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South Boston by Bike(share)

Our public bike-share system, Blue Bikes, is for you! Join staff and volunteers to learn how Blue Bikes works, and enjoy a short ride to some great public spaces that are easy to access by bike share.

July 18, 2018
Event Date2018-07-18T18:00:00 - 2018-07-18T20:00:00

During this event, you'll learn about different bike-share membership options. You'll also hear from other residents on how they use Blue Bikes for quick trips to destinations all over the City. If you have basic bike riding skills but need to build your confidence riding on the street, this clinic is just right for you. We will start out on low-stress streets and paths so you can get comfortable on the bike and build your skills.

Blue Bikes and helmets are provided at no cost for all participants. The ride will start and end at the same Blue Bikes station. If you cannot yet ride independently in a parking lot, please do not register for this event.

Boston Bikes invites any youth or adults (16-years or older) to participate in our Boston by Bike(share) rides. Registration is required and opens at 9 a.m. on June 6, 2018.

Register

July 18, 2018
Event Date2018-07-18T18:00:00 - 2018-07-18T20:00:00

East Boston by Bike(share)

Our public bike-share system, Blue Bikes, is for you! Join staff and volunteers to learn how Blue Bikes works, and enjoy a short ride to some great public spaces that are easy to access by bike share.

June 27, 2018
Event Date2018-06-27T18:00:00 - 2018-06-27T20:00:00

During this event, you'll learn about different bike-share membership options. You'll also hear from other residents on how they use Blue Bikes for quick trips to destinations all over the City. If you have basic bike riding skills but need to build your confidence riding on the street, this clinic is just right for you. We will start out on low-stress streets and paths so you can get comfortable on the bike and build your skills.

Blue Bikes and helmets are provided at no cost for all participants. The ride will start and end at the same Blue Bikes station. If you cannot yet ride independently in a parking lot, please do not register for this event.

Boston Bikes invites any youth or adults (16-years or older) to participate in our Boston by Bike(share) rides. Registration is required and opens at 9 a.m. on May 16, 2018.

Register

June 27, 2018
Event Date2018-06-27T18:00:00 - 2018-06-27T20:00:00

2018 Bunker Hill Day Parade

A tradition dating back to 1786, the Bunker Hill Day Parade commemorates the first major battle of the American Revolution.

June 10, 2018
  • 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • 1 Vine Street
    Boston, MA 02129
  • Contact:
    Arthur Hurley
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Charlestown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-06-10T12:30:00 - 2018-06-10T14:30:00

The Bunker Hill Day Parade commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was fought on Breed's Hill on June 17, 1775, in Charlestown. This parade is always held on the Sunday before or on June 17.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, joined by local marching bands and other musical groups, current and past military personnel, re-enactment groups, sports teams, fire trucks, police motorcycles, and floats sponsored by local businesses, will travel:

Many people take this opportunity to learn more about Boston's history by visiting the the Bunker Hill Museum, the Bunker Hill Monument, and other historic sites along Boston's Freedom Trail before or after the parade.

To explore Boston's rich history further, check out our guide to uncovering Boston's history.

June 10, 2018
  • 12:30pm - 2:30pm
  • 1 Vine Street
    Boston, MA 02129
  • Contact:
    Arthur Hurley
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Charlestown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-06-10T12:30:00 - 2018-06-10T14:30:00

2018 Dorchester Day Parade

The parade is the 114th in Dorchester Day history and is the 55th annual since 1963.

June 3, 2018
  • 1:00pm
  • Dorchester
    Boston, MA 02205
  • Contact:
    Dorchester Day Parade Committee, Inc.
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Dorchester
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-06-03T13:00:00

Every year the Dorchester Day Parade, also known as the Dot Day Parade, takes place on the first Sunday in June.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Chief Marshall Ed Kelly, and other members of the community will travel:

  • from Lower Mills at the corner of Washington Street and Dorchester Avenue
  • along Dorchester Avenue, and
  • ending at Savin Hill at the corner of Columbia Road and Dorchester Avenue.

The parade route totals 3.2 miles.

June 3, 2018
  • 1:00pm
  • Dorchester
    Boston, MA 02205
  • Contact:
    Dorchester Day Parade Committee, Inc.
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Dorchester
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-06-03T13:00:00

18th annual Haitian-American Unity Parade

This annual parade begins in Mattapan Square and continues along Blue Hill Avenue.

May 20, 2018
  • 1:00pm
  • 1624 Blue Hill Avenue
    Boston, MA 02126
  • Contact:
    Haitian-Americans United, Inc.
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Mattapan
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-05-20T13:00:00

The 18th annual Haitian-American Unity Parade, organized by Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.), celebrates Haitian Heritage Month and Flag Day. Its mission is to increase visibility of the Haitian community, promote unity, and teach Haitian-American youth about civil rights and their Haitian heritage.

H.A.U. is a nonprofit organization founded in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to improve the quality of life for Haitian-Americans through education, community empowerment, and cultural development, using an approach where participation and unity are strongly favored.

May 20, 2018
  • 1:00pm
  • 1624 Blue Hill Avenue
    Boston, MA 02126
  • Contact:
    Haitian-Americans United, Inc.
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Mattapan
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-05-20T13:00:00

30th annual Return of the Swans

Celebrate spring with the annual releasing of Romeo and Juliet, the Public Garden resident swans.

