Cruise Boston Harbor with live music from top acts. What could be better? How about two pairs of tickets I’m giving away for the June 23 cruise with Carbon Leaf? Email johnny@eventsinsider.com to enter. Fri 6/22 more

My fav? Cute kids on stage doing martial arts. It’s absolutely the best time to check out Chinatown. I’ve been to this street festival featuring Chinese Opera, folk dances, martial arts performances, vendor booths, and more. 10am-5pm. Sun 6/24 more

It’s not just for kids! Adults too can shoot each other with NERF weapons, and some of their events function like a summer camp for kids. Other ones that adults can attend include Thursday July 12 for Zombies with NERF weapons and fantasy-themed day for boffer weapons on July 26 that WIRED magazine will be attending. Fri 6/22 more

Do you have to be a ham to use a ham radio? Ha ha, I crack myself up. Ham radio operators are having a festival, showing how their long-range radios provide communication whenever there’s an emergency. They’ll show off Morse code, solar power, and even try to contact a passing satellite overhead. p.s. no actual ham provided. Sat 6/23–Sun 6/24 more

The fun continues in Waltham… Sat 6/23–Sun 6/24 more

Hip hip! Wot wot! We are fortunate to have a world-class auto museum in our backyard, and they hold outdoor festivals all summer. Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the day. 10am-2pm. Sun 6/24 more

If not now, when? I’ve never been to the Boston Harbor Islands – how sad. Get out there and explore the Boston Harbor Islands, because the ferries are free this day. 9am-5pm. Tue 6/19 more

Chalk it up to summer, you too can make ark on the sidewalk! Monday in Copley Square, and Tuesday in Brattle Square. Rain dates respectively 2 days later. 2012: 11am-2pm. Mon 6/18–Tue 6/19 more

It’s a fair cop! Find old-timey police, criminals, and judges as part of Riverfest weekend. (Though actually, the Minuteman National Park has re-enactments almost every weekend this summer.) It’s always struck me as weird how they never give a real address. I guess just drive up and down Rt 2A and hope to spot it. Sat 6/23–Sun 6/24 more

This BBQ fest has a Ferris Wheel! And they cart in 100 tons of sand to Boston City Hall Plaza. Yikes! You guys know that Boston *has* beaches, right? This isn’t Kansas. I guess they figure that we’re too lazy to head to the beach. City Hall is central. Fri 6/22–Sun 6/24 more

No parade this year, but a sidewalk booth and a closing party turn this string of performances into a festival of sorts. The Pirate of Penzanze is everyone’s favorite GIlbert & Sullivan comedy, find comedian Lenny Bruce re-enacted, and other exciting and new performances presented by three of Boston’s giants: The American Repertory Theatre, The Huntington Theatre Company, and the Institute for Contemporary Art. Thu 6/21–Sun 6/24 more

Pick a caged animal; they club it and cook it. Just kidding! The food’s from local restaurants. But they will have live animals and music, and it’s at night. (Unfortunately, the last time I visited the Stone Zoo at night, the animals were all hiding or sleeping, but that was winter.) Ages 21+. 5:30-9:30pm. Sat 6/23 more

If there’s an opening celebration, I couldn’t find it, but I’m excited to spread the word that Boston has a new museum! It’s floating near South Station and is a replica of the ships that the Boston Tea Party happened on. Is it good? Yah, most likely! They’ll have live re-enactors dressed in old-timey costume. 9am-5pm. Tue 6/26 more

The epicness is epic. Faking guitar lets you be epically epic without the burden of learning an instrument or singing well. Ya know what? I bet the antics are hilarious and bring out the rock hero in everyone. 9pm. 18+. Fri 6/22 more

Sat 6/23 more

Re-enactors will show you cannon and musket firing and old-timey skills like sewing and blacksmithing. 9am-3pm. Sat 6/23 more

I write about events, but what about destinations? Where are the dinosaur footprints, the oddball museums, and a water park open indoors all year? Get my 2012 New England Guide! Just follow the link and help spread the word to friends about Events INSIDER to get it. (And then email me at johnny@eventsinsider.com. I’m not a mind reader.). Thu 3/1–Mon 12/31 more

Networking events can sometimes be so high energy or focused on the presenters that you don’t get a chance to socialize. Drinks on Tap turns that equation on its head by offering a relaxed, social environment for developers and designers of mobile apps. I spoke with Greg Raiz who told me that they discourage PowerPoint presentations and sales pitches. Although at each monthly meeting, they have a couple of presenters, they try to keep each one to five minutes. And of course you don’t have to drink to attend. You’ll can find as many as 200 people to mingle and network with, and even to make real friends. If you’re an expert or have an interest in Android, iPhone, or other device development, their next meeting is July 10th. 6-9pm, with demos starting at 7pm. Tue 7/10 more

Your product does a job, but is it beautiful? Is it a dream to use? I spoke with Chris Hass, SVP of Experience Design at Mad*Pow about his consulting practice and UPA Boston. UPA Boston is a group of high-tech, design, and user experience professionals who have expertise in or want to hone their skills in usability. That’s how you turn a product that’s functional into one that people can’t wait to tell their friends about. The group of 1,600 have 17 annual events, which are generally monthly speaker events, but also include an annual conference, a picnic, quarterly workshops. As well as networking and socializing where you can see demos of technology, tour usability labs, and hear lectures about case studies in the industry, or even learn about getting a job. Join UPA Boston at http://upaboston.org to hear about their movie night to be held in August in Arlington, MA! Sun 1/1–Mon 12/31 more

