Events & Festivals

It’s an ice cream bonanza at the annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl, where you can sample some of the finest ice cream from New England and beyond, all for a good cause.

The Tall Ships are returning to Boston in 2012, celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

Boston is in bloom, and so is the city's calendar as we throttle toward summer. Highlights include Mother's Day, Boston Bike Week, and Earthfest. Here's a look at May's offerings.

From the annual Make Way for Ducklings Parade to Lilac Sunday, Mother’s Day in the city of Boston has always held special regard for the women in all of our lives. Here are some ways Mom can hang with her family on her special day this year.

Treat Mom to a special brunch this Mother's Day. Here are some of the Boston restaurants offering special menus this year.

Looking for way to keep children busy during April school vacation? Here are some events and attractions in Boston that are perfect for families with another week off school.

Celebrate Earth Day in Boston this spring by participating in one or more of these local events aimed at expanding environmental awareness.

The Bacon and Beer Festival is back. Are you ready?

Spring returns and so do the Red Sox, perhaps the surest sign in Boston that summer days aren't too far away. April offers one of the best months Boston has to offer, with the Boston Marathon and baseball taking center stage.

One of the most renowned St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country, the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade attracts more than a half-million people every year.

Restaurant Week, The Taste of the South End, the Hockey East Finals, and, of course, St. Patrick’s Day, highlight March’s calendar of events in Boston. Here are some of the highlights to enjoy this month.

The Stone Zoo celebrates St. Patrick's Day all March long with cultural events each Saturday.

With a large population that lay claims to Irish roots, it’s no wonder that St. Patrick’s Day is a huge annual event in Boston. From the South Boston parade to pub challenges and Irish music, here’s a guide to help you plan your celebration.

For being a short month in the middle of winter, there are plenty of hot happenings in Boston over the course of February, from the traditional hockey Beanpot to Fat Tuesday celebrations and more. Here’s a look at some of the highlights.

Romance is in the air this Valentine’s Day, so be sure to save the date for some of this year’s local events, whether you plan to celebrate with a loved one or not.

Here are five ways to spend the holiday season with children this season.

A New Year’s Eve celebration doesn’t have to be a raucous affair. That’s why in 1976, a group of Boston artists and residents started First Night, an alternative to New Year’s Eve revelry that had seemingly become the norm. First Night provides a family-friendly atmosphere with a plethora of options throughout Boston to choose from. Here’s what...

The Boston Ski and Snowboard Expo kicks off the skiing and riding season with a host of deals, events, and freebies.

The lighting of the official Boston Christmas tree is an historic partnership dating back 40 years.

There’s a definite energy in Boston around Christmas time. Back Bay streets are bright with holiday lights, the Faneuil Hall tree glitters with hundreds of ornaments, and the city’s world-class dining and shopping takes on characteristics that make the holidays bright. There’s plenty to do, see, and taste. Here’s a look at just some of the many...

Historically, January is the coldest month in Boston. But the New Year opens in style with some hot events on the calendar.

The retail world may want to push you directly into holiday shopping, but November offers plenty to avoid the commercial jingles for a few more weeks. Bob Dylan, the Celtics and Bruins, and the start of the annual tradition, the Nutcracker, highlight November in Boston.

Half-dressed runners take to the streets every December in the annual Santa Speedo Run in Boston's Back Bay.

There is so much going on for Boston Fashion Week, including five events, from event planning company 6one7 Productions. Hosted at some of Boston's best restaurant and bars, you will get to learn something new and see some of the hottest trends in town, with complimentary admission.

Oktoberfest, the annual beer festival in Germany, is a great excuse to get out around Boston and celebrate in the weeks to come. From parades, to beer gardens, to special dinners, celebrate at these five events.

Peter Pan Show will have numerous shows coming to a tent set up right in downtown Boston at City Hall. Follow Peter on his adventures to Neverland, as he flies through the air, with special effects, in this unique performance, perfect for people of all ages.

The 10th anniversary of the worst terrorist attack on American soil will solemnly be remembered in Boston with a number of events throughout the city and surrounding area.

The doorstep to fall, September is one of the busiest months on the Boston calendar. Arts, film, jazz, and food festivals crowd the calendar for the month, which also includes the return of college football. The Bruins, and New England’s largest bike festival.

Try to navigate certain sections of Allston, Brighton, Newton, or Kenmore Square on Labor Day Weekend - the annual Student Invasion - and you’re liable to be stuck in traffic for some time. The solution? Take public transportation and check out some these Labor Day weekend events.

From ice cream shops, to concerts, outdoor movies, and restaurants where you can dine al fresco, there is no shortage of ways to spend summer in Boston. Check out this collection of articles on things to do this August.

From ethnic festivals to the Red Sox’ stretch drive in the baseball pennant race, August is annually a month filled with drama and anticipation in Boston, where the autumn months come on as quickly as the onrush of college students. Savor the final, full month of summer by checking out some of these events.

Check out these three local museums in Boston hosting concerts throughout the summer. You will get the best of both worlds, including plenty of artwork along with live music.

The North End is the place to be this summer, when the Boston neighborhood hosts its annual feasts. Featuring food, drinks, games, music, and more, it is a great way to spend a day or night in Boston, celebrating in the streets.

The annual Chefs in Shorts event allows you to dine outdoors on grilled treats. The best chefs in the area join together at this charity event to benefit the GBFB.

