Summer in Boston brings not only wonderful weather, but also a wide variety of free community events, workshops, concerts, festivals, and more, many of them arts-related. As the Children's Art Centre settles into another busy, wonderful Summer Arts Program, we invite you to explore our summer arts roundup of opportunities in the community. Happy summer!

ReadBoston Storymobile

What: During the summer, Highland Street Foundation partners with ReadBoston to hold free storytelling events intended for audiences between the ages of three and six years old.  Children in attendance receive one free book and prizes courtesy of Highland Street Foundation and ReadBoston.  

Where: USES Children's Art Centre Courtyard, 36 Rutland Street (and other locations across the city)

When: Mondays at 10:00am, Starting July 9

Cost: FREE!

Summer at the MFA

What: The Museum of Fine Arts offers a variety of family-friendly activities during the summer, including Family Art Carts, MFA Playdates, and more. Check out their Free Fun Friday on Friday, August 3rd. Click here for more details.

Where: Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Avenue

When: Open every day from 10am-5pm, Wednesdays-Fridays from 10am-10pm. Free Fun Friday from 10am-10pm on August 3rd.

Cost: $10-$22, kids under 6 FREE

ParkARTS Participatory Arts

What: ParkARTS is a series of free events around Boston that include watercolor classes, craft workshops, puppet shows, family concerts, and more. Click here for the art workshops schedule and here for the concert and performing arts schedule.

Where: Locations around Boston, including concerts at O'Day Park in the South End and Carter Playground in Lower Roxbury.

When: Dates throughout the summer.

Cost: FREE!

Festival Betances

What: This annual family-friendly festival features three days of exciting music and dance performances, artisans, delicious traditional food and activities for the whole family that highlight the diversity of Latino culture. Click here for more information.

Where: Plaza Betances,100 West Dedham Street

When: July 20-22

Cost: FREE!

Boston Summer Arts Weekend

What: The Boston Globe and WGBH have teamed up to create the inaugural Summer Arts Weekend in Boston. Presented by Citizens Bank, this weekend event will celebrate the arts with a free festival on Copley Square in the Back Bay on July 27-29, special offers around the city, and a series of ticketed unique performances. Click here for more information.

When: July 27-29

Where: Copley Square, additional events around the city.

Cost: FREE!