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12 fun things to do in Boston this weekend – Metro US

12 fun things to do in Boston this weekend

Fall Pumpkin Float

SPORTS

Gridiron Glory

Geeks and jocks join forces for this in-depth, interactive exhibit on exploring the history, science and politics of football, with rare artifacts, photographs and film from across the history of the game, including a special Patriots section. Test your mettle in the “Training Camp,” play the role of coach in the instant replay booth and learn about the latest equipment technology.

Through Jan. 7, Museum of Science, 1 Science Park, Boston, $25, mos.org

THEATER

‘Fun Home’

Graphic novels don’t get turned into Broadway musicals very often. Graphic novels that are tragicomic memoirs about young women discovering they’re lesbians with closested gay fathers? Even less. And yet here’s “Fun Home,” based on cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s upbringing, winner of 5 Tonys, including Best Musical, and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. Still feel like ignoring comic books, Broadway?

Through Oct. 29, Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston, $55-$225, boston.broadway.com

MUSIC

Grieg and Beethoven

Associate Conductor Ken-David Masur leads the Boston Symphony Orchestra through a fully staged version of Edvard Grieg’s popular “Peer Gynt,” best known for its tranquil “Morning” and the delightfully sinister “Hall of the Mountain King.” Google them, and you’ll realize you’ve heard these tunes a thousand times in films and TV shows of all kinds.

Oct. 19-22, Symphony Hall, 301 Mass Ave., Boston, $25-$145, bso.org

Guns N’ Roses

Guns N’ Roses’ grittier sound helped them survive the rise of grunge better than any of their ’80s hair metal peers, even if, by the late ’90s, the band had shed all its original members except their mercurial blessing/curse of a frontman, Axl Rose. Bassist Duff McKagan and legendary lead guitarist Slash recently rejoined, however, so “Sweet Child O’ Mine” should be sweet indeed.

Oct. 22, 7:30 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, $145-$300, ticketmaster.com

MisterWives

This bubbly pop group, distinguished by the unique voice of lead singer Mandy Lee, emerged from NYC in 2014 after only two years under their belt, suggesting they got lucky somehow—but if so, they deserved the luck, because they’re great pop performers and songwriters, producing tracks within themselves worthy of albums by bigger names that are stitched together by dozens of shadowy producers.

Oct. 20, 6 p.m., House of Blues, 15 Lansdowne St., Boston, ticketmaster.com

The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses

Drawing on themes from Zelda games as far back as “A Link to the Past” and as recent as “Breath of the Wild,” this five part video game symphony brings the work Koji Kondo, one of Nintendo’s resident geniuses, to waking life with a full orchestra and choir performing alongside game visuals, should be a major treat for Zelda fans young and old(er).

Oct. 21, 8 p.m., Boch Center Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St., Boston, $84-$129, bochcenter.org

COMEDY

Dan Soder

Stand-up comedians can excel at convincing you they’re just up there, being themselves. Dan Soder is that sort of comic, casually recounting everyday life like he’s low-key ranting to a friend at a bar—except it’s much funnier than such talk tends to be. This approach is perfectly summarized in the clever title of his first Comedy Central special: “Not Special.”

Oct. 19-21, Laugh Boston, 425 Summer St., Boston, $25, laughboston.com

HALLOWEEN

Cirque of the Dead

The “creepy carnival” being such a stock horror setting, it’s no surprise the Boston Circus Guild came up with this Halloween show, a popular local event now in its fifth year of boos and ahs. This year they’re got a bunch of brand new acts in aerials, acrobatics, burlesque, sideshow and other diverse entertainments.

Oct. 20-31, Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge, $30-$50, americanrepertorytheater.org

FAMILIES

Fall Pumpkin Float

At this annual family-friendly event, kids (and kids at heart) can carve their own jack-o-lantern to light and float in the Frog Pond. It’s BYOP (Bring Your Own Pumpkin). Kids can also decorate paper lanterns to light the way around the pond, and there are other fun things, including a magician, music, mazes and more.

Oct. 20, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Frog Pond, Boston Common, Boston, free, boston.gov

FOOD AND DRINK

Local Craft Spirits Festival

We know who you are: the one who looks at the uptick in beer and wine snobbery with disdain, because you’re spiritual and you don’t mess around. Well, this one’s for you, friend, with samples from 30 local makers of whisky, vodka, gin, tequila and other delights, including oddities like maple water, and a chance to pick your favorites in the cocktail contest.

Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., South Plaza, Broad Canal Way, 350 Kendall St., Cambridge, $50-$90, sbnmass.org

Boston Veg Food Fest

This free festival brings together natural food purveyors, notable chefs and educational exhibitors for a celebration of all things vegetarian, catering to folks new to the meat-free life as well as longtime vets. A host of speakers and cooking demos will enhance your knowledge both of the benefits of a vegan/vegetarian diet and the ways you can make it even more delicious.

Oct. 21-22, Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St., Boston, free, bostonveg.com

FESTIVALS

SomerStreets: Monster Mashed Up

There’s lots of free fun at this fall fest thrown by the Somerville Arts Council, with three stages of live music, an Oktoberfest beer garden (of course), and a plethora of family-friendly events like the costume parade, giant chainsaw pumpkin carving, a stilting workship with Open Air Circus, a candy-throwing robot, a vintage/artisan pop-up from Somerville Flea, a parkour demo and much more.

Oct. 22, 2 p.m.-6 p.m., Somerville Ave. between Union Sq. and Spring St., Somerville, free, somervilleartscouncil.org