About us
Random Acts of Connection began as a personal step. After the pandemic, I realized I wanted more connection in my life and moved to Boston willing to try. What started as a small experiment—showing up and inviting others to do the same—has grown, since August 2024, into a vibrant, community-led group with multiple organizers and a wide range of events.
This is no longer just one person’s group. It’s a shared space built by people who are curious, open, and willing to step a little outside their normal box.
Our events are designed to help people:
- meet new people
- practice self-expression
- explore Boston and its surroundings
- try new experiences
- and create real connection
We host everything from restaurant outings and movie nights to walks, museums, games, and collaborative events. Whether you’re new to the city, starting over, or simply looking for more meaningful connection, you’re welcome here. This is not networking or forced socializing. It’s about creating conditions where connection can happen naturally—through presence, conversation, and shared experience.
### Help Us Keep This Going
If you’d like to support the community:
- Donate via DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/random-acts-of-connection-2026
- Support us by buying merch: https://randomactsofconnection.dashery.com/
Support is always optional. Showing up already matters.
A FEW RULES TO KEEP US ORGANIZED AND SAFE:
PICTURE POLICY:
We require that you have a photo (for security reasons) that is a current picture of yourself on your Meetup profile that clearly shows your face (without sunglasses), first name (please no one letter or number names). Anyone without a photo and name will not be allowed to attend events.
RSVP POLICY:
PLEASE RSVP with integrity as space is limited & it's not fair to others or the venue to do a last minute cancellation. Last minute cancellations (meaning after the event closes - time which can be seen on the app if set for the event) count as NO SHOWS & it's 3 strikes you're out of the group. Emergencies/illness happen--we get it--and it only takes a few seconds to change your RSVP from ATTENDING to NOT ATTENDING. This is also YOUR responsibility. And it's common courtesy.
WAITLISTS:
You are responsible for managing your own RSVP when on a WAITLIST. IF you stay on a WAITLIST, you could move to the going list at any time. If you assume you will not get on the going list and make other plans, it is YOUR responsibility to update your RSVP to not going to avoid a no show or last minute cancellation. You have potentially taken a spot away from another member who would have loved to join the event.
CODE OF CONDUCT AND DISCLAIMER:
By participating in any event, activity, gathering, or initiative organized by Random Acts of Connection (the “Club”), you acknowledge and agree to the following:
- Voluntary Participation: All participation in Club events is strictly voluntary. Attendees assume full responsibility for their actions and interactions, and participate at their own risk.
- No Duty of Care: The Club and its main organizer(s), officers, agents, and volunteers (collectively, the “Organizers”) do not owe a legal duty of care to attendees beyond that required by law. The Club is a voluntary, non-commercial social group and makes no warranties or guarantees about safety, fitness, or suitability of any event, venue, or participant.
- Limitation of Liability: To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Organizers shall not be liable for any injury, illness, loss, damage, liability, or expense of any kind (including but not limited to physical or emotional injury, property damage, theft, or death) arising out of or related to participation in any Club event or activity.
- Assumption of Risk: You understand that certain activities may carry inherent risks, and by participating, you knowingly and voluntarily assume all such risks, both known and unknown.
- Third-Party Venues and Services: The Club may host events at third-party locations or involve third-party services. The Club and Organizers do not control these third parties and are not responsible for their actions, omissions, or policies.
- Media Release: By attending events, you grant the Organizers permission to use photographs, video, and audio recordings taken during events for promotional purposes, unless you explicitly request otherwise in writing prior to the event.
- Code of Conduct: Participants are expected to behave respectfully and responsibly. The Organizers reserve the right to deny participation or remove individuals from events for disruptive, inappropriate, or dangerous behavior, at their sole discretion.
- Indemnification: You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Organizers from any claims, demands, damages, or expenses (including legal fees) arising from your actions during or related to participation in any Club activity.
***
BY ATTENDING OR PARTICIPATING IN A RANDOM ACTS OF CONNECTION EVENT, YOU CONFIRM THAT YOU HAVE READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS DISCLAIMER.
Featured event
2nd Anniversary of Random Acts of Connection - Making Connections at Saguaro
### About The Event ###
Join us for a special edition of Making Connections as we celebrate the Second Anniversary of Random Acts of Connection at Saguaro Garden Bar!
What started as a simple idea has grown into a community of thousands of members, countless friendships, and unforgettable memories.
Whether you've been with us from the beginning or you're joining us for the very first time, we'd love to celebrate this milestone with you.
Come enjoy an evening of great conversation, new connections, and familiar faces in one of Boston's favorite outdoor gathering spaces. This is a chance to reflect on everything we've built together over the past two years while welcoming the next chapter of our community.
This is not a dating event. Please be respectful, mindful of personal boundaries, and engage with others in a friendly, inclusive way.
Please check in using the Meetup QR code upon arrival; not checking in counts as a no-show under our attendance policy.
### Help Us Keep This Going ###
If you’d like to support the community:
- Donate via DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/random-acts-of-connection-2026
- Support us by buying merch: https://randomactsofconnection.dashery.com/
Support is always optional. Showing up already matters.
