Boston Event Calendar for July 2018

Moulin Rouge: The Musical - Emerson Colonial Theatre   (World Premier - See it in Boston at pre-Broadway ticket prices!)
Aladdin - Boston Opera House
Cirque du Soleil - Suffolk Downs
TBD - Shakespeare on the Common

Schedules & Tickets:

More shows for July

More Boston Theater District Shows

Cirque du Soleil's Luzia comes to Boston on June 28 for 5 weeks of dazzling performances at Suffolk Downs.

With its unique blend of acrobats and dancers, gorgeous costumes, original music played by a live band, and stunning choreography, Luzia transports you to a magical of light and water inspired by Mexican culture.

Suffolk Downs is easy to reach on the subway's Blue Line.

Find tickets for all Cirque du Soleil shows in Boston

More about Cirque du Soleil in Boston

Celebrate America's birthday on July 3rd and 4th with the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, America's premier Independence Day celebration.

From the opening notes of the National Anthem to the closing bursts of real cannon fire as part of the 1812 Overture, the July 4th Boston Pops concert at the Hatch Shell celebrates Independence Day in spectacular fashion, followed by dazzling fireworks over the Charles River.  Special guests this year are expected to be announced soon!

The concert on the day before, July 3rd, gives music lovers a chance to enjoy familar favorites (but no fireworks at the end).  Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart leads the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra during both concerts.

When: 
  -  Tuesday, July 3 - Oval opens at 5pm; concert begins at 8pm and ends at 10:00pm 
  -  Wednesday, July 4 - Oval opens at 9am; concert begins at 8pm, followed by fireworks from 10:30pm-11pm 
Where:   Hatch Shell, Boston Esplanade
More information:  Boston Pops and Fireworks

4th of July Fireworks - 2018

When:  Wednesday, July 4 at 10:30pm, immediately following the Boston Pops Concert - ends at about 11pm
Where:   Charles River, between the Longfellow and Mass Ave Bridges
Nearest T stations:  Depends on where you plan to sit - use Red Line/Harvard Square if you plan to be on the Cambridge side, and Green Line/Arlington or Red Line/Charles-MGH for the Boston side. 

Cost:  Free
More information:  Boston Fireworks

Boston's most spectacular firework display of the year follows the Pops Concert on the 4th.  Watch from tall buildings (Top of the Hub view is spectacular - but reserve early!), rooftops, or the banks of the Charles River.

Top Hotels near July 4th Fireworks & Pops Concert

Sheraton

Liberty Hotel

Taj Hotel Boston

Marriott Cambridge

Boston Harborfest - 2018

Harborfest is Boston's gala celebration of American Independence, July 4th, and the joy of summer in Boston.  Revolutionary War reenactments, cruises, exhibits, walking tours, and more exciting events showcase Boston's colonial, Revolutionary War, and maritime history. 

When: June 28-July 4 
Where:   Main events take place at Faneuil Marketplace and along the Freedom Trail, but with 200+ events, you'll also find plenty of other events happening along the Waterfront and other locations
Cost:  Free to pricy - depends on the event!  Some venues request donations.

More about Boston Harborfest events and schedules

Best Boston hotels for Harborfest

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.

Find out more

Another Option:  Get a 3, 5, or 7-day GoBoston Discount Card and choose a free Whale Watching Cruise ticket.  Plus, the discount card gives you the free admission to 40+ other top Boston area attractions, for savings totaling up to 55%.

Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow - 2018

The 97th annual Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow takes place on traditional tribal lands on Cape Cod just an hour south of Boston.  Dancers, drummers, and other participants celebrate Mashpee Wampanoag culture during this 3-day historical festival with dancing, drumming, games, food, art, jewelry, and crafts.  Special events include a Fireball spiritual healing ceremony on Saturday evening at sundown, and a traditional Clambake and crowning of the Mashpee Wampanoag Powwow Princess on Sunday afternoon. 

