Boston’s 2026 Calendar
Boston 250, the World Cup, the Marathon, Harborfest, First Night — 2026 is the busiest year this city has had in a generation. This is the month-by-month guide to all of it: when to visit, what to plan around, and what not to miss.
2026 at a glance
Five moments define this year. Book around these — hotels fill, streets close, and the city shows off.
April
Boston Marathon & Patriots’ Day
The city’s signature race and a long weekend of reenactments, the 11am Red Sox game, and a finish line on Boylston that stops the town.
Read the guide →June – July
FIFA World Cup 2026
World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium, plus watch parties and fan festivals across the city all tournament long.
Read the guide →July
Harborfest & the Fourth
Harborfront celebrations, the Pops on the Esplanade, fireworks over the Charles, and historic reenactments downtown.
Read the guide →July
Tall Ships · Sail Boston
Once-in-a-generation tall ship visits and a working harbor in full dress, tied to the 250th celebrations.
Read the guide →November – December
Holiday Season & Tree Lightings
Citywide lights, holiday markets, the Nutcracker, and First Night to close the year on the waterfront.
Read the guide →The whole year, planned
Every month’s highlights at a glance — each one links to a full guide.
Showing all 12 months
Winter
WinterFebruary
- Valentine’s Day dining & events
- School vacation week activities
- Ongoing winter festivals
WinterMarch
- St. Patrick’s Day parades & events
- Early Boston 250 programming
- Late-winter concerts & shows
SpringApril
- Patriots’ Day reenactments
- Boston Marathon crowds & traditions
- Spring walks along the Charles
Spring
SpringJune
- Boston Pride parade & festival
- Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl
- Harborwalk & Harbor Islands season
Happening nowJuly
- Fourth of July Pops concert & fireworks
- Boston Harborfest celebrations
- Tall ships & summer waterfront events
SummerAugust
- North End Italian feasts
- City beaches & waterfront parks
- Harbor Islands ferries & sunset cruises
SummerSeptember
- Boston Film Festival screenings
- Red Sox games & fall sports
- Neighborhoods come alive as students return
FallOctober
- Head of the Charles Regatta
- Salem Haunted Happenings
- Fall foliage walks & day trips
FallNovember
- America’s Hometown Thanksgiving in Plymouth
- Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker season begins
- Early holiday lights in parks & squares
FallDecember
- Holiday lights & festive markets
- Boston Pops holiday concerts
- First Night Boston fireworks
Looking for more?
These are the big moments — the day-to-day happenings live elsewhere on the site.
Browse all events →
See this weekend →
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