Boston Harborfest 2026: Celebrating America’s 250th 

Celebrating America’s 250th! 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and there’s nowhere better to celebrate than in the Cradle of Liberty. History will come alive this summer as Boston celebrates its pivotal role in the founding of the United States, and we can’t wait to honor the past while looking forward to our country’s bright future. Boston Harborfest is a proud tradition celebrating Boston’s maritime and revolutionary history. With hundreds of activities over Independence Day week at the city’s most iconic historic landmarks, this family-friendly event is Boston’s Official Fourth of July Celebration. Activities include the annual opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, historical reenactments, live musical entertainment, fireworks, and much more! EVENT HIGHLIGHTS<ul><li>Music &amp; Live Performances: Living historians and an array of local musical acts across all genres will perform in Downtown Crossing, free and for all to enjoy.</li><li>Boston Harborfest Fireworks: Visible from several vantage points along the Inner Harbor, the Harborfest Fireworks return to provide a spectacular display for all to enjoy. The fireworks will be launched from a barge at Boston’s Long Wharf.</li><li>Waterfront Concert: Enjoy an afternoon of diverse live music and children’s activities within the breezy confines of Cristopher Columbus Waterfront Park.</li></ul>SCHEDULE Thursday, July 2<ul><li>12:00pm <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc0Y/boston-harborfest-kickoff-ceremony?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Boston Harborfest Kickoff Ceremony</a> </li><li>1:00pm <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc7K/christopher-columbus-park-music-and-activities?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Christopher Columbus Park Music and Activities</a> and <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc7B/re-enactors-entertainment?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Re-Enactors &amp; Entertainment</a> </li><li>4:00pm <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2K6HK/innovation-trail-walking-tour?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Innovation Trail Walking Tour</a> </li><li>7:45pm <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc7H/pre-fireworks-concert?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Pre-Fireworks Concert</a> </li><li>9:15pm <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc3J/boston-harborfest-fireworks?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Boston Harborfest Fireworks</a> </li></ul>  Friday, July 3<ul><li>1:00pm <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc4Q/christopher-columbus-park-music-and-activities?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Christopher Columbus Park Music and Activities</a> </li><li>2:00pm <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc7E/re-enactors-entertainment?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Re-Enactors &amp; Entertainment</a> </li></ul>  Saturday, July 4<ul><li>9:00am <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc4W/city-of-boston-4th-of-july-procession?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">City of Boston 4th of July Procession</a> </li><li>10:00am <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc8I/reading-of-the-declaration-of-independence?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Reading of the Declaration of Independence</a> &amp; <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc86/uss-constitution-turnaround-sail?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">USS Constitution Turnaround Sail</a> </li><li>10:30am <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc89/annual-oration?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Annual Oration</a> </li><li>7:00pm <a href="https://bostonharborfest2026.sched.com/event/2Gc5d/boston-pops-fireworks-spectacular?iframe=yes&amp;w=100%&amp;sidebar=yes&amp;bg=no">Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular</a> </li></ul>

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

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

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 🚨

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

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 

Where

Boston Harborfest 2026: Celebrating America’s 250th

Website

Where?