Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

Including Figment, the Cambridge Jazz Festival, and more.

ARTS
Figment

Art is not only meant for people to view, but also to play and interact with at this popular outdoor festival. Figment’s celebration of collaborative art and creative energy will once again dazzle on the Greenway this weekend. Emerging artists will set up all sorts of fun art pieces for this large-scale festival. Previous installations include rope swings, giant typewriters, performances from opera to dance, and more.

Free, July 30-31, Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston, boston.figmentproject.org

Cambridge Jazz Festival 2015 / Photo by Mutsuko

Cambridge Jazz Festival 2015. / Photo by Mutsuko

TUNES
Cambridge Jazz Festival

Nothing screams summertime sizzle like an outdoor jazz festival. The family-friendly festival at Danehy Park will have a designated area with fountains for kids to run through and cool off in under the sun. “People can expect a fun, inclusive family event,” says Larry Ward, a cofounder of the festival. “There’ll be everyone from sax legend Walter Beasley to high school bands performing.”

Free, Sunday, July 31, 12-6 p.m., Danehy Park, Cambridge, cambridgejazzfestival.org

Puerto Rican Festival of MA 2015 / Photo by Rafael Feliciano

Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts 2015. / Photo by Rafael Feliciano

CULTURE
Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts

Here’s something to spice up your weekend: a three-day festival including a parade, concerts, and dancing that’ll paint the city with red, white, and blue. The annual Puerto Rican Festival aims to bring together people from all heritages to learn and share. Come for the carnival rides and local music, stay for the traditional Puerto Rican food.

Free, July 29-31, City Hall Plaza, Boston, PuertoRicanFestivalofMA.org.

FESTIVAL
Lowell Folk Festival

The country’s largest and longest-running free folk festival will congregate in Downtown Lowell for its 30th year this weekend. The festival will feature traditional music on five outdoor stages, crafts, ethnic food, art, and children’s activities.

Free, July 29-31, Downtown Lowell, lowellfolkfestival.org

Hull Illumination Festival / Photo by Brian Tague

Hull Illumination Festival. / Photo by Brian Tague

SEA GLOW
Hull Harbor Illumination Festival

Head to Hull this weekend for a day of nautical celebration. It begins with a open house at the Hull Life Saving Museum followed by an afternoon festival on L street. Enjoy live music from local bands, food vendors, children’s activities, and more than 20 artisans with marine-inspired creations. When the sun sets, the harbor will be illuminated as a boat parade is led by a replica of an 1800s yacht.

Free, Saturday, July 30, L St., Hull, hulllivesavingmuseum.org.