Lots of exciting events pack the Boston Events Calendar for August 2024 as summer fun continues in the city.
You'll find plenty to do: head to city parks and beaches, relax on a Boston Harbor cruise, enjoy outdoor or even indoor dining at the many restaurants now open, and have fun on sightseeing tours, whale watching cruises, and Provincetown and Salem cruises.
You'll find lots to enjoy on the Greenway, and some seasonal beer gardens are starting to reopen. And, great news: Boston Restaurant Week is ON!
August weather in Boston is usually pleasant and balmy, but pack an umbrella in case of surprise thunderstorms - which usually end quickly at this time of the year.
Stroll along the waterfront, choose a restaurant offering patio seating, and by all means, check out fun options for sightseeing tours.
Top photo: Boston Common on an August afternoon, with golden dome of the Massachusetts State House in the background, (c) Boston Discovery Guide
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Boston Concerts & Shows - August 2024
Top August Concerts in Boston - Schedules & Tickets
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Top concerts in Boston in August 2025 include LinkIn Park, Tate McRae, Candlelight Concerts, and many more to come:
- Linkin Park - TD Garden - Aug 1
- Nate Bargatze - TD Garden - Aug 9 & 10
- Disney's Descendants & Zombies: Worlds Collide - TD Garden - Aug 25
- Tate McRae - TD Garden - Aug 26, 27
- Candlelight Concerts - Multiple dates in August at various locations
Schedules & Tickets
More Concerts & Shows for April
Boston Concerts throughout the Year
Whale Watching Cruise Tickets
Join one of the exciting 3-hour Whale Watching Cruises departing from the Downtown Boston Waterfront, and experience the thrill of spotting whales off the coast of Boston.
You'll see magnificent creatures such as Humpback and Finback whales close-up from the deck of your ship, and spot White-Sided Dolphins frolicking in the waters.
These cruises sell out quickly, so don't wait to get your tickets now for this iconic Boston experience!
Boston Theater & Shows for August - 2024
Top August Shows in Boston - Schedules & Tickets
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Check out the Boston theater schedule for August:
- Blue Man Group - Charles Playhouse - Multiple shows all month
More Boston Theater District Shows
Top Hotels near Boston's Theatre District
Enjoy your Boston performance or show experience to the fullest when you stay in one of the nearby Theatre District hotels, such as the hip and glamorous Revere Hotel:
More top Theatre District hotels:
Check out more hotels in Boston's Theatre District
Labor Day Fireworks 2024
Fireworks will light up the sky over Boston Harbor and kick off Labor Day Weekend and the beginning of fall starting at 8:30 pm on Thursday, August 29.
Live music before the show features classic hits and starts at 7pm in Christopher Columbus Park. Bring a blanket and a picnic dinner for the perfect start to the long weekend.
Looking for the best place to watch Boston's Labor Day fireworks? Treat yourself to a fireworks cruise and watch from the Harbor:
- Labor Day Fireworks Cruise on Northern Lights - You'll love this crowd-free option for watching the brilliant Labor Day Fireworks over Boston Harbor after a leisurely cruise on this classic commuter yacht - Find out more
- Labor Day Weekend "Illuminate the Harbor" Fireworks Cruise Aboard Adirondack III and Adirondack IV - Get fantastic views of the Labor Day fireworks after a cruise on these spacious schooners modeled after 1890s tall ships - Find out more
Best places to watch from the shore: Christopher Columbus Park and Long Wharf in the North End, the South Boston Waterfront (especially around Fan Pier/Seaport), the Downtown Waterfront, and Piers Park in East Boston.
Boston Harbor Sightseeing Cruises - August
Tour Boston by boat - the best way to see the city!
