Free events in Boston this week: Boston Arts Festival returns, free concert, Seaport movie night – The Boston Globe

It’s rather poetic that meteorological summer ended Sunday — we’ve made it past moving day, college students are back on campus, and Boston Public Schools are about to be in session. We may be waving “goodbye” to summer, but not to free things to do in the area. This week, check out a civic-minded panel in Dorchester, and the return of the Boston Arts Festival. Plus, free admission to the Institute of Contemporary Art all day Labor Day.

Free events

OPTIMUS PRIME-TIME Pack a blanket or a lawn chair and head out to Seaport for an outdoor screening of the 2023 autobot-action flick, “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.” Food truck snacks and wine and beer will be available for purchase, though the hosts also encourage guests to BYOP (bring your own picnic) or pick up takeout from the surrounding restaurants. Rental chairs are available for $10 a pop, and free treats — like popcorn, swag, and soft drinks — will be up for grabs throughout the night. Sept. 2, 7 p.m. Free. 88 Seaport Blvd. bostonseaport.xyz

EDUCATE As November’s election nears, the BPL’s Dorchester branch is hosting a civic-minded panel discussion. Led by Andrés Ballesteros, community director of White Snake Projects, the panel will feature Occidental College Assistant Professor Ainsley LeSure and Boston-based activists Eric Kennedy and Madison Foley. The event will also feature a performance from Naomi Westwater, a local folk-rock and poetry artist. Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Free. 690 Adams St., Dorchester. bpl.bibliocommons.com

JAM OUT At the Christian Science Plaza, the summer vibes are far from over with a free concert on the lawn, featuring folk artist Farayi Malek; the Robbie Pate Group, who will play R&B and soul covers; and Albino Mbie, who will play Afro-pop originals. Then cool off with a new world view with free admission to the Mapparium, the iconic, stained glass domed structure — representing the globe circa 1935 — where sound, vibration, and light bounce and reflect in extraordinary ways. Sept. 6, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Free. Christian Science Plaza, 210 Massachusetts Ave. christianscience.com

ARTIST’S POINT This coming weekend, Christopher Columbus Park hosts over 50 artists at the annual Boston Arts Festival. The festival, which has been hosted since 2003, will feature two days of music — including performances from local artists like Fly By Brass Band, blindspot, and the 94s. Plus, there will be numerous vendors, including paintings by Joseph Mushipi, clothing by Sherry Divedi, and ceramics by Lori Gardinier. Sept. 7 and 8, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. Christopher Columbus Park, 100 Atlantic Ave. thebostonartsfestival.com

NOT A ROOK-IE MISTAKE Try a twist on chess with a free meetup in Harvard Square. The Creative Chess Club invites likeminded gamers to take on a non-traditional variant — from Magic the Gathering hybrid, Eternal Kings, to eight-player Party Chess. The group encourages new members (and novices) and meet every other Saturday. Check their website or join their Discord for up-to-date locations and times. Sept. 7, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., the Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center, 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. bostonscreativechessclub.com

VOCAL CHORD ACADEMY The Boston Lyric Opera and Boston Conservatory at Berklee join forces for an opera masterclass featuring Lawrence Brownlee. Brownlee, who will star in the titular role in Mozart’s “Mitridate” at the BLO later this month, will coach five singers through technique, and offer performance and acting tips. Members of the public are welcome to sit in on the lesson and get a glimpse behind the scenes of the world of opera. Sept. 8, 3 p.m. Free. Seully Hall, 8 Fenway. bostonconservatory.berklee.edu

Deals & Steals

ON-THE-HOUSE ARTS In honor of Labor Day, the Institute of Contemporary Art will offer free admission all day long. Visitors can catch the Firelei Báez exhibition and Hew Locke’s The Procession (located at the ICA’s Watershed) on their final day at the museum. Advance tickets are required. Sept. 2, 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Free. Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Drive. icaboston.org

Emily Wyrwa can be reached at emily.wyrwa@globe.com. Follow her @emilywyrwa.