Events
Events
A Year-Round Celebration of Events in 2024-2025
Boston, a city rich in history and vibrant culture, hosts an array of events throughout the year, attracting visitors from all over the world. From historical reenactments and cultural festivals to sporting events and culinary celebrations, Boston offers something for everyone. This guide highlights the key events taking place each month in 2024-2025, providing detailed information, contact details, and insider tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Introduction to Boston
Boston, known as the “Cradle of Liberty,” is renowned for its significant role in American history. The city’s unique blend of colonial charm and modern sophistication makes it a top destination for cultural and historical events. Boston’s diverse neighborhoods, thriving arts scene, and passionate sports culture ensure that there is always something exciting happening, no matter when you visit.
January
Boston Wine Festival
- Dates: January 5 – March 27, 2025
- Location: Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
- Contact: (617) 439-7000
- Description: The Boston Wine Festival is the nation’s longest-running wine and food festival. It features themed dinners, receptions, and seminars hosted by winemakers from around the world.
- Highlights: Wine pairings with gourmet meals, meet-and-greets with winemakers, wine education seminars.
Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals
- Dates: January 26 – March 10, 2025
- Location: Farkas Hall, 12 Holyoke St, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Contact: (617) 495-5205
- Description: This annual theatrical production by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Club features comedic performances, original songs, and elaborate costumes.
- Highlights: Satirical comedy, all-male cast in drag, original musical numbers.
Boston Celtic Music Festival
- Dates: January 18-21, 2025
- Location: Various venues in Cambridge, MA
- Contact: info@bcmfest.com
- Description: Celebrating Celtic music and dance, this festival showcases local musicians and dancers through concerts, workshops, and sessions.
- Highlights: Live performances, dance workshops, traditional Irish and Scottish music.
February
Chinese New Year Parade
- Dates: February 2, 2025
- Location: Chinatown, Boston, MA
- Contact: info@chinatownmainstreet.org
- Description: Celebrate the Lunar New Year with colorful parades, lion dances, and cultural performances in Boston’s Chinatown.
- Highlights: Dragon and lion dances, traditional music, cultural booths.
Boston Beanpot Hockey Tournament
- Dates: February 3 and 10, 2025
- Location: TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, Boston, MA 02114
- Contact: (617) 624-1050
- Description: This annual college ice hockey tournament features fierce competition among Boston’s four major college hockey teams: Boston University, Boston College, Harvard University, and Northeastern University.
- Highlights: High-energy hockey games, school spirit, exciting atmosphere.
Valentine's Day Chocolate Tour
- Dates: February 10-14, 2025
- Location: Various chocolate shops in Boston, MA
- Contact: info@bostonchocolatetours.com
- Description: Indulge in a sweet journey through Boston’s best chocolate shops, tasting exquisite chocolates and learning about the art of chocolate making.
- Highlights: Gourmet chocolate tastings, exclusive discounts, romantic ambiance.
March
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Dates: March 17, 2025
- Location: South Boston, MA
- Contact: southbostonparade.org
- Description: Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the largest in the country, featuring marching bands, colorful floats, and Irish dancers.
- Highlights: Festive atmosphere, live music, traditional Irish celebrations.
Boston Flower & Garden Show
- Dates: March 12-16, 2025
- Location: Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210
- Contact: (800) 258-8912
- Description: This annual event showcases stunning garden displays, floral arrangements, and expert gardening tips.
- Highlights: Garden designs, floral competitions, gardening seminars.
Boston Seafood Festival
- Dates: March 29, 2025
- Location: Boston Fish Pier, 212 Northern Ave, Boston, MA 02210
- Contact: info@bostonseafoodfestival.org
- Description: A celebration of Boston’s rich maritime history, featuring fresh seafood, cooking demonstrations, and family-friendly activities.
- Highlights: Seafood tastings, chef demonstrations, maritime exhibits.
April
Boston Marathon
- Dates: April 21, 2025
- Location: Starts in Hopkinton, ends in Boston, MA
- Contact: info@baa.org
- Description: The world’s oldest annual marathon, attracting runners from around the globe. The race is renowned for its challenging course and enthusiastic spectators.
- Highlights: Elite athletes, Heartbreak Hill, vibrant cheering crowds.
Patriots' Day Reenactments
- Dates: April 21, 2025
- Location: Lexington and Concord, MA
- Contact: lexingtonma.gov
- Description: Commemorate the battles of Lexington and Concord with historical reenactments, parades, and ceremonies.
