2026 Opening Our Doors Festival: Boston’s Largest Day of FREE Cultural Experiences

2026 Opening Our Doors schedule TBA. The Opening Our Doors festival — Boston’s largest day of free cultural experiences — was conceived of and founded by the Fenway Alliance in 2001 with this central mission: to “open the doors” of Boston’s most iconic &amp; historic institutions for a free day of music, art, creativity, performances, and cultural experiences.    The very first Opening Our Doors was a recognition and celebration of the literal opening of the doors of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. What started in 2001 with 12 locations and 16 programs grew in 2021 to a festival that spans the entire Fenway Cultural District and over 10k attendees annually. Please see prior year's schedule through the links below.  Each year the Fenway Alliance works with our member institutions and many community partners on this day of free programs and performances in some of Boston’s most historic and iconic spaces: Huntington Theatre, Boston Symphony Hall, the Christian Science Plaza, Jordan Hall, Massachusetts Historical Society, and many others up and down Huntington Avenue/Avenue of the Arts.    Since 2003, the Opening Our Doors opening ceremonies have found a wonderful collaborator and generous home on the historic grounds of The First Church of Christ, Scientist. We are grateful to all of our Alliance members for their ongoing support of this festival. Opening Our Doors has cultivated many long-standing relationships and collaborations with a diverse representation of Boston artists from all neighborhoods, backgrounds, and disciplines. We look forward to continuing in this work, with a focus on elevating the voices and creativity of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ Artists working in Boston.    ​

Fenway

Abby

Angela

Grace

Jomelys Gonzalez

Maria

Emily Ryan

Jacob Levy

Trichelle 

Meghan Tompkins

Shell

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 ⭐️

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 

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2026 Opening Our Doors Festival: Boston’s Largest Day of FREE Cultural Experiences

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