Top photo:  Outdoor dining along Newbury Street in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood, (c) Boston Discovery Guide

Boston Discovery Guide is a user-supported website.  When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Summer Boston Harbor Cruises

Tour Boston by boat - the best way to see the city!  

Check out these fun sightseeing, music, and entertainment Boston Harbor cruises on the Yacht Northern Lights and Schooner Adirondack III:

 Popular Cruises

• Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USSConstitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
• Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
• Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience!  Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar
• Schooner Adirondack Oyster Sail- Relax on this late-afternoon sail as you enjoy local oysters shucked on board and  paired with mignonette, lemon, and hot sauce
• City Lights Ghost Tour Cruise on Northern Lights - As you cruise through Boston Harbor as night falls and the skyline lights up, you'll hear tales of ghosts, strange sightings, and eerie situations as you cruise past historic sights for a memorable evening of Boston, whether you're a visitor or a local

Sailing Cruises on the Adirondack III & IV:

• Adirondack Day Sail- Enjoy cool breezes and the afternoon sun on this relaxing sightseeing sail around Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor Islands - Starts May 1
• Adirondack Sunset Sail - Relax as the setting sun turns the sky brilliant colors - Starts May 1

Mothers Day Cruise

• Mother's Brunch Day Cruise with Live Jazz- Celebrate your mom while you enjoy a delicious brunch and live jazz on this relaxing Harbor cruise - May 11 (don't wait to book - this always sells out!)

Fun Book Your July 4th Cruises Now (because they sell out far in advance!)

• Northern Lights - Harborfest Fireworks Cruise on a 1920's style commuter yacht- July 2
• Adirondack - Harborfest Fireworks Cruise on an 80-foot schooner - July 2
• Adirondack - USS Constitution Turn-Around Cruise with Continental breakfast- July 4
• Northern Lights - USS Constitution Turn-Around Cruise with 3-course brunch - July 4
• Northern Lights - July 4th Fireworks Cruise - 3 hour cruise from Boston featuring Winthrop's spectacular fireworks  - July 4
• Adirondack - July 4th Fireworks Cruise - 3 to 3.5 hour cruise from Boston to watch Winthrop's fireworks - July 4

Labor Day Cruise

• Labor Day Fireworks Cruise on Northern Lights- You'll love this crowd-free option for watching the brilliant Labor Day Fireworks over Boston Harbor after a leisurely cruise on this classic commuter yacht -Find out more

Boston Concerts & Shows 2025

Top June Concerts in Boston 

Checkout the terrific show lineup for June:

EnterDISCOVERY10 to save10%onTicketLiquidator &TicketNetworktickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/26.

Top concerts in Boston in June include popular artists, and more to come:

• Candlelight Concerts - Multiple dates in June at various locations 

Schedules & Tickets

More Concerts & Shows for June

Boston Concerts throughout the Year 

Boston Red Sox Schedule - Home Games at Fenway - June 2025

Location: Fenway Park
Nearest T stations: Green Line B or C/Kenmore; Commuter Rail Worcester Line/Yawkey

Indulge your passion for baseball by going to see theBoston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Get Schedule & Tickets

EnterDISCOVERY10 to save10%onTicketLiquidator &TicketNetworktickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/26.

Find Red Sox Home Games at Fenway for Other Months

July  - August  -September  -   October

Stay:  Hotels near Fenway Park
Park: Garages & lots near Fenway Park
Celebrate:  Best sports bars near Fenway Park

Find out about more Boston sports

---

Boston Theater Shows for June 2025

Top June Shows in Boston's Theaters - Schedules & Tickets

Book your tickets now for the fantastic shows this month:

Check out the Boston theater schedule for June with its exciting mix of touring Broadway shows, musicals, kids shows, and comedy:

EnterDISCOVERY10 to save10%onTicketLiquidator &TicketNetworktickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/26.

More shows for June

More Boston Theater District Shows

Where to have dinner in Boston's Theatre District

---

Where to Stay near Boston's Theatre District

Enjoy your Boston performance or show experience to the fullest when you stay in one of the nearby Theatre District hotels, such as the luxuriousHyatt Regency:

More top Theatre District hotels:

• Hotel AKA Boston Common
• Doubletree Boston Hotel
• Revere Boston Hotel

Check out more hotels in Boston's Theatre District

---

Boston Comedy Clubs June 2025

Looking for something fun to do in Boston that doesn't (usually) cost too much money?  Check out these shows:

EnterDISCOVERY10 to save10%onTicketLiquidator &TicketNetworktickets.  Good for purchases made through 12/31/26.

More Comedy in Boston

Find more comedy club show schedule & tickets

More about Boston's comedy clubs

---

New England Coastal Tours

This special 1-dayBoston to Coastal Maine & Kennebunkport Guided Day Trip with Trolley Tour with a driver/tour guide shows you beautiful beaches, wetlands, quaint seaside villages, harbors, andlighthouses along the New England Coast. 