Check out these fun sightseeing, music, and entertainment Boston Harbor cruises on the Yacht Northern Lights and Schooner Adirondack III:
Popular Cruises
- Northern Lights Sunset Cruise - Grab a refreshments from the bar and then relax as you watch the sun set on this sail around the Harbor, just in time to catch the USS Constitution fire its cannons as the sun dips down past the horizon
- Brunch Cruise on the Northern Lights - Savor a delicious 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing cruise around Boston Harbor
- Boston Harbor Cruise on Northern Lights - Soak up Boston's unique sites and rich history on this comfortable sightseeing cruise around the Harbor - perfect friends and family experience! Food and beverages available for purchase at the bar
Holiday Cruises
- Holiday Brunch on the Northern Lights- See historic sights and panoramic views around Boston Harbor with friends and family as you enjoy this relaxing cruise with brunch, hot chocolate, and holiday cheer - Book now
- Holiday Cocoa & Carols Cruise on the Northern Lights - Sip hot chocolate and treats as you listen to jazzy holiday favorites on this festive cruise - Book now
- Holiday Sunset Cruise on the Northern Lights - Enjoy gorgoeous sunset views over the Boston skyline, a cup of hot chocolate, classic holiday hits as you cruise on the festively decorated 1920's style yacht around Boston Harbor - Book now
- Gift Card - Give the perfect holiday gift! Shop now
New Year's Eve & New Year's Day Cruises
- New Year's Eve Cruise - Say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025 on this elegant Boston Harbor cruise with fireworks, live music, and gourmet appetizers; purchase the beverage of your choice onboard - or pre-order a bottle of Moet & Chandon when you book - Book now
- New Year's Day Brunch Cruise - Welcome the New Year with a tasty hot 3-course brunch on this relaxing sightseeing tour around Boston Harbor - perfect start to the New Year! - Book now
- Gift Card - Give the perfect holiday gift! Shop now
Valentine's Day Cruise
- Romantic Valentine's Day Jazz & Champagne Tasting Cruise - Toast your valentine on this romantic evening cruise as you sample 3 champagnes and nibble on chocolate-covered strawberries while a live jazz band plays in the background. Capacity is limited, and these special cruises always sell out early. February 14 and 15
Fun Ways to Experience Boston
Clue - Boston's New Immersive Mystery Challenge
Ready for some mayhem, murder, and blackmail?
Challenge yourself (and up to 5 of your friends) to solve a crime when you play Clue: A Walking Mystery, Boston's new interactive, immersive IRL action game.
Inspired by the popular Hasbro board game, the cult Paramount movie from 1985, and the Broadway in Boston show with the same name, Clue gives you (and your group) a mystery to solve along with a trail of clues and locations in Downtown Boston.
We won't spoil your fun by telling you more - except that it's loads of fun, you'll discover interesting places, and you may spend way more time at it than you expect as you see the best of Boston along the way.
Find out more about Clue and get your tickets - but hurry, because it ends September 8.
Downtown Movie Night @ Frog Pond 2024
Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and enjoy a warm summer evening watching Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire at Frog Pond on Boston Common.
In this family-favorite 2024 PG-13 film, the Spengler family returns to the NYC firehouse featured in the first Ghostbusters movie and teams up with the original Ghostbusters as they combat an invasion of ghosts while saving the world from a second Ice Age.
You can expect lots of action, suspense, and some good laughs.
The movie starts at dusk (7:30pm) on Thursday, August 29, and free popcorn will be available while it lasts.
Please note: The film will be cancelled in the case of bad weather. The Carousel will remain open until the film starts (carousel admission: $3).
Location: Frog Pond, Boston Common
Cost: Free; no tickets required
Park: Boston Common Parking Garage
Dine: Check out restaurants in nearby Chinatown and the Theatre District
August Moon Festival in Chinatown - 2024
Boston's Chinatown comes alive with lion dances, martial arts, folk dances, and lots of vendors for the annual Chinese Autumn Moon Festival.
What does the festival actually celebrate? Good question.
Possibilities include the end of the annual harvest, the legend of Chang'e, the immortal Lady of the Moon, and the overthrow of the Mongol rulers in 1368 after a rebel leader distributed mooncakes filled with messages saying "Kill the Mongols."
Mooncakes, a specialty of the festival, are round pastries filled with lotus seed paste - you can buy this delicious treat at all Chinatown bakeries.
