Boston Event Calendar for August 2019
Lots of exciting events pack the Boston Events Calendar for August 2019 as summer fun continues in the city.
Shakespeare on the Common, Shawn Mendes at Gillette Stadium, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits at Blue Hills Pavilion, plenty of Red Sox games plus preseason for the New England Patriots, Summer Dine Out Boston, and lots of free outdoor movies keep everyone entertained.
Don't miss Hello Dolly! and Dear Evan Hansen at the Boston Opera House.
August weather in Boston is usually pleasant and balmy, but pack an umbrella in case of surprise thunderstorms - which usually end quickly at this time of the year.
Stroll along the waterfront, choose a restaurant offering patio seating, and by all means, check out fun options for sightseeing tours.
Boston Concerts & Shows - August 2019
Top August Concerts in Boston
Top August shows include Backstreet Boys and Shawn Mendes at TD Garden, Queen & Adam Lambert, Iron Maiden, Hootie & The Blowfish & Barenaked Ladies, Rascal Flatts, Jimmy Buffett, and Santana & The Doobie Brothers at Xfinity Center, Mark Knopfler at Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and Janis Ian & Livingston Taylor at Wilbur Theatre.
Schedules & Tickets:
Ticket Discount Codes
TicketLiquidator - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+
More shows for August
Boston Concerts & Shows throughout the Year
August 2019 Boston Red Sox Schedule - Home Games at Fenway
Location: Fenway Park
Nearest T stations: Green Line B or C/Kenmore; Commuter Rail Worcester Line/Yawkey
Indulge your passion for baseball by going to see the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Get Tickets:
Ticket Discount Codes
TicketLiquidator - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+
Find Red Sox home game schedule for each month: April - May - June - July - August - September - October
Hotels near Fenway Park
Park: Garages & lots near Fenway Park
Celebrate: Best sports bars near Fenway Park
Red Sox Showcase at Faneuil Marketplace - 2019
Want to see a replica of Fenway Park's Green Monster scoreboard up close as you try out a batting cage, pitching stations, and other games?
Stop by Faneuil Marketplace's South Market Building on Saturday, August 11 from 10am-2pm (weather permitting!) for the return of the "Red Sox Showcase" mobile truck and try out your baseball skills as part of the team's popular Calling All Kids summer program.
Don't forget to stop by the Green Monster Selfie Station to document your experience!
Boston Theater & Shows for August 2019
Top August Shows in Boston
- Hello, Dolly! - Boston Opera House
- Dear Evan Hansen - Boston Opera House
- Blue Man Group - Charles Playhouse
- Shakespeare on the Common
Schedules & Tickets
Ticket Discount Codes
TicketLiquidator - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+
More Shows for August
Top Hotels near Boston's Theatre District
Enjoy your Boston performance or show experience to the fullest when you stay in one of the nearby Theatre District hotels, such as the hip and glamorous Revere Hotel:
More top Theatre District hotels:
How to Save on Boston Hotels
Check out all our tips on how to find discounts, deals, and promo codes for Boston hotels. Whether you're looking for bargain accommodations or want to pay less for luxury, we'll show you How to Save on Hotels in Boston.
Booking.comMore about how to save on Boston hotels
Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruises - August
Tour Boston by boat - the best way to see the city! Check out these fun sightseeing, music, and entertainment Boston Harbor cruises on the Yacht Northern Lights and Schooner Adirondack III:
Special Event Cruises:
- Cinco de Mayo Cruise - May 5 - Enjoy sightseeing around Boston Harbor, on-board games such as giant jenga and corn hole on the Northern Lights' two decks, and a taco bar and specialty tequila drinks menu.