When: July 6, 7, 8
Where:   Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Powwow Grounds, 483 Great Neck Road South, Mashpee, MA
Tickets:  $12; Elders $10, free for children 4 and under
More information: 774-413-0520

The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe is part of the Wampanoag Nation of people living in Southeastern Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island for more than 12,000 years. 

Find out more about the Wampanoags from the Stone Age to the present by visiting the Mashpee Wampanoag Museum (414 Main Street, Mashpee, MA; website).

Queen Mary II in Boston - 2018

Queen Mary 2, the largest and most expensive passenger ship in the world and crown jewel of the Cunard shipping line, will sail into  Boston's CruisePort at noon on July 4th as part of a cruise originating in New York.

The Queen Mary 2 will stay in Boston overnight for the July 4th fireworks on the following night, and depart on the 5th.  

Planning to stop by to see the Queen Mary 2?  Treat yourself to a meal or drink at one of the nearby Seaport restaurants and bars overlooking Boston Harbor.

Shakespeare on the Common - 2018

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.

Find Special Deals on Boston Hotels & Apartments

Boston Red Sox Schedule - Home Games at Fenway - July  - 2018

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:

Find Red Sox home game schedule for each month:  April  -   May  -  June  -   July  -  August  - September  -   October

Hotels near Fenway Park

Buckminster Hotel

Verb Hotel

Hotel Commonwealth

Back Bay Hilton

More Hotels near Fenway Park

Park:  Garages & lots near Fenway Park
Celebrate:   Best sports bars near Fenway Park

Boston Pops July 4th Concerts - Esplanade - Free performances
Taylor Swift - 3 concerts - Gillette Stadium
Steely Dan & The Doobie Brothers - Xfinity Center 
Barenaked Ladies, Better Than Ezra & KT Tunstall - Blue Hills Bank Pavilion 
Shania Twain - TD Garden
Weezer & Pixies - Xfinity Center 
Foo Fighters - Fenway Park 
The Eagles - TD Garden
Kesha & Macklemore- Xfinity Center 

Schedules & Tickets:

More Concerts & Shows for July

Boston Concerts & Shows throughout the Year  

Boston Cruises & Tours in July

Visiting Boston in July?  You'll find lots of fun ways to see the city - hop on hop off trolleys, duck tours, lots of themed sightseeing cruises around the Harbor.

Or, if you want to have a sightseeing adventure beyond Boston, head 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!

Here are favorite tours and cruises to consider:

More:   Sightseeing Tours   |   Tours for Teens   |   Kids & Family Tours

Boston Pizza Festival at City Hall Plaza - 2018

Boston's expansive City Hall Plaza turns into a giant picnic ground when the Boston Pizza Festival returns on July 7-8, bringing all-you-can-eat pizza, entertainment such as pizza tossing shows and live music, adult and other beverages, and games to this family-friendly celebration of summer.

Fans devoured over 27,000 pizzas by top local pizza makers such as Pizzeria Regino, Bricco, Antico Forno, Babbo, and Serafina at last year's event.

Tickets:  $35 in advance, or $45 day of event. 
More info:  https://www.bostonpizzafestival.com/

Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell  - 2018

Enjoy free outdoor concerts at the Hatch Shell on Boston's Esplanade throughout July and 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, pack a picnic, and head for an evening of entertainment under the stars.

The July movie lineup includes: 

- July 6 - No Free Friday Flicks
- July 13 - Emoji Movie
- July 20 - Elf
- July 27 - Cars 3

When:  Movie starts at sundown (about 8:15 in July)

More information, including the movie schedule and weather cancellations:  Call the Free Friday Flicks Hotline at 617-787-7200

Summer in the City - July Events  - 2018

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.

July movies:

July 6 - Field of Dreams
July 13 - The Lion King
July 20 - Splash
July 27 - Wizard of Oz

More about Boston Harbor Hotel

Check reviews and rates for the Boston Harbor Hotel

Figment Arts Festival on the Greenway  - 2018

This free event transforms the entire length of the Greenway from the North End Parks to Dewey Square (across from South Station) into a massive collaborative artwork.  Expect to see performances, sculptures, activities, art, photographs, dance, and more.

