New Week, New Sections From The Stoop

Fireworks & Free Kicks

The start of the week holds most of the action as the squares begin slowing down with Fourth of July weekend clearing out both cities. What isn't slowing down? An incoming heat wave that could reach 100+ on Thursday. But whether you prefer touching grass or sleeping with the AC on, the next couple of days give you choices with an early Fourth of July fireworks party at Trum Field or the ongoing watch parties as the World Cup's elimination round of 32 begins.

Mass Ave Mayhem

Cambridge City Hall shuts down Mass Ave tomorrow as the Annual City Dance Party continues for its 26th year in a row, and everyone's invited. Catch the light show, music, and even a World Cup screening if you get there early enough. Speaking of screenings, Urban Park's rooftop joins the fun with its summer movie series this weekend too. From movie nights to watch parties, both cities light up as summer kicks off. Signing off from Inman tonight.

Jokes, Mixers & Maybe A Match

Happy Father's Day everyone. The summer solstice officially marks the start of summer and things are in full swing in the squares. The World Cup keeps rolling with daily matches, Porter Square's shopping center rebrands with a neighborhood party, while comedy + singles events keep the social battery alive with multiple events throughout the week. Make sure to clear your Friday night too as Cambridge starts prepping for one of the biggest parties of the year with its annual dance party at city hall.

A Euro Summer In The Ville

FIFA aren't the only ones leveling up the playing field this summer as Cambridge has gone into its full euro era with public consumption and 3am extensions from square to square, or at least until July 31st. But whether you want to indulge yourself or not, there are always options in the neighborhood with dance parties at State Park, block parties on Brattle St, and a slew of Sunday solstice socials (try saying that seven times in a row) from walks to free museum adventures. Need a place to watch the matches? Walk into almost any business with a TV on and thank me later.

Movie Scores & Menu Testings

Has anyone seen the Tartan Army in Camberville? I got a chance to see them downtown and their celebrations are a great show of the World Cup's global spirit as nations collide in Boston. It's a slightly cooler and slower week after a packed weekend, though a more social vibe shifts into the squares, from new social clubs to mixers and a brewery lecture. Plus Somerville isn't the only one hosting taste fests, as Cambridge gets its own turn Wednesday by Central Square.

Baguette Fests & Big Screens

The World Cup is underway and the whole country is kicking off a summer of watch parties. Camberville isn't sitting it out with bars from North Cambridge to Assembly Row putting matches on the big screen, so no matter where you are you can catch the US game tomorrow night. If World Cup fever isn't your thing, you can still get a taste of the global flavor as East Cambridge channels a slice of Paris for its 4th annual bread competition. Carnaval also finally lights up Broadway this weekend after last week's weather postponement. Between the watch parties, the baguettes, and the block party, you're covered.

Moon Talks & Taste Tests In Somerville

It's started pouring for what's shaping up to be a muggy second half of the week as World Cup fever closes in. We'll have two upcoming days of sunshine though and plenty of incentive to get out and touch grass. The Nova/PBS crew brings science trivia nights to life, moon talks take over Lamplighter (don't forget to ask if the landings are real), and Taste of Somerville grips the city as thousands pack Boynton Yards with more than 50 restaurants, breweries, and vendors for a night of food and live music on Wednesday night. As always, please make sure to check for weather updates on each event link before heading out.

16 Blocks of Carnaval

We're one week away from the start of the World Cup, so get ready for these drops to be filled with everything from watch parties to themed community events and more. Well, the more starts this weekend with Guinness World Records pulling up to MIT as Cambridge joins cities around the world to break a juggling record in unison, and you're invited. If that's not enough, East Somerville will be shutting down 16 blocks as Carnaval fills up the streets with vendors, Brazilian music, live performances and everything in between. Consider this your Sunday traffic jam warning.

Rooftops, Records & Rain Checks

Who else felt the meteor boom that rocked all of Boston yesterday? This week may not be felt as strong as something NASA clocked at 75,000 mph, but the squares are bringing the energy anyway. Berklee takes the Kendall rooftop for live music sets on Tuesday, Glasshouse goes full summer camp Thursday with a firepit and lawn games, and Open Decks brings records and dancing to Naco Taco to keep the patio vibes going.