|
Boston Harborfest is a four-day celebration during Independence Day weekend from July 1st to July 4th. There are more than 100 free activities, including fireworks, a Taste of Harborfest, an art show, live music and more.
Harborfest starts Friday, July 1st at noon as dignitaries from the City of Boston will kick off the 35th Annual Boston Harborfest at Faneuil Hall. The 215th Army Band will play to get the celebration started and after a few speeches the official Boston Harborfest cake will be cut.
Some of the highlights of Harborfest include live entertainment and a movie screening on Friday, July 1st, at Christopher Columbus Park at 6 pm; The Arts at Harborfest will be on Saturday, July 2nd, as local artists will display and sell their art under the trellis at Christopher Columbus Park.
Live music on Long Wharf will lead up to a fireworks show at 9 pm on Saturday, July 2nd over Boston's Inner Harbor. On Sunday, July 3rd, there will be the Taste of Harborfest as restaurants along the waterfront will showcase and sell their culinary creations on Long Wharf alongside live entertainment.
And there are a lot more activities during Boston Harborfest. Click here to see a full schedule, |
|
'Sing That Thing' Champs,
Vocal Revolution,
Performing in
Downtown Crossing
|
This year the BID has partnered with Harborfest to present Vocal Revolution. The men's chorus will be performing on Summer Street outside of Macy's on Friday, July 1st from 1 to 2 pm as part of the Harborfest celebration during July 4th weekend.
The Vocal Revolution men's chorus was the winner of WGBH's second season of Sing That Thing earlier this year. This is a free event.
Vocal Revolution has been performing for more than 40 years as one of New England's top-ranked male vocal ensembles. Their singing style is primarily in the barbershop style, and their repertoire includes heartfelt ballads, toe-tappers, swing melodies and more.
|
|
Old South Meeting House:
Tea Tax, Scavenger Hunt & American Revolution
|
Celebrate America's history at the Old South Meeting House this Independence Day weekend with Harborfest activities that are all free with museum admission. Admission on July 4th is free to those 18 and younger.
On Thursday, June 30th, 11 am to noon, is "No Tax on Tea: A Colonial Tea Tax Debate."
Recreate the fiery debate that started a revolution with the Boston Tea Party.
On Friday, July 1st through Monday, July 4th, 9:30 am to 5 pm daily is "Scavenger Hunt: Where the Boston Tea Party Began!" Everyone in the family can try a fun and challenging museum scavenger hunt. Also daily is "Would You Be a Patriot or Loyalist?" in which you can take a quiz to find out which side you may have favored in colonial Boston.
On Friday, July 1st, 11 to 11:30 am and 1:30 to 2 pm is "Whispers of Revolution" in which you can enjoy a short performance portraying Boston on the eve of revolution. |
|
18th Century King Street Walking Tour
|
Grab your walking shoes for a King Street Walking Tour from the Bostonian Society on Friday, July 1st.
This is a fun-filled tour that will transport you back to 18th-century Boston as you experience the sites, smells and sounds of one of the most important streets -- King Street. The tour begins at the Old State House (206 Washington St.) at 2 pm and lasts one hour. Bring good walking shoes, water and all-weather gear (it's rain or shine). This tour is free with admission to the Old State House, but requires pre-registration by clicking here. Space is limited. |
|
Sweet Harmony Singing on Saturday on Summer Street
|
The singing group Sweet Harmony will be performing on Saturday outside of Macy's on Summer Street from 12:30 to 3 pm.
Sweet Harmony is a professional performance troupe at Riverside Theatre Works in Hyde Park performing modern hits and songs through the years. |
Downtown Boston BID Ambassadors provide clean and hospitality services seven days a week, nearly 24 hours a day and will be present and available during July 4th weekend. Ambassadors create a friendly, welcoming Downtown presence by helping visitors with directions -- don't hesitate to ask them a question!
BID Ambassadors provide walking escorts all day or night -- they'll even tote an umbrella if it's raining or snowing! Please call 617-261-0066 to arrange an escort or for other BID ambassador services. You can also email [email protected].
|
|
|
|
The City of Boston's annual Independence Day Parade will begin at City Hall Plaza at 9 am on July 4th. More than 500 marchers will make their way through Downtown Boston on their way to Faneuil Hall.
The parade will leave from City Hall Plaza onto Cambridge Street, continue on Tremont Street, take a left onto Bromfield Street, a left onto Washington Street, right on Court Street, will pause at the Old State House, then a left onto Congress Street and end at Faneuil Hall.
Traffic will be delayed briefly on streets along the route as the parade progresses. |
|
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
|
|
The Hatch Shell will host the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on July 4th. WBZ-TV's broadcast begins at 8 pm and the concert begins at 8:30 pm. The fireworks show begins at 10:30 pm!
The Boston Pops will also play at the Hatch Shell on July 3rd from 8:30 to 10 pm.
Please click here for information about the shows, road closures around the Hatch Shell, boating info and more. |
|
Hear Ye, Hear Ye, America Declares its Independence!
|
Since 1776, America's independence has been declared from the Old State House balcony (206 Washington St.). Join the audience as the Declaration of Independence is read by a member of
Boston's Ancient and the Honorable Artillery Company on Monday, July 4th.
This event is brought to the public by the City of Boston and the Bostonian Society. This free event is taking place at 10 am.
 . |
|
Chinatown Main Street Festival on July 2nd
|
The 13th Annual Chinatown Main Street Festival will be on Saturday, July 2nd from 10 am to 6 pm.
Enjoy stage performances, lion dances, Chinese folk dances, martial arts performances, vendors, arts and crafts, games and more! This is a free event that will be on the streets of Chinatown. |
|
Revolutionary Pub Quiz Night at Old State House
|
The Old State House (206 Washington St.) is hosting a Revolutionary Boston Pub Quiz Night on Thursday, June 30th.
Enjoy a beer while you try your hand at Revolutionary Era trivia. Two beers or non-alcoholic beverages are included with your $15 ticket available here. Additional beverages are available for purchase. You can come in teams ready to do battle or join a team once you arrive. This event is from 6 to 8 pm. |
It is encouraged that anyone coming into the city on July 4th should use public transportation to and from events and are advised to check T-Alerts here for the most up-to-date service information during the holiday.
Bicycles are not allowed on any subway lines on July 4th. Bicycles are also prohibited on inbound commuter rail trains from 10 am to 6 pm as well as outbound trains after 4 pm.
Beginning at 2 pm subway service on all lines will operate at rush-hour levels to accommodate increased holiday ridership. Fares will not be collected after 9:30 pm.
All subway lines will operate on a Sunday schedule while all commuter lines will operate on a Saturday schedule.
|
|
There are numerous road closures in the Back Bay area, by the Hatch Shell, Memorial Drive, Storrow Drive and more. It is recommended to not drive into Boston on July 4th, but if you do there are available parking garages.
The City of Boston has issued a traffic advisory affecting Downtown Boston, Back Bay and Beacon Hill. Vehicle traffic is prohibited, and parking is restricted on select local streets. Click here to see a list of road closures for those areas from June 30th through July 4th. Click here for a list of area parking garages.
Click here to see a list of road closures around the Hatch Shell for July 2nd through July 4th issued by the Massachusetts State Police. Lanes on Storrow Drive start closing on July 3rd. If you do choose to drive in it's suggested that you park at 210 Stuart Street or the 100 Clarendon Street garage.
|
|
Downtown Boston Resources: Dine, Shop, Theaters & Nightlife
|
|
Whether you're in Downtown Boston on July 4th or any other time, there are plenty of options for shopping, dining, to attend theaters and to enjoy nightlife.
|
|
|
|
|
