38 Summer Festivals Around Boston in 2024
When:
Monday, Jun 03, 2024 11:00a -
Wednesday, Sep 25, 2024 9:00p
Monday, Jun 03, 2024 11:00a -
Wednesday, Sep 25, 2024 9:00p
Where:
Around Boston
Greater Boston
Boston, MA
Admission:
$Varies
Categories:
Drinks, Festivals & Fairs, Food, Kid Friendly, Music, Outside, Party, Seasonal
Event website:
https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/
The weather is only sunny and warm in Boston for a brief few months, so we like to take advantage of it by celebrating everything at every turn. The summer season is packed with festivals acknowledging everything from the city’s artistic prowess to our high-quality seafood. We’ve rounded up some of the best celebrations for your party pleasure.
by Celina Colby
Boston Pride Parade and Festival
When: Sat, 6/8 at 11am
Where: Downtown
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with a Pride Parade developed by a new group of organizers. The parade will spread joy down Boylston Street to the Boston Common where a huge festival and block party will develop throughout the afternoon.
When: Sun, 6/16 at 12pm
Where: Downtown
Cost: Free
Info: The Boston Portuguese Festival celebrating Portuguese culture will be bigger than ever. Listen to live music, watch authentic cultural performances, and sample different types of Portuguese cuisine.
When: Fri, 6/21 to Sun, 6/23
Where: Holden, MA
Cost: $15.95+
Info: Stroll through fields of beautiful lavender, listen to live music, and sample lavender flavored treats at this unique farm festival. Enjoy a glass of beer or wine, make memories at a vintage photo booth, take a yoga class in the lavender fields, and more.
When: Fri, 6/21 to Sun, 6/23
Where: Watertown
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrate all things related to Greek culture during this three day festival. Watch live music and dance performances, shop authentic goods, and sample delicious Greek foods.
When: Saturday 6/22 at 5 pm
Where: Union Square
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrate Pride Month and get your dance on at this awesome dance party in Union Square. The theme this year is Dinosaurs so wear your most prehistoric outfits. After you dance to the live DJs, shop LGBTQIA+ vendors at the on-site marketplace.
When: Sat, 6/22
Where: Brighton
Cost: $15
Info: Sample a robust lineup of local beers, snack on complimentary bites, and enjoy the summer sunshine at this beer festival. You’ll also find live music, free lawn games, and raffles.
When: Sat, 6/22 to 9/2
Where: Mission Hill
Cost: $20-40
Info: Every month this summer the Mission Hill Arts Festival hosts a dynamic musical artist for an unforgettable performance. Hear jazz, hip-hop, funk, world music, and more.
When: Sat, 6/22 to Sun, 6/23
Where: Lexington, MA
Cost: Free
Info: Pick your own strawberries fresh from the bush, indulge in delicious strawberry foods, get your face painted, visit a petting zoo, and participate in many more family-friendly activities. Admission and many food samples are free, although it’s worth the few dollars for the limited edition fried dough with strawberry sugar.
When: Sat, 6/22 to Sun, 6/23
Where: Downtown
Cost: Free
Info: It doesn’t take much to sell this savory event. At the Boston Pizza Festival restaurants from around the world bring their best pies to vie for your palate’s attention. In between slices catch the live entertainment and activities spread around the festival grounds.
When: Wed, 6/26 to Sun, 6/30
Where: Cambridge
Cost: $20
Info: See a lineup of spectacular guitar performances at this longstanding festival. You can also cheer on a favorite during the virtuoso competition and take a workshop to hone your own skills.
When: Sat, 6/29 to Sun, 6/30
Where: Roxbury/Dorchester
Cost: $10-50
Info: Join 10,000 fellow music lovers at Franklin Park in a two-day celebration of Black music and BIPOC performers. See live music and dance performances on multiple stages, fuel up with local food trucks, participate in live artmaking, and more.
10th Boston JerkFest Caribbean Foodie Festival
When: Fri, 7/12 to Sat, 7/13
Where: Allston
Cost: $25
Info: This Caribbean-style food festival centers the spices of Jamaican jerk rub, among many other delicious dishes. Every single vendor will be offering at least one jerk dish, plus you can enjoy live music, watch a cocktail throwdown, see chefs battle it out, and more.
