Explore Boston · The year ahead
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.
The anchors
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 thread through all of it: Boston’s 250th anniversary programming runs the whole year, from reenactments to harbor spectacles — our Boston 250 & America 250 guide ties it together.
Month by month
Winter
Winter
Winter
Spring
Spring
Spring
Happening now
Summer
Summer
Fall
Fall
Fall
The whole year, planned
Every month’s highlights at a glance — each one links to a full guide.
Showing all 12 months
WinterWinterFebruary
- 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
SpringSpringJune
- 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
Beyond the anchors
Looking for more?
These are the big moments — the day-to-day happenings live elsewhere on the site.
The full events calendar
Hundreds of concerts, festivals, games, and neighborhood happenings over the next 30 days, updated daily.
Browse all events →
Browse all events →
This Weekend in Boston
The editors’ short list for the coming weekend — what’s actually worth leaving the house for.
See this weekend →
See this weekend →
The next two weeks
What’s on, day by day
A running start on the fortnight ahead — refreshed daily from the full events calendar.
Sunday, September 6
- AfroCity Music Festival with TxCBig Night Live
- Boston Family Days at the Gardner MuseumIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Grief Sucks: A One Man Show by KevOnStageHouse of Blues Boston
- Open Newbury StreetNewbury Street
- Play Date: Free Family Art Day at the ICAInstitute of Contemporary Art / Boston
- SoWa Open MarketSoWa Open Market
Monday, September 7
- Boston Labor Day ParadeCopley Square
- Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles AngelsFenway Park
- Boston's 2026 Labor Day ParadeCopley Square
- Chalk Club for TeensBoston Public Library
- Children's Chess Club at Lower MillsBoston Public Library
- Free Labor Day Admission at the ICAInstitute of Contemporary Art / Boston
Tuesday, September 8
- Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels (Game 2)Fenway Park
- Elevation Rhythm: Washed TourHouse of Blues Boston
- Historic Library Tour: McKim BuildingBoston Public Library
- Jonathan Santlofer: Ten Perfect GuestsHarvard Book Store
- Ken Liu: The PassThe Brattle Theatre
- LEGO Club at the Brighton BranchBoston Public Library
- Little Builders at the South Boston BranchBoston Public Library
- Maximize Your Membership: Greater Boston Chamber of CommerceGreater Boston Chamber of Commerce
- Personal Budgeting with the City of Boston Credit UnionBoston Public Library (online program)
- Tai Chi for Fall Prevention: Level 1 at the West End BranchBoston Public Library
Wednesday, September 9
- Boston Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels (Series Finale)Fenway Park
- BostonYPA After 5 Social: SeaportCisco Seaport
- Botanical Talk and Tour at the Gardner MuseumIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Carnival Jamboree at Lafayette SquareLafayette Square Park
- Francis Fukuyama: In the Realm of the Last ManCambridge Public Library
- Glitterer with Bleary Eyed and GutteredThe Sinclair
- Hump Day Trivia at Dorchester Brewing Co.Dorchester Brewing Company
- Iron Maiden: Run For Your Lives World TourTD Garden
- Learning Series: Small Business Support – 2026 Growth StrategiesGreater Boston Chamber of Commerce
- Park Bench Chats on the EsplanadeCharles River Esplanade
Thursday, September 10
- Emile Chabal: The Age of HobsbawmHarvard Book Store
- Greenway Play Session at Chin ParkAuntie Kay and Uncle Frank Chin Park
- Live Music on The Green at Time Out MarketTime Out Market Boston
- Paul VirziLaugh Boston
- Pete Yorn: Solo AcousticThe Sinclair
- PurposeThe Huntington at the Calderwood Pavilion
- Venture Cafe Thursday Gathering: University of Tsukuba Night 2026Venture Cafe Cambridge
- Women of Boston: Reception and Gallery TalkBoston Public Library
Friday, September 11
- Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals (Friday Night)Fenway Park
- Community Center Book Club: The Loneliness of Sonia and SunnyWest End Community Center
- Friday Films: Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)Boston Public Library
- Rozina Ali at Harvard Book StoreHarvard Book Store
- Rum Jungle with Autumn DriveThe Sinclair
- Shapel LaceyLaugh Boston
- Sunset Rollercoaster: Q Comes Q Goes 2026 TourHouse of Blues Boston
- The Glitter Boys at 52 ChurchThe Sinclair
Saturday, September 12
- AcrazeRoyale
- Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals (Saturday)Fenway Park
- Cambridge Carnival InternationalUniversity Park Commons
- DeVotchKa Performs Little Miss Sunshine with Brian LopezThe Sinclair