More Fun Cruises:
- Boston Tea Party Cruise - Starts March 23 - No tea gets thrown overboard as you cruise around Boston Harbor - but instead you'll enjoy hot tea, tea-inspired specialty cocktails, and a tasty assortment of smoked salmon, egg salad, and other sandwiches, salads, chocolate cherry scones, and lemon cake with fresh berries. Use Coupon Code BDGSpring30 for 30% off Boston Tea Party Cruise for departures through April 28
- Northern Lights Champagne City Lights Cruise
- Northern Lights Sunset Cruise
- Sunday Evening Jazz Cruise On Northern Lights
- Boston Live Jazz Cruise on Northern Lights
- Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruise aboard the Northern Lights
- Brunch Cruise aboard Northern Lights
- Live Irish Music Cruise - Enjoy the gorgeous Boston skyline while you cruise around Boston Harbor and listen to lively Irish traditional music from the visiting Irish band Curragh - with fiddles, banjos, uilleann pipes, concertinas, and bouzoukis, you'll think you're in a cozy pub in the Emerald Isle - especially when you see all the Irish libations at the bar
Starting in May:
- Adirondack III Day Sail - Starts May 10
- Adirondack III Sunset Sail - Starts May 10
- Summer BBQ & Beer Cruises - Starts May 25 (Memorial Day weekend) & features a tasty rotation of BBQ styles throughout the summer: Texan BBQ with cornbread, Argentinian gaucho BBE with chimichurri, North Carolina BBQ, Jamaican jerk BBQ & greens, Spanish seafood BBQ with paella, Hawaiian BBQ with roast pork and pineapple. Pair it with beer!
Shakespeare on the Common Continues
One of the most popular summer Boston events, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company presents Richard III, one of the Bard's darkest tragedies about a stunningly flawed king, in this year's Shakespeare on the Common.
Bring a blanket or low folding chair, perhaps a picnic basket, and get ready to enjoy a magical evening of free theater under the stars. You can also rent a chair for $5, plus a $5 deposit that you will get back when you return the chair.
Bring your own food, or purchase something tasty from the vendors who will be onsite for the occasion. Toilets are available at the nearby tennis courts.
More information: Shakespeare on the Common
When: July 18 - August 5 at 8pm on Tuesdays through Saturdays, 7pm on Sundays, plus a 3pm matinee on August 4 (note - no performances on Mondays); performances run about 2.5 hours; heavy rain and lightening storms can cause cancelations for safety reasons, so if in doubt, call the weather line at 617-426-0863.
Where: Boston Common, near the Parkman Bandstand
Getting there: By subway: Green/Red line to Park Street Station, or Green Line to Boylston; By car: Park under the Common in the Boston Common Parking Garage: pick up a discount coupon at one of the event tents (you'll spot them easily) - you'll save a bit on parking, and the garage donates the proceeds to CSC
Cost: Free admission; chairs in a small special priority section near the stage are available in return for a donation of $75 or more, with proceeds to benefit CSC.
Hotels near Boston Common
More Fun Boston Cruises
New England Patriots Pre-Season Home Games 2019
The Patriots start their regular season in September.
See the entire Regular Season schedule
Will this be the year that we celebrate another Super Bowl victory? Stay tuned!
Get your tickets now:
Ticket Discount Codes
TicketLiquidator - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+
Where: Gillette Stadium
Getting there: From Boston to Gillette Stadium
Want to stay nearby? Hotels near Gillette Stadium:
More about hotels near Gillette Stadium (and Wrentham Premium Outlets)
Summer Dine Out Boston
When: August 5 - 10 & 12 - 17
Where: Best restaurants in Boston, Cambridge, and suburbs - hundreds of choices!
Twice each year, Boston foodies look forward to the best restaurants in the city being on sale. You will too, as you sample the affordable fixed price lunch and dinner menus concocted by the city's best chefs. You can start making your Dine Out Boston reservations about 3 weeks ahead of time. Don't wait, because tables fill up fast!
More about Dine Out Boston
Return to Top - Boston Event Calendar August
Half-Price & Discount Tickets for Boston Events in August
Save BIG on half-price & discount tickets from Goldstar
- Osaka Comedy @ Osaka Japanese Sushi, Brookline - Goldstar $0, full price $5
- Blue Man Group @ Charles Playhouse - Goldstar $37-$55, full price $73-$105
- Tipsy Chocolate Tours - Boozy walking tour in Boston's Back Bay - Goldstar $48; Full price $68
- Sh*t-Faced Shakespeare: Macbeth - The Rockwell, Davis Square, Somerville - Goldstar $15; Full price $25
- History Comes Alive! - Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum - Goldstar $19; Full price $30
- Stand-Up Top Stars & Rising Comedians - Nick's Comedy Stop - Goldstar $0-$10, Regular $20
- Bollywood & Bhangra Beats @ Candibar - Goldstar - $10; Full Price $20
- Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour @ Salem - Goldstar $15, full price $8
- Mind Reading Confidential - Omni Parker House - Goldstar - $0-$50; Full Price $50-$70
- Live Music @ City Winery - Goldstar $10-$25; Full price $22-$50
- Dine & Dance Cruise - Spirit of Boston - Boston Harbor cruise - Goldstar $73-$101; Full price $105-$144
- Luxury Dinner Cruise on The Odyssey - Boston Harbor cruise - Goldstar $105; Full price $151
- The Donkey Show: Midsummer Night's Disco - Oberon - Goldstar $15-$35; Full price $35-$55
- Stand-Up at the Comedy Scene - Patriot Place (across from Gillette Stadium) Foxboro, MA - Goldstar $10, Regular $20
- Hideout Comedy -White Bull Tavern - Goldstar $5; Full price $10
- Four-Handed Illusions: Comedic Magic @ Hampshire House - Goldstar $38-$65, full price $75
North End Feasts and Festivals
Four of the biggest and most famous North End Italian Feasts and Festivals take place in August, as they have for 100 years or more - almost as long as Italians have lived in this neighborhood.
