Top Festivals in Boston 2026

• SoWa Art + Design District
• Recurring monthly on the 1st Friday

On the First Friday of every month, the artists, galleries, shops and showrooms of the SoWa Art + Design District in the South End open their doors to the public for an evening of art, culture and inspiration. Meet the artists in their element, view the latest gallery…

• SoWa Art + Design District
• Recurring weekly on Sunday

Spend a Sunday afternoon at 450 Harrison Ave, and meet the artists directly. Family friendly and free event. Plenty of parking is available. SoWa Artists Guild Facebook/SoWa Artists Guild Instagram/SoWa Artists Guild

• Boston Harbor Hotel

Step into an evening of unparalleled elegance and indulgence at our Grand Dinners in the iconic Wharf Room. With sweeping harbor views as your backdrop and a setting steeped in timeless grandeur, these evenings promise to be nothing short of extraordinary. Imagine a night where…

• Rose Kennedy Greenway
• Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

See Boston From New Heights! This February, the Rose Kennedy Greenway becomes the ultimate winter hot spot with a towering Ferris Wheel offering sweeping skyline views. Picture yourself above the city lights and Boston’s iconic landmarks as your backdrop! Complimentary Community…

• Citywide
• Recurring daily

Dine Out Boston is brought to you by Meet Boston, providing locals and visitors alike the opportunity to try many restaurants in the area at special prices. Participating restaurants offer prix fixe menus for both lunch and dinner - Reserve a table today! Diners can choose from a…

• Hilton Boston Park Plaza

Experience New England’s largest wine event at the Boston Wine Expo. Taste wines from around the world, meet winemakers and distributors, and discover new favorites 🍷. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or simply enjoy a good pour, the Expo is your chance to sip, learn, and…

• Harvard Square, Cambridge

The wait is over! The Harvard Square Business Association is delighted to announce the return of the 18th Annual Chocolate Tasting Event! After two postponements due to inclement weather, this free, family-friendly and eagerly anticipated sweet celebration will place on Saturday…

• South Boston

The annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day/ Evacuation Day Parade returns on Sunday, March 15th 2026 at 11:30am! The parade begins at the Broadway 'T' Station, South Boston and ends at Andrew Square. We suggest grabbing a spot anywhere along Broadway to watch the parade! Parade…

• Brattle Theatre
• Recurring daily

The Boston Underground Film Festival returns for its 26th edition, once again bringing the finest in vanguard filmmaking from around the world to New England cinephiles. Taking place at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square and expanding to include the Coolidge Corner Theatre in…

• Patriot Place

For the 15 th year, Patriot Place invites you to grab your green and celebrate the joys of Irish culture, as Irish Festival returns on Saturday, March 21 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. This popular, family-friendly event is a staple of St. Patrick’s celebrations and is free and open…

• Boston Public Market

Visit the Boston Public Market on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22 for a two-day celebration of New England fiber artists and farmers! At this free festival, guests can browse through all the fiber art and goods the festival has to offer, and enjoy craft workshops, skill…

• Adams Park, Roslindale

Get ready to splash into colors and joy at our Holi Mela! Happening on Adams Park on Sat Mar 21, 2026 from 11am to 4pm. This celebration is all about vibrant vibes, delicious treats, and non-stop fun with friends and family. Bring your energy and dress to get colorful because…

• Boch Center Wang Theatre

For one night only, the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame Induction Celebration will bring artists, songs, and stories together for a one-of-a kind event unlike anything else. This year’s class honors Aretha Franklin, Leonard Cohen, Muddy Waters, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Judy…

• Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center
• Recurring daily

PAX East is a celebration of gaming and gaming culture featuring thought-provoking panels, a massive expo hall filled with the best publishers and studios, new game demos, musical performances, tournaments, and a community experience unlike any other. No matter your preferred…

• Hynes Convention Center
• Recurring daily

Anime Boston is a three-day convention held annually in Boston, Massachusetts, USA under the supervision of the New England Anime Society. Our focus is to celebrate and promote Japanese culture and media, such as anime, manga, and video games. While the main focus on Anime Boston…

• Connexion

Get ready—The Final Act of Our Faces is happening on April 11th from 1:00–4:00 PM at Connexion! Join us for an immersive afternoon filled with art, music, lights, and creative surprises as we bring this powerful community project to its next chapter. This gathering is a…

• Hopkinton to Boston

Boston - The marathon that all other marathons are measured by. This isn’t only the world’s oldest, but regarded as one of the world’s most challenging races. Check out our expanded 130th Boston Marathon page for where to watch, schedule, course map, and much more.

