Keep the Fourth of July fun going well into the weekend with events you don’t want to miss. From Boston’s Harborfest to the Brockton Fair, First Friday fun, concerts and more, we’ve gathered our picks for a great weekend.
Friday, July 5
With hundreds of activities over Independence Day weekend at Boston's best landmarks, this family-friendly event is the country's largest Fourth of July festival. Activities include the annual opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall, historical reenactments, Freedom Trail walks, Duck Boat Tours, live entertainment and more.
Highland Street Foundation’s Fun Free Fridays offers no-cost admission to some of the most treasured, cultural venues in the state. Today enjoy free admission to: the Amelia Park Children’s Museum, Cape Code Maritime Museum, Children’s Museum in Easton, the Edward Corey House, Falmouth Museums on the Green, Jacob’s Pillows, Museum of Printing, Pilgrim Hall Museum, The Old Mans. Trustees and the Telephone Museum.
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Celebrate the end of the week at The Lawn on D. Play, enjoy great food, drinks and lawn games. 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Enjoy live music from Annie Brobst at 6 p.m. The Lawn on D, 420 D St., Boston.
Rockstar Energy Drink DISRUPT Festival
The Rockstar Energy Drink DISRUPT Festival stops in Mansfield today featuring: The Used, THRICE, Circa Survive, The Story So Far, Atreyu, Sleeping With Sirens, Memphis May Fire, Trophy Eyes, Juliet Simms and Hyro The Hero. Tickets start at $15. 1:30 p.m., Xfinity Center, 885 South Main St., Mansfield.
Trillium Garden on the Greenway
The Trillium Garden returns to the Greenway Wednesday through Sunday. Located at the corner of High Street and Atlantic Avenue, the Trillium Garden on the Greenway is Boston's first fully open-air Beer Garden, featuring draft beers by Trillium Brewing Co. and wine by Westport Rivers Winery. 2-10 p.m., Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston.
City Winery Boston and the Greenway Conservancy bring City Winery on The Greenway to Dewey Square this summer. This downtown open-air wine garden will feature wine by City Winery Boston, along with beer and cider from Harpoon Brewery. Head down today from 3:30-10 p.m., Dewey Square, Atlantic Ave, Boston.
One of America's oldest fairs is back featuring rides, fireworks, a demolition derby, live music and more. 5 p.m. to midnight. 433 Forest Ave, Brockton.
Head on over to the Institute of Contemporary Art Boston’s First Friday event. Tonight keep the Fourth of July celebrations going with a party that’s sure to be fun, fun fun. Enjoy an evening of art, music fun activities, specialty cocktails and dancing. fashion on display, DJ Mikey D, Riddim Symphony, live performances, sunny cocktails, dancing, contemporary art and harbor views. Free for members, $20 for non-members in advance and $25 at the door, 5-9:30 p.m., Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston.
Museum of Fine Arts First Fridays
Join the folks at the Museum of Fine Arts tonight and kick off the weekend with fine art, music, signature cocktails, tapas and more. Tickets are $25, seniors and students are $23 and free for members. 6-9:30 p.m., Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston.
Citizens Bank Weekly Cornhole Tournament
The weekly cornhole tournament, sponsored by Citizens Bank returns for summer.The first eight teams of two will compete for “Lawn Bucks.” All the fun starts at 6:45 p.m.. Sign up for free at the Citizens Bank kiosk starting at 6:30 p.m. The Lawn on D, 420 D St., Boston.
7th Boston JerkFest and Wine & Brew Tasting: Caribbean Foodie Festival
The 7th Annual Boston JerkFest returns for two days of fun with this outdoor, family friendly festival featuring Jamaican jerk hot spiced BBQ food. This event supports several non-profits including Haley House, Sustainable Food and Culture, Cambridge Carnival International, and Teens Advocating for a Global Vision. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Haley House,12 Dade St., Roxbury.
Phish returns to Fenway Park for the first of two shows tonight. 6:30 p.m. Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston.