Although this 3,000+ year old Chinese festival traditionally falls on the 15th day of the 8th Lunar month (late September/early October), Boston celebrates it in mid-August - the perfect excuse to spend a Sunday enjoying Chinatown.
Start with dim sum or lunch at one of these fun contemporary and traditional Chinatown restaurants, and then enjoy the colorful festival.
When: Sunday, August 11; Lion Dances, games, and other cultural events take place between 10am and 5pm
Where: Boston's Chinatown (Harrison Ave, and Beach, Tyler, Hudson, Essex, and Oxford Streets); Main Stage is at Phillips Square (corner of Harrison Ave and Essex Street)
Cost: Free
Closest T station: Orange Line / Chinatown
If you drive: Easiest parking is at the Boston Common Garage; walk 2-3 blocks from the corner of Tremont and Boylston Streets, and you'll be in Chinatown
Fun Events & Activities on the Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is offering so many fun things to do this summer:
- Night Shift Beer Garden at Dewey Square Plaza across from South Station. Beer, seltzer, wine plus bites from rotating food vendors. Open Wednesday - Friday from 3pm - 9pm, Saturday 12 noon - 9pm, and Sunday from 12 noon - 7pm
- Chinatown Farmer's Market - Shop for fresh Chinese veggies, fruits, grains, fresh fish, and pastries at this twice-monthly market in the Greenway's Auntie Kay/Uncle Frank Park on July 13 & 27; August 10 & 24, September 14 & 28, and Oct 5 & 19 from 10am - 1:30pm
- Trillium Beer Garden in the Wharf District Parks (High Street and Atlantic Ave) featuring draft beers by Trillium Brewing Company and a rotating selection of food trucks. Open Tuesday - Saturday from 3pm - 10pm, and Sunday from 12 noon - 6pm.
- Weekly Lion Dances at the Chinatown Gate - Starts at the Chinatown Gate on the Greenway and continues through the streets - Every week from 12 noon - 1pm, starting June 29 through August 31 (except for July 6)
- Fountains - You'll find them in 7 different locations along the Greenway - so get ready to splash, wade, and cool off!
- Carousel - Open daily, 11am-6pm. Tickets: $4 (buy online)
- Greenway Food Trucks: A rotation of 20 trucks offer Korean, Jamaican, Indian, Caribbean, Italian, seafood, and other specialties along the Greenway at Night Shift on Dewey Square, the Carousel, Rings Fountain (Milk Street), State Street, the North End, Rowes Wharf Plaza, and Trillium Beer Garden. You'll find them at several locations each day, usually with a total of about 3 trucks per day. You can track the schedule and locations of your favorites here
- Public Art - See new installations by top artists
- Plants & Landscapes - Enjoy the sustainable organic gardens, including the Greenway's Meadow, Beehives, Pollinator Ribbon, Carolyn Lynch Garden with brightly colored flowers, and the Armenian Heritage Park with an abstract sculpture and maze
- Fitness Program - Join any or all of the free fitness classes (many different types) - find the schedule here
More about the Rose Kennedy Greenway
August Boston Red Sox Schedule - Home Games at Fenway - 2024
Location: Fenway Park
Nearest T stations: Green Line B or C/Kenmore; Commuter Rail Worcester Line/Yawkey
Get Schedule & Tickets
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Find Red Sox Home Games at Fenway for Other Months
Stay: Hotels near Fenway Park
Park: Garages & lots near Fenway Park
Celebrate: Best sports bars near Fenway Park
Find out about more Boston sports
Fun Sightseeing Tours of Boston
More: Sightseeing Tours | Tours for Teens | Kids & Family Tours
Landmarks Orchestra Concerts at the Hatch Shell 2024
The Boston Landmarks Orchestra's free summer Esplanade concerts attract large crowds to the Hatch Shell on Boston's Esplanade each July and August with its mix of classical, traditional, modern, and contemporary music, as well as the annual Dance Night.
Concerts start at 7pm and run about 2 hours. Bring a blanket or low folding chairs to sit on, and a picnic dinner.
