. 300 North Harvard St, Allston. bpl.bibliocommons.com

BLOOMING BUDS April rain brings May flowers — or something like that. The old saying proves true at the Arnold Arboretum‘s Lilac Sunday, a one-day event during which the botanical collection highlights its several hundred plants in full bloom. Group and self-guided tours will be available, and attendees can expect dance performances as well as activities such as meditation and chalk art. May 11, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 125 Arborway, Jamaica Plain. arboretum.harvard.edu

Send info on free events and special offers at least 10 days in advance to bargains@globe.com.

Marianna Orozco can be reached at marianna.orozco@globe.com.

[ad_1]

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}

[ad_2]