Somerville ArtBeat 2024 Festival
When: Sat, 7/13
Where: Davis Square
Cost: Free
Info: The theme of this year’s ArtBeat Festival is “Wild” and you can see live performances, music, and visual art all interpreting that concept at multiple stages across Davis Square.
Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival
When: Fri, 7/19 to Sun, 7/21
Where: Revere
Cost: Free
Info: The annual Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival is a feast for the eyes. Stroll along the beach viewing astounding sculptures crafted from sand, enjoy live entertainment, watch a fireworks display, and chow down on food from local vendors. It’ll give you a whole new perspective on the sandcastles of your childhood.
When: Sat, 7/20
Where: South End
Cost: Free
Info: This is New England’s longest-running Latino cultural festival and it is a PARTY. Watch a parade, enjoy traditional foods and cultural performances, get your face painted, participate in kid-friendly activities, and salsa the night away.
Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts
When: Sat, 7/27 to Sun 7/28
Where: Franklin Park
Cost: Free
Info: The Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts is one of the largest in the country. At this vibrant celebration watch a parade of cultural organizations and art institutions in the city, dance to live music, and snack on pasteles and tostones from local restaurants.
When: Sat, 7/27 to Sun 7/28
Where: North Cambridge
Cost: Free
Info: Relax to the smooth sounds of local jazz musicians at this annual two-day music festival. The festival grounds also include a pop-up food court, a jazz museum, a marketplace of local vendors, a beer garden, and comfortable spaces designed for seniors and children.
When: Sat, 8/3
Where: Allston
Cost: Free
Info: Relish the hyper-cool Allston/Brighton art scene with live music performances, artmaking, and a marketplace of creative local vendors. Food and beverages will be available for purchase through Aeronaut Brewery to cap off the evening.
When: Thu, 8/1 to Sun 8/4
Where: North End
Cost: Free
Info: The St. Agrippina di Mineo Feast begins with a procession led by the children of the Saint Agrippina society and accented by music from Italian marching bands. From there you can enjoy live music, food games, and a famous tug-of-war match.
When: Sun, 8/4 and Sun, 9/14
Where: Somerville
Cost: Free
Info: Inspired by the Open Streets initiative that closes busy roads down to make public space, SomerStreets opens up a main byway for walking, dancing, cycling, and generally enjoying the neighborhood. The Strike Up festival is particularly geared towards encouraging physical activity with games, a parkour course, and other activities.
When: Fri, 8/9-Sun, 8/111
Where: North End
Cost: Free
Info: The North End’s Madonna Della Cava Feast is centered on a procession of a cloth banner decorated with the Madonna’s image. The tradition was brought to Boston by first generation Italian-Americans. In addition to this ceremony you can listen to live music, try authentic Italian foods, and shop local vendors.
12th Annual Cape Cod Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival
When: Sat, 8/10
Where: East Falmouth, MA
Cost: $5-10
Info: 30 of the region’s most popular food trucks will gather on Cape Cod for this epic festival. While you sample different foods, sip on brews from more than 25 craft breweries, play lawn games, listen to live music, and shop a local artisans market.
Chinatown August Moon Festival
When: Sun, 8/11 at 10 a.m.
Where: Chinatown
Cost: Free
Info: The August Moon Festival dates back to 771 BCE in Chinese history, celebrating the harvesting of rice under a full moon. At Boston’s celebration, watch cultural performances, learn Chinese calligraphy, and shop at a marketplace of small businesses.
When: Thu, 8/15 to Sun, 8/18
Where: North End
Cost: Free
Info: The North End’s oldest continuously running Italian festival is not one to miss. Every night for four days fishermen are celebrated with live bands, Italian food and craft vendors, and various traditional ceremonies blessing the fishermen and their waters.