Landmarks Concert schedule for August:
- August 3 - Brahms & Dvorak: Songs without Words
- August 10 - Chamber Music: Rivers School Conservatory
- August 14 - Mozart & More
- August 21 - Sheherazade & Borodin: Arabian Nights
Weather alerts and alternate locations in case of rain: 617-987-2000; orchestra website
Cost: Free
More about what to see & do on Boston's Esplanade
Not Sure about Boston Neighborhood Locations?
This neighborhood map should help you get oriented. You can find a list of top attractions in each neighborhood here.
Need a more details? Here are our favorite free and low-cost Boston maps
Cape Ann Artisans August Mini-Tour - Not in 2024
Normally, you should not miss this wonderful excuse to tour artist studios along the beautiful Rockport and Gloucester coast in early June - but after an intense schedule of 40-year anniversary events last year, Cape Ann Artisans are taking a break during 2024 for rest and reflection.
This is what you can expect for next year:
For one day only in August, Cape Ann artists open their studios along the beautiful Rockport and Gloucester coast for you to tour.
Local artists and artisans will welcome you to view their paintings, sculpture, mosaics, photography, pottery, jewelry, and other wonderful creations.
Drive up from Boston for the day (or take the Commuter Rail) - or spend the weekend and go for walks along the beach, dine on lobster dinners, and browse in local boutiques, galleries, and antique shops.
Open Studio Tour: August 12 at 10am - 5pm
Where: Open Studio Tour map and more information at www.capeannartisans.com - or pick up brochures with route maps at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the Rockport Information Booth on Rte 127, and at each studio. Look for the Studio Tour banner at each location More inf
ormation: Cape Ann Artisans website
Cost: Free
Faneuil Marketplace Events in August
August is the perfect month to enjoy Faneuil Marketplace's outdoor seating, as well as the 30 or so performers who provide daily entertainment from 11am to 9pm.
Look for lots of talented musicians, amazing acrobats, comedians, magicians, an escape artist, local comedian Kilted Colin, Pogo Fred, dancers, and even the Unicycling Unicorn.
Boston Hotel Map
Enter your dates to see available hotels and rates:
Booking.comShakespeare on the Common: The Winter's Tale
One of the most popular summer Boston events, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company presents The Winter's Tale in this year's production of Shakespeare on the Common.
In case you've never heard of this particular play, it's one of the playwright's lesser-known romantic-tragedies in which a toxic mix of jealousy, paranoia, and false accusations unleash a torrent of losses, exile, abandonment, and death before more plot twists bring about an almost improbable happy ending.
The fast-moving plot is sure to keep you entertained!
Bring a blanket or low folding chair, perhaps a picnic basket, and get ready to enjoy a magical evening of free theater under the stars.
You can bring food (but please note, there's not enough room for a lavish picnic spread). Portable toilets are located near the tennis courts.
You can also rent a chair on site for $10 (price to be confirmed closer to the dates - prepay on Comm Shake's website). A small "Friends" section of beach chairs in a prime location are available in return for donations of $100 or more, made through the website.
When: July 16 - August 4 (no performances on July 22 or 29) at 8pm on all nights except for August 3 when the show starts at 6pm; performances normally run about 2.5 hours with no intermission.
Heavy rain and lightening storms can cause delays or cancellations for safety reasons; if in doubt, call the group's Weather Hotline at 617-362-7485.
Where: Boston Common, near the Parkman Bandstand
Getting there: By subway: Green/Red line to Park Street Station, or Green Line to Boylston; By car: Park under the Common in the Boston Common Parking Garage: pick up a discount coupon at one of the event tents (you'll spot them easily) - you'll save a bit on parking, and the garage donates the proceeds to CSC
Cost: Free
More about Shakespeare on the Common
Hotels near Boston Common
New England Patriots Pre-Season Home Games
The Patriots start their regular season in September.
Will this be the year that we celebrate another Super Bowl victory? Stay tuned!
