Top Boston Events for September 2024 include open art studios, outdoor markets, and Harbor cruises.
Whale watching cruises and trips on the fast ferry to Provincetown are especially popular this month. Beer gardens on the Esplanade, Greenway, and other spots in Boston and nearby Cambridge will be in full swing.
Looking for Fun Things to Do in Boston in September?
- Fall Foliage Tour from Boston - View spectacular fall foliage in NH's White Mountains
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour + Snack - Sample up to 12 craft beers; includes transportation
- Whale Watching Cruise - A highlight of any Boston visit; fun for all ages
Best of all, the city buzzes with energy as college and university students return.
- September holiday: Labor Day, Monday, September 2
Labor Day Weekend fireworks and other events plus the final days of Boston Harbor Hotel's Blues Barge Jazz Concerts and Summer in the City movies on the waterfront get September off to an exciting start.
New England Patriots fans rejoice as the team kicks off the first regular season game at Gillette Stadium. Red Sox fans will be watching the end of the shortest MLB season ever.
Toward the end of the month, you may even begin to start seeing glimpses of fall foliage color.
Top photo: Mellow September afternoon in Boston's historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, (c) Boston Discovery Guide
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Labor Day Boston Events
Labor Day takes place on Monday, September 2.
Although Labor Day Weekend normally kick offs on the Thursday before Labor Day with a spectacular fireworks show launched at 8pm from a barge in Boston Harbor between the North Shore and Seaport, the show will not happen this year, but expects to return next year.
Wondering what else to do in Boston on Labor Day Weekend?
Many Boston locals jump on the fast ferry to Provincetown for the weekend, make a day trip to the Vineyard, or head to the mountains - so if you're planning a Labor Day, you'll find it easier than usual to make reservations in local restaurants for outdoor tables, cruise around Boston Harbor, go shopping for Labor Day sales - and even find some Boston hotel bargains.
Find out more about Boston Labor Day Events
Oktoberfest at Time Out Market - 2024
Stop by Time Out Market in Boston's Fenway neighborhood between 12 noon and 5pm on Saturday, September 21 for Oktoberfest, where many of the best New England breweries will be showcasing their best locally crafted New England brews.
Time Out's fall party includes a live DJ, photo booth, a stein-holding contest, and more. 21+ only!
Ticket information: TOM website
TOM address: 401 Park Drive, Fenway; closest T station: Fenway
Boston Harbor Cruises - September 2024
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
Clue - Boston's New Immersive Mystery Challenge
Ready for some mayhem, murder, and blackmail during Labor Day Weekend?
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 a week after Labor Day.
Lawn on D
Lawn on D, a playground for adults (kids are welcome too but this is primarily an adult venue) located behind the Convention Center in the South Boston Waterfront, is where you'll find fun swings with LED lights and comfy seating, pickleball and other games, and music throughout the summer and early fall, along with casual food and wine, beer, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages.
Open daily from 7am-11pm from May to October, except when closed for private events (always check their website before going).
Food, drinks, and lawn games available Thursday 3-10:30pm, Friday & Saturday 12 noon-11pm, Sunday 12 noon-10:30pm, with live entertainment by local bands on the weekends.
Swings are open whenever Lawn on D is open.
Rules, in case you're wondering: No dogs, no outside alcohol, no outside food during concession hours.
Another option in this area is to sample one of the many restaurants in the Seaport and Fort Point areas of the South Boston Waterfront.
For Boston Harbor views while you dine, visit a Seaport restaurant. To try the creative cuisine of some of Boston's most innovative chefs, head to a Fort Point restaurant.
Oktoberfest in Boston - Where to Celebrate
Here are the three most important things to know about Oktoberfest in Boston: 1) Contrary to what the name "Oktoberfest" leads you to believe, the first ones kick off not long after Labor Day in September and continue through about mid-October; 2) as Boston's craft brewery scene expands, so does the number of Oktoberfests across the city; and 3) they're massive fun!
Don't miss this chance to sample some of Boston's best brews along with bratwurst, other German foods, pretzels, oompah music, and maybe even chicken dancing.
Find out more, including where to find the best Boston Oktoberfests this month
Boston Arts Festival 2024
Boston artists and craftspeople will showcase their work during the Boston Arts Festival at the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park (110 Atlantic Ave) from 11am - 6pm on September 14 and 15.
