Boston Harborfest 2012

Biggest Independence Day Celebration in the U.S.

Boston Harborfest celebrates July 4th and American independence with fireworks, entertainers, music, cruises, tours, and Chowderfest. 

During 2012, special events involving warships and military Tall Ships from several countries and a spectacular Parade of Ships in Boston Harbor will commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Although the best-known Harborfest celebrations are the Boston Pops Concerts and July 4th Fireworks, you'll also find over 200 other events packed into the festival's 7 days, including the annual Boston Harbor appearance on July 4th of War of 1812 veteran "Old Ironsides," U.S.S. Constitution.

Boston Harborfest, the largest Independence Day festival in the United States, showcases major events on each of its 7 days.  About half of Harborfest events are free, while the rest range from inexpensive to pricey.

Almost 3 million people from all over the world come to Boston for at least part of the festival.

Festivities begin on June 28, run through July 4th, and take place in central Boston neighborhoods including Historic Downtown, the Downtown Waterfront, Boston Common, Charlestown, the South Boston Waterfront, the North End, and even the Boston Harbor Islands National Park.  If you need a convenient place to stay, check out best Boston hotels for Harborfest.

Festivities begin on June 28, run through July 4th, and take place in central Boston neighborhoods including Historic Downtown, the Downtown Waterfront, Boston Common, Charlestown, the South Boston Waterfront, the North End, and even the Boston Harbor Islands National Park.  If you need a convenient place to stay, check out best Boston hotels for Harborfest.

Boston Harborfest dates back to 1981, so the 2012 celebration marks the 31st-year anniversary. 

 

Harborfest Boston 2012 daily schedule of events

Here highlights of key events you'll find each day at Boston Harborfest.  Keep in mind that this is just a sampling - most days have 20-30+ different events, cruises, tours, concerts, and celebrations.

June 28 Boston Harborfest Opening Ceremony

Main event:  Opening Ceremony, 12 noon - 12:30pm - West End of Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Early 19th Century Gun Drills - USS Constitution, Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown - watch the full sequence of a Naval gun drill using a 24-pound long gun.  Note:  Multiple events will take place in the Navy Yard all afternoon.  Find out more about visiting the USS Constitution

Music at the Marketplace - 12:30pm - 2pm - West end of Faneuil Hall Marketplace

Two if by Sea:  Family Fun - 1pm - 4pm, Old North Church, 193 Salem Street, North End - Story tellers will tell the story of the famous lanterns, and your children can make paper lanterns to take home; admission is $2/family

Bells and Bones - 2pm-3pm, King's Chapel, corner of Tremont and School Streets, Historic Downtown - Tour the King's Chapel Burying Ground (Boston's oldest graveyard) and crypt, and learn about Colonial burial practices; visit the Revere bell in the tower; admission $7, ages 10+

Clambake on Spectacle Island - 6pm-9pm, Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area - Enjoy an authentic New England clambake by Summer Shack on the beach; $70-$80; reservations: 617-520-9500

Twilight Harbor Viewing - 7pm-8:15pm, Fort Independence at Castle Island - Walk the ramparts and enjoy Harbor breezes and the Boston skyine

June 29 Boston Harborfest Children's Day

Main event:  Children's Day at Harborfest - 10am - 3pm, City Hall Plaza - Children's Day activities include jugglers, face painting, and the Music Fun Band

Scavenger Hunt:  Where the Boston Tea Party Began - 9:30am-5pm, Old South Meeting House - Find clues about how the Boston Tea Party really started and get a price when you successfully complete the hunt.  Admission $1-$6, free for 18 and under

Tour Historic Boston Light - 10am-1pm, Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area - Depart from Gate E at Long Wharf (by the New England Aquarium) - Guided tour of Little Brewster Island, site of the nation's first lighthouse.  Climb 76 steps and 2 ladders to meet the US Coast Guard keeper.  Admission $29-$39, reservations: 617-723-8666

Tall Tale of a Tall Ship - 11:30am-12:15pm and 1:15pm-2pm - Children's Theater, Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area - meet at Boston Harbor Islands ferry kiosk at Long Wharf to catch the ferry to Georges Island for this event - Admission $9-$15 for the ferry ride - 617-723-8666

Native Voices: New England Tribal Families - Noon-5pm, Boston Children's Museum - Explore New England seasons, hear stories - Admission $12, free for under 12 months

Johnny Tremain's Boston - 3pm-4:30pm - Meet at enterance to Copp's Hill Burying Ground, Hull Street, North End for this guided walking tour tracing the adventures of Johnny Tremain in pre-revolutionary Boston.  Admission $10

Baha Brothers Play Classic Beach Rock - 4:30-7pm - Enjoy this free concert on the Plaza at City Hall.

