Boston | Malden | Needham | Newton | Waltham
Fireworks safety tips (tip 1: They're illegal in Massachusetts)
Boston's best known Independence Day celebration is the Boston Pops concert on the Esplanade. But the city actually celebrates the holiday for several days in a row, in festivities collectively known as HarborFest.
Among them:
- Revolutionary concert, Wednesday, July 2, 7 p.m., Old City Hall (across from the Parker House). The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums will perform "The White Cockade" and other Revolutionary-era airs and marches.
- Children's Day, July 2, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., City Hall Plaza. Musci, juggling and portable exhibits from local museums, alng with free vision tests.
- Pops Preview, July 3, 7 p.m. on the Esplanade. Beat the crowds!
- Independence celebration, Friday, July 4, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., City Hall Plaza. Flag raising and parade.
- Encampment of the King's Rangers, July 4, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Charlestown Navy Yard. Commemorates the colonists who stayed Loyalists.
- Reading of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 10 a.m., Old State House. From the balcony of the State House.
- MDC All Star Band, July 4, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Castle Island, South Boston.
- Peal of Bells, July 4, noon to 3 p.m., Old North Church, North End.
- Pops concert and fireworks, July 4, Esplanade. The concert
officially starts at 7 p.m., but if you want a halfway decent seat, get
to the Esplanade several hours early! The concert ends with the 1812
Overture and fireworks over the Charles.
Getting there: Don't even think of driving! You won't be able to get theah from heah! Instead, take the Green Line to Arlington or the Red Line to MGH/Charles, then just follow the crowds.
- Chowderfest, Sunday, July 6, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., City Hall Plaza. Restaurants from across the city (and usually at least one Navy ship) dish up the chowder as they compete for the "Boston's Best Chowder" crown (three restaurants in the "Chowder Hall of Fame" usually also participate). Tickets are $6.
Back to neighborhood.net | Contact us