Most of the North End feasts celebrate a saint with food, music, religious ceremonies, parades, strolling singers, celebrations, and more - they're like giant street parties.
In general, opening ceremonies take place on Friday evenings, with other events starting around 1pm on Saturday and Sunday and continuing until about 11pm. High Mass usually takes place on Sunday morning.
August Feasts and Festivals schedule:
St. Agrippina di Mineo Feast and Procession - August 2-5 - Feast starts at 7pm on Thursday and 12 noon on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and continues to about 11pm - Procession on Sunday only, starting at Hanover and Battery Streets
Madonna Della Cava Feast - August 10-12, Battery and Hanover Streets - Procession at 1pm on Sunday; feast opens at 7pm on Friday and 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday, and continues to about 11pm
Fisherman's Feast of the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca - August 16-19, - Blessing of the Fishing Waters at Christopher Columbus Park on Thursday at 6pm. Feast opens at 6pm on Friday and 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday. Grand Procession at 1pm on Sunday, on Fleet, Louis, and North Streets, with Flight of the Angel at 8pm
St. Lucy's Feast - August 23, Thatcher and Endicott Streets, procession and feast at 5pm on Monday
St. Anthony's Feast - The largest Italian religious festival in New England, August 24-26, Endicott, Thatcher, and North Margin Streets. Grand Procession starts at 12 noon on Sunday - parades, strolling singers, entertainment, and 100 pushcarts offering mouth-watering Italian food in this "Feast of All Feasts"; feast opens at 7pm on Friday, 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday - St Anthony website
Nearest T station to North End: Commuter Rail or Orange & Green Lines/North Station
Cost: Free (although you'll find temptations to spend money on food, drink, and commemorative items)
Find out about North End Feasts and Festivals taking place in September
Hotels in Boston's North End
Berklee Summer in the City: Free Summer Concerts in Boston
Outdoor concerts take place all over the city during the summer - and Berklee College of Music gives over 400 of them between June 7 and August 31. Music ranges from jazz to classical, Latin to funk, folk to world, and are free.
Here's a rundown of where and when to look for them:
Atlantic Wharf (South Boston Waterfront) - Thursdays @ 12 noon
Boston Public Library (Copley Square, Back Bay) - Wednesdays @ 6pm (not July 4 or 17)
Brewer Fountain Plaza (Boston Common) -
Most weekdays @ 12 noon
Charlestown Navy Yard (1 Constitution Road) - Thursdays @ 6pm, June 28-August 2
Harvard Square near Club Passim (Cambridge) - Thursdays @ 5:30, June 21-Sept 6 (not July 12 or 26, or Aug 16)
Harvard Longwood Campus, Medical School Quad (Fenway's Longwood Area) - outdoors Wednesdays @ 12:30pm - July 11-Aug 29
Institute of Contemporary Art (South Boston Waterfront) - Thursdays @ 6pm - July 5-Aug 30 (not Aug 9 or 16)
Kendall Plaza (Cambridge, between Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel and Kendall T station) - Thursdays @ 5pm (not Aug 14)
Kendall Square (300 Athenaeum Street, Cambridge) - Thursdays @ 12 noon
Prudential Center Courtyard (Back Bay) - Thursdays @ 5pm
More Free Summer Concerts in Boston -
Concerts in the Courtyard: Boston Public Library in the McKim Courtyard (700 Boylston Street, Copley Square in Back Bay), Wednesdays 6-7pm and Fridays 12:30-1:30pm, June 1-August. Music ranges from jazz to classical, folk to world, and are free. Concerts move indoor to Rabb Hall in case of bad weather. More info: www.bpl.org/programs/concerts.htm
Boston Calling Weekly Block Parties: Live performances by a different group every week from 5-8pm on Thursdays at Dewey Square on the Rose Kennedy Greenway from May 10 through August 30. Cash bar for 21+ with beer and wine, plus food to purchase. Check out the weekly lineup on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bostoncallingblockparties
New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium - 2019
Watch our local soccer team, the New England Revolution, bring men's soccer to a new level during August at Gillette Stadium.