You'll stroll alongOgunquit's coastal Marginal Way, take a 1-hour trolley tour around idyllicKennebunkport, and have plenty of time to visit and photograph 19th centuryNubble Light (light house) in York, Maine. 

Don't miss this chance to see New England's glorious coast at its best!

Pickup/dropoff at central Boston locations near hotels is included.

Find out more about the New England Coastal Tour

Want to explore a different coastal area?  Check out this popular day trip from Boston to Martha's Vineyard:

Find out about the Martha's Vineyard day trip with an option island tour

Want to consider other day trips from Boston?

See our complete list of day trips with descriptions & photos

---

Whale Watching Cruise Tickets

Join one of the exciting 3-hourWhale Watching Cruises departing from the Downtown Boston Waterfront, and experience the thrill of spotting whales off the coast of Boston. 

You'll see magnificent creatures such as Humpback and Finback whales close-up from the deck of your ship, and spot White-Sided Dolphins frolicking in the waters.

These cruises sell out quickly, so don't wait toget your tickets now for this iconic Boston experience!

---

Fun Events & Activities on the Rose Kennedy Greenway

TheRose Kennedy Greenway is offering so many fun things to do this summer(all events to be confirmed): 

• Night Shift Beer Garden at Dewey Square Plaza across from South Station.  Beer, seltzer, wine plus bites from rotating food vendors.  Open Wednesday - Friday from 3pm - 9pm, Saturday 12 noon - 9pm, and Sunday from 12 noon - 7pm
• Trillium Beer Gardenin the Wharf District Parks (High Street and Atlantic Ave) featuring draft beers by Trillium Brewing Company and a rotating selection of food trucks.  Open Tuesday - Saturday from 3pm - 10pm, and Sunday from 12 noon - 6pm.
• Weekly Lion Dances at the Chinatown Gate - Starts at the Chinatown Gate on the Greenway and continues through the streets - Every week from12 noon - 1pm, starting June 29 through August 31 (except for July 6)
• Fountains - You'll find them in 7 different locations along the Greenway - so get ready to splash, wade, and cool off! 
• Carousel -Open daily, 11am-6pm.  Tickets: $4 (buy online)
• Greenway Food Trucks:  A rotation of 20 trucks offer Korean, Jamaican, Indian, Caribbean, Italian, seafood, and other specialties along the Greenway at Night Shift on Dewey Square, the Carousel, Rings Fountain (Milk Street), State Street, the North End, Rowes Wharf Plaza, and Trillium Beer Garden.  You'll find them at several locations each day, usually with a total of about 3 trucks per day.  You can track the schedule and locations of your favoriteshere
• Public Art -See new installations by top artists
• Plants & Landscapes - Enjoy the sustainable organic gardens, including the Greenway's Meadow, Beehives, Pollinator Ribbon, Carolyn Lynch Garden with brightly colored flowers, and the Armenian Heritage Park with an abstract sculpture and maze
• Fitness Program- Join any or all of the free fitness classes (many different types) - find the schedule here

More about the Rose Kennedy Greenway

Greenway walking tour and map

Featured New Hotel for June:  Hilton Garden Inn Boston/Brookline

700 Brookline Place, Brookline

With 174 guestrooms and a convenient location on theBrookline/Boston border close to top cultural attractions, universities, and Fenway Park,Hilton Garden Inn Boston/Brookline offers an indoor swimming pool and fitness center, onsite dining, and shuttle service to nearby Longwood Medical Area. 

If you're driving into the city from the west, you'll appreciate the hotel's convenient location close to the Mass Pike (I-90) and Route 9. 

Valet parking is available for an affordable (for Boston) fee. 

Best of all, once you're at the hotel, you'll have lots of transportation options at your fingertips. 

Just hop onto the commuter rail, subway, or bus and you'll be at Fenway Park, the Museum of Fine Arts, Northeastern University, Simmons University, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Harvard Medical School, and Boston's world class hospitals in Longwood in 3-10 minutes. 

Or walk, and enjoy the many coffee shop/bakeries, restaurants, scenic parks, and friendly vibe in Boston's Fenway neighborhood.

Book now

Check out other new Boston hotels

Lawn on D

Lawn on D, a playground for adults (kids are welcome too but this is primarily an adult venue) located behind the Convention Center in the South Boston Waterfront, opens for the year on June 28 (to be confirmed) with interactive installations, foodie-friendly bites and drinks from Rebel Restaurants, community events, and, of course, fun lawn games.

Look for Kaleidoscope Garden, a new light garden filled with illuminated disks that glow like fireflies, Urban Grove with shaded nest seating under a canopy with hue-changing lighting that glows after dark, and FitFest, free fitness classes taking place on select Saturdays.

You'll also find giant Adirondack chairs, pickle ball courts, and other spots to relax, hang out, and have fun.

Live music and other free events take place through October.