USS Constitution Sunset Parade - 6:45pm-8:30pm - Charlestown Navy Yard - Ceremony to honor the American flag

 

June 30 Harborfest Events 

Main event:  Arrival of Tall Ships - 7am - 11am - Castle Island - Watch the tall ships sail into Boston Harbor

USCGC Eagle Arrival Ceremony - 9:45am-10:30am - This traditional military ceremony in the Charlestown Navy Yard welcomes the Barque EAGLE.

Girls Nite Out Concert - Noon - 3pm, City Hall Plaza - Free concert

U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Tours - Noon-4pm - U.S.Coast Guard Base, 427 Commercial Street, North End - Free

Dark Side of Boston Tour - 6pm-7:30pm - Meet at the corner of Hanover and Cross Streets (near the Greenway) in the North End - This walking tour by Boston By Foot takes you through Boston's oldest neighborhood, where you'll hear about smallpox, misdeeds, and the Great Molasses Flood - Admission $12

Disco Inferno - 6pm-9pm - Relive the 70s disco/funk era at this fun free concert at City Hall Plaza

 

 

Fun Boston Tours

 

July 1 Boston Harborfest Events - Chowderfest!

Main event:  31th Annual Chowderfest - 11am-6pm, City Hall Plaza - Sample New England clam chowder from the area's best restaurants, and vote for your favorite.  Over 2,000 gallons of chowder were served at this event last year.  Admission $8-$11

Beacon Hill's Treasures - 1pm-2pm, Otis House Museum, 141 Cambridge Street, West End - Join this guided walking our of Beacon Hill and get a glimpse of what it was like in the early days of the Republic; reservations required (617-994-5920); admission $6-$12

Dozens of other cruises, tours, and events at Freedom Trail sites

 

July 2 Harborfest Events in Boston

Main Event:  One Ship, One Crew, One Nation  10am -4pm, Charlestown Navy Yard - Discover how ships and crews preserved the new Republic in this hands-on 1812 Discovery Center; Admission by Donation

Tour USCGC EAGLE - 1pm-6pm, Charlestown Navy Yard - Tour this tall ship

US Coast Guard Band Concert - 4pm-5:15pm - Charlestown Navy Yard - Hear patriotic favorites

Element 78- 4pm-7pm, City Hall Plaza, West End - Enjoy classic rock by this popular Boston band

 

July 3 Harborfest - Pops Concert, Tall Ship Tour

Tour USCGC EAGLE - 1pm-6pm, Charlestown Navy Yard - Tour this tall ship

Boston Pops Concert on the Esplanade

 

July 4 Boston Harborfest - Pops Concert and Fireworks

Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony and Parade - 9am, starts at City Hall Plaza, goes to the Granary Burying Ground on the Freedom Trail, and then to the Old State House

Cape Verdean Independence Celebration - 2pm-7pm, City Hall Plaza,

USS Constitution 21-Gun Salute in Boston Harbor, 11:30am-1pm - Watch this annual turn-around cruise by "Old Ironsides" from the Charlestown Navy Yard to Castle Island, with a 21-gun salute to the Nation at 12 noon followed by a flyover by US Navy Blue Angels and 24 Military Aircraft over Boston Harbor and the Charles River

Boston Pops Concert and July 4th Fireworks, 8pm-11pm on the Esplanade

 

Daily Harborfest events

Whiskers, Flippers, and Fun at the free outdoor Seal Exhibit at New England Aquarium Plaza - open all day

Early 19th Century Gun Drills - 2pm - 2:30pm - USS Constitution, Charlestown Navy Yard - Full sequence of a naval gun drill using a 24-pound long gun

Historic Boston Pubs - (21+), 5:30pm - 7pm - Get tickets (admission $43) at the BosTix booth at Faneuil Hall Marketplace - Visit the real headquarters of the American Revolution - 4 historic Boston pubs 

Whale watch cruises

Fun historical tours by Boston on Foot

1811 Overture: A Prelude to War! at the USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard in Charlestown - Prepare for Life at Sea and the War of 1812, including hands-on exhibits - donation requested for admission

Boston Harbor Islands - Explorations, hikes, and even kayaking led by Park Rangers, and jazz from noon-4pm on July 3rd on Spectacle Island

Boston Duck Tours

Boston Harbor Cruises of all sorts - dinner cruises, tall ship cruises, fireworks cruises, and more - basically, every cruise ship offers special cruises during the 6 days of Boston Harborfest

Massachusetts State House - Beacon at Park Street on Beacon Hill - Free tours of State House and gardens at various times - Call 617-727-3676 for reservations

Tour U.S. Coast Guard Vessels - 12noon-4pm on July 3 and July 4 at the Coast Guard base at 427 Commercial Street, North End

. . . and many, many more fun Boston Harborfest events!

 

Boston Insider tips:

• Slather yourself with sunscreen
• Bring a water bottle
• Many events require reservations - make them early!
• Get a Boston Discount Card as a way to get discounts on some events and admission fees; if in doubt, be sure to verify that you can use the card for specific Harborfest events