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Things to Do in Boston

Have some free time on your hands? Check out these ideas for day trips, family outings, Boston nightlife, annual events, and seasonal celebrations to keep you and your friends and family entertained.
Forest Hills Lantern Festival
Every summer people flock to Forest Hills, a beautiful 250-acre working cemetery established in 1848 and containing sculptures and modern works of art, for the annual Lantern Festival. During the Lantern Festival, a free event open to the public and inspired by Buddhist rituals, people can inscribe a lantern with a message to departed loved ones and float it across the cemetery's ornamental lake at sunset.
Boston July 2008 Events
Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this July.
Boston Harborfest
If one day just doesn't sound like enough time to celebrate Independence Day, you should check out Boston Harborfest, an annual six-day Fourth of July festival that honors Boston's colonial and maritime heritage. Harborfest attracts more than two million people each year and features more than 200 daily events, including concerts, cruises, historical tours, reenactments, and more.
Boston June 2008 Events
Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this June.
Boston Memorial Day 2008
Are you looking for something to do in Boston this Memorial Day weekend? Here are some free family-friendly services and events happening around town.
Radio 92.9 Earthfest
The largest free radio station concert in Boston, the annual Radio 92.9 Earthfest (formerly the WBOS Earthfest) is a family friendly daylong event that focuses on environmental issues. In addition to musical performances, the event features family friendly activities and booths with educational displays, exhibits, and food and product samples.
Boston May 2008 Events
May is a busy month: Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Red Sox games, the Boston Pops. Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this month.[p] This list will continue to be updated as new event information becomes available.
Boston April 2008 Events
Spring is in the air, and April is full of things to do in Boston, including the Boston Marathon, Red Sox games, new exhibits at the MFA, swan boat rides, and Greek Heritage Month. Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this month.
2008 New England Spring Flower Show Photo Gallery
The New England Spring Flower Show is the largest indoor event in the region. The 137th annual New England Spring Flower Show's theme, "Rhapsody in Green," focuses on eco-friendly gardening and features 38 indoor gardens by notable New England designers, as well as amateur competitions, lectures, demonstrations, floral arrangement, and vendors. Enjoy this look at some highlights of the 2008 New E…
Boston March 2008 Events
March is full of things to do in Boston, including lots of St. Patrick's Day activities. Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this month.
2008 Boston-Area St. Patrick’s Day Performances
If you're looking for ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Boston this March, why not check out one of these live St. Patrick's Day concerts and performances.
St. Patrick's Day, Boston 2008
Massachusetts is America's most Irish state, and as its capital, Boston knows a thing or two about how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. In fact, the country's very first St. Patrick's Day celebration was held in Boston in 1737. Whether you enjoy parades, concerts, exhibits, or dinners, here are some things you can do to join in Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities in 2008.
Indoor Children's Activities
The thing about Boston is that the weather is often bad. Either it's too cold or it's too hot, and either way you don't want to be outside for long. Here are five fun indoor places you can take a group of kids—for a birthday party or other outing—that'll keep them entertained and out of the elements.
Boston February 2008 Events
February is packed full of things to do in Boston. Black History Month, Valentine's Day, President's Day, and Boston School Vacation Week all fall in the month of February. Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this month.
Valentine's Day in Boston 2008
Whether you're looking for something to do, somewhere to eat, or just some shopping help this Valentine's Day in Boston, here are some ideas to get you started.
Boston Named One of America's Funnest Cities
Are you having fun, Bostonians? Well you should be. Boston was named the second most fun city in American in a recent study conducted by Bizjournals, the online media division of American City Business Journals.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Activities in Boston
Commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this year with one of these MLK Day events and activities.
Boston January 2008 Events
The first month of the new year is a busy one, full of things to do and see in Boston. Check this entertainment calendar for information on performances, shows, activities, and events in Boston this January.
