Ways to commemorate and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Boston

Celina Colby

Celina Colby is an arts and travel reporter with a fondness for Russian novels.... VIEW BIO

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Monday, Oct. 14 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a celebration of Indigenous culture, history and heritage. Cultural institutions around Boston are celebrating with special programming, free admission and live art-making.

Boston Indigenous Peoples’ Day March

When: Saturday, Oct. 12 | 12 p.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Park Street Station, Boston Common
Info: Indigenous organizations will lead a march through downtown Boston advocating for the state Legislature to make Indigenous Peoples’ Day a holiday recognized statewide.

Boston’s Indigenous People’s Social and Dance

When: Saturday, Oct. 12 | 5 p.m.-11 p.m.
Where: 105 South Huntington Ave.
Info: Boston’s Indigenous community is invited to gather in Jamaica Plain for traditional Native crafts and drumming by Red Hawk Singers followed by a dance party with a live DJ and guest performances.

Free Admission to the Museum of Fine Arts

When: Monday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 465 Huntington Ave.
Info: For Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is offering free admission to anyone with a Massachusetts state ID. Throughout the day, enjoy live performances, panel discussions, drop-in art-making, voter registration and more.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Connection To Place, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

When: Monday, Oct. 14 | 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 25 Evans Way
Info: In addition to free admission to the Gardner Museum, enjoy a robust day of programming curated and created by Elizabeth Solomon of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, Erin Genia of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, and Tanya Nixon-Silberg and Tony Leva from Little Uprisings.

Free Admission to the ICA Boston

When: Monday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 25 Harbor Shore Drive
Info: The Institute of Contemporary Art Boston is offering free admission to all on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Advance reservations are required. Visitors can see the museum’s current exhibitions, including “Charles Atlas: About Time,” “Tau Lewis,” “Gun Violence Memorial Project” and more, plus participate in live art-making experiences.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Plant and Tree Walk

When: Monday, Oct. 14 | 10:30 a.m.
Where: 125 The Fenway
Info: Elizabeth James-Perry, Aquinnah Wampanoag artist and cultural steward, will lead a family-friendly guided nature walk around the Back Bay Fens highlighting Indigenous cuisine, responsible land stewardship practices and tribal land uses.

Free Admission to the Mapparium

When: Monday, Oct. 14 | 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: 210 Massachusetts Ave.
Info: As part of the Opening Our Doors festival in the Fenway neighborhood, the Mapparium will offer free admission on Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The Mapparium is a one-of-a-kind immersive three-story stained-glass globe that viewers can walk into and learn about.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day Concert: Música Latina dos Povos Originários

When: Tuesday, Oct. 15 | 1 p.m.
Where: 1140 Boylston Street
Info: This special concert honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day features the participants of the SOMOS Latinx program at Berklee College of Music. The concert highlights the musical traditions and rhythms of Latin America throughout the centuries.