Boston Food and Drink Happenings to Check Out This Weekend

Welcome to Eater’s periodic roundup of weekend food and drink events worth checking out around town. Want to let us know about an upcoming Boston-area event? Get in touch at boston@eater.com.

Saturday, June 24

CITY HALL PLAZA — The Boston Pizza Festival is descending on City Hall Plaza for the entire weekend, both Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be dough-making demos, oven showcases, and lots and lots of pizza. Entry is free but you’ll need to buy pizza slice tickets to sample the goods.

DOWNTOWN BOSTON — Boston’s first-ever bean-themed food festival, the Beantown BeanFest, is taking over the Greenway on Saturday. Vendors including Downtown Crossing restaurant Estella, fast-casual chainlet Flavor Boom, and Mediterranean spot Fattoush are bringing their best bean dishes to the party, starting at 11 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. Hosted by the New England Legal Foundation, proceeds will go to support the non-profit’s mission to provide free legal aid to underrepresented entrepreneurs to help develop their companies.

CAMBRIDGE — Looking for something a little more low-key (and indoors) this weekend? Chef Erin Miller of charming tasting menu spot Urban Hearth is hosting a biscuit-making class on Saturday, from 12 to 2 p.m., where she will teach the ins and outs of how to make her prized buttermilk biscuits. Tickets are $90 apiece and include a dozen biscuits to take home.

Sunday, June 25

JAMAICA PLAIN — The neighborhood is kicking off Boston’s open streets season, where designated roads around town are shut down to cars and turned into public spaces for people to stroll, go shopping, play games, and more. In JP, Centre Street will be closed to car traffic from Jackson Square to the beginning of South Street and events will be taking place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Grab fried coconut shrimp from Jamaica Mi Hungry, a stack of empanadas from Pikalo, scoops of ice cream from J.P. Licks — and that’s just for starters.

Friday, June 16

ROXBURY — The city is capping off its annual Embrace Ideas Festival with a celebratory Juneteenth Block Party at Roxbury Community College from 2 to 8:30 p.m. There will be lots of music, dancing, and food supplied by BIPOC-owned food trucks. Free tickets are available here.

CAMBRIDGE — The Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Central Square is throwing its annual Greek Festival this weekend. Starting on Friday and running through Sunday, festival-goers can feast on Greek food while taking in Greek performances throughout each day. Head here for more info.

Saturday, June 17

MILTON — The historic Eustis Estate in Milton is collaborating with the Church of Holy Spirit in Mattapan and Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice Milton for a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, from 2 to 5 p.m. Dance the afternoon away with live music from acts including the Boston Public Quartet and the Branches Steel Orchestra, and try food from local vendors like Fresh Food Generation, a Caribbean American restaurant and food truck based in Dorchester. (Attendees can also bring their own food on the grounds.) Tickets are free; find more information here.

Sunday, June 18

DOWNTOWN BOSTON — After a long pandemic hiatus, the rollicking Boston Portuguese Festival is back at City Hall Plaza on Sunday from 12 to 8 p.m. The day is stacked with live music and performances from a ton of local Portuguese talent, and must-try food vendors like Greater Boston’s Old School House Pub & Restaurant and famed pastéis de natas purveyor Joey Bats Cafe will be on-site all day.

JAMAICA PLAIN — One of the city’s legendary Irish bars, the Brendan Behan Pub, is celebrating 35 years with a party on Sunday afternoon starting at 2 p.m. There will be live music, giveaways, and, of course, pints and pints of beer. (Bring actual dollars; it’s cash only.)

Saturday, June 10

BOSTON — It’s Pride weekend, baby. Boston’s Pride parade is back in full force this Saturday for the first time in three years. Check out the full parade route here and plan pre- and post-parade celebrations with our guide to the best of Boston’s gay bar scene right here.

CAMBRIDGE — The Saint Anthony Parish, a historic Portuguese parish in East Cambridge, is hosting a two-day Saint Anthony feast this weekend. Starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday, there will be food, music, dancing, and more. Head here for more information.

Sunday, June 11

CAMBRIDGE — A French bread bake-off is heating up East Cambridge. The first annual Le Grand Prix Elmendorf du Pain, hosted by local bake shop Elmendorf Baking Supplies and the East Cambridge Business Association, is taking place on Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. The competition entry tickets are sold out, but spectators can sample from food vendors including local institution Formaggio Kitchen, Kendall Square French restaurant Batifol and Arlington’s Breadboard Bakery.

SOMERVILLE — East Somerville Main Streets is hosting the neighborhood’s 13th annual Carnaval from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Grab food from Broadway restaurants like Ethiopian spot Fasika and Mexican spot Rincon while enjoying the outdoor festivities, including live music acts, dance performances, and a dunk tank.

SOUTH BOSTON — Check out a whole bunch of South Boston restaurants at once at the annual Taste of South Boston, taking place this year from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Each $75 ticket includes unlimited food samples from some of South Boston’s top restaurants, including seafood stalwart the Barking Crab and Southern spot Hunter’s Kitchen and Bar, along with wine, beer, and cocktails.