Bring sunscreen and a water bottle, and come have fun!

More about the Rose Kennedy Greenway

New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium - 2018

Watch our local soccer team, the New England Revolution, bring men's soccer to a new level at Gillette Stadium.

Only 1 home game is scheduled for July - so don't miss the chance to see the Boston area's professional men's soccer players in action!

Home Games & Tickets:

Hotels near Gillette Stadium

Going to Gillette Stadium for a game or concert or to Patriot Place for shopping?  Stay in a convenient nearby hotel, such as the spectacular Renaissance Boston at Patriot Place:

More comfortable hotels near Gillette Stadium:

• Residence Inn Boston Foxborough
• Courtyard Hotel Boston Foxborough
• Comfort Inn Foxborough

Check out more hotels near Gillette Stadium

More hotels near Wrentham Premium Outlets and Gillette Stadium

Find out more about Boston discount cards, and how they give you big savings on top attractions.

New England Coastal Tour from Boston - 2018

This New England Coastal Tour day trip 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.

Find out more

More Summer Boston Harbor Cruises - July

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:

Harborfest Fireworks Cruise - June 30

• Harborfest Fireworks on Northern Lights

Special July 4 Turnaround Sail & Cruise

• Turnaround Cruise & Brunch for the U.S.S. Constitution on the Northern Lights - July 4th
• U.S.S. Constitution Turnaround Sail & Breakfast on Adirondack III

More Fun Boston Sails & Cruises

• Summer BBQ & Beers Cruise - Through September
• Historical New England Harbor Cruise
• Summer Luncheon Cruise - June 22-October 5
• Brunch Cruise aboard Northern Lights
• Northern Lights Sunset Cruise
• Sunday Evening Jazz Cruise On Northern Lights
• Adirondack III Day Sail
• Adirondack III Sunset Sail

ICA Boston Art Show  - July  2018

A visit to the Institute of Contemporary Art to see this show gives you the perfect excuse for exploring the South Boston Waterfront and nearby Fort Point areas. 

This is the city's fastest-developing (and possibly trendiest) neighborhood - and with several top museums, Harborwalk, the Blue Hills Pavilion, and more restaurants than you can count (with new places opening almost every month), there's plenty to do here. 

Where:  ICA Boston in the South Boston Waterfront
Admission:  $15 general admission;  free entrance with GoBoston Discount Card and on Thursday nights from 5pm-9pm

Plan Your Visit:  Popular South Boston Waterfront & Fort Point Hotels near ICA Boston

Westin Waterfront

Renaissance Boston

Residence Inn Seaport

Seaport Boston Hotel

Where to dine near ICA Boston along the waterfront

More restaurants in the Fort Point area near ICA Boston

Find out more about Boston discount cards, and how they give you big savings on top attractions.

Bastille Day, the French national holiday celebrating the storming of the Bastille prison, the beginning of the French Revolution against the tyranny of the monarchy in 1789, and the birth of modern France occurs on July 14.  Boston's French Cultural Center celebrates it on the preceding Friday by blocking off Marlborough between Berkeley and Claredon for a huge street party.

Francophone acts Ben l'Oncle Soul and Dabe Touré will provide plenty of high-energy music for dancing in the streets.  Complimentary French hors d'oeuvres and desserts are offered.  Delicious French food from the city's top French restaurants drinks including wine will be available for you to purchase.  Come celebrate with 2,000 other revelers, sing "La Marseillaise," and raise your glass to Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité in support of people throughout the world.

When:  Friday July 14 from 6pm - 11pm (music ends at 10pm) - rain or shine
Where: Marlborough Street, between Berkeley and Clarendon
Nearest T station: Green Line/Arlington
Cost: $33 in advance, $40 at the door; free for children under 10 (warning: tickets normally sell out in advance)
Tickets: 617-912-0400, WorldMusic.org

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
 

Find more Boston hotels with outdoor swimming pools 

From Stagecoach to Subway: The West End Street Railway at the West End Museum

Visit The West End Museum, one of Boston's small and fascinating history museums dedicated to preserving the history of this neighborhood prior to demolition/reconstruction in the 1950s, to see a fascinating exhibit about how public transportation has shaped life in Boston since the first English settlers arrived in the early 17th century.