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See the Patriots' schedule & get your tickets
Where: Gillette Stadium
Getting there: From Boston to Gillette Stadium
Want to Stay Nearby? Hotels near Gillette Stadium
Going to Gillette Stadium for a game or concert or to Patriot Place for shopping?
Stay in one of these convenient nearby hotels:
- Renaissance Boston at Patriot Place
- Residence Inn Boston Foxborough
- The Hilton Garden Inn Patriot Place
- Sonesta Select Hotel in Foxborough
- Comfort Inn Foxborough
Check out more hotels near Gillette Stadium
More about hotels near Gillette Stadium (and Wrentham Premium Outlets)
North End Feasts and Festivals 2024
Five of the biggest and most famous North End Italian Feasts and Festivals take place in August this year.
These popular celebrations have been taking place for 100 years or more - almost as long as Italians have lived in this neighborhood. Although they do attract lots of visitors from other parts of Boston and elswhere, they are first and foremost integral to the continuing embrace of Italian culture in this part of the city.
Most of the North End feasts celebrate a saint with food, music, religious ceremonies, dancing, parades, strolling singers, celebrations, and more - they're like giant street parties. By chance, the August festivities place a particular emphasis of food and celebrations.
In general, opening ceremonies take place on Friday evenings, with other events starting around 1pm on Saturday and Sunday and continuing until about 11pm. High Mass usually takes place on Sunday morning.
Here is August Feasts and Festivals schedule for this year:
- St. Agrippina di Mineo Feast and Procession - August 1, 2, 3, 4 - Feast starts at 7pm on Thursday and 12 noon on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and continues to about 11pm - Procession on Sunday, August 7 only, starting at 12 noon on Hanover and Battery Streets
- Madonna Della Cava Feast - August 9, 10, 11 on Battery and Hanover Streets - Procession at 1pm on Sunday; feast opens at 7pm on Friday and 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday, and continues to about 11pm.
- Fisherman's Feast of the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca - August 15 - 18 - This feast, started by Italian immigrants from Sciacca, Sicily over 100 years ago, The annual Blessing of the Fishing Waters at Columbus Park takes place on Thursday at 6pm. The Feast opens at 6pm on Friday, and 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday and lasts until about 11pm. The Grand Procession ("grand" barely begins to describe it!) starts at 1pm on Sunday, on Fleet, Louis, and North Streets, and features a statue of the Madonna being carried through the streets. In addition, you can experience several other highlights: dancing in the streets to live music, watching cooking demonsrations, sampling all the delicious food, and on the last evening, seeing the grand finale: the Flight of the Angel, when a young woman "flies" down from a thired-story window to meet the Madonna through a cloud of confetti.
- St. Lucy's Feast - August 22-23 (Thursday and Friday) - Thatcher and Endicott Streets. Thursday: At 5pm, opening ceremonies, the blessing of the Saint Lucy statue, and a procession with Italian street bands, flower girls, and color guard take place; at 6pm, you can expect (and join) dancing and singing in the streets, followed by the feast; at 10:30pm, a candlelight procession and welcome of Santa Lucia statue takes place in the outdoor chapel, followed by an overnight vigil. Friday: More festivities including food and music throughout the weekend plus another procession to St Leonard Peace Garden at 6:15pm
- St. Anthony's Feast - This is the largest and most famous Italian religious festival in New England, and has been staged here in the North End for over a century. It takes place on August 23 - 25 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) along Endicott, Thatcher, and North Margin Streets. The feast opens with a ceremony and a procession at 7pm on Friday. A Grand Procession starts at 12 noon on Sunday and features parades, strolling singers, entertainment, and 100 pushcarts offering mouth-watering Italian food. Known as the "Feast of All Feasts"it opens at 7pm on Friday, 12 noon on Saturday and Sunday. To fully appreciate all that it offers, come with an appetite and plan to stay awhile. - St Anthony website
Nearest T station to North End: Commuter Rail or Orange & Green Lines/North Station
Cost: Free (although you'll find temptations to spend money on food, drink, and commemorative items)
Find out about North End Feasts and Festivals taking place in September
Hotels in Boston's North End
Interested in staying in or near Boston's wonderful North End neighborhood, filled with tantalizing Italian restaurants and bakeries?
