60 Things to Do and See in Boston this Fall

Fall in Boston is always unique. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, as the leaves start to turn and the air becomes brisk, the blue skies remain crisp and there’s just nothing like it. Energy is everywhere: students returning, activity along the Charles, apple-picking, pumpkin-themed parties, performing arts filling the city, holiday celebrations and commemorations, the return of some of your favorite teams at TD Garden and Gillette Stadium and so much more. 

Boston’s autumnal weather is also the best time to take advantage of the last boat days, take a stroll along the Charles River Esplanade or the Arnold Arboretum, and enjoy outdoor dining, rooftop bars and beer and wine gardens.

In any year, this lineup of events makes Boston an autumnal paradise. We invite you to explore and enjoy the season in the city and Fall in love with Boston like never before.

Great Sporting Events

Returning once again to Boston, with fall foliage and iconic views in the background, is the Head of the Charles Regatta. Head to the banks of the Charles River to watch the most famous two-day regatta on the planet, with student-athletes from across the globe descending on Boston to compete. 

With the Boston Red Sox season winding down in the Fens, there are only a few more chances to grab a Fenway Frank and sing ‘Sweet Caroline’ with hundreds of your closest friends. But the fun doesn’t stop at this historical site with the end of the season. The ‘Topgolf Live Stadium Tour’ is returning November 5 – 9, 2022. Attendees can tee off at one of America's most iconic ballparks, hitting into on-field targets from their tee box.  

The Boston fan excitement will continue as the TD Garden welcomes back both the Bruins and Celtics in October, with both teams looking to contend this year in their respective leagues. Opening night for the Celtics is October 21st versus Miami, while the Bruins hit the ice for the first time on October 15th versus Arizona. Make sure to not miss the Premium Live Event, ‘WWE Survivor Series WarGames’ happening at the TD Garden on November 26th.

Head down to Gillette to cheer on the defending Supporters’ Shield champs, the New England Revolution, as they make a final push to qualify for the MLS playoffs. The Gillette Stadium fun continues with the start of Football tailgating season and the New England Patriot’s home opener on Sunday, September 25th. Make some time to also visit ‘The Patriots Hall of Fame’ presented by Raytheon Technologies. This innovative, interactive, and modern museum is an experience for all ages.  

FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS & FALL FUN

If you are looking for immersive activations, then Boston will not disappoint this fall.  From artisan markets to farmers markets, food festivals and cultural celebrations, there is ample opportunity to experience locally sourced, and locally organized, events that showcase the best of Boston’s creative economy. 

Visit Seaport Common on Sunday, September 25th and October 16th for the Seaport x Black Owned Bos. Market where you can shop for gifts, apparel, local food, beauty products and more, all from local purveyors, while supporting Black entrepreneurs.  Or head to the SoWa District for SoWa Sundays in the South End, where local artists offer their works and wares alongside food trucks, beer gardens, and a farmer’s market.  Speaking of farmers markets, they continue across all of Greater Boston well into fall, from Copley Square and Central Square to Roslindale Village and beyond. Make sure to check out Savor the Square continuing in Roxbury’s Nubian Square on October 15th; experience the creative and entrepreneurial energies of Roxbury come alive as community stakeholders and visitors come together to pursue a strategy to brand Nubian Square as the Heart and Soul of Roxbury.  Are you a book lover? Then mark your calendar for the ‘Boston Book Festival’ returning to Copley Square on Saturday, October 29th. Headliners include those such as Patrick Radden Keefe, Malindo Lo, and Bessel van der Kolk, M.D. 

What’s a fall festival calendar without the requisite lineup of Oktoberfest celebrations, especially in a craft beer haven like Boston?  Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered, with local favorites Trillium, Sam Adams, and Harpoon offering consecutive weekends of fun.  Join the ‘Boston Public Market’ for their ‘Harvest Party’ on Wednesday, October 12th. A celebration in support of the market’s mission to cultivate a diverse community around food, attendees can enjoy bites from their food entrepreneurs, craft libations featuring local spirits, live music and more.  