You'll have the opportunity to see a wide variety of paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, and ceramics, and also meet the creators at this free event in the park's beautiful setting overlooking Boston Harbor.
Local musicians will perform on the Waterfront Stage throughout each day.
Fun Events & Activities on the Rose Kennedy Greenway
Rose Kennedy Greenway events and activities continue through early fall:
- 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
- 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.
- Fountains - You'll find them in 7 different locations along the Greenway - so get ready to splash, wade, and cool off!
- 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
- 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
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 September 2024
Top Shows for September
Boston theater during September 2025 includes touring Broadway hit shows and musicals, kids shows, and comedy:
- Blue Man Group - Charles Playhouse - Multiple shows all month
Schedules & Tickets
Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets. Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.
More Boston Theater District Shows in Other Months
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
Boston Concerts & Shows - September 2024
Top September Concerts in Boston
Top concerts in Boston in September 2025, so far, include only My Chemical Romance and Dua Lipa - but look for more to be listed soon:
- My Chemical Romance - Fenway Park - Sept 7
- Dua Lipa - TD Garden - Sept 9, 10
Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets. Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.
September Concerts - Schedules & Tickets
More Concerts & Shows for September
Boston Concerts & Shows throughout the Year
Fall Foliage Boston Harbor Cruise on the Northern Lights - 2024
These scenic sightseeing cruises around Boston Harbor during October and early November show you colorful fall foliage as you cruise aroung the Boston Harbor Islands.
You'll see Long Island Head Light, Boston Light (America's oldest light house), Fort Warren on Georges Islands, Fort Independence, and the brightly colored foliage on Peadock's Island and Thompson's Island.
Book now, because space is limited and they fill up fast.
- Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Enjoy a tasty gourmet brunch, fall foliage, and panoramic views as you cruise around Boston Harbor
- Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Sip hot cider as you enjoy lunch on this relaxing fall foliage cruise to celebrate seasonal colors
September 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
Indulge your passion for baseball by going to see the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park!
Get Schedule & Tickets
Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets. Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.
Find Red Sox Home Games at Fenway for Other Months
October (If the Sox make it to the playoffs)
Stay: Hotels near Fenway Park
Park: Garages & lots near Fenway Park
Celebrate: Best sports bars near Fenway Park
Find out about more Boston sports
New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium - September 2024
The New England Patriots play only one home game take place at Gillette Stadium during September, and no pre-season home games this month - so don't miss this chance to welcome the Pats back to Giillette for the new season!
Get your tickets now, and get ready to join in the fun!
Enter DISCOVERY10 to save 10% on TicketLiquidator & TicketNetwork tickets. Good for purchases made through 12/31/24.
Where: Gillette Stadium
Getting there: The Patriot Train - plus more ways to get to Gillette from Boston
Where to stay: Hotels near Gillette Stadium
Tickets: Check for great prices, great seats, and sometimes discounts
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).
Revere Beach Art Festival 2024
Enjoy a beautiful fall day at Revere Beach on September at 11am-4pm when America's oldest public beach hosts the annual Revere Beach Art Festival.
You'll find lots of artists selling their excellent pieces, live music, an art competition, and other fun activities.
While you're there, don't miss the opportunity to enjoy fried clams or a lobster roll at Kelly's Roast Beef, just across the street from the pavilion.
Best way to get there: Take the T's Blue Line to Wonderland Station, and walk just a few minutes to get to the beach.
More about Revere Beach and other Boston beaches
North End Feasts and Festivals 2024
By September, the North End Saint's Feasts and Processions are winding down, with only one procession-only event this month - so no feasts (but you can always create your own at one of the nearby North End restaurants):
- Santa Rosalia di Palermo Procession - September TBD for 2024 - Starts at 1pm at North Square
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)
Finally, one more Saints' procession takes place this month, not in the North End but next door in East Cambridge and Somerville - and this one does include a feast, along with amusement rides, games, fireworks, and live music:
- Saints Cosmas & Damian Italian Feast and Procession - September 6, 7, 8 - Starts at 1pm on Friday with music, a carnival, and food plus fireworks and a short procession later in the evening on Warren and Porter Streets (pedestrian-only for this occasion); Saturday - festivities and food continue throughout the day; Sunday - a Grand Procession starts at 1:30 and winds its way through East Cambridge and East Somerville, with fireworks, confetti, and balloons along the way, ending back at the festival area around 7:30, where entertainment and celebrations continue until 10pm.
