In the wake of the Boston Tea Party, the British government in 1774 sought to rein in Massachusetts colonists with a series of harsh laws that closed Boston’s port and severely limited the right to representative government and due process of law. The fallout from these so-called…
Free Things To Do in Boston
The Boston area offers an abundance of free and fun activities for everyone. See what's happening in Boston below!
Festivals
Back to Top of List- Long Wharf North
The Boston Harbor Islands has expanded its annual Free Ferry Day to an entire weekend so more people can experience a free trip through Boston Harbor to Georges Island – the site of historic Fort Warren and home to the legendary Lady in Black. Hop on a ferry at no cost and…
Join us for our Yacht Rock Spring Block Party at Boston Landing! When: Saturday, May 18, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Where: Athlete's Park @ Boston Landing Shopping: Shop from up to 20 local makers Live Music: Yacht Rock Music by DJ Chriss Roxx & his band Food: Food…
- DCR Hatch Memorial Shell
Join us for our 4th Annual Community Day - a free, public, outdoors event meant for everyone to enjoy the Esplanade! We kick off the day with our Annual Esplanade 5k (registration required) followed by free concert at the Hatch Memorial Shell, children activities, lawn games…
- Revere Beach
On Sunday, May 19th, we will host our 8th Annual Kite Festival on Revere Beach. This is our way of kicking off beach season with fun for the whole family! Children will have the opportunity to build, decorate, and fly their kites. The event also features professional kite flyers…
- 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
- Reggie Lewis Center
June has been designated as National Caribbean American Heritage Month by Presidential Proclamation. Caribbean American have contributed to the development of the United States in extraordinary ways. Millions of people in the United. Come out and enjoy a festival presentation of…
- 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…
- Rowes Wharf Plaza, Rose Kennedy Greenway
MY CARIBBEAN, ONE WORLD EXPO” to be held Saturday, July 6, 2024 at the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Rowes Wharf Plaza, Boston, Massachusetts. The theme for the 2024 Expo is “Our Folklore Culture”, highlighting the rich Caribbean community culture, arts and craft…
- Revere Beach Boulevard
The Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival is a renowned annual event that transforms the shores of Revere Beach into an awe-inspiring boardwalk and open-air festival. Celebrating its 20th year in 2024, this festival gathers world-class sand sculptors who showcase…
- Franklin Park
The annual Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts will be held July 27 and 28 at Franklin Park! Come immerse yourself in our rich Puerto Rican culture and enjoy music performances, delicious Puerto Rican food from several vendors, carnival rides, local arts & crafts, and…
The annual Boston Puerto Rican Parade returns on Sunday, July 28, 2024! The parade route will start at Cedar Street in Roxbury, MA and end at Franklin Park. The Boston Puerto Rican Festival will then kickoff at Franklin Park at 12:00pm. Come and experience the essence of Puerto…
- Hanover & Battery Streets, North End
- Recurring daily
Kick-off feast season in the North End with the return of St. Agrippina's 110th Annual Feast from August 1 to 4, 2024. Gather your friends and family and head to Hanover and Battery Streets to witness the Procession of Saint Agrippina, enjoy a full lineup of free concerts, and…
- The North End
- Recurring daily
Boston's Oldest Continuous Italian Festival The Fisherman's Feast is an annual event that began in Boston in 1910 and is based on a tradition that goes back to the 16th century in Sciacca Sicily. The Feast is based on the devotion of the fishermen from Sciacca to the Madonna del…
- The North End
- Recurring daily
Each year the people of the North End invite you to celebrate with them as they honor their patrons Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy with colorful parades, religious services, strolling singers, live entertainment and of course an abundance of great Italian and American food. Begun…
Museums & Exhibitions
Back to Top of List- 43 Monument Ave
- Recurring daily
The Bunker Hill Museum’s exhibits and dioramas tell the stories of the Battle of Bunker Hill, the construction of the Monument, and the history of the Charlestown Neighborhood. The museum is housed in the old Charlestown branch of the Boston Public Library. Guests can request…
- Commonwealth Museum
- Recurring daily
The Commonwealth Museum brings history alive through exhibits and educational programs. Changing exhibits interpret artifacts and documents that illuminate Massachusetts history. The exhibits featured are typically focused on the work and words of men like John Hancock, Samuel…
- Massachusetts Historical Society
- Recurring daily
Founded in 1791, the Massachusetts Historical Society is the nation's oldest historical society. The collections bring alive the stories of America's past through a series of changing exhibitions and public programs that are free to the public. Availability: Monday…
- McMullen Museum of Art
- Recurring daily
If you’re in the mood for a different kind of art, this museum houses collections loaned from institutions and art collectors all over the globe. Due to their reliance on loans, their exhibitions change quite frequently. In the span of a year, you could see pieces from China…
- Dorchester Brewing Co.
