May is almost here, bringing with it warmer weather, bright spring blooms and of course, Mother’s Day, this year falling on Sunday, May 10.
Looking for an activity to celebrate the women in your life outside of the house? Luckily, Massachusetts has plenty of fun Mother’s Day events that mom, aunt or grandma would enjoy, all the way from a simple day of shopping in the city to a luxurious spa retreat in the Berkshires.
Here are five of Massachusetts’ best Mother’s Day activities to check out with mom this year.
Watch the Duckling Day Parade
“Mother’s Day Stroll,” from “Ducks On Parade!”
Moms can celebrate Mother’s Day with the whole family at Duckling Day Parade, a parade of young children dressed as ducklings along the path from the classic children’s book “Make Way for Ducklings.” Bring mom to watch the adorable parade, or register your family’s own little one to waddle through the Boston Common.
Besides the parade, other activities on Duckling Day include mini games, face painting, a one-woman circus show, live dance performances, a reading station and various hands-on activity booths.
Go to a Red Sox game
Fenway Park
If mom is a big Boston sports fan, there is no better way to celebrate spring than a Red Sox game. This year, the Red Sox will play at home at Fenway Park on Mother’s Day, as well as plenty of times during the weeks before and after the holiday. A full schedule of Red Sox games, as well as tickets, can be found online.
See spring flowers
Instead of getting mom flowers, consider taking her to the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University on Mother’s Day. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 10, the arboretum is hosting Lilac Sunday, a celebration of spring and mothers with over 400 blooming lilac plants, chalk art and tours of the grounds, both guided and self-guided.
For this one day only, guests are also welcome to picnic on the arboretum’s grounds, providing the perfect opportunity for a nice meal with mom. This event is free, but interested parties should register online.
The arboretum is located at 125 Arborway in Boston.
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Go shopping
Does mom love to shop? In addition to various malls and outlets throughout Massachusetts, Boston is home to many marketplaces that make for the perfect Mother’s Day shopping experience.
The South End’s SoWa Open Market, open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 500 Harrison Ave., is an outdoor artisan market with hand-made clothing, jewelry, art, gourmet foods and baked goods. When you’re done shopping, the SoWa art and design district has plenty of art galleries, boutiques and restaurants to check out.
Over in the downtown area of the city is Boston Public Market, a year-round indoor marketplace featuring over 30 New England-based artisans and food producers. From Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10, the market is hosting a special Mother’s Day Shopping Market, featuring goods like handmade gifts, make-your-own candles, flowers, cards and food from plenty of local vendors. Located at 100 Hanover St.
Enjoy music and a meal
While Mother’s Day brunch is offered at tons of restaurants in Massachusetts, City Winery in Boston puts a unique spin on the meal by adding a musical element. This year, mothers and families can sing along with Rey Royale at an R&B brunch that celebrates “classics, love songs and timeless soul.”
City Winery’s Mother’s Day R&B Brunch will take place at noon on Sunday, May 10. Tickets cost $24-36 depending on selected seats. City Winery is located at 80 Beverly St. in Boston.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Last-minute Mother’s Day plans you can still make in Massachusetts
