Top 10 Annual Events in Boston

Whether you’re new to Boston or an old timer who loves these annual events, we’ve rounded up the most anticipated yearly activities the city has to offer. Mark these on your calendars because it will help you experience Boston in the most authentic way possible. 10) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/first-night-boston-boston-400663">First Night Boston</a> When:&nbsp;Thursday, 12/31 Where:&nbsp;Various locations around Boston Info:&nbsp;Ring in the New Year with a night full of exciting free events around Boston. First Night offers musical performances, ice sculptures, fireworks, and more.&nbsp; 9) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/the-head-of-the-charles-regatta-2023-boston-cambridge-400662">The Head of the Charles Regatta</a> When:&nbsp;Friday, 10/16 to Sunday, 10/18 Where:&nbsp;Charles River, Boston/Cambridge Info:&nbsp;Thousands of spectators flock to the Charles River every year to watch this 3-day rowing event. Watch the nail-biting races and sample food and drinks from some of Boston’s best restaurants in the Reunion Village. 8) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-calling-music-festival-2025--2-allston-1033029">Boston Calling Music Festival</a> When:&nbsp;Friday, 6/4, 2027 to Monday, 6/7, 2027 Where:&nbsp;Allston Info:&nbsp;Boston Calling will take a short break in 2026 and return in 2027. Hold your horses, Coachella! The Boston Calling Music Festival has been bringing big name musical acts to the Hub since 2013. Enjoy once-in-a-lifetime shows, food, drinks, games, and art installations. 7) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/saint-anthony-s-feast-2023-boston-376015">Saint Anthony's Feast</a> When:&nbsp;Thursday, 8/27 to Sunday, 8/39 Where:&nbsp;North End Info:&nbsp;Gather in the North End to celebrate Saint Anthony’s Feast, an authentic Italian street festival with live music, games, a procession, and all the Italian food you can eat. 6) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-common-tree-lighting-ceremony-2023-boston-400664">Boston Common Tree Lighting</a> When: TBD Where: Downtown Info:&nbsp;For more than 50 years Nova Scotia has sent Boston a stunning holiday tree in thanks for relief efforts following a 1917 explosion. The lighting of this magnificent tree marks the official beginning of the holidays in Boston.&nbsp; 5) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/south-boston-st-patrick-s-day-parade-2024-boston-376016">St. Patrick's Day Parade</a> When:&nbsp;Sunday, 3/15 Where:&nbsp;South Boston Info:&nbsp;Boston has some serious Irish roots and nobody celebrates Saint Patrick’s Day quite like Southie. Grab a Guinness and enjoy this community parade and celebration.&nbsp; 4) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-red-sox-home-opener-2023-boston-400644">Boston Red Sox Home Opener</a> When:&nbsp;Friday, 4/3 Where:&nbsp;Fenway&nbsp; Info:&nbsp;Rooting for the home team atop the Green Monster is a Boston rite of passage and no game is more sacred than the home opener. Help the Sox start off the season strong, and grab a Fenway Frank while you’re at it. 3) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-pride-parade-festival-2023-by-boston-pride-for-the-people-boston-416475">Boston Pride Parade &amp; Festival</a>&nbsp; When:&nbsp;Saturday, 6/6 Where:&nbsp;Boston Common &amp; City Hall Plaza Info:&nbsp;Boston Pride For The People is excited to announce Pride Month celebration in Boston on June 6, 2026. The celebration will include a parade, a festival, and more as this new organization creates a unified city Pride celebration. 2) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/boston-pops-july-4th-fireworks-spectacular-2023-boston-400660">Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular</a> When:&nbsp;Saturday, 7/4 Where:&nbsp;Charles River Esplanade Info:&nbsp;Celebrate the Fourth of July like a true Bostonian by watching a free performance by The Boston Pops on the Esplanade followed by a fireworks show over the Charles River. 1) <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/130th-boston-marathon-boston-215293">Boston Marathon</a> When:&nbsp;Monday, 04/21 Where:&nbsp;Back Bay Info:&nbsp;The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon with roots back to 1896. Every year thousands of people turn up, bursting with city pride, to cheer the runners on. Honorable mentions: <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/somerville-porchfest-2023-somerville-401644">Somerville PorchFest</a> When:&nbsp;Saturday, 5/9 Where:&nbsp;Somerville Info:&nbsp;During this city-wide music festival, you’ll find musicians of all kinds jamming out on their porches, lawns, and street corners. Everywhere you go in town, you can enjoy live music and meet your neighbors.&nbsp; <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/what-the-fluff-festival-somerville-401643">What the Fluff? Festival</a> When:&nbsp;TBA Where:&nbsp;Somerville Info:&nbsp;Fluff, the delicious marshmallow spread you may have grown up with, was invented in Somerville and every year the town throws a huge party to celebrate that. Eat Fluff in dozens of different forms, play games, listen to music, and much more. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/international-sand-sculpting-festival-revere-451647">Revere Beach International Sand Sculpting Festival</a> When:&nbsp;TBA Where:&nbsp;Revere Beach Info:&nbsp;Watch master artists create towering and impressive sculptures out of sand, right on Revere Beach. While you’re there, snack on eats from local food vendors and enjoy a fireworks display. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/pax-east-2023-boston-403220">PAX East</a> Date: Thursday, 3/26 to Sunday, 3/28 Where: South Boston Info:&nbsp;PAX East is a celebration of gaming &amp; gaming culture featuring panels, a massive expo hall filled with publishers &amp; studios, new game demos, musical performances, tournaments, and much more. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/honk-festival-of-activist-street-bands-2023-somerville-400671">HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands</a> When: TBA Where:&nbsp;Somerville Info:&nbsp;This three-day festival is a celebration of music, community, and activism all at once! Enjoy live performances, connect with nonprofit orgs, and participate in a raucous parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/chinese-new-year-lion-dance-parade-cultural-village-2024-boston-402588">Chinese New Year Parade and Cultural Village</a> When: Sunday, 3/1 Location: Chinatown Info:&nbsp;From colorful costumes to magical parades to traditional performances, Boston goes all out for Chinese New Year with lion dancing, street food, live music, and firecrackers. Stop by the Cultural Village and immerse yourself in a pop-up town that’s fit for the whole family.&nbsp; <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/t-t-in-boston-2025-boston-1010263">Tet in Boston Day Festival</a> When:&nbsp;Sunday, 2/15 Where:&nbsp;South Boston Info: The Vietnamese Lunar New Year, or Tết Nguyên Đán, is one of the most important celebrations in Vietnamese culture. Each year, the event attracts over 2,000 attendees and 80 vendors— all equally excited to join in on the annual festivities. <a href="https://joyraft.com/event/dine-out-boston--21-boston-1031633">Dine Out Boston</a> When:&nbsp;Sunday, 2/22 to Saturday, 3/7 Where:&nbsp;Around Boston Info:&nbsp;Twice a year Bostonians have the chance to try out the city’s best restaurants at a huge discount. During Dine Out Boston participating restaurants offer a prix fixe menu for a fraction of the usual cost.&nbsp; -- Want to suggest an edit? Feel free to contact us at <a href="mailto:press@thebostoncalendar.com">press@thebostoncalendar.com</a>.

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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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Top 10 Annual Events in Boston

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