16 FREE Cultural Festivals around Boston: Summer 2025

Boston wouldn’t be the same without the people that make it our vibrant home. Experience different cultures, meet your neighbors, and learn about history, food, art, music, and more. Here’s your list of FREE cultural festivals this summer, so you can immerse yourself in Boston’s unique communities. By Kenneal Patterson &amp; Yelena Nicolle Salvador Festivals listed chronologically 1) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/festival-betances-our-music-our-history-our-community-boston-1018137">52nd Annual Festival Betances</a> Where: South End When: Sat. 7/19 Info: Who’s ready to salsa dance? At Festival Betances, or Salsa en el 2025, you can celebrate over 50 years of this tradition which features an iconic parade, delicious Puerto Rican food, lively music, and so much more. Don’t miss out on this one-day event! 2) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-s-cultural-district-festival-one-boston-many-stories-boston-1021695">Boston's Cultural District Festival: One Boston, Many Stories</a> Where: City Hall Plaza When: Sun. 7/20 Info: Four of Boston's cultural districts: Latin Quarter, Fenway Cultural District, Roxbury Cultural District, and Boston Little Saigon are coming together for a day full of cultural experiences. Celebrate the different heritages of the Boston community with food, art, performances, storytelling, and more. 3) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-race-amity-art-and-music-festival-boston-1020920">4th Annual Boston Race Amity Art &amp; Music Festival</a> Where: Downtown When: Sat. 7/26 Info: This annual festival is back so folks can celebrate cross-cultural and cross-racial friendships. Enjoy live music and free ice cream while mingling with neighbors and learning about community organizations that are fighting for social justice and racial equity. 4) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/puerto-rican-festival-of-massachusetts-boston-388238">58th Annual Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts</a> Where: Franklin When: Sat. 7/26 - Sun. 7/27 Info: We’re counting down the days until the famous Puerto Rican Festival of Massachusetts, which offers Bostonians across the city a chance to experience the music and culture of Puerto Rico firsthand. Complete with fun souvenir tents, incredible Latin food, and even carnival rides, this two-day festival is not to be missed.  5) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/st-agrippina-di-mineo-feast-2023-boston-379769">111th Annual St. Agrippina di Mineo Feast</a> Where: North End When: Thu. 7/31-Sun. 8/3 What: From summer concerts to delicious food to fascinating history, the three-day St. Agrippina di Mineo Feast epitomizes Boston’s iconic North End. Immerse yourself in our city’s little Italy. 6) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/somer-fest-2025-somerville-1019021">5th Annual Somer Fest 2025</a> Where: Davis Square When: Sat. 8/2 What: This community festival celebrates the rich and vibrant cultures that make up the city of Somerville by providing a platform for artists of color. Enjoy art, live music, games, and community connection. 7) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/madonna-della-cava-feast-in-the-north-end-2023-boston-425983">105th Madonna Della Cava Feast</a> Where: North End When: Fri. 8/8 - Sun. 8/10 What: Head to the North End for a festive procession that honors the miracle of the Madonna Della Cava that occurred in Sicily. Join descendants of the first immigrants of the North End and enjoy live music and food at this cultural celebration. 8) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/chinatown-august-moon-festival-2023-boston-400670">55th Annual Chinatown August Moon Festival</a> Where: Chinatown When: Sun. 8/10 What: When the August Moon rises, you know where to find us. Chinatown’s Festival is back for its 55th year with lion dancing, Chinese music, traditional folk dance, martial arts, historical crafts, delicious food, Chinese calligraphy, and so much more.  9) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/north-end-fisherman-s-feast-2023-boston-379771">115th Annual North End Fisherman’s Feast</a> Where: North End When: Thu. 8/14 - Sun. 8/17 What: Mama Mia, a summer of the North End’s Italian festivals is hard to beat. For three jam-packed days, you can wander through the cobblestone streets to see entertainment on the bandstand; the statue of the Madonna in her chapel; the Sunday night “Flight of the Angel” display; and food vendors serving up pizza, pasta, and more.  10) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/13th-african-festival-of-boston-boston-422488">15th Annual African Festival of Boston</a> Where: Boston Common When: Sat. 8/16 - Sun. 8/17 What: For over a decade, the African Festival of Boston has brought together people across New England to celebrate the music, arts, culture, fashion, and craft made by young creatives across the African diaspora.  11) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/saint-anthony-s-feast-2023-boston-376015">106th Annual St. Anthony’s Feast</a> Where: North End When: Thu. 8/28 - Sun. 8/31 What: Ciao, Boston. St. Anthony’s Feast is known as the “Feast of all Feasts” for a reason. Make sure you stop by for colorful parades, religious displays, next-level Italian food, top-notch performances, and so much more at this Boston festival that has been around for 100+ years. 12) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/100th-annual-italian-feast-of-saints-cosmas-damian-cambridge-1021696">100th Annual Italian Feast of Saints Cosmas &amp; Damian</a> Where: Thu. 9/4 - Sun. 9/7 When: East Cambridge Info: Cheer on the Grand Procession where bands and floats will roam the streets of East Cambridge and Somerville to honor "The Healing Saints." Celebrate Italian traditions with food, games, rides, and entertainment. 13) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/30th-cambridge-carnival-international-cambridge-460043">31st Annual Cambridge Carnival International</a> Where: Sun. 9/7 When: Cambridge Info: This year marks the 31st Cambridge Carnival! Come celebrate the African and Caribbean traditions in Boston. Enjoy the sounds of a steel drum band, colorful costumes, and yummy food. 14) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/access-boston-festival-boston-1021709">Access Boston Festival</a> Where: Sun. 9/7 When: City Hall Plaza Info: This Native American cultural event will feature Indigenous dance performances and music, a cleansing ceremony of City Hall, and a concert that pays tribute to local Black history. 15) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/thai-market-fair-at-harvard-square-cambridge-1021704">Thai Market Fair at Harvard Square</a> Where: Sun. 9/14 When: Harvard Square Info: The folks behind the 1st Annual Thai Taste in Boston are bringing another Thai festival this year. Head to Harvard Square for a celebration of Thai culture featuring food, music, handmade items, and performances. BONUS: This one's outside the city but easily accessible through the Commuter Rail. 16) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/lowell-folk-festival-2023-lowell-426290">Lowell Folk Festival 2025</a> Where: Fri. 7/25 - Sun. 7/27 When: Lowell Info: Lowell Folk Festival is the longest running folk festival in the U.S. Enjoy live music across four stages, foods from different cultures across MA, street parades, dance parties, and so much more. -- Photo by: <ul><li><a href="https://www.mattconti.com/Galleries/Projects/Feasts">Matt Conti</a></li><li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1015494389950425&amp;set=a.626218205544714">BostonDragonBoat</a></li><li>Boston Little Saigon</li></ul>

Boston

Maddi

Koko

Kelli

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

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

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

World Cup Watch Parties 🎉⚽️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

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

Just added to Joyraft

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

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 📈

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

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

16 FREE Cultural Festivals around Boston: Summer 2025

Website

Where?