City Splash 2025

City Splash is a community event that provides the public the rare opportunity to swim in the Charles River and raise awareness to bring river swimming back to Boston! This annual state-sanctioned swim, hosted by the Charles River Conservancy, allows the public to experience the joy of swimming in the Charles River—one of the cleanest urban rivers in the United States!

• On-land activities free and open to public throughout event (for all ages)
• Swimming in 25-minute pre-registered slots (for adults 18+ and older)

To celebrate the Charles River Conservancy’s 25th anniversary and 8th annual swim in 2025, this year we will have an expanded vendor village, a variety of food trucks, and plenty of fun activities for all ages in the park. All are welcome to swing by at any time for a glorious summer afternoon on the Esplanade.

Featuring: SunSets Boston, Fresh Food Generation, Jamaica Mi Hungry, Cafe Juice Up, Shay Butter Organics, Resiliently Bold, Swim Freedom, Boston Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention, and more!

In partnership with DCR, Community Boating, Inc., The American City Coalition, YMCA of Greater Boston, and the Esplanade Association.

The event is held in a demarcated deep-water area off the Fiedler Dock on the DCR Esplanade in Boston. Due to important safety considerations, swimming in the Charles River is only allowed if a permit is obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MassDCR) and we work in partnership with MassDCR to obtain a Special Use Permit for this unique event. The CRC has a vision for a swimmable river, but does not encourage swimming in the Charles outside of permitted events.