• Boston Common

The 2026 Japan Festival Boston will once again be hosted at the historic Boston Common on Saturday, April 25th and Sunday, April 26th. Japan’s traditional festival is a place to thank gods for their blessings and gather on special occasions with friends and family, serving as a…

• BOYLSTON STREET TO CHARLES STREET

Join us for Boston 30th Annual Greek Independence Day Parade featuring Greek music, dancing, and food at the Boston Common. PARADE KICK-OFF 1:00PM - BOYLSTON STREET TO CHARLES STREET

• Jamaica Plain

Approaching its 48th year, Wake Up the Earth Fest represents the beginning of Spring and brings out 7,500+ people every year in celebration. The 2026 Wake Up the Earth Festival in Jamaica Plain, features a parade that usually begins around 11 AM, gathering at Curtis Hall (20…

• The Foundry

Get ready to spice things up at the Boston Hot Sauce Festival with fiery challenges, mouth-watering Chef demos and Pepper Talks! Join us for the 3rd Annual Boston Hot Sauce Festival - Rhythm N' Spice! Get ready for an experience that will set your taste buds on fire on Saturday…

• Parkman Bandstand, Boston Public Garden

A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Duckling Day celebrates the children’s classic book, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Every year on Mother’s Day, hundreds of children parade through Boston’s most picturesque parks, dressed like characters from the story…

• Ohiri Field, Harvard University

Panda Fest, one of the nation’s fastest-growing outdoor Asian food and culture festivals, is thrilled to announce its return to Boston for its second year, taking place from May 15 to May 17, 2026, at Ohiri Field at Harvard University. Following a successful debut that sold out…

• Boston University
• Recurring daily

The WBUR Festival is back on Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 and our guest list is heating up! A few of the big names who’ll take the mic in 2026 include: José Andrés, Sam Sanders, Mary Louise Kelly and many more of your NPR and WBUR favorites. Join us for lively…

• Rose Kennedy Greenway

Kick summer off in style with live music, lawn games, your favorite food trucks, beer, wine, and more. Our annual young professionals fundraising event, Glow in the Park, lights up the night every June, and it’s your chance to support the Greenway Conservancy and have a blast…

• Copley Square

PRIDE IS BACK!📢🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Boston Pride For The People is excited to announce the return of a Pride Month celebration in Boston on Saturday, June 6th, 2026. The celebration will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, parade, festival, and block party! Boston Pride For The People is…

• Florian Hall

Join us at our annual Puerto Rican Festival Cultural Pageant at Florian Hall where we'll crown this year's Miss Puerto Rico! The Pageant serves as the cornerstone event of the Festival Puertorriqueño, aimed at empowering girls and young women of Puerto Rican heritage to become…

• Downtown Crossing, Waterfront
• Recurring daily

Happening from July 2 - 4, 2026, Harborfest features hundreds of family-friendly activities at Boston’s most iconic landmarks, making it one of the country’s largest Fourth of July celebrations. Activities include the annual opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, reenactments…

• DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade

The Boston Pops July 4th Spectacular is returning for 2026! Keith Lockhart will lead a program featuring the Boston Pops orchestra with special guests to be announced. The concert ends with a fireworks display around 9:40 pm (subject to change). Photos by Michael Blanchard

• Harvard Athletic Complex

Boston JerkFest is a family-friendly Caribbean-style food festival offering two days of fun in the sun and featuring Jamaican jerk spiced food and all things jerk hot! Taking place July 10-12, 2026, at the Harvard Athletic Complex, this festival celebrates Caribbean flavors…