Where: Gillette Stadium
Getting there: Gillette Stadium from Boston
Tickets & Schedule:
Ticket Discount Codes
TicketLiquidator - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+
See the full schedule and available tickets for New England Revolution games at Gillette Stadium
Hotels near Gillette Stadium
More hotels near Wrentham Premium Outlets and Gillette Stadium
Labor Day Fireworks - Cruises & Hotels with Views
Fireworks launched from a barge anchored between the North End and Seaport will light up the sky over Boston Harbor to kick off Labor Day Weekend at the end of August.
The specatacular show begins at 8:30pm on Thursday, August 30.
Looking for the best place to watch Boston's Labor Day fireworks?
Get tickets for a fireworks cruise on the Harbor:
- Adirondack III - A beautiful and spacious 80' schooner, designed for comfortable sailing; with sails down, you'll have ideal views of the fireworks - Book now - almost sold out, so book now!
More places to view the fireworks: Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf in the North End, the South Boston Waterfront (especially around Fan Pier/Seaport), the Downtown Waterfront, and Piers Park in East Boston.
For hotels with views, consider South Boston waterfront hotels, downtown waterfront hotels, and North End hotels. Compare prices online if you like, but call the hotel of your choice to book a room with a view.
Where to Stay: Hotels in Boston's North End
Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell
Enjoy free outdoor concerts at the Hatch Shell on Boston's Esplanade throughout August.
This series of family movies sponsored by WBZ NewsRadio 1030 and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) provides the perfect excuse to grab a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and head for an evening of entertainment under the stars.
The August movie lineup includes:
- August 3 - Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
- August 10 - Coco
- August 17 - Beauty and the Beast
- August 24 - Thor: Ragnarok
When: Movie starts at sundown (about 8pm in August)
More information, including the movie schedule and weather cancellations: Call the Free Friday Flicks Hotline at 617-787-7200
Boston Hotels with Outdoor Swimming Pools
- Verb Hotel next to Fenway Park (shown in photo) - Compare All Rates - Find Discount Rates
- Colonnade Hotel near Prudential Center - Compare All Rates - Find Discount Rates
- Revere Hotel in the Theatre District - Compare All Rates - Find Discount Rates
Boston's West End Museum - "Before the El Came Down"
For a fascinating glimpse at Boston's not-to-distant past, stop by the West End Museum (150 Staniford Street on Lomasney Way, near TD Garden/North Station) to see the new "Before the El Came Down" exhibit featuring photographs by Boston artist John Woolf capturing the moments of architectural transformation when the removal of a massive elevated train platform structure re-opened the West End to light.
Taken only 14 years ago, Woolf's evocative photos show a neighborhood barely recognizable today amid all the massive construction projects producing glittering new highrise condos in this rapidly changing area.
Admission: Free
Museum Hours: Tues-Friday 12pm-5pm; Saturday 11am-4pm
Summer in the City - August Events
Boston Harbor Hotel's popular "Summer in the City" series lets you kick back and enjoy free music and movies overlooking the waterfront throughout the summer from June 7 until August 31.
Listen to music between 6pm - 10pm as musicians perform on the Blues Barge on Tuesday (Pop-Soul), Wednesday (Rat Pack), and Thursday (Blues Barge).
On Fridays, enjoy music (starts at 4:30) and Movies By Moonlight - your favorite classics projected on a large screen over the Harbor- starts at dusk.
Combine these events with a drink at the hotel's Rowes Wharf Sea Grill and dinner at Meritage for the perfect summer evening.