There are few Boston traditions more memorable than the annual Fourth of July festivities on the Charles River Esplanade, featuring an inspiring mix of music and fireworks that captivates the city every year. But that is just the beginning of a very busy month.

It's one of the biggest holidays on the Boston calendar. Here's what you need to know about celebrating the Fourth of July.

Treat Dad to a day in the city this Father’s Day by checking out some of the events in Boston planned to celebrate all he’s done for you over the years.

Check out these five places in Boston for some Father's day fun. Whether you want a pre fix menu or a la cart dining, there are some exciting things being served up around town to celebrate dad.

Enjoy food and drinks for a good cause, from 50 Cambridge businesses, at the Taste of Cambridge. Tickets are available now or at the door at this exciting event, held in Harvard Square.

The Taste of the North End is held every year to raise money for local charities. Check out a recap about what went down at this exciting event.

While Boston’s Fourth of July Spectacular is widely considered one of the best Independence Day celebrations in the country, it isn’t the only attraction that celebrates America’s birthday. Boston’s Harborfest is a six-day celebration that runs from June 30-July 5, boasting hundreds of family-friendly events that celebrate the city’s colonial...

Summer in the city brings with it a myriad of events. From the popular Scooper Bowl to the beginning of Boston’s annual Fourth of July festivities, June annually kicks off the tourist season, with plenty to see, do, and taste. And now, with the Bruins in the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 21 years, June just got even better.

Sample some of the best chowder that Boston has to offer at the annual Chowderfest, one of the highlights of Harborfest, the city’s schedule of events surrounding the Fourth of July. You’ll be able to vote for your favorite and help declare this year’s winners.

It’s summer. Well, not technically, but you what I mean. Memorial Day weekend kicks off the unofficial start to the season, and that means beaches, barbeques, and maybe even a little yard word are open for business.

There are some jolly good options in Boston to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Join others in toasting the nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Celebrate electronic music, art, and technology together at this annual event. Featuring performances, classes, lectures, parties, and a long list of events, Together is a week long festival for electronic enthusiasts.

The Big Apple Circus returns to Boston beginning April 2 for a month-plus run that will last until May 15. This family-friendly, entertaining show has thrilled audiences since 1974, and has visited Boston for more than two decades.

In 1951, Martin Luther King Jr. began studying at Boston University, where he earned a PhD in systematic theology. Today, almost 60 years later, the city of Boston remembers the storied leader in the African-American civil rights movement with a number of cultural events on the national holiday that now bears his name.

Christmas and Hanukah may take precedence when it comes to filling our Boston calendar for the month. But there are a lot of non-holiday-related things to do in Boston this month as well.

Thousands will flock to Salem on Halloween weekend to revel in the city's well-known history of witches and supposed hauntings that continue to this day.

Halloween isn’t just trick or treating and bobbing for apples. From Boston’s grizzly history to an animal costume contest, Boston celebrates in various ways. Here are a few of the many Halloween events taking place this month, most of which are family-friendly.

As the leaves fall in and around Boston during October, so too do the number of days with weather suitable for outdoor activities. Some may see that as a downer, but Bostonians embrace these days of autumn, among the most spectacular that the city has to offer. Here’s a look at some of the top events coming to the city during the month.

Boston is a city where the past comes alive in its daily life and many attractions. No matter the time of year, there’s always something to do here, whether it be cheering on the crews at the Head of the Charles, experiencing the Freedom Trail, or enjoying the baseball jewel that is Fenway Park.

The Head of the Charles Regatta is the world’s largest two-day regatta attracting more than 8,500 rowers and 300,000 spectators to the banks of the Charles River. Now in its 45th year, this two-day event attracts most of the top crews from colleges, high schools, and clubs worldwide.

It’s tough to imagine a season with more universal appeal in New England than fall.

From ethnic festivals to the Red Sox’ stretch drive in the baseball pennant race, August is annually a month filled with drama and anticipation in Boston, where the autumn months come on as quickly as the onrush of college students. Savor the final, full month of summer by checking out some of these events.

There are few Boston traditions more memorable than the annual Fourth of July festivities on the Esplanade, a wondrous mix of music and fireworks that captivate the city every July. But that is just the beginning of a very busy month.

The Bruins are playing in May for the first time in a decade, the Celtics are looking to defend their NBA crown, and the Red Sox season is in full swing. As if that weren’t enough on the menu, check out May's other event highlights:

Get a complete listing of the more than 200 different events taking place during this year's Harborfest, a six-day Independence Day celebration of local colonial and maritime history.

Get the city's official brochure for everything happening in Boston this summer.

Before you know it, school will be back in session. Get complete information on this year's CollegeFest, the annual back to school festival.

One of the country’s most renowned Independence Day celebrations features a brilliant marriage of music, color, and revelry. As the evening comes to a celebratory close, fireworks light up Boston Harbor in a display that is always memorable.

There are few Boston traditions more memorable than the annual Fourth of July festivities on the Esplanade, a wondrous mix of music and fireworks that captivate the city every July. But that is just the beginning of a very busy month.

Short of spending all day holding a spot in front of the Hatch Shell, there are plenty of other fine spots to catch the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Fourth of July, from aboard a boat on Boston Harbor to the Mass. Ave. bridge. Where are your favorites?

The Seventh Annual Revere Beach National Sand Sculpting Festival took place over the weekend at Revere Beach. Check out some of the stunning piece of artwork.

Here's everything you need to know about the holiday season in Boston.