May 2, 2018
  • 11:00am
  • 4 Charles Street
    Boston, MA 02116
  • Contact:
    Parks
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-05-02T11:00:00

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook welcome Boston’s most popular waterfowl back during the 30th annual Return of the Swans event on Wednesday, May 2. The celebration in the Public Garden begins with entertainment at 11 a.m.

After wintering at the Franklin Park Zoo, Romeo and Juliet will reside during the summer months in the Public Garden. The swans will be returned to the lagoon at 12:30 p.m. following a parade that begins at the Beacon and Charles Street corner of the park near the Make Way for Ducklings statue. Carts beautifully decorated by Boston’s Winston Flowers will help usher the swans to the release site.

Led by a brass band, the parade will continue to the George Washington Statue at the Commonwealth Avenue/Arlington Street entrance, over the pedestrian bridge, and end on the Boylston Street side of the lagoon for the official Return of the Swans ceremony.

The accompanying entertainment program, sponsored in part by the Friends of the Public Garden, includes a brass band, face painters, a reading of “Make Way for Ducklings” led by the Boston Park Rangers, and children’s activities presented by the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. In-kind sponsors HP Hood LLC, Power Crunch, and the Four Seasons Hotel Boston will provide refreshments.

May 2, 2018
  • 11:00am
  • 4 Charles Street
    Boston, MA 02116
  • Contact:
    Parks
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-05-02T11:00:00

Duckling Day

The most adorable Boston tradition continues – children parading through the Boston Common and Public Garden dressed like ducklings.

May 12, 2019
  • 10:00am
  • 4 Charles Street
    (Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common)
    Boston, MA 02116
  • Contact:
    Karin Turer
  • Price:
    Price
    $35 for families of any size
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Back Bay
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-05-12T10:00:00

The Friends of the Public Garden, in association with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, celebrates Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during its annual Duckling Day event. We look forward to seeing you there!

A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Duckling Day celebrates the children’s classic book, “Make Way for Ducklings,” by Robert McCloskey. Every year, more than 1,000 people meet up and parade through Boston’s most picturesque parks, dressed like characters from the story. Led by the Harvard Marching Band, the parade will begin on the Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand and end in the Public Garden near the famous Make Way for Ducklings sculpture. Bring your camera–  the parade is possibly the most adorable thing you’ll ever see!

Prior to the parade will be Playtime on the Common, a vibrant array of family entertainment, including crafts, face painters, a magician, circus games with Esh Circus Arts, and climbing and jumping with the Knucklebones crew.  All families are welcome to decorate their wagons or strollers, bring a picnic, and enjoy springtime in Boston’s most beloved parks!

May 12, 2019
  • 10:00am
  • 4 Charles Street
    (Parkman Bandstand at Boston Common)
    Boston, MA 02116
  • Contact:
    Karin Turer
  • Price:
    Price
    $35 for families of any size
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Back Bay
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-05-12T10:00:00

Boston Pride Parade and Festival

Celebrate Boston Pride Week by attending the Pride Parade and Festival.

June 9, 2018
  • 12:00pm - 6:00pm
  • 1 City Hall Square
    Boston, MA 02201
  • Contact:
    Boston Pride
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-06-09T12:00:00 - 2018-06-09T18:00:00

The Boston Pride Parade and Festival is the highlight of Pride Week. The theme of this year's parade is, "Rainbow Resistance."

Mayor Martin J. Walsh will join other elected officials, community leaders, and activists in the parade. This celebration of the LGBTQ+ community draws a large crowd as it weaves through the City. The parade:

  • start at Boylston St and Clarendon Street
  • turn right onto Clarendon Street
  • turn left onto Tremont Street
  • turn left onto Berkeley Street
  • turn right onto Boylston Street
  • turn left onto Charles Street
  • turn right onto Beacon Street
  • turn left onto Tremont Street, and then,
  • finally, City Hall Plaza on Cambridge Street

When the parade concludes, the festival begins. Enjoy food and drink, live music, and more at the parade's end on City Hall Plaza.

Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility, and dignity, they educate, communicate, and advocate by building and strengthening community connections. Follow Pride Week on social media using the social media hashtags #WickedProud and #RainbowResistance.

June 9, 2018
  • 12:00pm - 6:00pm
  • 1 City Hall Square
    Boston, MA 02201
  • Contact:
    Boston Pride
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Published Date
Event Date2018-06-09T12:00:00 - 2018-06-09T18:00:00

36th annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl

Indulge your sweet tooth while fighting cancer with the Jimmy Fund at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

June 5, 2018
Event Date2018-06-05T12:00:00 - 2018-06-05T20:00:00

The 36th annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl, presented by Valvoline Instant Oil Change. is the nation's largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival. Whether you're a volunteer or professional ice cream eater, you play a huge part in our mission to conquer cancer.

Made possible by the generous contributions of the industry's largest ice cream companies, the Scooper Bowl has raised more than $6.3 million in the past 35 years for cancer research and patient care at the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Grab your spoons and mark your calendars! Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is proudly held on City Hall Plaza June 5, June 6, and June 7 from 12 - 8 p.m.

June 5, 2018
Event Date2018-06-05T12:00:00 - 2018-06-05T20:00:00

Dorchester Heights Tour

National Parks Service tour of Dorchester Heights.

May 24, 2018
Event Date2018-05-24T17:00:00

The tour will be a compilation of the history of Boston, focused on the neighborhoods of South Boston, Roxbury, and Dorchester. The tour is on the grounds of the monument. The grounds of Dorchester Heights are accessible, however the hill is very steep.

May 24, 2018
Event Date2018-05-24T17:00:00
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