August movies:
August 3 - Breakfast at Tiffany's
August 10 - The Karate Kid
August 17 - Hook
August 24 - Dr. No
August 31 - Out of Africa
More about Boston Harbor Hotel
New England Coastal Tour from Boston
This day trip New England Coastal Tour gives you spectacular views of the beautiful New England coastline along Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
You'll get to visit historic Nubble Lighthouse, enjoy lunch and leisure time in quaint Kennebunkport, visit Hampton Beach, and see all the charming villages along the rocky coastline as you cruise along in a luxury climate-controlled coach.
Boston hotel pickup and dropoff included.
More Fun Boston Tours
2 Easy Ways to Save BIG in Boston
Find out more about Boston discount cards, and how they give you big savings on top attractions.
Dell Technologies Championship New England PGA Tour
Top Labor Day Weekend event: Golf's top 100 PGA Tour golfers compete for an $8.5 million purse in the Dell Technologies Championship to benefit New England charities. The defending champion will take on past champions. TPC Boston, named by Golf Digest as one of the "Top 10 Best New Private Clubs in the U.S." when it opened, is located in Norton, MA, 38 miles south of Boston.
Tickets
Free Events in Christopher Columbus Park
Enjoy free outdoor movies, croquet, and celebrations at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston's North End.
Here's the lineup for August:Croquet - Wednesday, through Aug 29, 5:30-7:30pm - Play croquet on the West Lawn. Don't know how? A member of the sponsoring organization (Friends of Christopher Columbus Park) will be on hand to teach you
Lawn Games - Saturdays through August 25, noon - 4pm - Corn hole, giant jenga, ladder golf, & more!
Movies in the Park - Sundays through August 26- Bring a blanket or low folding chairs and watch family favorites starting at sundown. Aug 6: Chariots of Fire; Aug 12: Mary Poppins; Aug 19: Apollo 13; Aug 26: Henry & the Elephant and Finding Dory
Boston GreenFest - Free!
Boston GreenFest offers a huge assortment of exhibits, performances, and presentations about sustainable living. EcoThemes include water, energy, green cities, transportation, health, nutrition, and EcoFashion.
GreenFest highlights include:
- 200+ exhibitors, plus robots, Eco cars to see & drive, Eco Fashion show, and lots of innovation
- Green Film Fest - huge lineup of films from around the world
- Non-stop live performances
- Lots of international cuisines and local food trucks plus a Wine & Beer Garden
- Casa Latina
- EcoKids Center
- EcoForums with top experts discussing critical topics in Faneuil Hall
- Free fitness classes (bring your old running shoes and donate them)
- Speakers, workshops, art, music, dance, and much more!
When: August 3-5, noon - 10pm on Friday and Saturday, noon - 6pm on Sunday
Where: Boston City Hall Plaza and Faneuil Hall
Nearest T station: Government
Cost: Free admission - all ages welcome
More information: www.bostongreenfest.org
Boston Hotels near City Hall Plaza
Boston Seafood Festival
The Annual Boston Seafood Festival celebrates our city's marine heritage, love of seafood, and commitment to sustainable harvest.
This family-friendly event brings together seafood tastings, chef demos, educational events, all day lobster bake, Battle of the Shuckers, a fish cutting contest, Harpoon Garden, and the traditional Blessing of the Fleet.
When: Sunday, August 5, 11am - 7pm
Where: Fish Pier (212 Northern Ave), South Boston Waterfront
Tickets: Not announced yet for 2019 - but probably similar to last year: $15 for general admission (kids 6-12 $5), $50 for lobster bake - more info
Stay: South Boston Waterfront Hotels
Where to Stay: Seaport & Fort Point
Attending an event in the South Boston Waterfront or Fort Point? Stay in a nearby hotel, such as the stylish Seaport Boston Hotel:
More top hotels near the South Boston Waterfront:
Check out more hotels near the South Boston Waterfront & Fort Point
Whale-Watching Cruise + New England Aquarium
What's better than sightseeing in Boston? A whale-watching cruise combined with a visit to the New England Aquarium!
Heading out to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary on a special 3-hour whale watching cruise to get close-up views of humpback whales, Atlantic dolphins, sea birds, and friendly porpoises from the three outdoor decks. It's a different world!
After your cruise brings you back to Boston's Central Wharf, spend time at the New England Aquarium exploring fascinating exhibits and watching sharks, stingrays, penguins, and more.