---------------------------------------------------------
FAQ
1. What is the age range?
We don’t police connection by age, but plenty of other groups do if that’s what you’re looking for
2. Where do people meet?
The exact meeting spot is shared in the Discussion section of the event once the hosts arrive at the location, unless otherwise specified. Please check there the day of the event.
3. I'm arriving late. How do I find the group?
If you arrive late, please note that hosts are not responsible for helping attendees locate the group once the event has started. Hosts are focused on welcoming and facilitating those who arrived on time and may not be able to respond to messages.
Any location updates will be posted in the event’s comment section. We strongly encourage arriving on time to ensure you can find the group and participate fully.
4. What about parking?
Parking is your responsibility. We don’t manage or guarantee parking options for attendees. Check apps like SpotHero, ParkWhiz or BestParking.
Upcoming events
18
Fandom is Science - Museum of Science
Museum of Science, 1 Museum Of Science Driveway, Boston, MA, USThe event is free and starts at 7 pm but you need to pre-register beforehand. Get your free ticket and register here.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the Museum of Science in any way. . Please make sure to check the official event page for details.
### About The Event ###
FREE, Pre-registration required!
The Museum of Science invites you to Fandom is a Science, an evening exploring one of the most universal human experiences—loving a story—through the lens of psychology, neuroscience, and creativity.
Why do we form deep emotional bonds with fictional characters? What happens in our brains when a story moves us, breaks us, or stays with us long after it ends? And how does writing, sharing, and reimagining stories become a powerful tool for self-expression and identity?This program brings together voices from across creative and scientific fields to examine fandom not as a niche interest, but as a window into how we think, feel, and connect. Through a moderated conversation and audience exchange, the evening will explore the neuroscience of emotional attachment, the creative process behind fan fiction, and the role of storytelling in shaping identity and community.
Join us for a dynamic and participatory event that blends science and storytelling, inviting you to reflect on the stories you love, the worlds you inhabit, and what it means to be a fan.
### Help Us Keep This Going ###
If you’d like to support the community:- Donate via DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/random-acts-of-connection-2026
- Support us by buying merch: https://randomactsofconnection.dashery.com/
Support is always optional. Showing up already matters.
---------------------------------------------------------
FAQ- What is the age range?
We don’t police connection by age, but plenty of other groups do if that’s what you’re looking for - Where do people meet?
The exact meeting spot is shared in the Discussion section of the event once the hosts arrive at the location, unless otherwise specified. Please check there the day of the event. - I'm arriving late. How do I find the group?
If you arrive late, please note that hosts are not responsible for helping attendees locate the group once the event has started. Hosts are focused on welcoming and facilitating those who arrived on time and may not be able to respond to messages.
Any location updates will be posted in the event’s comment section. We strongly encourage arriving on time to ensure you can find the group and participate fully. - What about parking?
Parking is your responsibility. We don’t manage or guarantee parking options for attendees. Check apps like SpotHero, ParkWhiz or BestParking.
43 attendees
The Fisherman’s Feast - North End
The KITCHEN (At the Boston Public Market), 6 Congress Street, Boston, MA, USThis is a very crowded and popular festival. If you are not joining on time it will be very hard to find the group. Please adjust your expectations and patience. Read the FAQ below.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the Festival in any way . Please make sure to check the official festival page for details.
### About The Festival ###
The Fisherman's Feast is Boston's oldest continuous Italian festival that began in Boston in 1910 and is based on a tradition that goes back to the 16th century in Sciacca Sicily. The Feast is based on the devotion of the fishermen from Sciacca to the Madonna del Soccorso (Our Lady of Help). When the fishermen immigrated to America in the early 1900's, they brought their traditions with them. The current Feast is organized by the descendants of those original immigrants and still includes a procession of the Madonna through the streets of the North End.The Feast traditionally starts on Thursday when the statue of the Madonna is moved from her home in the Fisherman's Club to a chapel at the center of the feast. The Feast culminates on Sunday night with the spectacular "Flight of the Angel".
In addition to the Flight of the Angel, the Fisherman’s Feast will feature other traditional favorites like food vendors, beer gardens, games, live music, cooking demonstrations as well as additional events and activities under the parameters set forth by the City of Boston and Governor’s office### Help Us Keep This Going ###
If you’d like to support the community:- Donate via DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/random-acts-of-connection-2026
- Support us by buying merch: https://randomactsofconnection.dashery.com/
Support is always optional. Showing up already matters.
---------------------------------------------------------
FAQ
1. What is the age range?
We don’t police connection by age, but plenty of other groups do if that’s what you’re looking for
2. Where do people meet?
The exact meeting spot is shared in the Discussion section of the event once the hosts arrive at the location, unless otherwise specified. Please check there the day of the event.
3. I'm arriving late. How do I find the group?
If you arrive late, please note that hosts are not responsible for helping attendees locate the group once the event has started. Hosts are focused on welcoming and facilitating those who arrived on time and may not be able to respond to messages.
Any location updates will be posted in the event’s comment section. We strongly encourage arriving on time to ensure you can find the group and participate fully.