Location: Warren and Porter Streets (near Cambridge Street/Cardinal Medeiros Ave intersection; Lechmere T station is about a 10-minute walk (1/2 mile) away
More information: Event website
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
Newport Mansion Tour from Boston
On this Newport Mansions Day Trip from Boston, you'll visit charming Newport, Rhode Island where the country's richest families built the spectacular waterfront mansions that they called "cottages" during the Gilded Age.
You'll visit two of the most magnificent mansions, and will also have time to walk along the scenic coastal Cliff Walk. You'll see Newport's main attractions during a 1-hour narrated small group driving tour, which includes a visit to the Truro Synagogue. During free time, you can shop, have lunch along the waterfront, and perhaps visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Pickup and dropoff from selected Boston hotels is included.
More Fun Boston Tours & Cruises
Boston Marathon Registration Opens for April 2025 Race
Registration for the 2025 Boston Marathon opens on Monday, September 9 at 10am ET and closes on Friday, September 13 at 5 p.m. ET for athletes meeting the qualifying times for their age/gender.
The qualifying window for the 2025 Boston Marathon began on September 1, 2023, and is open through the final date of registration, September 13, 2024.
Registration is not guaranteed, even if you meet the qualifying standard for your bracket, as the number of people who want to run always exceeds the race's capacity, which is usually about 31,500 competitors.
After the registration period closes, Boston Athletic Association verifies applications and ranks athleted based on the amount of time they are under the qualifying standard for their applicable bracket. For details about registration, see BAA's website's registration page.
As soon as BAA notifies you that you've been accepted, make your hotel reservation. Hotels fill up early for Marathon weekend, and rates increase the longer you wait to book.
Here's a list of convenient hotels near the Marathon route at all price ranges if you're coming from outside of Boston - so make your reservations now!
Boston Bruins Preseason Games 2024
Location: TD Garden
Nearest T stop: North Station
Parking: Boston garages near North Station / TD Garden
The Boston Bruins launch their new season with preseason games at the Garden in September. Come join the excitement on the ice!
Find Bruins ticket prices and best seats
Greenway Open Market
Greenway Open 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: Every Saturday from May 1 through October 31,
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
Cambridge Science Festival
Immerse yourself in fun science adventures in the kids-and-adults-friendly Cambridge Science Fest.
The festival - the first of its kind in the US - is a city-wide celebration and showcase of the city's leading edge innovations in science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
You can choose from hundreds of events, demonstrations, lectures, exhibitions, and interactive experiences.
When: September 25 - October 1
Where: Multiple Cambridge locations
More information: Find the complete schedule and details for this free event on the Science Fest's website
Revels RiverSing
The free annual Revels RiverSing welcomes fall with a family-friendly Autumn Equinox celebration at their new riverfront location at Herter Park Amphitheater in Allston on Saturday, September 16, 6pm (rain or shine). (to be confirmed)
Family activities begin at 5pm. Singing begins at 6pm.
This free theatrical event features over 100 performers of music and song, along with poetry readings, acrobats, circus performers, puppets, and a folk band. Best of all, you get to join in!
Even though the holiday season still seems far away, don't forget to also put Christmas Revels, a beloved Boston tradition, on your calendar for December.
Location: 1175 Soldiers Field Road, in Boston's Allston neighborhood\
Getting there by T: Take the 70 bus from Central Square or 86 bus from Harvard Square; get off at Western Avenue and Everett Street, walk north one block on Everett Street, cross Soldiers Field Road to Herter Park
Admission: Free; suggested donation of $5
Parking: Free in the large adjacent parking lot
Fun Ways to See Boston in September
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? See our recommendations for free and low-cost Boston maps.
Visit Martha's Vineyard for the Day
Experience another world when you visit Martha's Vineyard, a small island south of Cape Cod with beautiful beaches and scenery, quaint cottages (and huge mansions), and chic clothing boutiques and art galleries.