Your ticket includes both the whale watch cruise and the Aquarium at a special discounted combo price. Find out more
Fun Sightseeing Tours for August
More: Sightseeing Tours | Tours for Teens | Kids & Family Tours
August Moon Festival in Chinatown
When: Sunday, August 12, 10am - 5pm
Where: Boston's Chinatown (Harrison Ave, and Beach, Tyler, Hudson, Essex, and Oxford Streets); Main Stage is at Phillips Square (corner of Harrison Ave and Essex Street)
Cost: Free
Closest T station: Orange Line / Chinatown
If you drive: Easiest parking is at the Boston Common Garage; walk 2 blocks to Chinatown
Boston's Chinatown comes alive with lion dances, martial arts, folk dances, and lots of vendors for the annual Chinese Autumn MoonFestival.
What does the festival actually celebrate? Possibilities include the end of the annual rice and wheat harvest, the legend of Chang'e, the immortal Lady of the Moon, and the overthrow of the Mongol rulers in 1368 when a rebel leader distributed mooncakes (which Mongols didn't eat) with messages hidden inside saying "Kill the Mongols."
Mooncakes, a specialty of the festival, are round pastries filled with lotus seed paste - you can buy this delicious treat at all Chinatown bakeries.
Although this 3,000+ year old Chinese festival traditionally falls on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar month - in other words, late September/early October - Boston celebrates it in mid-August. It's the perfect excuse to spend an August Sunday in Chinatown. Start with dim sum or lunch at one of these fun contemporary and traditional Chinatown restaurants, and then enjoy the colorful festival.
More Info: ccbaboston.org
Films at the Gate - Free Chinese Film Festival in Chinatown -
The Chinatown Park Plaza on the Greenway morphs into an outdoor movie theater for this popular event featuring Kung-Fu Classics (Mandarin or Cantonese, with English subtitles). Folding chairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis - or bring your own, along with carryout from nearby restaurants (no alcohol, though). The festival begins at 5:30pm with martial arts and other cultural performances followed by the feature film starting at 8pm, and runs from August 24 to August 26.
After the movie, head for dinner at one of these nearby fun Chinatown restaurants.
Location: Chinatown Park Plaza on the Rose Kennedy Greenway
Closest T station: Red Line, South Station (nearest public restrooms are also here)
Cost: Free - sponsored by Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC), series curator Jean Lukitsh, founding producers Leslie and Sam Davol, and numerous other local organizations, businesses, and individuals
More info: https://asiancdc.org/events/fatg2019
Fun Sightseeing Tours of Boston
More: Sightseeing Tours | Tours for Teens | Kids & Family Tours
Landmarks Orchestra Concerts at the Hatch Shell
The Boston Landmarks Orchestra's weekly free summer Esplanade concerts attract large crowds to the Hatch Shell each July and August with its mix of classical, traditional, modern, and contemporary music. Concerts start at 7pm and run about 2 hours. Bring and blanket or low folding chairs to sit on, and a picnic dinner.
Landmarks Concert schedule for August:
August 1 - Verdi's Requiem - Landmarks Orchestra with One City Choir, Back Bay Choral, and Guest Performers
August 8 - Longwood Symphony Orchestra - Works of John Williams, Goerges Bizet, Hector Berlioz, Ralph Vaughan Williams
August 15 - Longwood Symphony Orchestra: Sounds of the Sea - Ravel, Debussy, more
August 22 - Boston Landmarks Orchestra: Symphonic Dances - Tchaikovsky, Amy Beach, tribute to Leonard Bernstein, with Boston Ballet II, Public Displays of Motion, and other dancers from the Boston community
August 29 - MercuryOrchestra - Works of Tchaikovsky, Borodin, and Shostakovich
Weather alerts and alternate locations in case of rain: 617-987-2000; orchestra website
Cost: Free
Not Sure about Boston Neighborhood Locations?
This neighborhood map should help you get oriented. You can find a list of top attractions in each neighborhood here.
Need a more details? Here are our favorite free and low-cost Boston maps.
Magic 106.7 Family Film Festival
Enjoy this free fun family activity - movies under the stars in Prudential Center's lovely South Garden (go up the escalators from Huntington Ave, and the garden is to your right; from Boylston, it is on your left).