When: Sat, 8/17 to Sun, 8/18
Where: Downtown Boston
Cost: Free
Info: Celebrating innovation in Africa and through the diaspora, the African Festival highlights up-and-coming musicians and performers in a rotating stage throughout the day. You can also shop at a marketplace of authentic African goods and eat traditional dishes from food vendors.
10th Annual Portsmouth Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival at Cisco Brewers
When: Sun, 8/18
Where: Portsmouth, NH
Cost: $5-10
Info: More than 23 of Portsmouth’s most popular food trucks will gather in one place for this summer festival, along with beloved local craft breweries. Enjoy the eats, play lawn games, listen to live music, and more.
When: Thu, 8/21 to Sun, 8/25
Where: North End
Cost: Free
Info: Saint Anthony’s Feast in Boston began as an Italian and North End tradition in 1919 and has won over the hearts of Bostonians. The highly anticipated annual festival lights up Hanover Street with decorations, a parade, live performances, and more than 100 push carts selling authentic Italian eats.
Breakaway Mass 2024 Music Festival
When: Fr, 9/6 to Sat, 9/7
Where: Worcester, MA
Cost: $139+
Info: Dance the day away to performances from Illenium, Tiësto, Big Gigantic, Deadmau5, and many more under the summer sunshine at this outdoor concert venue.
98th Annual Italian Feast of Saints Cosmas & Damian
When: Fri, 9/6-Sun, 9/08
Where: North End
Cost: Free
Info: Food stalls, carnival games, amusement rides, and live music flood the North End streets for this vibrant feast. Relax in the festival’s beer and wine garden, hear words from special guests, and enjoy the community spirit of the North End.
When: Sat 9/7
Where: Jamaica Plain
Cost: Free
Info: Jamaica Plain is known for its thriving artistic scene and this festival provides the opportunity for local musicians to take center stage. Listen to a dynamic lineup of performers on two stages and keep your energy up with snacks from on-site food trucks.
When: Sat, 9/14 to Sun 9/15
Where: North End
Cost: Free
Info: For two days the Boston Arts Festival highlights visual and performing artists in the city with installations, live stage performances, and exhibitions of work spanning the media spectrum from photography and pottery to painting and jewelry.
When: Sat, 9/14 at 12 p.m.
Where: Roxbury
Cost: $425-$60
Info: Celebrate the flavors and sounds of the Caribbean at this festival showcasing food and cocktails from the tropical region. The culinary offerings will be accented with live entertainment and work by local artists and craftspeople.
When: Sat, 9/14 at 11 a.m.
Where: Revere
Cost: Free
Info: Watch artmaking in real time at the Revere Beach Arts Fest where a live art competition is just the start of the excitement. Create your own works and enjoy music, food, and the beautiful beach scenery during the festival.
When: Sun, 9/15 at 11 a.m.
Where: Greenway
Cost: Free
Info: You certainly won’t go hungry at this festival! The celebration features more than 75 local food vendors, showcasing some of the best eats Boston has to offer. Sample different dishes while you stroll along the Greenway enjoying the city’s beautiful scenery.
When: Sat, 9/21
Where: Somerville
Cost: Free
Info: The sweetest festival in Boston is back! Fluff was invented on the streets of Somerville and for one day every year the town celebrates the genius of that recipe. Enjoy live music, elaborate fluff foods, fluff-centric crafts, trivia, and all kinds of fluffy fun.
5th Annual Salem Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival
When: Sat, 9/21
Where: Salem, MA
Cost: Free
Info: Food trucks from around New England will gather in Salem for this festival, so be sure to come hungry. More than 25 regional craft breweries will also be serving up beer and you can jam out to live music and play lawn games in between bites.
ANNUAL EVENTS, 2024 INFORMATION TBA
Boston Seafood Festival
When: TBA
Where: Seaport
Cost: $20+
Info: Boston has some of the freshest seafood around and the Boston Seafood Festival pays homage to our tireless fisheries, chefs, and oyster shuckers keeping the industry vibrant. Watch culinary demonstrations, lounge in one of several beer gardens, and eat all the lobster your heart desires.
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Photo: 2018 St. Anthony’s Feast by Matt Conti
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