Best of Boston

Given that it started as a parking lot, there was nowhere to go but up for Cambridge’s Starlight Square, which opened during the pandemic as a safe outdoor gathering space for locals. With small huts for area vendors, tasty food, and performances from dancers, musicians, and more, it was like a condensed version of what Central Square itself usually offers. And though it began as a pandemic-specific hangout, it was so popular that it’ll now live on as a way to enjoy the neighborhood’s character long into the future.