Consider these welcoming choices:
Find more hotels in or near the North End
Boston Parks Movie Nights
The Mayor's Movie Nights in Boston Parks take place during August and September and give Bostonians in many city neighborhoods the chance to watch a recent movie for free under the stars.
Here's the August schedule (movies begin at dusk):
- Aug 6 - Allston/Brighton - Minions: The Little Mermaid
- Aug 12 - Jamaica Plain - A Million Miles Away
- Aug 13 - Roslindale - Elemental
- Aug 14 - West Roxbury - Wonka
- Aug 19 - Roxbury - Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
- Aug 21 - South End - Ferris Bueller's Day Off
- Aug 22 - Hyde Park - Kung Fu Panda
- Aug 26 - Charlestown - Trolls Band Together
- Aug 27 - Dorchester - Wish
- Aug 28 - East Boston - Encanto
- Aug 29 - Downtown (Frog Pond @ Boston Common - Ghostbusters Frozen Empire
For more information and park locations, see the City of Boston website.
Lawn on D - 2024
Lawn on D, a playground for all ages located behind the Convention Center in the South Boston Waterfront, offers interactive installations, foodie-friendly bites and drinks, community events, and, of course, fun lawn games.
Look for Kaleidoscope Garden, a new light garden filled with illuminated disks that glow like fireflies, Urban Grove with shaded nest seating under a canopy with hue-changing lighting that glows after dark, and FitFest, free fitness classes taking place on select Saturdays.
You'll also find giant Adirondack chairs that make you look tiny, pickle ball courts, and other spots to relax, hang out, and have fun.
Live music and other free events take place through October.
Hours: 7am - 11pm, with pickleball courts open from 9am - 9pm. Food/drink concessions are open from 3pm - 10pm on Wednesdays, and 12 noon - 10:30pm on Friday - Sunday.
Rules, in case you're wondering: No dogs, no outside alcohol, no outside food during concession hours.
Lawn on D occasionally closes to the public due to private events (always check their website before going).
Berklee Summer in the City: Free Summer Concerts in Boston
Berklee College of Music students, faculty, and alumni give hundreds of free outdoor concerts all over the city from May through September.
Music ranges from jazz to classical, Latin to funk, folk to world, and are free.
Locations include Atlantic Wharf, the Boston Public Library, Brewer Fountain Plaza on Boston Common, the Charles River Jazz Festival, Club Passim in Cambridge, Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, Kendall Center, Regattabar and Henrietta's table, Sam Adams Park, South Boston Maritime Park, Spectacle Island, Sunset Concerts at Symphony Park, Tito Puente Latin Music Series, SoWa Open Market, Prudential Center, Jazz at the Fort, Cambridge Discovery Park, The Green at 401 Park in the Fenway, and Swingin' in the Fens.
You can find the schedule here: Berklee events website
Fun Boston Tours for August
New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium 2024
Watch our local soccer team, the New England Revolution, bring men's soccer to a new level during August at Gillette Stadium.
Where: Gillette Stadium
Getting there: Gillette Stadium from Boston
Tickets & Schedule:
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See the full schedule and available tickets for New England Revolution games at Gillette Stadium
Boston Hotels with Outdoor Swimming Pools
- Verb Hotel next to Fenway Park (shown in photo) - Find Lowest Rates
- Colonnade Hotel near Prudential Center - Find Discount Rates
- Revere Hotel in the Theatre District -Find Discount Rates
Find more Boston hotels with outdoor swimming pools
Summer in the City - August Events
Boston Harbor Hotel's popular "Summer in the City" series lets you kick back and enjoy live music overlooking the waterfront throughout the summer until August 25.
Listen to live music between 6pm - 10pm as musicians staged on the Blues Barge perform a range of music including jazz, soul, country, R&B, DJ sets, and more.
Combine these events with a drink and dinner on the hotel's Harborwalk Terrace (reservations usually needed) or the Rowes Wharf Sea Grill overlooking the Harbor for the perfect summer evening.
