Cross your fingers for nice weather this Mother’s Day (May 8), because there are plenty of outdoor events planned to celebrate mom amongst the flowers and budding trees.

* Lilac Sunday at Arnold Arboretum is always a treat. Take in the fragrant blossoms then grab some grub from the food trucks for a lovely Mom’s Day picnic. It’s the only day of the year the park allows picnicking!

* The Stevens-Coolidge Place in North Andover will host a Mother’s Day Brunch Picnic, complete with fiddle music, croquet on the lawn and tea and pastries.

* Get moving on the Mother’s Day Brunch and Stroll, with a hike around Chickatawbut Hill, followed by a pancake breakfast hosted by Mass Audubon’s Blue Hills Trailside Museum.

7 Saturday

March for Babies, 9am, DCR Hatch Shell, 47 David G. Mugar Way, Boston. Join Boston Parents Paper in a scenic walk along the Charles while raising money for the March of Dimes. Registration required. 508-366-9066; marchofdimes.com.

Brunch Ideas for Mother’s Day, 11am – 1pm, The Kitchen at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. This fun ongoing brunch demo session will show you how to make an amazing breakfast in bed. Drop in. Family, $20. 617-542-7696; ttor.org.

SOUTH

Make a Craft for Mom, 10am to noon, North River Wildlife Sanctuary, 2000 Main St., Marshfield. Make handmade gifts using natural materials. Bring a picnic and take a stroll through the sanctuary. Drop in. FREE. 781-837-9400; massaudubon.org. 

WEST

(Before) Mother’s Day Garden Walk and the Blessing of the Fields, 1-3pm, Chestnut Hill Farm, Chestnut Hill Road, Southborough. Guided walks through the meadow, flower planting, refreshments and activities. $10; moms, free. 978-356-4351; ttor.org.

8 Sunday

Mother’s Day

Lilac Sunday, 10am – 3pm, Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston. The lilac is celebrated with tours, activities and food trucks. Stay for lunch – it’s the one day picnicking is allowed on the grounds. FREE. 617-384-5253; arboretum.harvard.edu.

Duckling Day, 10am – 12:30pm, Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common, Boston. Dress up as a Make Way for Duckling character and parade through the Common. After, enjoy games, music, magic and more. Family, $40. 617-599-8509; friendsofthepublicgarden.org.

Mother’s Day in the Garden, 10am – 1pm, Worcester Street Community Garden, Boston. Enjoy brunch treats and make a potted herb arrangement. Adults, $30; youth, $10. 617-542-7696; ttor.org.

Happy Mother’s Day Party, 11am – 3pm, The Kitchen at Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston. Craft flower bouquets, make art projects and explore hands-on cooking and baking stations. Drop in. Family, $20. 617-542-7696; ttor.org.

Boston Pops Spring Family Concert: Dancing With a Twist, 3pm, Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave., Boston. Dancers from Dancing With the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance will join American Idol vocalists and the Pops for an electrifying night of music and dance. $24 and up; 50% off youth tickets. 888-266-1200; bostonpops.org.

NORTH

Mother’s Day Spring Alpen Celebration, 10am, Appleton Farms, 219 County Road, Ipswich. A tradition originating in the Alps, enjoy traditional Swiss treats, a fondue bar, live music, a cow parade and more. Registration required. Moms, free; adults, $30; youth, $15. 978-356-5728; ttor.org.

Mother’s Day Brunch Picnic, 11am, The Stevens-Coolidge Place, 137 Andover St., North Andover. Get outside and play lawn games, listen to fiddle music, have a tea party picnic or have a pro photo taken in the gardens. Family, $40. 978-356-4351; ttor.org.

A Fairy House Tea for Mother’s Day, 1pm, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate, 290 Argilla Road, Ipswich. Create a fairy house and enjoy tea with mom. Youth, $15. 978-356-4351; ttor.org.

SOUTH
Mother’s Day Breakfast and Nature Walk,
8- 11am, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill St., Sharon. Take a guided walk to look for signs of spring then enjoy a hearty pancake breakfast. Registration required. $15. 781-784-5691; massaudubon.org.

Mother’s Day Brunch and Stroll, 10am, Blue Hills Trailside Museum, 1904 Canton Ave., Milton. Celebrate at the top of beautiful Chickatawbut Hill! Take a walk and enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Registration required. $12. 617-333-0690; massaudubon.org.

Mother’s Day Family Celebration and Wildflower Walk, 1pm, Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate, 2468B Washington St., Canton. Look for flowers and hidden vernal ponds, then return to the Main House for outdoor games and lemonade. $15. 508-636-4693; ttor.org.

WEST

Birds and Breakfast, 7am to noon, Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, 280 Eliot St., Natick. Take a guided bird walk, followed by a homemade breakfast. Registration required. Adults, $18; youth, $10. 508-655-2296; massaudubon.org.

Mother’s Day, 9:30am- 4pm, Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Village Road, Sturbridge. Visit the Village to learn about 19th century parenting, watch cooking demos and partake in hands-on crafts. Free with admission; moms, free. 800-733-1830; osv.org

Ethnic Heritage Festival and KidsFEST, 10am – 5pm, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave., Newton. Take part in Indian folk-art painting, try out calligraphy or origami or hit up the kiddie rides and face painting. FREE. newtoncommunitypride.org.

Lilacs and Lemonade, noon to 4pm, The Old Manse, 269 Monument St., Concord. Enjoy the lilacs and fruit trees in bloom, then have lemonade and cookies in the garden or have a portrait taken. $15; moms, free. 978-369-3909; ttor.org.