When:  Through September 17, Tuesday-Thursday 12 noon - 5pm, Friday 1pm-5pm, and Saturday 11am - 4pm
Where: 150 Staniford Street, Boston's West End (near TD Garden)
Nearest T station: Orange Line/North Station
Admission cost: Free
More information about West End Museum and other Boston Museums

Boston Comic Con Expo 

When:  August 11 - 13 
Where:  Seaport World Trade Center, South Boston Waterfront
Cost:  $40 for Friday, $55 for Saturday, $45 for Sunday; 3-day pass for $100
Stay nearby:   South Boston Waterfront Hotels near the Seaport World Trade Center
More info: www.bostoncomiccon.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 Meat Loaf, Ming-Na Wen, Karl Urban, Stan Lee, Drew Struzan, 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.

Fun Sightseeing Tours of Boston

Duck Boats

Boston & Lexington

Whale Watch

Harbor Cruise

More:   Sightseeing Tours   |   Tours for Teens   |   Kids & Family Tours

Berklee Summer in the City:  Free Summer Concerts in Boston - 2018

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

Half-Price & Discount Tickets for Boston Events in July

Why pay full price? Check Goldstar's listings for half-price & discount Boston tickets for July - an easy way to save! 

Save BIG on half-price & discount tickets from Goldstar

- Tipsy Chocolate Tours - Boozy walking tour in Boston's Back Bay - Goldstar $48; Full price $68
- Boston Jerkfest and Caribbean Food Festival - Ben Franklin Institute of Technology - Goldstar $0-$30; Full price $5-$60
- Sh*t-Faced Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew - The Rockwell - Goldstar $0 - $15; Full price $25
- July 4th Cruise: USS Constitution Turn-Around Cruise - Boston Harbor - Goldstar $25-$40; Full price $42-$58
- July 4th Event: IndepenDANCE Party Cruise - Provincetown II - Goldstar $9-$15; Full price $30
- Water Country Water Park - Portsmouth, NH - Goldstar $31; Full price $45
- The Wiz - Lyric Stage Company - Goldstar $26-$38; Full price $51-$77

Find even more half-price tickets for July!

Return to top - Boston Event Calendar for July

More Free Summer Concerts in Boston - 2018

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

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.

The Landmarks Concert schedule for July:

July 19 - Music from a Summer Evening - Selections from Vaughan Williams, Verdi, Delius, & more (arrive early and hear brass and wind quintets from BU play between 6:15 and 6:45)
July 26 - Mercury Orchestra  - Wagner and Strauss, with Channing Yu conducting

Check the schedule for August

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.

North End Feasts and Festivals - 2018

Boston's North End Italian Feasts and Festivals draw huge crowds to this historic neighborhood.  You can smell the wonderful food, hear the music, and sense the excitement as you walk across the Greenway to Hanover Street, where many of the celebrations take place.

These festivals take place almost every weekend throughout the summer. 

North End Festivals scheduled for July:

Madonna della Grazie's Procession - July 8, 2pm - Starts at St Leonard's Church (Hanover and Prince Streets)

St. Rocco's Procession - July 15, 1:30pm - Starts at US Coast Guard Base, Commercial Street

St. Joseph Procession - July 290, 1pm - Procession starts at St Joseph Society Club (Hanover Street) 

Find out about North End Feasts and Festivals taking place in August

Interested in staying in the North End?  Check rates at Bricco Suites, in the heart of the neighborhood, and the waterfront Yacht Haven Inn and Battery Wharf Hotel.

Fun Boston Tours for July

Hop On Hop Off Trolleys

Duck Boats

Harbor & River Cruises

Sightseeing Tours

Chinatown Main Street Festival 

Enjoy colorful open-air market booths selling crafts, lucky bamboo, traditional silk clothing, and lots more, plus Chinese folk dances, Lion dances, and martial arts on stage on the Greenway in this mid-summer festival in Chinatown.  A great excuse for a tasty meal in one of these fun Chinatown restaurants.