Boston Harbor Hotel’s Summer in the City Entertainment Series: Movie Fridays
Friday is movie night during the Boston Harbor Hotel’s Summer in the City concert series. Tonight enjoy “The Parent Trap” on the big screen for your waterfront entertainment. The movie starts at dusk, Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston.
Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse
Combining music, technology and comedy, Blue Man Group creates a form of entertainment that can’t be defined, but appeals to people of all ages. Described as “innovative,” “energetic” and “wildly entertaining,” the best way to truly understand what Blue Man Group is, is to see the show yourself. Tickets start at $45. 7:30 p.m., Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St., Boston.
Enjoy a free night full of astronomy themed fun. Hope for good weather and small telescopes will be available for a hands-on experience, plus visitors can view the evenings featured astronomical object through the 11” Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope in the Museum’s Gilliland Observatory. 8:30 p.m., Museum of Science, Boston, Gilliland Observatory, 1 Science Park, Boston.
Saturday, July 6
With hundreds of activities over Independence Day weekend at Boston's best landmarks, this family-friendly event is the country's largest Fourth of July festival. Activities include the annual opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall, historical reenactments, Freedom Trail walks, Duck Boat Tours, live entertainment and more.
The New Bedford Folk Festival brings together more than 70 renowned and emerging performers and 90 plus juried arts and crafts vendors in New Bedford’s authentic historic district in July. The two-day family-oriented festival offers continuous folk music on seven sound stages in and around the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park ranging from the majestic 1,200 seat Zeiterion Performing Arts Theater to the intimacy of the National Park Garden Stage. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., New Bedford.
7th Boston JerkFest and Wine & Brew Tasting: Caribbean Foodie Festival
The 7th Annual Boston JerkFest returns for two days of fun with this outdoor, family friendly festival featuring Jamaican jerk hot spiced BBQ food. This event supports several non-profits including Haley House, Sustainable Food and Culture, Cambridge Carnival International, and Teens Advocating for a Global Vision. Two sessions today: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Haley House,12 Dade St., Roxbury.
Signature Series: Block Party (Day 1)
This annual favorite returns to The Lawn on D featuring bubble soccer, nine-hole mini golf, rock climbing, face painting, lawn games, and more from 1-5 p.m. The Lawn on D, 420 D St., Boston.
One of America's oldest fairs is back featuring rides, fireworks, a demolition derby, live music and more. 2 p.m. to midnight. 433 Forest Ave, Brockton.
Blue Man Group: 6th Annual Boston Drum-Off & Show
See the finalists in the Blue Man Group Boston Drum-Off compete for more than $5,000 in prizes and a chance to perform with the Blue Man Group Boston. While you’re there, enjoy a special bonus live performance by the Blue Man Group. 5-6 p.m., The Lawn on D, 420 D St., Boston.
The Greenway Open Market is back for another season featuring area artists, crafters and independent designers. Explore the parks, stroll tree-lined promenades, take in the city sights, soak up the sunshine, play in the Rings Fountain, grab a bite to eat at a food truck, and shop at this original Boston experience. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Rings Fountain, Milk Street, Boston.
Trillium Garden on the Greenway
The Trillium Garden returns to the Greenway Wednesday through Sunday. Located at the corner of High Street and Atlantic Avenue, the Trillium Garden on the Greenway is Boston's first fully open-air Beer Garden, featuring draft beers by Trillium Brewing Co. and wine by Westport Rivers Winery.11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston.
City Winery Boston and the Greenway Conservancy bring City Winery on The Greenway to Dewey Square this summer. This downtown open-air wine garden will feature wine by City Winery Boston, along with beer and cider from Harpoon Brewery. Head down today from 1-9 p.m., Dewey Square, Atlantic Ave, Boston.
Enjoy the history of the Boston Harbor lighthouses on a narrated, two-hour cruise This that sails past Long Island Light, Graves Light and Boston Light, America's oldest light station. Tickets are $35 for adults, $30 for seniors/students/military and $25 for children. Toddlers are free. Tours today at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Tours depart from the Boston Harbor Islands Welcome Center on the Rose Kennedy Greenway (across from the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel.
Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse
Combining music, technology and comedy, Blue Man Group creates a form of entertainment that can’t be defined, but appeals to people of all ages. Described as “innovative,” “energetic” and “wildly entertaining,” the best way to truly understand what Blue Man Group is, is to see the show yourself. Tickets start at $66. Performances today at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 8 p.m., Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St., Boston.
Phish returns to Fenway Park for the first of two shows tonight. 6:30 p.m. Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston.
Grab a blanket, pack some snacks and enjoy free movies under the start at Assembly Row all summer long. Tonight it’s “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” 7 p.m., Sylvester Baxter Park, Assembly Row, Somerville.
Newburyport Blues Cruises kick off on July 6 with their Tribute to the Statesman of the Blues, Mr. Shor’ty Billups hosted by James Montgomery. 7-10 p.m., Waterfront Park, Newburyport.
Sunday, July 7
With hundreds of activities over Independence Day weekend at Boston's best landmarks, this family-friendly event is the country's largest Fourth of July festival. Activities include the annual opening ceremony at Faneuil Hall, historical reenactments, Freedom Trail walks, Duck Boat Tours, live entertainment and more.
The award-winning SoWa Open Market is back for its 16th season. Stop by and enjoy Boston's largest celebration of local art, food and music. Celebrate opening day with Fiddlehead Brewing Company taking over the beer garden to pour some exclusive taproom only brews, live music by Elisa Smith and The Tiny Little Lies, the 15th annual SoWa Art Walk, plus Boston’s favorite food trucks and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., SoWa Boston, 450 Harrison Ave., Boston.
The Greenway Open Market is back for another season featuring area artists, crafters and independent designers. Explore the parks, stroll tree-lined promenades, take in the city sights, soak up the sunshine, play in the Rings Fountain, grab a bite to eat at a food truck, and shop at this original Boston experience. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Rings Fountain, Milk Street, Boston.
The New Bedford Folk Festival brings together more than 70 renowned and emerging performers and 90 plus juried arts and crafts vendors in New Bedford’s authentic historic district in July. The two-day family-oriented festival offers continuous folk music on seven sound stages in and around the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park ranging from the majestic 1,200 seat Zeiterion Performing Arts Theater to the intimacy of the National Park Garden Stage. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., New Bedford.
City Winery Boston and the Greenway Conservancy bring City Winery on The Greenway to Dewey Square this summer. This downtown open-air wine garden will feature wine by City Winery Boston, along with beer and cider from Harpoon Brewery. Head down today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Dewey Square, Atlantic Ave, Boston.
Signature Series: Block Party (Day 2)
This annual favorite returns to The Lawn on D for Day 2, featuring bubble soccer, nine-hole mini golf, rock climbing, face painting, lawn games, and more from 1-5 p.m. The Lawn on D, 420 D St., Boston.
Trillium Garden on the Greenway
The Trillium Garden returns to the Greenway Wednesday through Sunday. Located at the corner of High Street and Atlantic Avenue, the Trillium Garden on the Greenway is Boston's first fully open-air Beer Garden, featuring draft beers by Trillium Brewing Co. and wine by Westport Rivers Winery. Noon to 6 p.m., Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston.
One of America's oldest fairs is back featuring rides, fireworks, a demolition derby, live music and more. 2-10 p.m. 433 Forest Ave, Brockton.
Learn how to make pasta from scratch with Law of Pasta and this hands-on pasta making workshop led by Chef Avery. $56-$70. 4-6 p.m., The KITCHEN presented by the Trustees
The Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Boston.
Blue Man Group at the Charles Playhouse
Combining music, technology and comedy, Blue Man Group creates a form of entertainment that can’t be defined, but appeals to people of all ages. Described as “innovative,” “energetic” and “wildly entertaining,” the best way to truly understand what Blue Man Group is, is to see the show yourself. Tickets start at $40. 5 p.m., Charles Playhouse, 74 Warrenton St., Boston.