- Recurring daily
MOBA is the world's only museum dedicated to the collection, exhibition, and celebration of bad art in all forms. This year's theme is 99% Inspiration, 1% Persperation, a twist on Thomas Edison's famous definition of genius. Located in the basement of Somerville Theater…
- Waterworks Museum
- Recurring daily
The Waterworks Museum interprets unique stories of the country's first metropolitan water system through exhibitions and educational programs on engineering, architecture, social history, and public health. Located along the Chestnut Hill reservoir, the Waterworks Museum…
- 855 Commonwealth Ave
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
The BU Art Galleries host a variety of ongoing exhibitions in three locations on the University campus focused on national and regional artistic endeavors. Tours Availability: Tuesday – Sunday (closed on holidays recognized by the school) Gallery Hours: 11 pm - 5 pm
- Harvard Art Museums
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Examine the museums’ recent acquisitions, spanning centuries and media. Future Minded highlights a selection of works acquired in recent years that exemplify the Harvard Art Museums’ collecting vision and strategies. Nearly all are on display for the first time. The museums are…
- MIT List Visual Arts Center
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
The MIT List Visual Arts Center offers visitors a dynamic program of temporary exhibitions in the galleries, as well as renowned permanent and public art collections located across the Institute making it an excellent location to discover unique artistic visions. Availability…
- Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation at Massachusetts General Hospital
- Recurring weekly on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
The Paul S. Russell, MD Museum of Medical History and Innovation tells the rich story of Massachusetts General Hospital's two centuries of history. Visit us to learn about the hospital's important contributions to the medical field and see how these discoveries and advancements…
- 1 Faneuil Hall Sq Ste 4
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Located on the top floor of the historic Faneuil Hall, the Military Museum and Armory displays uniforms, medals, and weaponry from The Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts, among other, more modern military artifacts. Learn about the soldiers of the Ancient…
- 685 Commonwealth Ave
- Recurring weekly on Wednesday
This astronomical observatory owned and operated by Boston University. It's located on the roof of the College of Arts & Sciences and offers free public hours on Wednesday nights. • Although it won’t cost you a dime, you do need to obtain tickets ahead of time because there…
- USS Constitution Museum
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Old Ironsides is one of the most famous ships in the history of the United States. Learn about the legacy of the USS Constitution ship, the world's oldest commissioned warship, at the USS Constitution Museum. The museum of this historic vessel is open to the public for free…
- Institute of Contemporary Art
- Recurring weekly on Thursday
The ICA is free for all visitors every Thursday from 5 to 9 PM. Tickets for Free Thursday Nights will be available at icaboston.org/tickets at 10 AM on that Thursday morning. Beginning May 29, in line with the latest guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and…
- 344 Congress St
- Recurring weekly on Saturday
The Boston Fire Museum houses some of the oldest devices used to fight fires in Boston. In addition to buckets, trumpets, and fire grenades, you will also see some of the earliest examples of fire engines – some dating back to 1793. Tour Availability: Saturday Saturday…
Moving from civic bystander to civic agent is more than learning the ins and outs of governmental policies and processes. It involves taking intellectual and emotional leaps: Learning to see and believe in yourself as a powerful civic change agent, understanding that there are so…
Family Friendly
Back to Top of List- BCA Cyclorama
- Recurring daily
Heart Strings is an original experience that invites you to take part in UNICEF's impact by powering a universal song through interactive multimedia, lighting effects, and inspiring music. Promising to forge human connections, this multisensory journey shines a light on the…
- Long Wharf North
The Boston Harbor Islands has expanded its annual Free Ferry Day to an entire weekend so more people can experience a free trip through Boston Harbor to Georges Island – the site of historic Fort Warren and home to the legendary Lady in Black. Hop on a ferry at no cost and…
- The Rogerson House, Jamaica Plain
Join us on May 19 for this family and pet-friendly "Elderbration" to support FriendshipWorks’ critical mission of reducing social isolation and providing personalized programming and friendship to over 1,600 older adults in Boston, Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, and Somerville…
- DCR Hatch Memorial Shell
Join us for our 4th Annual Community Day - a free, public, outdoors event meant for everyone to enjoy the Esplanade! We kick off the day with our Annual Esplanade 5k (registration required) followed by free concert at the Hatch Memorial Shell, children activities, lawn games…
- Revere Beach
On Sunday, May 19th, we will host our 8th Annual Kite Festival on Revere Beach. This is our way of kicking off beach season with fun for the whole family! Children will have the opportunity to build, decorate, and fly their kites. The event also features professional kite flyers…
The multicultural Benkadi Drum and Dance group returns to perform new dances showcasing traditional West African rhythms and movements. With vivid costumes, interpretive dance, and audience participation, join us in honor of Juneteenth!