Hours:7am - 11pm, with pickleball courts open from 9am - 9pm.  Food/drink concessions are open from 3pm - 10pm on Wednesdays, and 12 noon - 10:30pm on Friday - Sunday. (to be confirmed)

Rules, in case you're wondering: No dogs, no outside alcohol, no outside food during concession hours.

Lawn on Doccasionally closes to the public due to private events (always check theirwebsite before going). 

Fun Boston Tours for June

More Ways to Experience Boston

 Sightseeing Tours   |  Tours for Teens   |  Kids & Family Tours

Juneteenth Celebrations in Boston

Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, the day when Union soldiers reached Galveston, Texas and annouced that the Civil War had ended and thatall enslaved people were free. 

June 19 immediately became an unofficial day of annual celebration in Texas, and Juneteenth officially became a Texas state holiday in 1980, a Massachusetts state holiday in 2020 (although the state "recognized" Juneteenth in 2007), and a U.S. holiday a few days ago. 

In addition to commemorating the end of the institution of slavery in the U.S. and theliberation of African Americans, it alsocelebrates Black culture and achievements. 

Here are a few of the top commemorations this year:

• MFA Open House on Juneteenth- Free admission for all Massachusetts residents on June 19, plus performances, art-making, talks, and museum exhibits
• Beacon Hill- Juneteenth Tour on the Underground Railroad - This 2.5 hour walking tour will explore hidden history and Underground Railroad sites along the Black Heritage Trail, beginning at 10:30am on Wednesday, June 19 -More information  (to be confirmed)
• Juneteenth at the Boston Harbor Islands- Visit Georges Island for live music, stories, history tours, and an exploration of Black History in Boston - June 19, 9:30am-5pm -Find out more  (to be confirmed)
• A Juneteenth Celebration - Concert with Landmark Orchestra and Castle of our Skins - June 15, 4pm, Kroc Center (650 Dudley Street, Boston) - concert is free, but you mustregister in advance (to be confirmed)

You can find an additional list ofBoston's Juneteenth celebrationshere.  (Don't miss the list at the bottom of Black-owned restaurants!)

Here aremore places to explore Black history and culturein Boston:

• Museum of African American History - The museum will host a Community Day themed “Freedom, Movement, and Migration” on June 15, 2025 to engage people of all ages in a meaningful celebration of freedom and commemoration of Juneteenth’s significance in American history.  More information
• Black Heritage Trail (Beacon Hill) - Official tours are available, and you can walk the 1.6 mile trail yourself and check out the 10 sites.  Find a map and guide the the siteshere
• National Center for Afro American Artists (300 Walnut Street, Roxbury)

Garden Tour of Historic Charlestown MA

The garden tour appears to be happening this year, although no dates have been announced yet.  We'll keep you posted!

Meanwhile, you can explore the lush gardens on your own by taking a self-guided tour thanks to the "Discovery Trail," which takes you around the lush plantings, an exploration plot, and the newly arrived beehives. 

You'll find a maphere.

After you walk around the gardens, take some time to explore thebeautiful and historic Charlestown neighborhood, which is actually the oldest part of Boston where the Puritans first landed in 1630 before moving on to Beacon Hill in search of a fresh-water source for making their beverage of choice:  beer. 

If you want to indulge in this favorite of Colonial times (as well as today), head to theWarren Tavern, one of Boston's oldest historic bar and reportedly a favorite of George Washington.

Find out more about garden tours in Boston

Scooper Bowl Ice Cream Fest

Boston's favorite ice cream fest,Scooper Bowl,dishes out 20 or so tons of ice cream, gelato, frozen yogurt, and sorbet in this popular 2-day fundraiser. 

This"all you can eat" event takes place at centrally-located City Hall Plaza, and raises money for theJimmy Fundto benefit cancer research atDana-Farber.  

Not only do you get to eat all you want of the ice cream donated by the nation's top frozen dessert companies - usually about 40+ flavors - but there will also be live entertainment, games, and more.

Scooper Bowl takes place this year on June 3 - 5 (to be confirmed) fromnoon to 8pm.

In addition, from5pm-8pm on June 5, all ice cream lovers who are21+ can join the fun atScoop at Night from 5pm to 8pm with unlimited ice cream, two drink tickets, live entertainment, beer, wine, and games. (to be confirmed)

Where:  City Hall Plaza, Boston's Government Center neighborhood near Faneuil Hall
Event Tickets: Scooper Bowlwebsite 
More information: Scooper Bowl

Beacon Hill Art Walk 2025

The Beacon Hill Art Walk takes place in the neighborhood's North Slope onJune 1, from 12 noon to 6 pm. 

Residents open up their private gardens and courtyards for the 100 or so participating artists to display their creations. 

Look for original paintings, pottery, sculptures, and more as you stroll around usually hidden spaces in this historic neighborhood and listen to local musicians playing in the gardens. 