What is the cloud? How do you keep things secure? Listen, learn, and network with Boston entrepreneurs and other high-tech and business professionals. It’s free and they’ll serve food! 6-9pm. Tue 6/26 more

Are you an entrepreneur? Do you like business networking? Then I have the free app for you! This calendar for the iPhone, BlackBerry, and Android is the largest calendar of startup and business events around Boston. I’m going to lose money on this until we see some adoption and can attract sponsors, so please tell your friends. Thanks! Sun 1/1–Mon 12/31 more

Speaking of food samples, here’s another networking event devoted to “sustainable” growing of food. Yum. I’m getting hungry. 6:30-9pm. Wed 6/20 more

Wait, I pay $100 for some tours and a “light buffet supper” and it goes to what charity? Something to do with Copley Square, I guess, but as a tourist destination, isn’t there plenty of city or chamber of commerce money for Copley Square? Thu 6/21 more

Are you a fan of the sci-fi TV show Firefly or the movie Serenity? Join other fans to see the film, raise money to end violence and discrimination against women and girls, and to commiserate about the financial failure of both the TV series and movie. 11:59pm. Sat 6/23 more

I track 270 outdoor summer music series in New England. Here’s an easy one to get to, right in Cambridge. These “pops” are by the Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, not the Boston Pops. (Are they rivals? Do they have gang fights, and with what weapons? Well, you can at least hear the *music* of West Side Story.) 3pm. Sun 6/24 more

Uh oh! The Boston Pops competes on the same day with an outdoor concert that’s accompanied by kite flying, dance performance, “nature activities”, and more park-y stuff. 1-5pm. Sun 6/24 more

Or perhaps you’d rather make history by joining this band as they make a music video. Their music is mellow-acoustic, like James Taylor and they need extras to cheer and dance! 8:30pm. Wed 6/20 more

Another walking tour leads you through Beacon Hill’s hiding spots for escaped slaves and other nooks and crannies. Yo! You gots to Registah in advance, baby eyes. 6pm. Tue 6/19 more

I went to a small Greek festival once. It was fun and not as religious as I’d feared. That being said, these Greek and Italian festivals are generally way more religious than other festivals. This one has Greek dancing (presumably you can join in)… And music… and that’s it. Well, they’ll have food and “church tours”. Wow, a church tour. Fri 6/22–Sun 6/24 more

Hmm. “Rides for children” and “fun activities”. Like what? Compel us with breathtaking writing, please! It looks like they may have a mini train ride for kids and it’s mostly a “crafts sale”. So basically it’s shopping. You often find vendors at festivals but let’s not make it the whole festival, please. Sat 6/23 more

Neighborhood Night Out is some kind of anti-crime initiative where you get to know your neighbors, I think. While it’s a national drive, I’ve tried and failed to find lots of locations where it’s actually happening. Here is one that I noticed. Free “slush” and free games. 6-8pm. Thu 6/21 more

This annual strawberry fest has a historic flair, because it’s happening in an old-timey historic home of the son of the first governor of Massachusetts Colony. Re-enactors dressed in costume will give you a tour of the 1627 residence / museum. Must buy tickets in advance if you want to eat. 5:30-7pm. Tue 6/19 more

Do you like Diplomacy, the board game? Here’s a competition! Sat 6/23–Sun 6/24 more

Tango is the hardest of the dances to learn, but I called and they swore this festival is for beginners of all ages, even kids. Wed 6/20–Sun 6/24 more

The Mass Dance Festival is more focused — just two days — and you’ll find performances, but also workshops where you can learn to dance. Make sure to see the Sorvino Dance Project, which is based on film noir — wiley detectives and seductive women create an air of mystery! Sat 6/23–Sun 6/24 more

Not up for air guitar? Find real instruments. And real workshops and guitar competitions. Wed 6/20–Sun 6/24 more

I don’t get this festival, but it seems to involve inventors showing off their cool toys. That’s good, right? Comes with a BBQ and you can check out their inventions. Wed 6/20–Sat 6/23 more

I love these outdoor nighttime festivals! This one benefits the Italian Home for Children. (Shouldn’t this be the Home for Italian Children?) It’s only $35 at the door and they’ll have live music and food samples from various restaurants. 6:30-9pm. Thu 6/21 more

Also outdoors, join this fancy chef BBQ. Hmm. There’s no charity, and yet it costs double. 7-9:30pm. Fri 6/22 more

They gave filmmakers 48 hours to create a film from start to finish. The contest is over. Now watch the results! Wed 6/20 more

To bring you into their clothing store, this new sportswear store wants you to dress as your favorite sports hero from history! In the store and then 6pm afterparty at a local “watering hole”. 21+. Sat 6/23 more

The longest running Broadway “singular sensation” dances its way into the hearts of Reagle audiences. Click for our review! (4.5 out of 5 stars). Photo credit: Herb Philpott. Fri 6/15–Sun 6/24 more

CUPCAKE is a flirty love-letter to Summertown, a free-spirited seaside resort where every mouth waters for Tom and his irresistible cupcakes. Click for our review! Thu 5/10–Sun 6/24 more

Boston’s premier stand-up comics bringing their stories of food, fisticuffs, and failure to the beautiful Davis Square Theatre. 8pm. Sat 6/23 more

Kit Cat Cabaret combines the traditional dance forms of Jazz, Tango, Ballet, and …tap and mixes it with the humor and style of cabaret. Fri 6/22–Sat 6/23 more

The singing, dancing, theatre troupe that parodies national and world news. For serious news junkies. I’ve seen it — Their production values are a bit sub par, but the comedy is excellent, and that’s what you’re there for, right? 7pm. Sat 6/23 more