When: Every Saturday from July 1 - August 26; entertainment and children's activities start at 5pm, and movies start at sundown; rain dates will be held on the following Wednesday
Where: Prudential Center, South Garden
Nearest T station: Green Line/Prudential
Nearest parking garage: Prudential Center Garage - get discounted parking with a $10 purchase
Cost: Free
Schedule:
August 4: The Incredibles
August 11: Mulan
August 18: Tarzan
August 25: A Wrinkle in Time
Boston Discount Cards for Attractions, Tours, Cruises
Best way to save in Boston. Save 50% or more when you take a Boston Harbor cruise or Duck Boat tour, visit Plimouth Plantation, the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Prudential Skywalk Observatory, Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park Tour, and more. Compare to find out which one is best for you.
Free Drop-In Summer Yoga on Boston Common -
Dropping in on free summer yoga sessions at Frog Pond (next to the carousel) on Boston Common is part of what makes Boston fun in the summer. Instructors (an eclectic mix of writers, musicians, athletics, cyclists, runners, and more) welcome students of all levels.
When: Every Thursday, 6-7:15 - Through Aug 30
Where: Frog Pond at Boston Common
Nearest T station: Green Line/Park
Cost: Free
Bring: Your own mat, blocks, towels, and belt
Boston hotel where you'll find a yoga mat in your room: Nine Zero (and conveniently, it's just steps away from the Common)
Whale Watching Cruise Tickets, Discounts, & Savings
Join one of the popular 3-hour Whale Watching Cruises departing from the convenient Downtown Boston Waterfront, and you'll have the opportunity to spot whales off the coast of Boston.
You'll see these magnificent creatures close-up from the deck of your ship, and probably spot Humpback and Finback whales and see White Sided Dolphins frolicking in the waters.
Fun Free Fridays in Boston in August
Fun Free Fridays give you free admission to top Massachusetts cultural venues throughout the summer, thanks to the generosity of Highland Street Foundation. A different selection of destinations offer no-cost access each Friday from the end of June through the end of August.
Here is the schedule for Boston area destinations during August:
August 3:
- Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
-
Old State House
-
Greenway Carousel
August 10:
- Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park
- Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston
- Nichols House Museum
- Wenham Museum
- Greenway Carousel
- Freedom Trail Foundation
- Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists
August 17:
- JFK Presidential Library and Museum
- Plimouth Plangation (Plymouth)
- Commonwealth Museum
- Lynn Museum (Lynn)
- Fruitlands Museum (Harvard, MA)
- Museum of the First Corps of Cadets
- Old State House
August 24:
- Harvard Museums of Science and Culture (Cambridge)
- Museum of African American History
- Cape Cod Children's Museum (Mashpee)
- The Old Manse
August 31:
- Griffin Museum of Photography (Winchester)
-
USS Constitution Museum (Charlestown)
- Mary Baker eddy Library and Mapparium
More locations outside of Boston: Highland Street Foundation website
Lawn on D - Concerts, Art, Games
Lawn on D, a playground for adults located behind the Convention Center in the South Boston Waterfront, is the site of beanbag and other games plus art installations throughout the summer, along with a rotating series of food trucks.
But even when no special events are underway, the Lawn gives you a perfect place to just chill under the summer sun.
Event schedule and information: Website
A visit to Lawn on D provides the perfect excuse to sample one of the many new restaurants in the Seaport and Fort Point areas of the South Boston Waterfront.
For Boston Harbor views while you dine, visit a Seaport restaurant.
To try the creative cuisine of some of Boston's most innovative chefs, head to a Fort Point restaurant.
How to Save on Boston Hotels
Check out all our tips on how to find discounts, deals, and promo codes for Boston hotels. Whether you're looking for bargain accommodations or want to pay less for luxury, we'll show you How to Save on Hotels in Boston.
Booking.comMore about how to save on Boston hotels
Charlestown Navy Yard "Swinging Summer Nights" Concerts
Head over to the Commandant's House Lawn in historic Charlestown Navy Yard at 6pm on Thursday nights from June 28 - August 2 for free concerts given by musicians from Berklee College of Music. Each week features a different tradition: Brazilian, Alt Rock, Latin, and more.
Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for a relaxing concert under the stars. Food will be available to purchase nearby; no alcohol permitted.
Fun way to get there from the Downtown Boston Waterfront: Hop on the Inner Harbor Ferry (part of Boston's "T" system) at Long Wharf. But do note: the last ferry back departs shortly after 8pm, so if you miss it, be prepared to walk 10-15 minutes to get back to Boston - you can check the ferry schedule here: http://www.mbta.com
