Lots of exciting events pack the Boston Events Calendar for August 2020 as summer fun continues in the city.
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.
Exciting concerts during August include Taylor Swift and Kenny Chesney at Gillette Stadium, plus Jimmy Buffett, Alicia Keys, Billy Joel, Brad Paisley, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Chris Stapleton, and lots more top artists.
Don't miss Summer - The Donna Summer Musical at the Boston Opera House, Cirque du Soleil's Under the Same Sky at Suffolk Downs, and the final days of the free performances of Shakespeare on the Common.
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.
Top photo: Boston Common on an August afternoon, with golden dome of the Massachusetts State House in the background
Boston Concerts & Shows - August 2020
Top August Concerts in Boston
- Taylor Swift: Lover Fest East - August 1 - Gillette Stadium
- Chris Stapleton - Aug 1 - Xfinity Center
- Foreigner, Kansas, & Europe - Aug 4 - Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
- Lauv - Aug 7 - Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
- Jimmy Buffett - Aug 8 - Xfinity Center
- Rod Stewart & Cheap Trick - Aug 9 - Xfinity Center
- Alicia Keys - Aug 11 - Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
- Incubus, 311, & Badflower - Aug 11 - Xfinity Center
- Santana and Earth, Wind, & Fire - Aug 12 - Xfinity Center
- Don McLean - Aug 14 - City Winery
- Brad Paisley, Jordan Davis, Gabby Barrett- Aug 15 - Xfinity Center
- The Black Keys - Aug 21 - Xfinity Center
- Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Poison, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts - Aug 25 and Aug 26 - Fenway Park
- Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, The Interrupters - Aug 27 - Fenway Park
- Billy Joel - Aug 28 - Fenway Park
- Hall and Oats, KT Tunstall, Squeeze - Aug 29 - Xfinity Center
- Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, Old Dominion - Aug 28 - Aug 29 - Gillette Stadium
- John Legend - Aug 31 - Rockland Trust Bank Pavilion
Schedules & Tickets:
TicketLiquidator Discount Code - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
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More shows for August
Boston Concerts & Shows throughout the Year
Whale Watching Cruise Tickets
Join one of the exciting 3-hour Whale Watching Cruises departing from the convenient Downtown Boston Waterfront, and experience the thrill of spotting whales off the coast of Boston.
You'll see these magnificent creatures close-up from the deck of your ship, probably spot Humpback and Finback whales, and see White Sided Dolphins frolicking in the waters.
These cruises sell out quickly, especially during the most popular months, but booking online is easy through GetYourGuide. Don't miss this iconic Boston experience!
August 2020 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
TicketLiquidator Discount Code - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork Discount Code - 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
If you're coming to a Red Sox game, spend the night or the weekend at one of the nearby hotels, such as the hip Verb Hotel, directly across the street from Fenway Park:
More top hotels near Fenway Park:
Check out more hotels near Fenway Park
Park: Garages & lots near Fenway Park
Celebrate: Best sports bars near Fenway Park
Faneuil Marketplace Events in August
August is the perfect month to enjoy Faneuil Marketplace's outdoor seating, as well as a variety of special free events going on this month:
Storytelling on Tuesdays in the South Market Building - 10:30-ll:30am
Art on Wednesdays in the South Market Building - Kids Art 10:30-12:30, Collaborative Art (all ages) 1pm-2pm, Open Studio 3pm-5pm, Apres Work Painting (ages 12 & up) 5:30pm-7pm
Movie Musicals on Thursdays - Preshow activities begin at 7:30 and films start at dusk. Lineup includes: Mamma Mia 2 (8/1), Hairspray (8/8), A Star is Born (8/15), and Bohemian Rhapsody (8/22).
Quincy Market History Hours on Saturdays - Find out about the fascinating history of Faneuil Marketplace's architecture, politics, and geography. 11am-12 noon. Meet your guide by the Directory sign near Anthem restaurant.
