Five Reasons to Leave the House This Weekend

The Great Pumpkin Float (Photo via Flickr/AnubisAbyss)

Festival
First Annual Faneuil Hall Marketplace Street Theater Festival

Finally! An opportunity to spend the weekend with the world’s most talented street performers without investing a single penny. Amongst these performers will be renowned acrobats, contortionists, jugglers, magicians, and musicians. While you’re there, take a stroll around the marketplace, enjoy the fall weather, tell yourself that it’s five o’clock somewhere and grab yourself some pumpkin ale at a pub. Who needs an expensive circus ticket when you can have free entertainment outside in this gorgeous fall weather? Just call this Cirque du Soleil 2: The Streets.

Free; Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 20-21, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Faneuil Hall Marketplace; 617-523-1300; faneuilhallmarketplace.com

Music
The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses

The only media franchise that has grossed more than Avatar and Titanic combined, “The Legend of Zelda,” is celebrating 25 years since its introduction with the game’s sensational, action-packed music brought to the symphony. Backed by the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra and concert choir, “The Legend of Zelda: Symphony of the Goddesses” will unite original music with outstanding visuals on the symphony stage.

$34.75-$107.75; Thursday, Oct. 18, 8 p.m.; Wang Theatre, 270 Tremont St.; 866-348-9738; citicenter.org.

For the Kids
The DCR Neponset Great Pumpkin Float

Bring the whole family to the 11th annual Great Pumpkin Float at Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester. As a tradition, the children dress in their best costumes while carving Jack-o’-lanterns with their families and other locals looking to have some Halloween fun. Everybody participates in the floating parade of illuminated pumpkins that are cast down the Davenport Creek to the Neponset River. Free candy and hot cocoa will be served, too. Don’t worry, we won’t tell if the free treats are the reason you show up.

Free; Saturday, Oct. 20, 5:30 p.m.; Pope John Paul II Park, Dorchester; 617-333-7404; bostonnatural.org

Arts
Lar Lubovitch Dance Company

Created in 1968 to recreate the artistic vision of famed choreographer Lar Lubovitch, this dance company has gained a reputation of being one of the top-ranked modern companies in every U.S. state. As Lar Lubovitch was one of the top 10 best choreographers in the world, deemed by The New York Times, the company exists to put a contemporary twist on old choreography, perform those works around the world, to teach all people about the appreciation of dance, and to collaborate and serve the dance community. So it’s like a Madonna concert, but better. Kidding! We all know Madonna doesn’t collaborate.

$60-$75; Friday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 20, 8 p.m.; Citi Performing Arts Center, Shubert Theatre, 270 Tremont St.; 617-482-9393; citicenter.org

Shows
The Ellis Boston Antiques Show

Since its relaunch in 2011, the Ellis Boston Antiques show was a huge success in Boston and was proud to announce its return this year. The show invites 40 exhibitors from the U.S. and Europe to present their treasures, including decorative arts, jewelry, quilts, rare maps, and prints—some of which are for sale and others that are just for show. Every piece is guaranteed a transformation from old and dated to fresh and polished—a promise trademarked by the show’s promotional catchphrase: “Everything old is new again!” Wouldn’t my grandmother love to hear that?

$15; Thursday-Sunday, Oct. 18-21; The Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St.; 617-363-0405; ellisboston.com