More about Boston Harbor Hotel
Check reviews and rates for the Boston Harbor Hotel
Popular Boston Tours for August
On this special 1-day small-group day trip from Boston to Coastal Maine & Kennebunkport. you'll see the picturesque Nubble Light lighthouse, and stroll along Ogunquit's Marginal Way before arriving in scenic Kennebunkport, where you'll enjoy a narrated trolley tour.
You'll have time to explore, eat, and shop before your return to Boston.
Depending on when you go, you may also see the first displays of brilliant fall foliage along the southern Maine coast.
Bonus: Pick up and drop off at your Boston hotel.
Find out more about the Coastal Maine and Kennebunkport Tour
Looking ahead to fall and the beginning of fall foliage season in Boston:
Find out about fall foliage sightseeing tours departing from Boston
More about where to see gorgeous fall foliage in Boston
More Fun Boston Tours
More: Sightseeing Tours | Tours for Teens | Kids & Family Tours
Boston Lights at Franklin Park Zoo 2024
Franklin Park Zoo transforms into an evening wonderland as more than 55 brilliant outdoor all-new displays take you through fantastic journeys filled with color and light.
You'll discover an ocean tunnel surrounded by sealife, a journey to India with lotus flowers and an ornate palace, animal lanterns depicting monkeys and more, and Chinese lantern scenes with mythical fish.
Not to be missed: a 75-foot enormous glowing fish.
In addition, you can enjoy nightly Chinese classical dance performances including Fan dances.
Get your tickets at the gate (if available), or secure your spot (highly recommended) and also save a little by booking online in advance on the Zoo's website.
Boston Lights dates/hours: August 2 - November 3, 6pm-10:30pm (starts at 5:30 from October 1)
Just want to visit the zoo during the day? You can also book or pre-book tickets online for a regular visit (does NOT include the Boston Lights show).
Summer Dine Out Boston (Restaurant Week) - 2024
Twice each year, Boston foodies look forward to the best restaurants in the city being on sale.
You will too, as you sample the affordable fixed price lunch and dinner menus concocted by the city's best chefs.
You can start making your Dine Out Boston reservations about 3 weeks ahead of time. Don't wait, because tables fill up fast!
When: August 4-17
Where: Best restaurants in Boston, Cambridge, and suburbs
More about Dine Out Boston Summer Restaurant Week
Greenway Artisan Market 2024
Greenway Artisan Market, sister market to SoWa Open Market (held Sundays in the South End), brings an eclectic mix of hand-made art, music, and locally produced products to Boston.
Look for the sea of white vendor tents - and get ready for some fun shopping, plus good eating at the gourmet food trucks.
With a different mix of vendors present each week, you never know what treasures you'll find! It's a quintessential Boston event.
When: Saturdays and Sundays through October, 11am - 5pm
Where: Rose Kennedy Greenway, near Rings Fountain along the Wharf District parks (look for the Carousel and the vendors' white tents)
Nearest T station: Blue Line/Aquarium, or Orange and Green Lines/Haymarket
Cost: Free (but of course you'll probably be tempted to buy things
2 Easy Ways to Save BIG in Boston
Find out more about Boston discount cards, and how they give you big savings on top attractions.
Free Summer Movies in Christopher Columbus Park
Enjoy free outdoor Summer Sunday Movies on most Sunday evenings during July 16 and August 27 at Christopher Columbus Park in Boston's North End.
Movies start at 8pm. Bring a blanket or low folding chairs and watch family favorites.
Check the lineup and schedule on the park's website.
Free Family Flicks @ Prudential Center 2024
Enjoy this free fun family-friendly activity - movies under the stars on Saturday nights during July and August in Prudential Center's lovely South Garden (go up the escalators from Huntington Ave, and the garden is to your right; from Boylston, the garden is on your left).
All of the famiy-friendly movies have G, or PG ratings.
Bring a picnic blanket or low beach chairs, and grab dinner at Prudential Center.