Boston Theater & Shows for August 2020
Top August Shows in Boston
- Cirque du Soleil: Under the Same Sky - August 29 - September 27 - Suffolk Downs
- Blue Man Group - Charles Playhouse
- Shakespeare on the Common
- Summer - The Donna Summer Musical
Schedules & Tickets
TicketLiquidator Discount Code - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork Discount Code - 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:
Check out more hotels in Boston's Theatre District
Boston Hotel Map
Enter your dates to see available hotels and rates:
Booking.comBoston 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:
Northern Lights Cruises:
- Brunch Cruise - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
- Champagne City Lights Cruise - Raise your glass of bubbly to the glittering city lights as you relax to soft classical music
- Sunday Evening Jazz Cruise - End your weekend on the perfect note by grooving to live jazz as you watch the ever-changing sunset colors as the sun sets behind Boston's city skyline
- Winter City Lights Cruise - Unwind on this 1-hour cruise with soothing classical music in the background, perhaps a tasty drink in your hand, and city lights sparking all around you
- Winter Sunset Cruise - Grab a cocktail and apps from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
- Live Irish Music Cruise - Get ready for fun on this rockin' Celtic cruise with a live Irish band playing classic Boston Irish songs, traditional Irish tunes, top hits, and your requests
Adirondack III Sailing Cruises:
- Beginning soon!
Cirque du Soleil's Under the Same Sky - 2020
Cirque du Soleil's U.S. premier of Under the Same Sky entertains Boston from August 29 through September 27 for dazzling performances under the Big Top at Suffolk Downs.
With its unique blend of acrobats and dancers, gorgeous costumes, original music, and stunning choreography, Under the Same Sky will create a fantasy world in front of your eyes.
TicketLiquidator Discount Code - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork Discount Code - Enter TNTIX to get $10 off orders of $300+
More about Cirque du Soleil in Boston
Boston Fermentation Festival
Fermented drink and food tastings, speakers, microbiologists, demos, and a chance to make your own sauerkraut under the guidance of local "Kraut Mobsters" make the free Boston Fermentation Festival one of the summer's most unique events.
Where & When: Boston Public Market's Demonstration Kitchen (100 Hanover St) on Sunday, August 18, 10am-4pm
Don't Miss: The Makers Marketplace showcasing local New England fermentation businesses, and the Libations Lounge featuring New England's most creative brewers and cider makers.
Shakespeare on the Common
One of the most popular summer Boston events, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company presents The Tempest, one of the Bard's romantic comedies, 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 and August (Exact dates TBD) at 8pm on Tuesdays through Saturdays, 7pm on Sundays, plus a 3pm matinee (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 2020
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:
TicketLiquidator Discount Code - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork Discount Code - 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)
Labor Day Weekend Fireworks - Cruises & Hotels with Views
Fireworks launched from two barges 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 known as "Dueling Barges" begins at 8:30pm on Thursday, August 27.
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-foot schooner, designed for comfortable sailing; with sails down, you'll have ideal views of the fireworks - Book now
- Northern Lights Labor Day Fireworks Cruise - Watch the fireworks from the perfect spot in this classic 1920s style yacht - great views from the top deck or enjoy the sights from comfortable seats in the climate-controlled cabin - 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
Summer Dine Out Boston
When: August 18-23 and 25-30
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
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 1-4 - 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 9-11, 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 15-18, - 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 22, Thatcher and Endicott Streets, procession and feast at 5pm on Monday
St. Anthony's Feast - The largest Italian religious festival in New England, August 23-25, 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
Free outdoor concerts take place all over the city during the summer - and Berklee College of Music students, faculty, and alumni give over 400 of them between early June and early October. Music ranges from jazz to classical, Latin to funk, folk to world, and are free.