After pickup from downtown hotels, a comfortable coach ride to Cape Cod, and a short ferry ride to the Vineyard, you'll have the day to explore all the local sights including the iconic lighthouse, cliffs, and whaling captains' homes. You can also choose an optional 3-hour tour when you book.
Find out more about the trip to Martha's Vineyard & book your trip!
Fall Foliage Tours
Leaves may still be green in Boston in September, so if you want to see gorgeous foliage, you need to go outside of the city where you'll start to see lots of spectacular fall colors by mid-month.
Luxury 1-day fall foliage tours take you to the best viewing locations in New Hampshire, Maine, and even the Cape (although you'll see more color in the Cape in October). Sit back and relax while someone else drives and you get to focus on enjoying all the brilliant scenery!
Find out about fall foliage sightseeing tours departing from Boston
See Gorgeous New England Fall Foliage near Boston
- Fall Foliage Tour from Boston - View spectacular fall foliage in NH's White Mountains
- Coastal Maine Small Group Day Trip from Boston - Offered June - October (go from mid-September - October for fall foliage)
- Full Day Historical Lexington & Concord Tour from Boston - Offered April - early November (go from late September - November for fall foliage)
Boston Hotel Map
Enter your dates to see available hotels and rates:
Booking.comMore about how to save on Boston hotels
The Boston Cup - Classic Car Show on Boston Common
Get ready to drool when you see a vintage Corvettes and other envy-provoking beauties among the 100 exceptional American and foreign cars on display at the 12th annual Boston Cup classic car show on Boston Common.
The show takes place on September 24, 9am - 2pm (time to be confirmed) near the Parkman Bandstand.
Tickets are not cheap - $50 and $100, depending on the type of access you want - but it's considered the best classic car show in the Northeast, and one of the top 5 in the country.
Don't want to spring for a ticket? You can still get a look at the cars as they leave the gated area accessible only to ticket holders on the Common around 2pm.
Typically, cars on display are valued at over $100 million, around 30,000 enthusiasts (and 1,000 VIPs) attend, and ticket proceeds benefit Boston Parks and Recreation.
More information about the show
Where to stay near Boston Common
You'll enjoy Boston Common to the fullest when you stay nearby - the hip and glamorous W Hotel, for example, is just 1 block away:
More top hotels near Boston Common:
Check out historic hotels near Boston Common
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).
More Fun Boston Activities for September
Boston Seafood Festival
The Annual Boston Seafood Festival celebrates our city's marine heritage, love of seafood, and commitment to sustainable harvest, in part by providing important support to the Boston Fisheries Foundation.
This family-friendly event brings together seafood tastings, chef demos, educational events, all day lobster bake, the always-epic Battle of the Shuckers competition, fish-cutting demonstrations, and the all-day lobster bake overlooking Boston Harbor.
Also, look for roving pirates, music, children's activities, and samples from some of Boston's best seafood sellers.
Food and beverages, including refreshments at two Harpoon Brewery Beer Gardens, will be available to purchase.
When: Sunday, September 10, 11am - 6pm
Where: Fish Pier (212 Northern Ave), South Boston Waterfront
Stay nearby: South Boston Waterfront Hotels
Where to Stay: Seaport & Fort Point
Attending an event in the South Boston Waterfront or Fort Point? Stay in a nearby hotel, such as the stylish Seaport Boston Hotel:
More top hotels near the South Boston Waterfront:
Check out more hotels near the South Boston Waterfront & Fort Point
"Allston Christmas"
What exactly is "Allston Christmas"? 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 and dump unwanted furniture including queen-sized beds and massive couches, household items, and clothes on the sidewalks and into the streets, up for grabs.
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 a couple of days before and after September 1, you may want to avoid these areas if you're visiting the city during this period - unless you want to try your luck at finding the perfect mirror or nice pair of lamps among the debris.
South End Open Studios
When: September 16-17, 11am-6pm (to be confirmed)
Where: Boston's South End; Open studios are at 46 Waltham Street, 35 Wareham Street, 49 Wareham Street, 59 Wareham Street, 450 Harrison Ave and the Artist Studio Building at BCA, 551 Tremont Street.
Nearest T station: Orange Line/Back Bay
Cost: Free (unless you buy art)
South End Open Studios provide a glimpse into more than 200 studios and galleries of some of the city's top artists - and a chance to buy directly from the creators of the pieces on display.