Pick up an Art Walk location map when you get there.  Starting points:  135 1/2 Charles Street, and the corner of Cambridge and West Cedar Streets.  (to be confirmed)

The event is free - although the art is for sale and you may find treasures you can't resist.  The Art Walk also gives you the perfect excuse to explore this charming historic Boston neighborhood.

You can find more information on theevent's website.

Donna Summer Disco Party

TheDonna Summer Disco Party returns onJune 26, 5-9pmoutdoors atCity Hall Plaza to honor the Boston-born disco legend's life and legacy.  (to be confirmed)

Summer was born in Dorchester and grew up in Mission before becoming a star in the 1970s.  Her numerous achievements include induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, five Grammys, and world-wide record sales of over 140 million.

You can honor Summer's memory and her musical legacy by dancing all night (well, until 9pm) while grooving to her greatest hits, complete with adisco ball, colorful lights, bubbles, and plenty of glow sticks.  

Top attraction this year: the return ofroller skating on City Hall Plaza!

DJ Vince 1will provide the music again this year, andDonna's family members including her sister, Mary Gaines Bernard and her nephew O'Mega Red, will take the stage for a musical performance.   

Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival 2025

The annual Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is the largest-running dragon boat race in North America with over 60 teams competing. 

Enjoy the spectacular dragon boats, with rowers ranging from novice to expert.  Race seeding trials take place on Saturday, and the races occur on Sunday.

Don't miss the Cultural Festival on Sunday (Cambridge side of the Charles) featuring Asian arts, crafts, martial arts, and dance performances!

New this year:  Boston Dragon Boat Festival is partnering with Hainan Airlines to offer an auction.  Stay tuned for the date and details closer to the event!

When:  
- Races: June 8 
- Cultural Festival with food and entertainment:  June 8

Where:   Charles River, with Festival (food and entertainment) on the Cambridge side of the river
Nearest T station:  Red Line/Harvard Square
Cost:  Free
More Dragon Boat Festival information

Boston Pride Parade, Festival, & Party 2025

Boston Pride For The People Parade and Festival,the city's annual celebration of LGBTQ+ communities returns this year with a big parade, a festival, and a 21+ block party onJune 14.

The parade starts in Copley Square at 11am, proceeds through Boston's South End, and ends on Boston Common where a Festival then takes place with performances by local and national entertainers.

At 2pm, the action moves to City Hall Plaza for a 21+ party with DJs, entertainment, and favorite brews from Dorchester Brewery, Gay Beer, Provincetown Brewery, and DrawDown Brewery. (time & sponsors to be confirmed)

Over 1 million people typically attend Boston's Pride Parade and Festival, making it the largest pride event in New England,

Wondering where to stay?  Several Marriott International hotels includingThe Westin at Copley Place,W Boston,Renaissance Waterfront Hotel, and theRitzCarlton are offering special Pride packages.  You can also check out other Marriott hotels here.

Check theBoston Pride for the People website to learn more.

Boston Pride Parade Photos

As you can see from the following photos, the Boston Pride Parade is always awesome:

Boston Hotels with Outdoor Swimming Pools

• Verb Hotel next to Fenway Park (shown in photo) -Find Lowest Rates
• Colonnade Hotel near Prudential Center -Find Discount Rates
• Revere Hotel in the Theatre District -Find Discount Rates

Boston Discount Cards for Attractions, Tours, Cruises

Best way to save in Boston.  Save 50% or more when you take a Boston Harbor cruise or Duck Boat tour, visit Plimouth Plantation, the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park Tour, and more.  

Compare to find out which one is best for you

Battle of Bunker Hill Day Parade 2025

When: Sunday, June 15, 12:30pm-3:30pm
Where: Bunker Hill Monument, Monument Square, Charlestown, MA (parade starts at the intersection of Vine, Bunker Hill Street, and Main Street, Charlestown)
NearestBoston subway station: Orange Line/Community College
Cost:  Free
More information: 617-242-2724

Join the National Park Service at the Bunker Hill Monument onBoston's Freedom Trail to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the famous battle against the British on nearby Breed's Hill on June 17, 1775, and enjoy the Bunker Hill Day Parade, a Boston tradition since 1786.  Hill.

The parade always takes place on a Sunday on or before June 17.

Members of theCharlestown Militia dressed in Colonial attire play fifes and drums, and offer musket salutes as part of a wreath-laying ceremony at the monument.

The parade kicks off at Hayes Square (corner of Vine and Bunker Hill Streets), marches up and down Bunker Hill Street, turns left at Main Street at Sullivan Square, continues down Main Street, and turns left onto Monument Ave.

The parade then turns right onto Monument Square, turns right again onto Winthrop Street, and ends up at the Charlestown Militia Training Field (corner of Common and Winthrop Streets). 

To prepare for the parade, streets start to close to traffic soon after 9am.