- Highlights: Authentic reenactments, historical tours, colonial-themed events.
Boston Comic Con
- Dates: April 5-7, 2025
- Location: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, 415 Summer St, Boston, MA 02210
- Contact: info@bostoncomiccon.com
- Description: A popular convention celebrating comic books, pop culture, and entertainment, featuring celebrity guests, panels, and cosplay.
- Highlights: Celebrity appearances, artist alley, cosplay contests.
May
Boston Calling Music Festival
- Dates: May 23-25, 2025
- Location: Harvard Athletic Complex, 65 N Harvard St, Boston, MA 02134
- Contact: info@bostoncalling.com
- Description: A major music festival featuring a diverse lineup of bands, musicians, and comedians.
- Highlights: Live music, food vendors, art installations.
Lilac Sunday
- Dates: May 11, 2025
- Location: Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA 02130
- Contact: (617) 524-1718
- Description: Celebrate the blooming of the lilacs with family-friendly activities, guided tours, and picnics in the beautiful Arnold Arboretum.
- Highlights: Lilac collection, horticultural tours, children’s activities.
ArtWeek Boston
- Dates: May 1-10, 2025
- Location: Various locations in Boston, MA
- Contact: artweek@bochcenter.org
- Description: A creative festival offering unique and interactive art experiences, workshops, and performances.
- Highlights: Hands-on activities, live performances, artist talks.
June
Boston Pride Parade and Festival
- Dates: June 8, 2025
- Location: Copley Square, Boston, MA
- Contact: info@bostonpride.org
- Description: Celebrate LGBTQ+ pride with a vibrant parade and festival featuring performances, vendors, and activities.
- Highlights: Parade floats, live entertainment, community booths.
Cambridge Arts River Festival
- Dates: June 15, 2025
- Location: Central Square Cultural District, Cambridge, MA
- Contact: cambridgeartscouncil.org
- Description: A free outdoor festival celebrating the arts with live music, dance, theater performances, and art-making activities.
- Highlights: Art installations, family activities, food vendors.
Boston JerkFest
- Dates: June 29, 2025
- Location: Harvard Athletic Complex, 65 N Harvard St, Boston, MA 02134
- Contact: info@bostonjerkfest.com
- Description: A Caribbean food festival featuring jerk-spiced foods, live music, and cultural performances.
- Highlights: Food tastings, rum and beer garden, cultural dances.
July
Boston Harborfest
- Dates: July 1-4, 2024
- Location: Various locations in Boston, MA
- Contact: info@bostonharborfest.com
- Description: A multi-day celebration of Boston’s maritime and colonial history, featuring historical reenactments, harbor cruises, and fireworks.
- Highlights: Fireworks display, historical tours, live entertainment.
Fourth of July Celebration at the Esplanade
- Dates: July 4, 2024
- Location: Charles River Esplanade, Boston, MA
- Contact: bostonpopsjuly4th.org
- Description: Celebrate Independence Day with a spectacular fireworks display and a concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra.
- Highlights: Fireworks, live music, family-friendly activities.
Roxbury International Film Festival
- Dates: July 21-27, 2024
- Location: Various venues in Roxbury, MA
- Contact: roxburyinternationalfilmfestival.com
- Description: Showcasing films by and about people of color, this festival includes screenings, workshops, and panel discussions.
- Highlights: Film premieres, filmmaker Q&As, cultural events.
August
Fisherman’s Feast of Boston
- Dates: August 15-18, 2024
- Location: North End, Boston, MA
- Contact: fishermansfeast.com
- Description: A traditional Italian festival celebrating the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca with processions, food, and entertainment.
- Highlights: Procession of the Madonna, Italian food stalls, live music.
Saint Anthony’s Feast
- Dates: August 23-25, 2024
- Location: North End, Boston, MA
- Contact: stanthonysfeast.com
- Description: Known as the “Feast of all Feasts,” this event features religious processions, Italian cuisine, and cultural festivities.
- Highlights: Religious ceremonies, street food, entertainment stages.
Boston GreenFest
- Dates: August 16-18, 2024
- Location: Boston City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA
- Contact: bostongreenfest.org
- Description: A festival promoting sustainability with eco-friendly vendors, educational workshops, and live performances.
- Highlights: Green products, sustainability workshops, music and dance.
September
Boston Arts Festival
- Dates: September 7-8, 2024
- Location: Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, Boston, MA
- Contact: bostonartsfestival.com
- Description: Celebrating local artists and performers, this festival features art exhibitions, live music, and interactive activities.