Schedule:
August 3: The Princess and the Frog
August 10: National Treasure
August 17: Migration
August 24: The Little Mermaid
When: Movies start at dusk but children's entertainment begins at 6pm and the garden will be open for the event until 10pm
Where: Prudential Center, South Garden
Cost: Free
Nearest T station: Green Line/Prudential
Nearest parking garage: Prudential Center Garage - Get discounted parking with a $25 purchase ($20 if you enter after 5pm) from any Pru Center store, restaurant, cart, or kiosk; bring your parking ticket with you when you leave the garage and have your sales associate validate your parking ticket after you make your purchase
Boston Discount Cards for Attractions, Tours, Cruises
Best way to save in Boston. Save 50% or more when you take a Boston Harbor cruise or Duck Boat tour, visit Plimouth Plantation, the New England Aquarium, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Fenway Park Tour, and more. Compare to find out which one is best for you.
Free Drop-In Summer Yoga on Boston Common 2024
Dropping in on free summer yoga sessions near the carousel on Boston Common is part of what makes Boston fun in the summer. Instructors will lead a vinyasa flow class focused on releasing stress and expanding energy and welcome participants of all levels.
When: Every Thursday, 6-7 - through August 31
Where: Frog Pond at Boston Common
Nearest T station: Green Line/Park
Cost: Free
Bring: Your own mat, blocks, towels, and belt
Free Family Flicks at the Hatch Shell 2024
Enjoy free outdoor concerts at the Hatch Shell on Boston's Esplanade throughout August.
This series of family movies sponsored by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) provides the perfect excuse to grab a blanket or lawn chair, pack a picnic, and head for an evening of entertainment under the stars.
The August movie lineup includes:
- August 2 - Wonka
- August 9 - ET
- August 16 - Barbie
- August 24 - Ghostbuster's Frozen Empire
When: Movie starts at sundown (about 8pm in at the beginning of August, and 7:30pm by the end)
More information, including the movie schedule and weather cancellations: Website
"Allston Christmas"
What exactly is "Allston Christmas"? It's one of Boston's least-loved annual events, and can last for well over a week.
When the Boston area's roughly 250,000 college students return to campus in September, a significant number move into apartments, just as others move out at the end of August
The catch? Those moving out dump unwanted furniture including queen-sized beds and massive couches, household items, clothes, and piles of junk on the sidewalks and into the streets. Everything is up for grabs.
At the beginning, dumpsters along the streets contain most of the mess, until they quickly begin to overflow. That's when new residents arrive with their UHauls filled belongings to unload.
Allston along with Brighton, Longwood, Mission Hill, Beacon Hill, Cambridge, and parts of Brookline and Somerville are the most-impacted Boston-area neighborhoods due to their large number of student residents.
With countless UHauls blocking the streets and gridlocking traffic for several days before the end of August and after September 1, you may want to avoid these areas if you're visiting the city during this period.
Boston Fan Expo 2025 (Not Happening in 2024)
When: August 8-10
Where: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
Stay nearby: South Boston Waterfront Hotels near the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
More information & tickets: https://www.fanexpoboston.com
Boston FAN EXPO (formerly Comic Con) gives you the chance to meet and chat with over 200 top graphic novelists, super hero artists, and developers of anime, comic, cosplay, horror, sci-fi, and gaming, plus thousands of fans. Celebrity guests and artists last year included Rosario Dawson, Hugh Dancy, Marisa Tomei, Bryce Dallas Howard, and many more!
Plenty of dealers will be present also, so indulge in this opportunity to shop for Pop Culture merchandise.
Looking Ahead to Fall Events in Boston
More Articles about Boston Events in August
- Planning to visit Boston? Check out our Boston Hotel Guide
- Find out how to visit Boston beaches
- Interested in getting some exercise while you sightsee? Choose a Boston bike tour
- Fall is just around the corner - and now is a good time to start planning a breath-taking fall foliage cruise
Make Your Boston Hotel Reservations
Enter your travel dates in this hotel map from Booking.com to see what's available and find lowest rates:
Booking.com