After the parade, explore the Bunker Hill Museum (free admission) across from the monument on Monument Street, or follow the red stripe of theFreedom Trail down to the Charlestown Navy Yard for a free tour on theUSSConstitution.  

The Battle of Bunker Hill took place during theSiege of Boston, which lasted from April 19, 1775 until March 17, 1776 when the British were finally routed and forced to flee the city. 

June 17this the official state holiday and is observed in Boston (although not in the rest of Massachusetts or elsewhere in the US). 

More Bunker Hill 250th Anniversary Events

To mark the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill and the beginning of the American Revolution, Boston's Charlestown neighborhood will host a series of special event this year.

Museum of Science Exhibits

Special Exhibits

• The Art of Illusion- See how your brain interprets and misinterprets the world through this hands-on exhibit
• Perception Playground- Brand-new interactive exhibition that reveals the secrets of how illusions impact our perceptions
• Gaia Globe - View our planet on a grand scale
• Colossal Fossil: Triceratops Cliff- See the 65-million year-old fossil up close
• Exploring AI: Making the Invisible Visible: Discover how AI is already part of your life, and examine your choices about how and when you use it

With fascinating permanent exhibits for all ages, there's always something to see, do, and learn.  Here are just a few of the most popular: Engineering Design Workshop - Triceratops Cliff,The Light House, Dinosaurs, Hall of Human Life, Animal Sculptures, Live Animal Care Center, a Rock Garden,Mathematica, New England Habitats,Garden Walk & Insect Zoo, Electricity.

Where:  Boston's Museum of Science
When:   Daily, 9am-5pm; open until 9pm on Fridays
Admission:  $33 general museum admission ($28 for kids; children under 3 free; seniors 60+ $29). Reserve your tickets, or get free museum admission when you have aGoBoston Discount card orCityPASS card. 

Not Sure about Boston Neighborhood Locations?

Need a more details? Here are our favorite free and low-cost Boston maps.

Berklee Summer in the City:  Free Summer Concerts in Boston

Berklee College of Musicstudents, faculty, and alumni give hundreds of free outdoor concerts all over the city from May through September. 

Music ranges from jazz to classical, Latin to funk, folk to world, and are free. 

Locations include Atlantic Wharf, the Boston Public Library, Brewer Fountain Plaza on Boston Common, the Charles River Jazz Festival, Club Passim in Cambridge, Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, Kendall Center, Regattabar and Henrietta's table, Sam Adams Park, South Boston Maritime Park, Spectacle Island, Sunset Concerts at Symphony Park, Tito Puente Latin Music Series, SoWa Open Market, Prudential Center, Jazz at the Fort, Cambridge Discovery Park, The Green at 401 Park in the Fenway, and Swingin' in the Fens.

You can find the schedule here: Berklee events website

More Free Summer Concerts in Boston

Concerts in the Courtyard: Boston Public Library in the McKim Courtyard (700 Boylston Street, Copley Square in Back Bay) on Fridays 12 noon-1pm from early June through the end of August. 

Music ranges from jazz to classical, folk to world, and are free. 

More info: https://www.bpl.org/concerts-in-the-courtyard/

Greenway Artisan Market

TheGreenway Artisan Market, sister market toSoWa Open Market (held Sundays in the South End), brings an eclectic mix of hand-made art, music, and locally produced products to Boston. 

Look for the sea of white vendor tents with over 50 vendors - and get ready for some fun shopping, plus good eating at thegourmet food trucks. 

With a different mix of vendors present each week, you never know what treasures you'll find!  It's a quintessential Boston event.

When:  Every Saturday from May 4 and every Sunday starting June 2 through October,11am - 5pm 
Where: Rose Kennedy Greenway, near Rings Fountain along the Wharf District parks (look for the Carousel and the vendors' white tents)

Nearest T station: Blue Line/Aquarium, or Orange and Green Lines/Haymarket
Cost:  Free (but of course you'll probably be tempted to buy things

Summer Activities in Boston

Looking for more things to do in Boston in the summer?

Check out:

Best Boston Summer Activities

Things to Do in Boston in June

Things to Do in Boston in July

Things to Do in Boston on Rainy Days

Top 10 Boston Attractions

Boston Pizza Festival at City Hall Plaza 2025

Boston's expansiveCity Hall Plazaturns into a giant picnic ground when theBoston Pizza Festivalreturns onJune 21-22 bringing pizza, entertainment such as pizza tossing shows and live music, DJs, adult and other beverages, and games to this family-friendly celebration of summer. 

Fans devoured over27,000 pizzas last year by top local pizza makers such as Pizzeria Regino, Bricco, Antico Forno, and Serafina.  Stay tuned for this year's participants!

Admission costs $10 - $15 (includes 2 slices of pizza), depending on how early (or not) you register, and you can buy more pizza slices and beverages once you're onsite.

