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Lunar Markets & Midwinter Meetups

Start with a clothing swap. Stay for the fireside singalong. Sketch without perfectionism. Craft something by hand. By Thursday, Lunar New Year celebrations take over Cambridge & Somerville with night markets, performances, and winter festivities—plus a beer trivia showdown to close it out.

SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK

 

Winter Mix: Lunar New Year Celebration @ Joan Lorentz Park, Cambridge — Hosted by the City of Cambridge Community Development Department, this citywide Thursday night Lunar New Year showcase features lion dance, cultural performance lineup, martial arts showcases, pop ups, winter games and more (scroll down to Feb 19th for this week’s event)

Monday February 16th

Galentine’s Run or Walk + Clothing Swap @ Life Alive Organic Cafe, Union Square, Somerville — A 3-mile run or 1.5-mile walk followed by a first-come athletic wear swap (bring lightly used gear + shoes), custom heat-press logos, light bites, and unclaimed shoes donated to Giving Soles for a sustainability-forward Galentine’s meetup | FREE, 6–9PM

Tuesday February 17th

Fireside Community Sing @ The Somerville Community Growing Center, Somerville — An outdoor, all-voices-welcome singalong with a propane fire pit, marshmallows to toast, open song-leading, and sea shanties or chorus-heavy favorites in a cozy garden setting | FREE, 6–8PM

Life Drawing Boston Tuesday Nights @ The Loov, Somerville — A weekly, non-instructor-led art night where you drop perfectionism, draw alongside others in an open studio format, keep breaks phone-free for real connection, and tap into creative flow with snacks and all supplies included | $15, 6:30–9PM

Shell Dish Mosaic Workshop @ Toca Chida Casa Sociale, Somerville — Create your own shell mosaic dish in a guided, small-group workshop with pre-cut tiles, all materials provided, and a complimentary mocktail from Salt + Stone while you learn the basics of mosaic design | $61, 6:30PM

Supper Club: In Bibi’s Kitchen @ Remnant Brewing, Somerville (Waitlist Only) — Do you love to cook? Take a peak at this Somerville Public Library–run cookbook club where members cook from the month’s pick In Bibi’s Kitchen and meet at Remnant for a structured potluck, shared tasting, and group conversation around the food | FREE (Waitlist), 7–9PM

Somerville Toastmasters @ Central Library Auditorium, Somerville — A public social meeting for adults looking to practice public speaking, deliver prepared speeches, and receive structured feedback in a supportive Toastmasters setting | FREE, 7–8:15PM

Wednesday February 18th  

Midday Music & Soup ft. SU @ MIT Welcome Center, Cambridge — A free lunchtime concert featuring pianist/vocalist SU’s blend of neo-soul, jazz, hip hop, and R&B, plus complimentary hot soup from Souper Roll Up Cafe (bring your own mug or bowl) while supplies last; space is first come, first served | FREE, 12:15–1PM

Read & Relax PJ Party @ First Street Market, Cambridge — Wear pajamas or soft clothes, bring a book/journal or creative project, settle into guided individual reading blocks with optional sharing breaks, and browse refreshments and giveaways during this Monarch Wellness–hosted rest night | $30-$40, 6–8PM

Saturn Return Support Group Journaling @ Tilde, Cambridge — Hosted by the Boston Journaling Club, this guided journaling session explores the Saturn return phase with reflection prompts, intention setting, and a chance to learn your “big three” zodiac signs in a supportive group setting (no astrology experience required; optional divination tools welcome); only a few spot left | FREE, 6–8PM

Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Club @ West Branch, Somerville — Join fellow speculative fiction readers to discuss this month’s book, Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, at the library’s recurring sci-fi and fantasy club (ebooks and physical copies available; only a couple of spots left | FREE, 7–8PM

Berklee Live Music Series @ Aeronaut Brewing Company, Somerville — Catch rotating Berklee student performers live each Wednesday night at 7PM in this ongoing taproom concert series spotlighting emerging talent | FREE, 7PM

Orkest Live at Aeronaut @ Aeronaut Brewery, SomervilleOrkest presents a live program of contemporary compositions by emerging artists, bringing new music directly to audiences through a flexible pay-what-you-can model; | FREE, 7:30–9PM

THE STOOP’S PICK

All About Beer Trivia Night @ McCarthy’s & Toad, Cambridge — Beer nerds assemble for a trivia night dedicated to brewing culture, classic styles, industry facts, and wild beer history, hosted by Best Trivia Ever with prizes and drinks locked in

Thursday February 19th  

Lunar New Year Night Market: Year of the Horse @ Bow Market, Somerville — Celebrate the Year of the Horse with lion dance performances, food and drink specials from Bow Market restaurants, and an AAPI maker market upstairs featuring local vendors | FREE, 5–9PM

Winter Mix: Lunar New Year Celebration @ Joan Lorentz Park (Outside Main Library), Cambridge — Part of the City of Cambridge’s Winter Mix outdoor series, this Lunar New Year–themed evening features cultural performances, winter games, seasonal food and hot chocolate, festive lighting, and a fire and flow performance by MIT Spinning Arts | FREE, 5:30–7:30PM

All About Beer Trivia Night @ McCarthy’s & Toad, Cambridge — A specialty trivia event from Best Trivia Ever focused entirely on beer, covering everything from craft brewing and lagers to fun facts and industry history | FREE, 7–9PM

Portico Point to Pint Runners @ Portico Brewing — Community 3-mile Thursday night run through Somerville followed by social pints at the brewery, open to all levels and designed for meeting other local runners without the race-day pressure | FREE, 7-9PM

WEEKEND SNEAK PEAK

Vendorama Night Art Market w/ Organs Studio @ First Street Market, Cambridge — An after-dark art market featuring 40+ local artists selling prints, jewelry, ceramics, home goods, and original pieces alongside First Street Market’s full lineup of food and drink vendors for the night

Après Ski Party @ Rebel Rebel, Somerville — A full lodge-core takeover with mountain-inspired wines, raclette plates with classic pairings included in admission, DJ-driven après beats, a winter style pop-up to upgrade your cold-weather aesthetic, and an open invite to show up in your best faux fur, vintage ski sweater, puffer, or full snow-bunny fit

AROUND THE CORNER

Marketing Mixer: PreGDC Game Pitch @ Aeronaut Brewing, Somerville — A structured pitch night hosted by Boston Game Dev where developers present a polished pitch deck on the big screen, get 15 minutes to sell their concept, and receive live feedback from an expert panel, with focus on market positioning, budget, timeline, and what makes the game stand out

LIVE READING: Might Delete Later — Somerville — Seven local novelists, poets, and essayists share short, not-yet-public works-in-progress in a rapid-fire reading format at Remnant Brewing, featuring emerging and established voices testing new material live in front of an audience

Drink n’ Draw @ Aeronaut Brewing, Somerville — A monthly commmunity sketch night with rapid-fire drawing prompts, themed rounds, food hall tables on lock, communal supplies if you forget yours, and a room full of people turning chaotic ideas into full-page doodles over drinks