10 Outdoor Performances to See in Boston: Summer 2024

After six plus months of snow and grey skies, we Bostonians want to spend every second possible outside during the summer. Luckily, there’s a lot to do, from <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/26-summer-festivals-around-boston-in-2022" target="_blank">summer festivals</a> and <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/15-best-picnic-spots-around-boston" target="_blank">picnic spots</a> to <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/15-dance-parties-around-boston-this-summer" target="_blank">dance parties</a> under the stars. Summer is also the season of outdoor performances and we’ve rounded up the very best theater shows and music festivals to whet your creative appetite.&nbsp; by Celina Colby <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/free-shakespeare-on-the-common-the-winter-s-tale" target="_blank">Shakespeare on the Common: The Winter’s Tale</a> When: Monday 7/15 to Sunday 8/4&nbsp; Where: Downtown Cost: Free Info: Shakespeare on the Common is a beloved summer tradition in Boston. Watch this free, dynamic performance for two whole months on the Boston Common. Bonus points if you bring a picnic! <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/boston-pops-july-4th-fireworks-spectacular-2023" target="_blank">Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular 2024</a> When: Thursday 7/4 Where: Esplanade Cost: Free Info: The Boston Pops July 4th concert is one of the most iconic outdoor performances of the year. This year the Pops will be joined by The Mavericks &amp; Kelli O’Hara. They’ll perform contemporary music plus the classic Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture while fireworks burst over the Charles River. <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/bams-festival" target="_blank">BAMS Festival</a> When: Saturday 6/29 to Sunday 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.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/apollinaire-in-the-park-aeschylus-s-the-suppliant-women" target="_blank">Apollinaire in the Park: Aeschylus's "The Suppliant Women"</a> When: 8/2-8/17 Where: Chelsea Cost: Free Info: Start your evening at the PORT Park beer garden with a brew and dinner from local vendors, then experience an immersive theater experience from the diverse Apollinaire theater company.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/cambridge-jazz-festival--3" target="_blank">9th Annual Cambridge Jazz Festival</a> When: Saturday 7/27- Sunday 7/28 Where: North Cambridge Cost: Free Info: This longtime local jazz festival features Grammy-winning headliners, local musicians, and a fascinating jazz museum. Fuel up at local food trucks and shop local vendors in between sets. <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/2024-charles-river-jazz-festival" target="_blank">Charles River Jazz Festival</a> When: Sunday 7/14 Where: Allston Cost: Free Info: Dance the day away at this free jazz festival featuring acts like Charles Haynes and the Tabernacle, Brian Richburg Jr, Seba Molnar, Johnathan Suazo, Naledi and more.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/boston-landmarks-orchestra-mozart-more" target="_blank">Boston Landmarks Orchestra: Mozart &amp; More</a> When: Wednesday 8/14 Where: Esplanade Cost: Free Info: Gather at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade for a moving evening of live classical music. The Boston Landmarks Orchestra will perform everything from Mozart’s energetic ‘Symphony No. 29’ to Gershwin’s tropical ‘Cuban Overture.’&nbsp; <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/shakespeare-s-as-you-like-it" target="_blank">Shakespeare on the Crane Estate: As You Like It</a> When: Wednesday 6/5 - Sunday 16 Where: Ispwich, MA Cost: $35 Info: Immerse yourself in Shakespeare’s light hearted comedy “As You Like It,” on the lawn of the historic Crane Estate in Ipswich.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/flamenco-celebration-at-starlight" target="_blank">Flamenco Celebration at Starlight Square</a> When: Friday 6/14 Where: Central Square Cost: Free Info: This is the final season that Starlight Square will be open and bringing free performances to Central Square. Take advantage by enjoying this vibrant Flamenco performance under the stars. <a href="https://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/arboretum-story-slam" target="_blank">Arboretum Story Slam</a> When: Friday 7/19 Where: Jamaica Plain Cost: Free Info: Under the lush treeline of the Arnold Arboretum listen to five-minute stories from Bostonians about their relationship with nature, plants, and the park. Feeling brave? Put your name in a hat to perform your own story.&nbsp;

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Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

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Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

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10 Outdoor Performances to See in Boston: Summer 2024

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