More info:  https://www.bostonpizzafestival.com/

Free Events in Christopher Columbus Park

Enjoyfree outdoor movies andcelebrations at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston's North End.  Here's the summer lineup so far: 

Independence Day Celebration for Children (& their families)- June 26, 12 noon-2:30pm - Magician, storyteller, and games (to be confirmed)

Summer Sunday Movies - Sundays July 18 through August 22, 7pm - Bring a blanket or low folding chairs and watch family favorites starting at sundown.   Find out what's showing:  https://www.foccp.org/foccpevents (to be confirmed)

North End Feasts and Festivals

Boston's North End Italian Feasts and Festivals draw huge crowds to this historic neighborhood. 

You can smell the mouth-watering sausages and pizza, hear the music, and feel the excitement as you walk across the Greenway to Hanover Street, where many of the celebrations take place.

These parades and festivals take place almost every weekend throughout the summer. 

North End Festivals scheduled for June (all are processions only - no feasts during June):

• Santa Maria Di Anzano Procession - June 2, 10:30am Mass at St Leonard's Church (Hanover and Prince Streets); 119th annual procession to be held on Sunday, September 19, 1pm starting at St Leonard Church (this Saint's Day is always just a procession; no feast) -More information
• St Anthony of Padua - June 9, 1pm - Procession with a majestic carved wood statue of Saint Anthony starts at St Leonard's Church - More
• Saint Padre Pio di Pietrelcina - June 23 - Procession starts at St Leonard Church, Hanover and Prince Streets 
• Saint Theresa of Lisieux Procession - June 30 - After a 10:30am mass at St Leonards Church including a blessing of the newly renovated statue of Saint Theresa, a procession with the North End Marching Band starts 1:30pm from the church through other North End streets -More information

Find out about North End Feasts and Festivals taking place in July

Interested in staying in the North End?  Check rates atBricco Suites, in the heart of the neighborhood, and the waterfrontYacht Haven Inn andBattery Wharf Hotel.

Boston Harbor Cruises

Frog Pond Spray Pool Opens on Boston Common 

For 2 glorious months after school ends, Frog Pond turns into aspray pond and becomes the best place to cool off in the city ... if you're 12 or under. 

The Grand Opening Celebration features family-friendly entertainment, activities, a visit from Frog Pond Freddy, tasty treats from 11am to 1pm, and of course, the chance to play in the 30-foot spray at the center of the pond. 

 Lifeguards will be on duty this summer during all open hours.

When: June 25, 11am; remains open from 11am to 6pm every day through Labor Day, unless there's a thunderstorm
Where:  Frog Pond atBoston Common
Nearest T station: Green Line/Park
Cost: Free

More Boston Splash Pool Locations:

• Rose Kennedy Greenway - Rings Fountain, in the Wharf District section near Faneuil Marketplace and Christopher Columbus Park
• Christian Science Plaza - Boston'sFenway neighborhood, close to the Colonnade Hotel

Cape Ann Artisans Open Studios 2025

Artists and artisans will welcome you to view their paintings, sculpture, mosaics, photography, pottery, jewelry, and other wonderful creations. 

Drive up from Boston for the day - or spend the weekend and go for walks along the beach, dine on lobster dinners, and browse in local boutiques, galleries, and antique shops. 

View Rockport Hotels

Open Studio Tour: June 7 and 8 at 10am - 5pm
Where:  Open Studio Tour map and more information at www.capeannartisans.com - or pick up brochures with route maps at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the Rockport Information Booth on Rte 127, and at each studio.  Look for the Studio Tour banner at each location
More information:  Cape Ann Artisans website
Cost:  Free

South End Garden Tour

The South End Garden Tour never gets boring because it features gardens in a different area of this large neighborhood every year. 

Each year's tour focuses on gardens in specific areas such as Union Park and SoWa, with numerous gardens and green spaces open for this self-guided tour.

Get ready to view some gorgeous gardens in this neighborhood known for its spectacular gardening.  Tour proceeds benefit the South End/Lower Roxbury Open Space Land Trust.

You can also stroll through the South End neighborhood on your own, admire the Victorian architecture, and perhaps stop for lunch or an early dinner at one of the many terrific chef-ownedSouth End restaurants.

More about Boston and Cambridge garden tours

When:  Saturday, June 15, 10am - 4pm, rain or shine
Where: Begins at Berkeley Community Garden (500 Tremont Street, corner of Tremont & East Berkeley) inBoston's South End 
Nearest T station: Orange Line/Back Bay
Cost:  Tickets are $35 - find details at www.thetrustees.org 

More Fun Boston Tours

Roxbury International Film Festival

When:  June 20 - 28 in person; June 27 - July 2 online
Where:  Museum of Fine Arts, Hibernian Hall, Arts Emerson, and other sites in and near Roxbury
Cost:  Tickets to most films are $12-$15; VIP packages available
More information:Rox Film Fest website

The Roxbury International Film Festival showcases films "by, for, and about people of color," with screenings, panel discussions, receptions, and workshops, plus additional events throughout the year. 