- Highlights: Art installations, live performances, art-making activities.
Boston Film Festival
- Dates: September 20-23, 2024
- Location: Various venues in Boston, MA
- Contact: bostonfilmfestival.org
- Description: Showcasing independent films from around the world, this festival includes screenings, panel discussions, and awards ceremonies.
- Highlights: Film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, awards night.
Boston Local Food Festival
- Dates: September 15, 2024
- Location: Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston, MA
- Contact: bostonlocalfoodfestival.com
- Description: A celebration of local food and sustainable agriculture, featuring farmers, chefs, and food producers from the Boston area.
- Highlights: Local food tastings, cooking demonstrations, educational workshops.
October
Head of the Charles Regatta
- Dates: October 19-20, 2024
- Location: Charles River, Boston, MA
- Contact: hocr.org
- Description: The world’s largest two-day rowing event, attracting thousands of athletes and spectators from around the globe.
- Highlights: Rowing races, festive atmosphere, food vendors.
Halloween on the Harbor
- Dates: October 31, 2024
- Location: Boston Harbor, Boston, MA
- Contact: bostonharborhalloween.com
- Description: A Halloween celebration featuring a harbor cruise with costume contests, entertainment, and spooky fun.
- Highlights: Costume contests, themed cruises, family-friendly activities.
Boston Book Festival
- Dates: October 12, 2024
- Location: Copley Square, Boston, MA
- Contact: bostonbookfest.org
- Description: A literary festival featuring author readings, panel discussions, and book signings.
- Highlights: Author events, book sales, literary workshops.
November
Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair
- Dates: November 15-17, 2024
- Location: Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02115
- Contact: bostonbookfair.com
- Description: One of the oldest and most respected antiquarian book fairs in the country, featuring rare books, manuscripts, and ephemera.
- Highlights: Rare book displays, expert talks, book signings.
Boston Jewish Film Festival
- Dates: November 6-17, 2024
- Location: Various venues in Boston, MA
- Contact: bjff.org
- Description: Showcasing films that explore Jewish identity, culture, and history, this festival includes screenings, discussions, and special events.
- Highlights: Film premieres, panel discussions, cultural events.
Boston Christmas Festival
- Dates: November 1-3, 2024
- Location: Seaport World Trade Center, 200 Seaport Blvd, Boston, MA 02210
- Contact: bostonchristmasfestival.com
- Description: A holiday marketplace featuring handcrafted gifts, decorations, and gourmet foods.
- Highlights: Artisan vendors, holiday decor, culinary demonstrations.
December
Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker
- Dates: November 29 – December 29, 2024
- Location: Boston Opera House, 539 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
- Contact: bostonballet.org
- Description: A beloved holiday tradition, this enchanting ballet brings Tchaikovsky’s classic score to life.
- Highlights: Stunning choreography, elaborate sets and costumes, magical performances.
First Night Boston
- Dates: December 31, 2024
- Location: Various locations in Boston, MA
- Contact: firstnightboston.org
- Description: A citywide New Year’s Eve celebration featuring fireworks, ice sculptures, and performances.
- Highlights: Midnight fireworks, ice sculptures, live entertainment.
Blink! at Faneuil Hall
- Dates: November 29, 2024 – January 1, 2025
- Location: Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 S Market St, Boston, MA 02109
- Contact: faneuilhallmarketplace.com
- Description: A spectacular light and sound show set to holiday music, illuminating the historic marketplace.
- Highlights: Light show, festive atmosphere, holiday shopping.
Practical Information
- Tickets: Many events offer tickets online through their official websites. Prices vary by event, with some offering early bird discounts or group rates.
- Getting Around: Boston’s public transportation system, the MBTA, provides convenient access to most event locations. Parking can be limited, so using public transport or rideshare services is recommended.
- Accommodation: Book early, especially during major events, as hotels can fill up quickly. Consider staying in centrally located neighborhoods like Back Bay, Downtown, or the Seaport District for easy access to event venues.
Insider Tips
- Best Times to Attend: For optimal experience, arrive early to avoid crowds and secure the best views. Weekday events often have smaller crowds than weekend events.
- Local Customs: Boston is known for its friendly and welcoming locals. Be respectful of the city’s history and traditions, especially during cultural and historical events.
- Additional Attractions: While attending events, explore other attractions like the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts to round out your visit.
Final Thoughts