4. What about parking?
Parking is your responsibility. We don’t manage or guarantee parking options for attendees. Check apps like SpotHero, ParkWhiz or BestParking.46 attendees2nd Anniversary of Random Acts of Connection - Making Connections at Saguaro
Saguaro, 300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA, US### About The Event ###
Join us for a special edition of Making Connections as we celebrate the Second Anniversary of Random Acts of Connection at Saguaro Garden Bar!What started as a simple idea has grown into a community of thousands of members, countless friendships, and unforgettable memories.
Whether you've been with us from the beginning or you're joining us for the very first time, we'd love to celebrate this milestone with you.Come enjoy an evening of great conversation, new connections, and familiar faces in one of Boston's favorite outdoor gathering spaces. This is a chance to reflect on everything we've built together over the past two years while welcoming the next chapter of our community.
This is not a dating event. Please be respectful, mindful of personal boundaries, and engage with others in a friendly, inclusive way.
Please check in using the Meetup QR code upon arrival; not checking in counts as a no-show under our attendance policy.
### Help Us Keep This Going ###
If you’d like to support the community:- Donate via DonorBox: https://donorbox.org/random-acts-of-connection-2026
- Support us by buying merch: https://randomactsofconnection.dashery.com/
Support is always optional. Showing up already matters.
---------------------------------------------------------
FAQ
1. What is the age range?
We don’t police connection by age, but plenty of other groups do if that’s what you’re looking for
2. Where do people meet?
The exact meeting spot is shared in the Discussion section of the event once the hosts arrive at the location, unless otherwise specified. Please check there the day of the event.
3. I'm arriving late. How do I find the group?
If you arrive late, please note that hosts are not responsible for helping attendees locate the group once the event has started. Hosts are focused on welcoming and facilitating those who arrived on time and may not be able to respond to messages.
Any location updates will be posted in the event’s comment section. We strongly encourage arriving on time to ensure you can find the group and participate fully.
4. What about parking?
Parking is your responsibility. We don’t manage or guarantee parking options for attendees. Check apps like SpotHero, ParkWhiz or BestParking.90 attendees
Millennial Speed-Dating at Trident Books
Trident Booksellers & Cafe, 338 Newbury Street, Boston, MA, USThis is a ticketed event, please purchase your ticket here:
https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/speed-dating-monogamous-wednesday-august-19-2026 in order to attend .Folks in this meetup get 20% off! Use code: RAC at checkout.
Want to get off your dating apps and meet someone in real life, but where you don’t have to find out that every cute person at the party is unavailable? Do you think that IRL speed dating is generally awkward and weird? So do we. That’s why we’re putting a Skip the Small Talk twist on dating.
We'll be offering "big talk" conversation prompts to get you started, and we'll have lots of structure to make sure that you actually talk to people and that it's not awkward.
There will be food and drinks for sale!
Check-in for this event will begin around 6:45 pm.
Please do your best to arrive before 7:00 pm so we can begin as close to on time as possible. Please note that there is an arrival cutoff, meaning that if you are not in line to check in before 7:10 pm, unfortunately, you will not be able to participate and we will not be able to offer refunds.
Skip the Small Talk is dedicated to providing an inclusive, welcoming environment for everyone. Check out our safety policy here: Skip the Small Talk Safety Policy
Who Is This Event for?
You would probably have a good time at this event if all of the following are true of you:
- You are aged 30-45 (plus or minus a year or two is cool, too, and if you’re not in this age range, feel free to check out our other events).
- You are monogamous (polyamorous events are also often available— feel free to check out our other Boston events!)
- You either feel a connection to the identity of “man” and you are interested in dating women, or you feel a connection to the identity of “woman” and you are interested in dating men. Gender nonconforming folks who feel connected to one of those genders in some way are absolutely welcome. (We also host other events to accommodate gender nonconforming folks who don’t feel a connection to the identity of “man” or “woman”).
If any of the above statements are NOT true of you, you might want to see if our other events are a better fit. We do our best to accommodate as many different demographics as possible given limited capacity for our speed-dating events, and we are always working to include more! Any suggestions for how we can be more inclusive? Please feel free to reach out to us at info@skipthesmalltalk.com.
This event is trans-inclusive. We do not tolerate transphobia at this or any of our events.
We can only accommodate a limited number of guests at this event, so please plan to grab a ticket as soon as you think you'd like to join us.
Ready to Skip the Small Talk With Us?
Grab a ticket since entry is on a first come first serve basis and we tend to sell out in advance for these-- once we are out of tickets, we will NOT be able to accommodate folks at the door.
Want to check out what else is going on at Trident Books? Check out their full event calendar here. If you want to be the first to hear about our events before we sell out, feel free to join our mailing list at Skip the Small Talk Mailing List Sign-Up
###PLEASE NOTE: Even if you RSVP on Meetup, you will need to grab a ticket here https://www.skipthesmalltalk.com/store/speed-dating-monogamous-wednesday-august-19-2026 in order to attend### This event is cross-posted so Meetup RSVPs won't accurately reflect the actual number of attendees; typically there are around 30-40 people in attendance.
10 attendees
Past events
364