This year's festival features a hybrid version - plenty online, plus some film screens in person in indoor and outdoor venues - and looks even bigger than ever!

Rox Film began in 1999 when the founders created a venue to celebrate films written, produced, and directed by filmmakers connected with Africa by birth, ancestry, or culture.  It is now the largest film festival with this focus in New England. 

Expect an exciting (andbig) collection of full-length features, documentaries, experimental films, shorts, and animations, a series of teen-produced films, and a special program of shorts for children under 10. 

Find all the details on theRox Film Fest website.

CheckBoston movie theaters for other local films

More Boston film festivals

Back Bay Fens & Rose Garden Tours 

The Back Bay Fens - normally just called "The Fens," and part of Olmsted's Emerald Necklace of parks - has everything: wilderness areas, the Victory Gardens, ball fields, the Kelleher Rose Garden, war memorials, the meandering Muddy River, and more.  

Tours are offered on a variety of topics and at a variety of times between April and October, and sometimes change at short notice due to weather conditions. 

To find out what's on offer, check theEmerald Necklace Conservancy's website (click on Events). Tours are free, but a $10 donation per person is requested to help support ongoing maintenance and improvements of the area.

Please note: You can also walk around on your own.  There's plenty to see, and the Rose Garden is especially spectacular during June, its peak blooming season.

More about Boston garden tours

More about the Victory Gardens and Kelleher Rose Garden

Hotels with Views of Boston's Public Garden

Four Seasons Hotel

Ritz-Carlton

Newbury Hotel Boston

Park Plaza Hotel Boston

Find out more about these spectacular hotels

Boston Fan Expo

When: August 6-8 
Where:Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
Stay nearby:  South Boston Waterfront Hotels near the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
More information & tickets:https://www.fanexpoboston.com

Boston FAN EXPO (formerly Comic Con)gives you the chance to meet and chat with over 200 top graphic novelists, super hero artists, and developers of anime, comic, cosplay, horror, sci-fi, and gaming, plus thousands of  fans.  Celebrity guests and artists lthis year include Rosario Dawson, Hugh Dancy, Marisa Tomei, Bryce Dallas Howard, and many more!

Plenty of dealers will be present also, so indulge in this opportunity to shop for Pop Culture merchandise.  

Please note:  Boston Fan Expo will take place August in 2025.

Boston Early Music Festival

The Boston Early Music Festival is HUGE, as you might expect as it's the largest early music festival in the world.  While it's not the only reason why Boston takes center stage as the early music capital of the country, the Festival certainly cements its reputation. 

The Boston Early Music Festival's primary mission is to highlight lesser-known operas from the early-music era, using historically-informed musical interpretations, period set designs, costumes, dance, and staging. 

This year's festival highlights women in early music, and includes two operas, plus hundreds of other performances, master classes, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, children's programs, and even a sort of trade show of instruments. 

On many days, the concert schedule starts at nine in the morning and goes until midnight. 

When:  June 5-8
Where:   Multiple Boston locations, including the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre, New England Conservatory, the Courtyard Marriott, and others.

Tickets: Ticket costs vary from free to inexpensive to pricey, with packages available, and the good thing is that all events will continue to be online for awhile after the festival dates; check theevent website for details about the many options

Where to stay: 

• Courtyard Marriott Downtown Boston Hotel, location of the Exhibition, as well as many events and performances.   More Theatre District hotels
• Hotels near New England Conservatory -Colonnade Hotel  | Sheraton Boston Hotel  | Hilton Back Bay Hotel
• Hilton Boston Park Plaza and Towers Hotel, close to the Cutler Majestic and theRevere Hotel
• The Newbury Boston, convenient to the many concerts scheduled for Emmanuel Church, Old South Church, First Church Boston, and other historic churches in Boston's Back Bay.
  
• The Lenox Hotel, also convenient to Back Bay sites as well as New England Conservatory's Jordan Hall 

Boston Harbor Islands

Hop on a ferry at Boston's Long Wharf for a 15-minuted cruise to theBoston Harbor Islands, where you'll find activities such as free concerts, ranger tours, kayaking trials, clambakes, a Spectacle Island beer garden, Boston Light tours, and even Zumba on weekends and weekdays.  

Enjoy a day of exploring historic sites, photographing birds, enjoying a picnic, hiking, swimming, wading in tidal pools, or simply enjoying the scenery. 

More about the Boston Harbor Islands

When:  Late May through Indigenous Peoples Day
Where:   Georges Island, Spectacle Island, Peddocks Island
Getting there: Boston Harbor Island ferry information
Ferry cost - round trip to the Islands:  $25 adults, $18 children (ages 3-11), $23 seniors 65+, children under 3 free - plus special $15 fares are available online to Massachusetts residents on Tuesdays and Thursdays - Buy your tickets at Long Wharf ticket booth oronline
Closest hotel to Long Wharf: Boston Marriott Long Wharf
Event schedule & information: Boston Harbor Islands website

Secret Gardens of Cambridge Tour

The Secret Gardens of Cambridge tour, sponsored by Friends of the Cambridge Public Library, takes place only during alternate years ending ineven numbers - and this is anON year. 

