Believe it or not, 2025 is nearly half way over. On a personal level, 2025 has felt a little rough. So I figured I’d make a list of frivolous, non-political, and largely applicable “good” things to look forward to. I acknowledge that this list may be subjective and there are many other things to look forward to. With that being said, I’d like to share my list of 10 things to look forward to in the second half of 2025:
- Television:
Nine Perfect Strangers will return to Hulu May 21 for its second season. Ginny & Georgia and Squid Game also release their third season on June 2 and June 27 on Netflix. The Better Sister and We Were Liars, both new shows based off of popular books, will arrive on Prime during the summer. After much anticipation, The Summer I Turned Pretty will release the final season of the drama love triangle on July 16 to Prime Video as well as a new season of Love Island USA sometime in the summer. For the fall, Wednesday season two will be released to Netflix on September 3.
I am personally very excited for season three of Shrinking to be released on Apple TV around October and for Ted Lasso season four to premiere in the end of 2025/ beginning of 2026.
- Movies
Mission: Impossible- The Final Reckoning will arrive in theaters on May 23. Ballerina, a murderous ballerina-assassin, will arrive in theaters on June 6. As for kid-friendly movies, Elio and How To Train Your Dragon (the live action remake) will both make their appearance in theaters on June 13. New sequels are much anticipated in theaters with Freakier Friday coming out August 8, Wicked: For Good (Wicked: Part Two) coming out November 21, and Zootopia 2 expected to premiere November 26. Other notable films include the release of F1 (June 27), Jurassic World: Rebirth (July 2), and Avatar: Fire And Ash (December 19)
- Music
Morgan Wallen will release a new album, I’m the Problem, on May 16, as well as Joe Jonas releasing a new album shortly after. Addison Ray and Cynthia Erivo will release new Music June 6th. Teased albums, or albums that artists have released small snippets of music or information hinting to a release date, are expected to be released in 2025 from DJ Khaled, Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, and Megan Thee Stallion.
- Hunger Games on the rise
After the recent release of Sunrise on the Reaping, a prequel to The Hunger Games focused on the early years of the mentor Haymitch, the cast list for the film has already been announced and will be released in 2026. Suzanne Collins will also release a new book, Eclipse Beyond The Arena, in 2025 although it hasn’t yet been confirmed by Scholastic. The story is expected to take place in the capital and explore Effy Trinket’s early life.
- Concerts (in Boston)
In May, Kenrick Lamar & SZA, Empire of the Sun, Shakira, Post Malone & Jelly Roll are playing. There is also Boston Calling May 23-25 and La La Land in concert June 7. In June, concerts include The Weeknd and Hozier. During July, Tyler the Creator, Coldplay, The Lumineers, and Gracie Abrams are playing in concert as well as the Boston Pops hosting a free 4th of July concert. In August, Katy Perry, Stevie Nicks, Morgan Wallen, Billy Idol, the Jonas Brothers, and Tate McRae are on tour. In the fall as concerts start to die down, Dua LipaTate McRae, and John Legend are performing too.
I’m looking forward to the Empire of the Sun concert, Coldplay, and Japanese Breakfast (who unfortunately is performing during AP exam week so I won’t be able to attend.)
- Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are currently 18-18 and are 2nd in the AL East Division (behind the New York Yankees (19-15)). Home games for this season include:
- Atlanta Braves (May 16-18)
- New York Mets (May 19-21)
- Baltimore Orioles (May 22-25, August 18-19)
- Los Angeles Angles (June 3-4)
- Tampa Bay Rays (June 9-11 and July 10-13)
- New York Yankees (June 13-15 and September 12-14)
- Toronto Blue Jays (June 27-29)
- Cincinnati Reds (June 30- July 2)
- Colorado Rockies (July 7-9)
- Los Angeles Dodgers (July 25-17)
- Houston Astros (August 1-3)
- Kansas City Royals (August 4-6)
- Miami Marlins (August 15- 17)
- Pittsburgh Pirates (August 29-31)
- Cleveland Guardians (September 1-3)
- Detroit Tigers (September 27- 28)
I attended my second Red Sox game just recently and realized that I actually really enjoy watching baseball. I believe that Fenway is full of life and history and the games are exciting regardless of the seats.
- Van Gogh at the MFA
From March 30- September 7, the MFA is holding a special exhibit: Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits. The collection dates back to Van Gogh’s stay in the South of France where he made portraits of fellow neighbors, Joseph Roulin, his wife, their three children, and himself. There are 23 works in the collection including his iconic Postman Joseph Roulin (1888), The Bedroom and Self Portrait (1889). The MFA describes the exhibition as “giv[ing] visitors the most in-depth look yet at the emotional underpinnings of some of the beloved artist’s most widely recognized paintings.” Tickets for the exhibition are free for members and children, $17 for youth, and $34 for adults.
- Meteor Showers
We are currently in the Aquarius meteor shower which has been active from April 15 and will continue until May 27. Perseids, the brightest meteor shower, will peak in the early hours of August 13, just three days after a full moon which may dim its visibility a little bit yet will not interfere with the awe of Perseids. Gemini’s will peak December 13 and 14 and have the best visibility and viewing conditions for a meteor shower this year. The Orionids will peak right before Halloween, October 20-21, and will also benefit from a full moon and dark sky. The best time to watch a meteor shower is for three days around the shower’s peak, yet keep in mind the weather conditions, air quality, and light pollution, and clouds when planning a fun small stargazing trip.
- Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival
The Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival is having a large celebration this year for their 20th anniversary from July 19-21. The weekend is packed with the sculpting competitions, live music, beer gardens, fireworks, dancing, food, and awards. Directly across the elaborate sand sculptures and castles, 12 small businesses will set up beachside booths selling jewelry, glass, nuts, and more. As for the sand sculpting itself, the competition has brought in over 1 million attendees over the past 20 years and is known for its competitive sand sculpting.
I happened to go once when I was younger and greatly enjoyed taking the subway with my mom and siblings to go see such remarkable sand sculptures.
- JAWS 50th Anniversary in Martha’s Vineyard
The movie JAWS celebrates its 50th anniversary this summer with packed events and celebrations. The “JAWS 50th” from June 20-22, is an anniversary celebration including private meet and greets, guest appearances, and more. “The Return of a Legend: Celebrating 50 Years of Jaws” is a tribute to the Orca Boat from the film. During the event, guests will be able to tour the boat, take photos in additional meet and greets, and taste JAWS-themed cocktails and food. The “JAWS FINATICS Summer Spectacular Contest” is a series of JAWS impersonations and video tribute competitions for tickets to meet and greets, merch, and cash prizes.
On a more personal note, I am looking forward to starting my Senior Project, graduating Dana Hall, working as a lifeguard and swim instructor over the summer, and starting the 2025-2026 school year at Bates College in Lewiston, ME. And of course, I look forward to having free time to read after graduation, having the ability to explore new classes in college, and meeting my roommate. I also look forward to driving with the windows down as much as I can, taking trips to the beach, eating scallops, watching sunsets, going on late night walks, and many more good things to come in the rest of 2025.
Image Sources: Apple TV, Facebook, Barnes and Noble, Boston Calling, MFA, and JAWS 50th