Boston Events
Welcome to our
annual Boston event guide! Boston, with its rich historical tradition,
is host to numerous exciting events year-round.
Remember that
new events may be added every year and that occasionally special
events are cancelled or rescheduled. So, to avoid disappointment,
be sure to telephone in advance to the event's organizers, or the
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau to verify locations,
dates and times.
JAN
| FEB | MAR | APR
| MAY | JUN | JUL
| AUG | SEP | OCT
| NOV | DEC
January
Boston Wine Festival
Starting the last week in January, dozens of regional wineries exhibit
their best at the Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf. Each night, a selected
winery provides the perfect choice for a dinner prepared by one
of Boston’s chefs. Call (617) 439-7000 for more information.
Jazz Festival
Beginning mid-January, the Charles Hotel, 1 Bennet St., in Cambridge,
hosts world famous jazz musicians in a variety of programs. Call
(617) 876-7777 for more information.
Cookbook
Dinearound
Beginning the third Friday of every January, Boston restaurants
will be pulling out the stops in this gourmet event. Chefs and food
critics come from all over the country to sample Boston’s best,
and prepare their famous dishes. The event centers around Le Meridien
Hotel. Call (888) SEE-BOSTON for more information.
Top
February
Boston Wine Expo
The Boston World Trade Center, 164 Northern Ave., beginning the
1st Saturday of every February, hosts over 400 wineries with over
1,800 wines to sample, as well as cooking demonstrations by top
chefs. It is the largest public wine exposition in the country.
Call (617) 385-5000 for more information.
Boston Cooks!
Visit the Boston World Trade Center, 164 Northern Ave., beginning
the 2nd Friday of every February, for the best in cookware and kitchen
design, and sample the best dishes of some of the country’s
greatest chefs. Call (617) 385-5000 for more information.
Valentines
Day Concert
Early in February, the Boston Museum of Fine Art, 465 Huntingdon
Ave., presents a Valentine’s Day program, which features symphony
artists as well as local performers. Call (617) 267-9300 for more
information.
Top
March
St. Patrick’s Day
The first U.S. city to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in 1737
now hosts one of the larger parades on this day, beginning on Broadway
at the MBTA Station, City Hall Plaza, on March 17. Call (617) 635
4500 for more information.
International
Boston Seafood Show
In mid-March, the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., hosts
the annual exposition of seafood vendors. Enjoy the offerings of
fresh fish, as well as new seafood products. Call (207) 842-5599
for more information.
New England
Spring Flower Show
In mid-March, the Massachusetts Horticultural Society sponsors an
exhibition of local flowers and gardens, at the Bayside Expo and
Conference Center. Call (617) 536-9280 for more information.
Top
April
Boston Marathon
The Boston Athletic Association sponsors their annual Patriots’
Day race mid-April, starting at noon from Copley Square, Boylston
& Dartmouth Sts. Call (617) 536-4100 for more information.
Art in Bloom
The Boston Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntingdon Ave., hosts the annual
convention of local garden clubs and area florists. On the last
Friday in April, stroll through around 100 amazing flower arrangements
and garden galleries. Call (617) 267-9300 for more information.
Easter Egg
Hunt
Bring the children to Buttonwood Park, Rockdale Ave. and Route 6,
in New Bedford, for this annual event sponsored by the city, generally
held on a Saturday in mid-April. Call (508) 991-6295 for more information.
Top
May
Farmers’
Markets
Local farmers present their spring produce at two locations in Boston,
beginning in May. The City Hall Plaza market opens on May 20, and
the market at Copley Square, Boylston and Dartmouth Sts., opens
on May 28. Call (617) 635-4500 (City Hall) and (617) 626-1700 (Copley
Square) for more information.
Tuesday Night
Skate
Throughout May, skate through the city streets every Tuesday evening,
with Boston’s inline skaters, beginning at 7 PM at the Hatch
Memorial Shell, Storrow Drive. Helmet and wrist guard required;
flashing red light and bright clothing recommended. Call (617) 266-4292
for more information.
Top
June
Free Friday Flicks at the Hatch Shell
Have a picnic by the Charles River, and watch a free classic film,
at the Hatch Memorial Shell, Storrow Drive. Film titles are announced
only one day before showing, so just show up and be pleasantly surprised.
Call (617) 266-4292 for more information.
Party in
the Plaza
Preceding the 4th of July, Boston hosts its Harborfest, which includes
a number of events and free concerts. On the last weekend in June,
attend one of the better ones at the City Hall Plaza’s North
Stage, and enjoy the r & b music of Soul City, 7 PM - 10 PM.
Call (617) 635-3400 for more information.
Children’s
Day at the Harborfest
History and marine science displays, games and a face-painting party
are offered for children between 4 and 11, at the City Hall Plaza,
all day, on the last weekend in June. Over 5,000 children attended
last year. Call (617) 635-4500 for more information.
Top
July
Chowderfest
The best chefs in Boston will compete for the title of “Boston’s
Best Chowder” in this pre-4th of July, Harborfest event, at
City Hall Plaza, 11 AM - 6 PM, July 1. Over 15,000 visitors are
encouraged to taste as many recipes as possible, and vote their
choice. Tickets are $5. to $7. Call (617) 635-4500 for more information.
