Boston's September 11–13 weekend offers a strong mix of free public events and ticketed sports. Saturday is the busiest day: Mattapan opens Blue Hill Avenue to pedestrians, Boston-area artists fill Christopher Columbus Park, and salsa takes over Summer Street Plaza. Sunday is the final chance to see the elephant sculptures in Back Bay.

Friday: Fenway after work

The Kansas City Royals open a three-game set against the Red Sox at 7:10 p.m. Friday. If Fenway is your anchor, keep the rest of the evening nearby and allow extra time around Kenmore. Confirm game details through the official club schedule.

Saturday: choose a neighborhood anchor

Open Streets Mattapan runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Blue Hill Avenue from River Street to Babson Street. The free event includes music, food trucks and children's activities. Streets close to vehicle traffic at 9 a.m. and are scheduled to reopen at 4 p.m. Official details.

The Boston Arts Festival fills Christopher Columbus Park from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free, and the festival focuses exclusively on Boston-area visual artists and musicians. Festival information.

Embrace Massó ¡Con Salsa! runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday at Summer Street Plaza in Downtown Crossing. The free block party brings live music, dance, food and an Afro-Latino cultural celebration into the center of the city. Organizer details.

The City of Boston calendar also lists a free watercolor workshop at Roslindale Wetlands from 10 a.m. to noon, the Urban Ag Fair at Roxbury Heritage State Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and a Fixit Clinic at Boston Building Resources from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sunday: art and one final walk with the herd

Sunday is the final scheduled day for The Great Elephant Migration on Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The free public-art installation places 100 life-size elephant sculptures between the Fairfield and Dartmouth Street area. Pair it with the second day of the Boston Arts Festival rather than rushing across multiple neighborhoods.

Build one good day, not four stressful stops

Mattapan, Downtown Crossing, the Waterfront, Back Bay and Fenway each have major draws. Pick one anchor, add one nearby activity, and leave room for food and transit. Event times can change; check the official link again on the morning you go.