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.joyraft.com/event/27-summer-festivals-around-boston-in-2023-boston-389249">summer festivals</a> and <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/15-best-picnic-spots-around-boston-boston-381032">picnic spots</a> to <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/11-dance-parties-around-boston-this-summer-boston-390512">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.  by Celina Colby <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/free-shakespeare-on-the-common-the-winter-s-tale-boston-1000426">Shakespeare on the Common: The Winter’s Tale</a> When: Monday 7/15 to Sunday 8/4  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.joyraft.com/event/boston-pops-july-4th-fireworks-spectacular-2023-boston-400660">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.joyraft.com/event/bams-festival-boston-460042">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.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/apollinaire-in-the-park-aeschylus-s-the-suppliant-women-chelsea-1000488">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.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/8th-annual-cambridge-jazz-festival-boston-388585">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.joyraft.com/event/2024-charles-river-jazz-festival-boston-1000380">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.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/boston-landmarks-orchestra-mozart-more-boston-1000249">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.’  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/shakespeare-s-as-you-like-it-ipswich-453469">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.  <a href="https://www.joyraft.com/event/flamenco-celebration-at-starlight-cambridge-1000402">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.joyraft.com/event/arboretum-story-slam-bosston-1000434">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.  -- <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChqjK06MXMM/">Photo</a> by @oschapov

Boston

Meredith 

Chloe

Francis

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S21: roundups

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

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Best of 💫

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added to Joyraft

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

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

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Discover kid-friendly fun in Boston, Massachusetts, and surrounding areas! Enjoy hands-on exhibits at the Boston Children’s Museum, explore the New England Aquarium, and visit the Franklin Park Zoo. Find parks, playgrounds, and seasonal events perfect for families across Massachusetts.

Top 20 kid-friendly things to do in Boston, MA

Kid-friendly things to do in Boston

Kid-friendly events

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Where

10 Outdoor Performances to See in Boston: Summer 2024

Website

Where?