- Franklin Park Jazz and R&B FestivalElma Lewis Playhouse in the Park
- Gilman Square Arts & Music FestivalEdward L. Leathers Community Park
- Ian AsherBig Night Live
- JP Music FestivalPinebank Baseball Field
- Maria BamfordThe Wilbur
- Matt McCusker: The Healing Frequency TourShubert Theatre
Sunday, September 13
- Boston Family Days at the Gardner MuseumIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Boston Red Sox vs. Kansas City Royals (Series Finale)Fenway Park
- Chanel Beads with Horse Vision and Ivy KnightThe Sinclair
- Eslabon Armado: Amor NocturnoHouse of Blues Boston
- Family ART-trek at the ICAInstitute of Contemporary Art / Boston
- Rachel Barton Pine, violin, at the Gardner MuseumIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- SoWa Open Market: September SundaySoWa Open Market
Monday, September 14
- Aldous Harding with Sam BurtonThe Sinclair
- Brookline Booksmith Book Club: The Berry PickersBrookline Booksmith
- Monday Movie Night on The Green at Time Out MarketTime Out Market Boston
- Movie Monday: Father of the Bride Part II at the Brighton BranchBoston Public Library
- Nikolas Bowie and Daphna Renan: SupremacyHarvard Book Store
- Passim Monday Explorey Series: The Little Mercies and Ever More NestClub Passim
- Startup Boston Week 2026Boston University
- Trivia Monday at Harpoon Beer HallHarpoon Brewery & Beer Hall
Tuesday, September 15
- 2026 Small Business Strong: Cybersecurity Essentials for Small BusinessesGreater Boston Chamber of Commerce
- Breathe In, Brain On: Brain Health and Breathing ExerciseBoston Public Library
- Doris Dear's Gurl TalkNapoleon Room at Club Cafe
- National Voter Registration Day at the Boston Public LibraryBoston Public Library
- O.A.R.: Three Decades Tour with Gavin DeGraw and KT TunstallLeader Bank Pavilion
- Stephen Greenblatt: Dark RenaissanceCambridge Public Library
- Storytime with Laura Macias: A National Hispanic Heritage Month CelebrationBoston Public Library
- Tai Chi for Fall Prevention at the West End BranchBoston Public Library
- Tuesday Games at the Faneuil BranchBoston Public Library
Wednesday, September 16
- 2026 Government Affairs Forum with Mayor Michelle WuBoston Marriott Copley Place
- Damien JuradoThe Sinclair
- Elizabeth Alexander at The Brattle TheatreThe Brattle Theatre
- Genealogy Club at the Roslindale BranchBoston Public Library
- Gentle Chair Yoga at the Roslindale BranchBoston Public Library
- Historic Library Tour at the Central LibraryBoston Public Library
- Sara McDougall: Justice for JehanneHarvard Book Store
Thursday, September 17
- 2026 Pacesetters: Doing Business with State StreetGreater Boston Chamber of Commerce
- 42nd Boston Film FestivalVarious
- Art-Making After Dark at the ICAInstitute of Contemporary Art / Boston
- Boston Symphony Orchestra Opening Night with Yo-Yo MaSymphony Hall
- Calling on Esther Across the AgesIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- Historic Library Tour: Evening EditionBoston Public Library
- Punk Rock Week: Repairing Garment Closures at Parker HillBoston Public Library
- Senior Quilting Group at the Codman Square BranchBoston Public Library
- Upper Deck Golf at Fenway ParkFenway Park
- Venture Cafe Thursday Gathering: New Frontiers – Space, Health and Global InnovationVenture Cafe Cambridge
Friday, September 18
- AHEE presents BassQuestBig Night Live
- All My Sons at Lyric Stage BostonLyric Stage Boston
- Boston Ballet: Fall ExperienceCitizens Opera House
- Cristin O'Keefe Aptowicz at Harvard Book StoreHarvard Book Store
- Friday Films: The Night of the Iguana (1963)Boston Public Library
- Ke Huy Quan at First Parish ChurchFirst Parish Church
- Paula Cole: THIS FIRE 30The Wilbur
- Sam Adams Boston Taproom OctoberfestSamuel Adams Boston Taproom
- South End Open Studios Kick-Off PartyPiano Craft Gallery
- Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood VampiresWang Theatre
Saturday, September 19
- Author Talk: Ric CallejaBoston Public Library
- Bassem Youssef: The Belly of the Beast TourThe Wilbur
- Boston Pizza FestivalCity Hall Plaza
- Educator Workshop: Teaching Contemporary Art with Art21Institute of Contemporary Art
- MassArt Night MarketDowntown Crossing
- Mt. JoyTD Garden
- New England Revolution vs. Orlando City SCGillette Stadium
- Reggae Bash WorldBig Night Live
- Saturday Open Studios: Stories Within, The Art of the ScrollIsabella Stewart Gardner Museum
- South End Open Studios 2026South End artist studios and galleries
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Dates and events verified at publish, July 21, 2026 — details shift, so check each guide before you plan a trip around one. Inside Explore Boston: events calendar · this weekend · things to do · neighborhoods · transit.