The self-guided exploration typically covers 4 Cambridge neighborhoods and 24 gardens, including many that are new to the tour each year.  You'll get tons of gardening ideas, and see a mix of public and private garden paradises.

Date:  June 9
Where:  Cambridge, MA (just across the river from Boston)
Nearest T station:  Red Line/Harvard

Cost:  Tickets are $25 on day of the tour; available at all Cambridge library branches and numerous Cambridge businesses, including Porter Square Books, Brattle Square Florist, Rodney's Books, Pemberton Farms, Big Picture Framing, Nomad, Clothware, and Bonny's Garden Center.  Proceeds benefit the Cambridge Public Library - this is its biggest fundraiser!

More about the Secret Gardens of Cambridge tour

Free Drop-In Summer Yoga on Boston Common

Dropping in on free summer yoga sessions near the carousel on Boston Common is part of what makes Boston fun in the summer.  Instructors will lead a vinyasa flow class focused on releasing stress and expanding energy and welcome participants of all levels.

When: Every Thursday, 6-7, May 18 - August 31
Where:  Frog Pond atBoston Common
Nearest T station: Green Line/Park

Cost:  Free
Bring:  Your own mat, blocks, towels, and belt

Cambridge Arts River Festival

The Charles River Festival is like a huge street party celebrating early summer in the city with outstanding music, the People's Sculpture Race (you push, pull, or pedal your sculpture along the 3/4 mile course), performances, and food. 

Around 200,000 festival goers come each year. 

Enjoy the sunshine and lots of excellent folk, Latin, jazz, and world music performances and dance at 6 performance stages, plus poetry, theater, art exhibits, and family-oriented craft-making activities at this huge festival celebrating the arts. 

Over 100 food vendors and artisans sell their offerings.  Do your holiday shopping now and you'll be all set in December. 

When:  Saturday, June 15, 11am - 6pm
Where:   Along the Massachusetts Avenue between Prospect and Sidney Streets and down Sidney Street to Pacific Street
Nearest T station:  Red Line: Central - Please note: many streets near Central Square including Mass Ave will be closed, and performers and vendors will be using the already-scarce parking - so don't even think about driving to this event
Cost:   Free - although you'll find plenty to buy from food and crafts vendors

Summer in the City

Boston Harbor Hotel's popular "Summer in the City"series lets you kick back and enjoy live music overlooking the waterfront throughout the summer from June 6 until August 29. 

Listen to live music between 6pm - 10pm as musicians perform on the Blues Barge on Tuesday through Friday.  You can find the nightly schedule here.

Combine these events with a drink and dinner on the hotel's terrace overlooking the Harbor for the perfect summer evening.

Book the Boston Harbor Hotel

10K Race through Back Bay 

Whether you're training for the next Boston Marathon or just want to do a Sunday morning dash through Beacon Hill, Back Bay, and Fenway, the Boston Athletic Association's 10-kilometer race presents a perfect opportunity to test your skills and stamina during Boston's summer weather. 

Unlike BAA's better-known event, the Boston Marathon, this race does not have a qualifying standard so anyone can register to run.

Limited to 10,000 runners, the race will follow a new course this year that begins and ends on Boston Common at Charles Street. 

The race course goes down Charles Street in Beacon Hilll, crosses the Longfellow Bridge to Cambridge, and proceeds along the Charles River Waterfront to Magazine Street in Cambridgeport before looping back.

At the Harvard Bridge, the racers will re-cross the river back to Boston and continue along Mass Ave before turning onto Newbury Street and proceeding back to the Common.

Needless to say, you should expect traffic and parking disruptions along the race course and immediate surrounding areas.

When:  June 23, 8am
Where:   Boston Common - Starts and finishes on Charles Street
Closest T station:Green Line/Arlington

Registration fee:  Yes
More information: BAA Website

Popular Back Bay Hotels

Colonnade Hotel

Inn@St Botolph

Copley Square Hotel

Lenox Hotel

More hotels in Boston's Back Bay neighborhood

More Things to Do in Boston in June

Continuing during June in Boston

SoWa Open Market in Boston's South End

Noon Concerts at King's Chapelon the Freedom Trail

First Fridays at Museum of Fine Arts

Fish Weir on Boston Common

Looking Ahead to July Events in Boston

• Harborfest
• July 4th Fireworks
• Hotels with fireworks views
• Mid-summer festival in Chinatown
• Shakespeare on the Common

Boston Events Each Month

January   |   February   |    March   |  April   |   May    |   June   |   July   |   August   |   September  |  October   |   November   |   December  | Year at a Glance