Bastille
Day in Boston
Come to the Back Bay, and enjoy the annual street party sponsored
by the French Library (53 Marlborough St., between Berkeley and
Dartmouth Sts.) to celebrate this French national holiday. Puppet
shows, hatters and other street vendors are featured. Call (617)
912 0400 for more information.
Swingin’
Under the Stars
Dance to swing music on South Market St., outdoors on the steps
of the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Genuine swing bands will provide
live music, and instructors will be available for the younger crowd
to learn the right moves, 6PM - 10 PM, every Wednesday, beginning
mid-July. Call (617) 523-1300 for more information.
Top
August
Cinatown Festival
Martial arts displays, exhibitions of a variety of arts and foods
from all of the Asian cultures are featured in Chinatown (between
South Station and the Boston Common), 10 AM - 6 PM, during the first
week of August. Call (617) 635-3485 for more information.
August Moon
Festival
On the 3rd Sunday of August, Chinatown celebrates the 1368 overthrow
of the Yuan dynasty by hiding messages in mooncakes. Enjoy authentic
mooncakes, and gaze at the moon, around the Gateway Arch on Harrison
Ave. Call (617) 635-3485 for more information.
Latin Nights
Beginning the first week of August, every Thursday night from 6PM
- 10 PM, enjoy Latin dancing at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace, on
South Market St. Live bands and dance tutors are featured. Call
(617) 523-1300 for more information.
Top
September
New England Conservatory
Beginning the first week of September, the oldest private school
of music in the country hosts free concerts at Jordan Hall, 30 Gainsborough
St. Try to catch one around the holiday season. Call (617) 536-2412
for more information.
Boston Film
Festival
For the first two weeks of September, Loews Copley Place, 100 Huntington
Ave., hosts its annual exhibition of new films. Many popular movies
have premiered here; don’t be surprised to see a few famous
directors and actors drawn to this event. Call (617) 266-2533 for
more information.
Fall Foliage
From mid-September through mid-October, several million people are
expected to drive through New England to enjoy the autumn colors.
Around Boston, there are many roadside farmer stands, self-pick
pumpkin groves, country fairs and festivals, and lots of wonderful
surprises during this most beautiful time of the year. Call (800)
227-MASS for more information.
Top
October
Vegetarian Food Festival
The Reggie Lewis Athletic Center, 1350 Tremont St., hosts an annual
showcase of food and cooking for the vegetarian lifestyle, in mid-October.
Call (617) 541-3535 for more information.
Halloween
on the Harbor
On the last two weekends in October, travel with Boston Harbor Cruises
to the deserted George’s Island for a Halloween party. Older
children will appreciate the activities and costume contest. Leave
from Long Wharf, every 15 minutes between 11 AM and 12:30 PM. Call
(617) 227-4321 for more information.
Mayor’s
Cup Cross-Country Races
The Boston Athletic Association, which sponsors the Boston Marathon,
hosts a one-day cross-country run in Franklin Park, 1 Franklin Park
Rd., on the last weekend in October. This run also serves as the
U.S. Track & Field Association’s East Region championship.
Call (617) 236-1652 for more information.
Top
November
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Tour through the heiress’s dream home and art museum, which
she created at the turn of the 20th century. Though an eclectic
mixture of periods and styles, each piece is notable for its intrinsic
beauty and quality, and every piece was carefully selected by Isabella
because it brought her a particular pleasure. Have a fascinating
tour of what $4 million could buy in the 20s, Tuedays through Sundays,
11 AM - 5 PM, 280 The Fenway. Call (617) 566-1401 for more information.
New England
Aquarium
Spend the day at one of the nation’s finest aquariums. Be sure
to see the 4-story coral reef display inside the ocean tank. The
Aquarium, located at the Central Wharf, and open daily 9 AM - 5
PM, also hosts whale watch boat excursions through the end of this
month. Call (617) 937-5200 for more information.
Avaland
While in Boston, try to dedicate one Friday night to visiting the
city’s largest dance club, the Avalon, 15 Landsdowne St. Famous
DJs and guests appear on the club’s main night of the week.
Doors open at 10 PM, but plan to spend a late night, as the line
can stretch for blocks. If you can get to the front door, admission
is $15. Call (617) 262-2424 for more information.
Top
December
Boston Tea Party Re-enactment
The Old South Meeting House hosts a re-enactment of the December
16, 1773 protest of taxation without representation. Admission is
free if you dress in your best Colonial outfit; otherwise, $1. Call
(617) 482 6439 for more information.
Chanukah
Celebration
Enjoy Boston's holiday service, open to the public, at Downtown
Crossing. Call (617) 266-1492 for more information.
First Night
In Boston, while Manhattan is crowding into Times Square, every
street in the downtown area is filled with sights, sounds and partying
that last all night long. The ice sculptures and fireworks are worth
seeing. Call (617) 542-1399 for more information.
Top
|