When:  Saturday, July 8, 10am - 6pm  
Location:  Beach Street near the Chinatown Gate and Chinatown Park on the Greenway, plus other locations around Chinatown
Cost:  Free
Closest T station:   Orange Line / Chinatown, or park under Boston Common and walk over - 5-minute walk

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:

Annie - Saturday, July 1
The Jungle Book - Saturday, July 8 
The BFG- Saturday, July 15 
Pete's Dragon - Saturday, July 22 
Finding Dory - Saturday, July 29 
Moana - Saturday, August 5 
The Little Mermaid - Saturday, August 12 
Beauty and the Beast - Saturday, August 19 
The Secret Life of Pets- Saturday, August 26 

Sand Sculpting Festival at Revere Beach  - 2018

Over 500,000 spectators gather at Revere Beach during the course of the 4-day New England Sand Sculpting Festival to watch 15 renowned master sculptors from around the world work their magic with individual 12 ton allotments of sand imported from Hudson NH, plus water.  The sculptors compete for $14,000 in prize money, and the sculptures they create will amaze you with their detail and artistry. 

With music performances, a food truck festival, amusement rides, and crafts activities on site as well, you'll find plenty of family entertainment - and don't forget to bring your swimsuits, sunscreen, and towels for the beach!

Fireworks provide the grand finale for the sand sculpting festival.

When:  July 20-22; sculptors work from 8am until 8pm - plus fireworks at 9pm on Sunday
Where:   Revere Beach, Revere (about 2 miles north of Boston, but easy to get to by subway)
Nearest T station:  Blue Line/Wonderland - the beach is just 2 blocks away
Cost:  Free

Find out more about Revere Beach and other Boston beaches

Free Events in Christopher Columbus Park  - 2018

Enjoy free outdoor movies, croquet, and celebrations at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston's North End. 

Here's the lineup for July: 

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, July 22-August 26- Bring a blanket or low folding chairs and watch family favorites starting at sundown. July 22: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; July 29: Roman Holiday

Lawn on D - Concerts, Art, Games  - 2018

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.

Berklee Navy Yard "Swinging Summer Nights" Concerts 

Head over to the Commandant's House Lawn in historic Charlestown Navy Yard at 6pm on Thursday nights this summer through August 3 for free concerts given by musicians from Berklee College of Music.   

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

Free Drop-In Summer Yoga on Boston Common - 2018

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)

Return to Top - Boston Events Calendar for Aug

Fun Free Fridays in Boston in July  - 2018

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 July: 

July 6:
- Boston Children's Museum
- Peabody Essex Museum (Salem)
- Cape Cod Maritime Museum (Hyannis)
- Gore Place (Waltham)
- New England Quilt Museum (Lowell)
- Pilgrim Hall Museum (Plymouth)
- Battleship Cove (Fall River)  

July 13:
- Edward M. Kennedy Institute
- Larz Anderson Auto Museum (Brookline)
- The Telephone Museum (Waltham)
- The Sports Museum (Boston)

July 20:
- Museum of Fine Arts
- The Hall at Patriot Place (Foxboro)
- The Discovery Museum (Acton)

July 27:
- Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Boston Athenaeum
- Commonwealth Shakespeare
- Arnold Arboretum

More Free Friday Events - August

More locations outside of Boston:  Highland Street Foundation website

Outside the Box Free Performing Arts Festival in Boston

Please note:  We are awaiting confirmation that this event will take place in 2018 - so stay tuned!

Outside the Box, Boston's largest performing arts festival, transforms the Common by erecting six stages and tents where over 100 local artists and groups stage theater, dance performances, and music for 5 days from July 13-17.

Most events take place on Thursday through Sunday from 12 noon - 9pm. 

With so much going on at the festival, you can just walk around Boston Common and find the performances you like best.  But if you want to plan ahead, check the festival's schedule on the Out of the Box website.