Locations include Atlantic Wharf, the Boston Public Library, Brewer Fountain Plaza on Boston Common, the Charlestown Navy Yard, Chin Park and City Winery on the Greenway, selected Boston Harbor Cruises, the Arnold Arboretum, Christopher Columbus Park on the waterfront, Downtown Boston, the Longwood Medical Campus, multiple locations in Cambridge, Dorchester Heights, Institute of Contemporary Art, Prudential Center, Fenway locations, and more - so check the schedule at https://www.berklee.edu/events/summer
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), most Wednesdays 6-7pm and Fridays 12:30-1:30pm from early June through the end of 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: https://www.bpl.org/concerts-in-the-courtyard/
Boston Calling Weekly Block Parties: Live performances by popular banks such as East Coast Soul, Bourbon Chasers, and The Almighty Buck take place every week from 5-8pm on Thursdays at Dewey Square on the Rose Kennedy Greenway from early May through the end of August. 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
Fun Boston Tours for August
New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium
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:
TicketLiquidator Discount Code - Enter TLSPRING to get $10 off orders of $250+
TicketNetwork Discount Code - 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
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 2 - The Lego Movie 2
- August 8 - How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
- August 16 - Captain Marvel
- August 23 - Dumbo
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
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 6 until August 30.
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 2 - Raiders of the Lost Arc
August 9 - Aquaman
August 16 - Ghost
August 23 - Star Wars: The Force Awakens
August 30 - Captain America: The First Avengers
More about Boston Harbor Hotel
Check reviews and rates for the Boston Harbor Hotel
New England Coastal Tour from Boston
These special 1-day New England Coastal All-Day Tours on a luxury bus show you spectacular beaches, wetlands, quaint seaside villages, harbors, and lighthouses along the North Shore of Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Depending on when you go, you may also see the first displays of brilliant fall foliage along the New England coast.
You'll visit Hampton Beach and have plenty of time to photograph 19th century Nubble Light in York, Maine.
Don't miss this chance to see New England's glorious coast at its best!
- Find out more about the New England Coastal Tour - Now through October
- Find out about fall foliage sightseeing tours departing from Boston - Tours start in September
More about where to see gorgeous fall foliage in Boston
More Fun Boston Tours
The Northern Trust - PGA Tour 2020
PGA Tour's first event in the FedExCup playoffs, The Northern Trust returns on August 19-23 to TPC Boston, named by Golf Digest as one of the "Top 10 Best New Private Clubs in the U.S.," located 38 miles south of Boston in Norton, MA in 2020.
Golfers will compete in The Northern Trust for an $8.5 million purse to benefit New England charities as the defending champion takes on past champions.
Tickets
More Boston events during August
Boston Fan Expo Boston
When: August 7-9
Where:
Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
Cost: Tickets start at $35
Stay nearby: South Boston Waterfront Hotels near the Seaport World Trade Center
More info:https://www.fanexpoboston.com
Boston Comic Con gives you the chance to meet and chat with over 200 top graphic novelists, super hero artists, and developers of anime, movies, games, and toys, plus about 50,000 fans. Celebrity guests and artists include Pamela Anderson, Ke Huy Quan, Mike Colter, Sean Astin, Stephen Amell, and many more!
Plenty of dealers will be present also, so indulge in this opportunity to see your own graphic/comic heroes and add to your collection.
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.
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 summer lineup:
Croquet - Wednesdays, June 5-Aug 28, 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 July 20-September 14, noon - 4pm - Corn hole, giant jenga, ladder golf, & more!
Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks -
Children's parade, cartoon charachters, jugglers, magicians, face painting, and more kids activities from noon-4pm on Saturday, June 29
Movies in the Park - Sundays July 21 through August 26, 7pm - Bring a blanket or low folding chairs and watch family favorites starting at sundown. Find out what's showing: https://www.foccp.org/foccpevents
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 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 4, 11am - 6pm
Where: Fish Pier (212 Northern Ave), South Boston Waterfront
Tickets: $15 for general admission (kids 6-12 $5), $53 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
Fun Events & Activities on the Rose Kennedy Greenway
Fun Greenway events and things to do this summer:
- Boston Calling Block Parties held at Dewey Square (between Pearl and Oliver Streets) across from the InterContinental Hotel on Thursday evenings, 5-8pm, May 10-August 30; different local band each week, plus a cash bar for 21+
- Trillium Beer Garden in the Wharf District Parks (High Street and Atlantic Ave) featuring draft beers by Trillium Brewing Company and barrels of Westpoint Rivers Winery. Opens at 2pm weekdays and 11am weekends. 21+
- City Winery Open Air Wine Garden on Dewey Square, with beer and cider by Harpoon Brewery. Opens at 3:30pm on Wednesday and Friday, 1pm on Saturday, and 11am on Sunday. 21+
- Farmers Market in Dewey Square run by Boston Public Market offering fresh produce, meat, cheese, breads and pastries, ice cream, and more: Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30am - 6:30pm through November 21.