- Revere Beach Boulevard
The Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival is a renowned annual event that transforms the shores of Revere Beach into an awe-inspiring boardwalk and open-air festival. Celebrating its 20th year in 2024, this festival gathers world-class sand sculptors who showcase…
- Hanover & Battery Streets, North End
- Recurring daily
Kick-off feast season in the North End with the return of St. Agrippina's 110th Annual Feast from August 1 to 4, 2024. Gather your friends and family and head to Hanover and Battery Streets to witness the Procession of Saint Agrippina, enjoy a full lineup of free concerts, and…
- The North End
- Recurring daily
Each year the people of the North End invite you to celebrate with them as they honor their patrons Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy with colorful parades, religious services, strolling singers, live entertainment and of course an abundance of great Italian and American food. Begun…
Performing Arts
Back to Top of List- Roundhead Brewing Company, Hyde Park
On Sunday, May 19, at 5:30 pm, join us for an intimate jazz concert at Roundhead Brewing hosted by Departure Arts. This one-time special performance features world-renowned musicians with roots from across the globe who all now call Boston their home. Experience the fusion of…
The Pipes on the Plaza organ concert series continues at the Christian Science Plaza for 2024. Experience the glorious sounds of one of the world’s largest pipe organs at our upcoming organ concert at The Mother Church, featuring Ross Wood, Associate Organist at Parish of All…
- The Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Center
Join us for a free concert in celebration of Juneteenth! Landmarks Orchestra, in collaboration with Castle of Our Skins, is starting the 2024 summer season with a performance at the Kroc Center! Featuring works from Florence Price, William Grant Still, Jessie Montgomery and more…
Classes / Lectures
Back to Top of ListFor the first time, the eloquent petitions of disenfranchised people seeking their rights in the 17th and 18th centuries will be read from the balcony where the Declaration of Independence was first read in Boston in 1776. It’s easy to get discouraged about our ability to achieve…
- Boston Area Spanish Exchange (BASE)
- Recurring weekly on Tuesday
Join us for free open-level Spanish informal conversation workshops. In-person. All levels welcome! Del 7 de mayo al 18 de junio, de 2024* De 6:00pm a 7:00pm. Mándenos un correo confirmando su asistencia o inscríbase en nuestro evento "!Charlas Presenciales¡" *Las fechas pueden…
- Boston Area Spanish Exchange (BASE)
- Recurring weekly on Thursday
Join us for free open-level Spanish-Portuguese informal conversation workshops. In-person. ¡A conversar! All levels welcome. Venga con historias que contar y noticias para compartir. > Jueves. Del 7 de mayo al 21 de junio, de 2024* De 7:15pm a 8:15pm. Mándenos un correo…
Tours & Trails
Back to Top of List- Cambridge
- Recurring daily
This tour provides an opportunity to visit and interact with the spaces that influential Black women in Cambridge inhabited during the 19th century. These historical figures include Harriet Jacobs, Charlotte Hawkins Brown, Alberta V. Scott, Pauline Hopkins, Maria Baldwin, Mary…
- 256 Commonwealth ave.
- Recurring daily
In honor of the 20th Anniversary of the Boston Women’s Memorial, special recordings have been created for the statues of prominent women's rights advocates, enabling the statues to speak! This memorial, which is also one of the stops on the Boston Women's Heritage Trail…
- Recurring daily
Take a self-guided tour of Grove Hall and Nubian Square. Download the mobile app by visiting the Google Play or Apple app store · Download the 'Distrix' app · Make sure location is on · Select Roxbury Memory Trail · Have fun!
- BCA Cyclorama
- Recurring daily
Heart Strings is an original experience that invites you to take part in UNICEF's impact by powering a universal song through interactive multimedia, lighting effects, and inspiring music. Promising to forge human connections, this multisensory journey shines a light on the…
- The First Church of Christ, Scientist
- Recurring weekly on Sunday, Friday, Saturday
Join us for free tours of the original Romanesque church (The Mother Church Original, 1894) and the Byzantine-Renaissance extension (The Mother Church Extension, 1906), which houses one of the world’s largest pipe organs. Friday: 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Saturday: 11:00 a.m. and…
- Belle Isle Marsh Reservation, East Boston
Join The Trustees and our guide on this stunning DCR property of Belle Isle Marsh for our FREE monthly birdwatching walk at Belle Isle Marsh, Boston's last remaining salt marsh. Watch the wave of migratory birds call this place home throughout the seasons and learn about climate…
Outdoor Fun in Boston
With nearly 300 parks and iconic waterways, Greater Boston has plenty of space to explore.
Parks in Boston
Relax on the Boston Common and Public Garden, discover the Kelleher Rose Garden in the Back Bay Fens, escape to the Boston Harbor Islands, or stand in awe at Mount Auburn Cemetery - uncover Greater Boston's top parks.
Guide to Spring in Boston
Get outside in Boston, one of America’s great walking cities where the historic port, beautiful waterways, elaborate bike paths and networks of urban green space invite you to have fun outdoors.
Great Deals
Find discounts on attractions, restaurants, theatre tickets, tours, and more with our Great Deals.