7 Festivals Near Boston Accessible via the MBTA Commuter Rail

Embrace the final weeks of summer weather by exploring these festivals around Boston using the MBTA Commuter Rail. Learn about different cultures, celebrate art, taste various foods, and get in the Halloween spirit a bit early before fall arrives. Don't forget to take advantage of the <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/10-commuter-rail-weekends-boston-395708">$10 MBTA Commuter Rail Weekend Pass</a>, which offers unlimited rides on Saturdays, Sundays, and holiday weekends for just $10. Happy exploring! by Yelena Nicolle Salvador Note: These experiences are just a short ride away from the closest MBTA station. Take a ~15-minute rideshare with friends and family, hop on a bike, walk, or consider other eco-friendly options after taking the Commuter Rail. 1) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/41st-annual-gloucester-schooner-festival-gloucester-1023055">41st Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival</a> When: Wed. 8/27 - Sun. 8/31 Where: Gloucester Closest Commuter Rail Station: Gloucester Info: Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line train and join thousands of visitors during this summer festival that celebrates majestic schooner vessels that travel from all over to unite in Gloucester Harbor. Learn about the history of these ships, cheer your favorites during schooner races, and tour a vessel. Plus, there will be live music all weekend long and fireworks that will light up the harbor.  2) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/pvdfest-providence-1023056">PVDFest</a> When: Fri. 9/5 - Sat. 9/6 Where: Providence Closest Commuter Rail Station: Providence Info: Celebrate art at the annual PVDFest in the heart of Downtown Providence. Take the Providence/Stoughton Line in and enjoy live music, watch a mural battle, cheer on artistic performances, and shop from local vendors. Don’t miss the community parade and the city-wide electric slide finale. 3) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/15th-annual-rhode-island-seafood-festival-providence-1023054">15th Annual Rhode Island Seafood Festival</a> When: Sat. 9/6 - Sun. 9/7 Where: Providence Closest Commuter Rail Station: Providence Info: Ride the Providence/Stoughton Line train to Providence and support the best local food vendors of the Ocean State during the 15th Annual RI Seafood Festival right along the water of India Point Park. Sip on beer, wine, and spirits while sampling fresh oysters, lobster rolls, and more. There will be live music, dancing along the waterfront, and plenty of fun for everyone.  4) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/rockport-celtic-festival-rockport-1023058">Rockport Celtic Festival 2025</a> When: Thu. 9/11 - Sun. 9/14 Where: Rockport Closest Commuter Rail Station: Rockport Info: Learn about Celtic history and immerse yourself in a world of storytelling and music. Join musicians of Irish, Scottish, Breton, and Quebecois traditions as they perform, collaborate, and share their musical talents. Get ready for four days of live music with the ocean as your backdrop at this festival, accessible through the Newbury/Rockport Line. 5) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/blackburn-brew-fest-2025-gloucester-1023057">Blackburn Brew Fest 2025</a> When: Sat. 9/13 Where: Gloucester Closest Commuter Rail Station: Gloucester Info: Enjoy stunning views of Cape Ann with a cold brew in hand at this festival. Meet brewmasters and beer aficionados at this community get together where you can sample hundreds of beers, ciders, and meads from almost 20 breweries. There will be live music, NA drinks too, food vendors, and so much more. Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line to Gloucester station, then a short ride-share to Stage Fort Park. 6) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/waterfire-providence-2025-providence-1017127">Waterfire Festival 2025</a> (pictured) When: Sat. 9/27 Where: Providence Closest Commuter Rail Station: Providence Info: Head to Providence for this beloved tradition where you can watch the Woonsaquatucket River illuminate with dozens of fire basins floating on the water. There will be art vendors, live music, and so much more. Feel like you’ve been transported to Europe, take a gondola ride, and experience the creative energy of the city.  7) <a href="https://www.salem.org/events-calendar/month/2025-09/">Salem haunted happenings</a> When: Thu. 9/25 - Sun. 9/28 Where: Salem Closest Commuter Rail Station: Salem Info: Get ready for fall by getting in the Halloween spirit in the spooky capital of America. Salem is a quick ride away from Boston through the Newburyport/Rockport Line. Enjoy a weekend of specialty markets in different historic areas of Salem where you can shop for art, Halloween treats, and so much more.

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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 📈

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

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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7 Festivals Near Boston Accessible via the MBTA Commuter Rail

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