- Greenway Food Trucks: Generally on weekdays (but not holidays) in Dewey Square, by the Carousel, Rings Fountain (Milk Street), State Street, and Rowes Wharf areas of the Greenway
- Greenway Open Market on Saturdays through October, 11am-5pm in the Wharf District Parks
- Carousel - Wharf District Parks (near Faneuil Marketplace), 11am-7pm
- Public Art - You'll see revolving art installations thoughout the Greenway, and especially in the Fort Point Channel Park
- More about the Rose Kennedy Greenway
- Greenway walking tour and map
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.
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 free event featuring Kung-Fu Classics (Mandarin or Cantonese, with English subtitles; one film this year will be in English with Chinese subtitles). A limited number (250) of 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 games, martial arts, and other cultural performances followed by the feature film starting at 8pm, and runs from August 23 to August 25.
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?category=Movie
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 7 - Mercury Orchestra - Two rarely heard orchestral works by Charles Villiers Stanford and Amy Beach
August 14 - Landmarks Orchestra - Annual Green Concert, with works by Mussorgsky, Ralphe Vaughan Williams, Barber, and Dvorak
August 21- Landmarks Dance Night - music and dances from diverse cultures and from amateurs to professionals
Weather alerts and alternate locations in case of rain: 617-987-2000; orchestra website
Cost: Free
Find more free Hatch Shell concerts
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 early July through end of August; 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 3: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
August 10: Smallfoot
August 17: Alice in Wonderland (1951)
August 24: Hotel Transylvania 3
August 31: Dumbo
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, 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 near the carousel on Boston Common is part of what makes Boston fun in the summer. Instructors will lead a vinyasa flow class focused on releasing stress and expanding energy and welcome participants of all levels.
When: Every Thursday, 6-7:15 - through September 26 (no class on July 4th)
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
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 2:
- Franklin Park Zoo
-
Old State House
-
Concord Museum (Concord)
- Museum of Russian Icons (Clinton)
August 9:
- Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park
- Greenway Carousel
- Museum of the National Center of Afro American Artists
- Hancock Shaker Village (Pittsfield)
- New Bedford Whaling Museum
August 16:
- JFK Presidential Library and Museum
- The Discovery Museums (Acton)
- Fruitlands Museum (Harvard, MA)
- Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (Cambridge)
- Provincetown Art Association & Museum
- USS Constitution Museum
August 23:
- Boston Athenaeum
- Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston
- Museum of African American History
- Mary Baker eddy Library and Mapparium
August 30:
- Griffin Museum of Photography (Winchester)
-
Old Sturbridge Village (Sturbridge)
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.
The Northern Trust (formerly Dell Technologies Championship) - PGA Tour
PGA Tour's first event in the FedExcup playoffs, the Northern Trust (formerly Dell Technologies Championship) is being held in New Jersey this year - but will return to TPC Boston, named by Golf Digest as one of the "Top 10 Best New Private Clubs in the U.S.," located 38 miles south of Boston in Norton, MA in 2020. Golfers will compete in The Northern Trust for an $8.5 million purse to benefit New England charities as the defending champion taked on past champions. Check back in 2020 for details!
Tickets
More Boston Labor Day weekend events
Looking Ahead to Fall Events in Boston
More Articles about Boston Events in August
- Planning to visit Boston? Check out our Boston Hotel Guide
- Find out how to visit Boston beaches
- Interested in getting some exercise while you sightsee? Choose a Boston bike tour
- Fall is just around the corner - and now is a good time to start planning a breath-taking fall foliage cruise
Need a Boston Hotel?
Use this handy hotel map from Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay. Just enter your dates to find what's available, see the best rates, and make your reservations.
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Boston Bus to Wrentham Outlets
Want to save on designer fashion at Boston's biggest discount mall located south of the city?