What to look for: Everything from fine arts to hand-built bicycles, from home decor to installation art. Be sure to check out the in-studio demonstrations involving photography, quilts, and letterpress printing.
Getting around: Pick up a free printed guide with maps at the information tables at Boston Center for the Arts (551 Tremont Street) and on the sidewalk in front of 560 Harrison Ave, and plot your route among the galleries (look for the free shuttle if you get tired of walking).
This is the biggest art event in the South End, with all the major studios and art buildings will be open. See even more on Sunday at SoWa Open Market.
2 Easy Ways to Save BIG in Boston on Tours, Cruises, Admissions
Best way to save in Boston. Save up to 50% 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.
More Fun Ways to See Boston in September
New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium 2024
Watch our local soccer team, the New England Revolution, bring men's soccer to a new level at Gillette Stadium.
Only 2 home games are scheduled for September - so don't miss the chance to see the Boston area's professional men's soccer players in action!
Find New England Revolution's Game Schedule & Tickets
Getting there: Gillette Stadium from Boston
More at Gillette: See all events at Gillette Stadium
Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival in Chinatown 2024
The Chinatown Lantern Festival takes place this year on Saturday, September 7, 10am-5:30pm in Boston's lively Chinatown.
You'll enjoy a day of festivities, folk dances, martial arts demonstrations, tai chi, Lion Dances, games, and special mooncakes to celebrate the traditional Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival.
Many of the activities take place in the Chinatown Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway, but you'll find lots going on throughout the neighborhood.
And while you're there, take advantage of the opportunity to enjoy a meal in one of Chinatown's best restaurants.
Berklee Summer in the City: Free Summer Concerts in Boston 2024
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
Boston Fashion Week
Boston Fashion Week breaks new ground this year by being the first public AR - that's Augmented Reality - art installation that's also a city-wide fashion exhibit featuring the work of regional fashion designers, photographers, textile artists, fashion schools, fanshion archives, and more. To access it, all you have to do in install an app on your smartphone - plus a few designers will also host safe in-person events.
- When: TBD
- More information about how to download the AR app, plus a list of events, participants, and venues: Boston Fashion Week's website.
Local Boston Food Festival on the Greenway
The free admission Local Food Festival, taking place on Sunday, September 13 from 11am - 5pm on the Rose Kennedy Greenway from the North End to South Station gives you the chance to sample the best fresh food from local farms and fishermen, plus local wines, beers, cider, and mead.
With lots of music and art by local talent, chefs to prepare the food samples (mostly around $5 or less) from locally sourced food, a seafood throwdown competition, family activities, and exhibits about sustainably grown and produced food, you can have lots of fun enjoying some local flavors at this free festival!
Boston Latino International Film Festival
When: TBD
Where: Tsai Auditorium, at Harvard University in Cambridge (1730 Cambridge Street), and the John O'Bryant African-American Institute at Northeastern University (West Village F, Room 20, Leon St, Boston)
Tickets: Available through festival website
More information: Website
Look for 4 exciting days of feature, documentary, and short films focused on issues of importance and interest to the Latino community in the US, Latin America, and Spain, plus receptions and other special events.
Boston Film Festival
Actors, filmmakers, and film enthusiasts look forward to the annual Boston Film Festival for a chance to view the stellar line up and world premiers.
The line up includes an exciting array of diverse features, documentaries, and shorts from emerging artists to world-famous award winners. Question and answer sessions, discussions, and evening receptions hosted by top restaurants provide plenty of opportunities to chat with directors and network.
When: September TBD
Where: Multiple locations in Downtown Boston
Cost: To be announced
Closest T station: Green Line/Arlington
More information: 617-523-8388; www.bostonfilmfestival.org
Looking Ahead to Fall Events in Boston
- Indigenous Peoples Day Events
- Head of the Charles Regatta
- Halloween in Boston
- More October Events
- Fall Foliage Tours
More Fun Ways to See Boston
More to Do in Boston in September
- More Labor Day Weekend and other September events in Boston
- Just in case: What to do in Boston in the rain
- Fall is just around the corner - check out Boston's top fall foliage tours
Need a Boston Hotel or Apartment?
Use this handy map from Booking.com to find the perfect place to stay. Just enter your dates to find what's available, see the best rates, and make your reservations.
Booking.com