Join in on the Halloween Fun, as spooky season arrives here in Boston. Check out some of the events, exhibits, tours and more that Boston has to offer. Not a fan of the thrills and chills? Don’t worry! We have dozens of walking tours, boat tours and even helicopter tours to match everyone’s liking. 

Take a day trip beyond Boston or explore a new neighborhood right here in the city.   

LIVE EVENTS & PERFORMING ARTS

With star-studded performances and brand-new music venues, Boston is primed for an incredible line-up this autumn. Fenway’s newly opened MGM Music Hall is competing to be one of the best line-ups in the city welcoming artists such as Jack Harlow, Demi Lovato, The B-52s, and even Adam Sandler. Make sure to visit Cheeky Monkey Brewing, or Lucky Strike for a bit of fun and entertainment before or after a show.  

Head to the other side of town to the newly renovated TD Garden, for once-in-a-lifetime performances such as Panic at the Disco, Post Malone, The Killers, and Lizzo. Don’t miss out on nightlife options from various musical and DJ performances at Big Night Live, the Grand and Memoire at the Encore Boston Harbor.  

More intimate venues, such as newly opened Roadrunner and Boston staples such as House of Blues, are also offering compelling shows this season. Get tickets to Japanese Breakfast, Kelsea Ballerini, Judah & The Lion, Fletcher, Cole Swindell, Pusha T, and so much more.  

Broadway is back in Boston this Fall, filling the stage and streets with some of your favorite musicals, old and new. An inspiring and uplifting comeback story like no other, ‘TINA – The Tina Turner Musical’ takes the stage from September 20th to October 2nd. You won’t be able to stop the beat when Broadway’s Tony Award-winning musical comedy, ‘HAIRSPRAY’, dances its way through Boston from October 18th through the 30th. And with an-all woman cast and all-woman band, the ‘SIX’ wives of Henry VIII take over the microphones and stage from November 9th to the end of 2022.   

The city will also be filled with laughs this season, with several comedy options throughout the city. Grab your seats for Michelle Wolf or Rob Schneider at The Wilbur or Katt Williams or Jo Koy at The Boch Center. Comics Come Home, the longest-funning comedy fundraiser in the nation, returns to the TD Garden on November 12th. Funds raised during Comics Come Home art are critical in helping the Cam Neely Foundation’s mission to provide comfort, support and hope to adult and pediatric cancer patients and their families.  

And, of course, all the iconic and award-winning ensembles, outfits, and theatre companies that make Boston a performing arts mecca are all back on stage this fall, including the Boston Ballet, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Celebrity Series of Boston and Boston Lyric Opera. 

MUSEUM EXHIBITIONS

We’d be remiss to not include in this roundup some suggestions for museum experiences this fall.  The newly rebranded, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is hosting the acclaimed portraits of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama on the final stop of their national tour. "The Obama Portraits Tour” will be complemented by “Portraits of Leadership,” a crowd-sourced collection of portraits from the community featuring leaders of all kinds.  

Also in the Fens, at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the exhibition “Metal of Honor” opens October 13th.  This exhibition explores how four artists, use gold as an artistic strategy for innovation and honor. Also, don’t miss out on the ‘Weekend Concert Series’ hosted on Sundays throughout the Fall.  Across town in the Seaport, the Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston will be home to the ‘Eva LeWitt’ exhibit until October 23rd and welcoming ‘To Begin Again: Artists and Childhood’ on October 6th, investigating the influence of children and childhood on visual artists from the early 20th century to today. 

Exhibits are landing at the Museum of Science this season, with the opening of ‘Exploring AI: Making the Invisible Visible’ an exhibit discovering where AI technologies are being used, hand how choices humans make affect their impact, including a full-scale model of a Mars rover, on loan from NASA. Check out some of their permanent exhibits, such as ‘Arctic Adventure: Exploring with Technology’ and ‘New England Exhibits’. 

And don’t miss out on Boston’s immersive art opportunities at The Lighthouse Artspace at The Castle Boston, such as ‘Immersive Monet & The Impressionists’ and ‘Immersive Vatican’ opening October 7th.  

Fall for Boston – Like Never Before.  This is the year, truly like no other before it, for visitors to make new memories, explore a Boston they may not know yet and see why there’s no place better to be this season.