First Night Boston 2008 Must-See Sights
First Night Boston is America's oldest and largest New Year's Eve arts celebration. First Night 2008 starts at 1 pm on Dec. 31, 2007, and runs until midnight. It will feature more than 1,000 artists in more than 200 exhibitions and performances at more than 40 locations in downtown Boston. You'll want to watch the Boston Fa…
Boston Matzo Ball
There are always plenty of parties, plays, festivals, and more focusing on Christmas in Boston—but what if you don't celebrate Christmas? Well believe it or not, if you're Jewish, one of the best parties of the year happens on Christmas Eve: the Matzo Ball, an annual party sponsored by the Society of Young Jewish Professionals.
Boston Holiday Lightings 2007
Before you jump headfirst into the holiday madness, take a moment to enjoy the festive mood at one of Boston's holiday lightings. It's a nice way to take a break from the shopping and planning and just focus on the season.
Boston Fourth of July
One of Boston's most famous and popular events is the annual Fourth of July concert and fireworks display, which features a live performance by the Boston Pops and appearances by various special guests. Televised nationwide, this free event takes place on Boston's Charles River Esplanade.
Free Friday Flicks
A Boston tradition, each summer people flock to the Hatch Shell on Friday evenings to watch a free screening of a popular film under the stars. Screenings feature a family friendly mix of newer and older films, such as [i]Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Wererabbit[/i], [i]Ghostbusters[/i], and [i]Grease[/i].
Father's Day 2007
There are plenty of places you can take your dad this Father's Day. Maybe he'd enjoy sailing on the Charles River, a trip to one of the city's many museums, or a tour of Fenway Park. But here are a few places in Boston offering special Father’s Day meals and activities.
Mother's Day Dining 2007
Take your mom somewhere nice in this Mother's Day. Here is a selection of Boston restaurants offering special Mother's Day teas and brunches.
Fun Children's Activities in Boston
Looking for someplace to go with your kids? Here are 10 fun children's activities in Boston.
Mother's Day in Boston, 2007
May is the month to remind your mom how much you love her. Find the right gifts, fun events, and great places to dine to let your mom know she's special this Mother's Day in Boston.
Boston Easter Activities 2007
Looking for some fun Easter weekend activities? Hunt for eggs, hear Easter and Passover stories, take a special cruise, get a photo taken with the Easter Bunny, or enjoy a special Easter meal. There are all sorts of things happening in Boston and surrounding towns.
Boston Antiques Weekend
The 2007 Boston Antiques Weekend includes three shows—The Boston Antiques Show, the Boston Antiquarian Book & Ephemera Fair, and the Boston Antique Textile & Vintage Fashion Show—all in one location. The show runs from March 31 to April 1 at the Bayside Expo Center and will feature more than 200 dealers and a seminar series.
New England Spring Flower Show
The New England Spring Flower Show is the largest indoor event in the region and the third largest of its kind in the world with almost six acres of exhibits. Held annually in Boston, the show is put on by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, and each year, more than 150,000 visitors come to see the imaginative indoor garden exhibits, explore the vendor marketplace, and get answers to those tricky gardening questions.
Valentine's Day in Boston 2007
Whether you’re looking for something to do, somewhere to eat, or just some shopping help this Valentine’s Day in Boston, here are some ideas to get you started.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Events 2007
Commemorate the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. this year with one of these nine MLK Day events.
First Night Boston 2007
A tradition for more than thirty years, First Night is a daylong New Year's Eve event that celebrates the arts in Boston. From 1 p.m. to midnight on December 31, a wide variety of indoor and outdoor venues throughout downtown Boston feature theatre, dance, music, visual arts, film, and more for all ages.
First Night Boston 2007 Must-See Sights
First Night Boston is America’s oldest and largest New Year’s arts celebration. First Night 2007 will feature more than 1,000 artists in 250 exhibitions and performances in more than 40 locations in downtown Boston. Here's a list of ten must-see First Night events.
Celebrating Hanukkah in Boston 2006, Page 1
Hanukkah has a tendency to be overshadowed by Christmas, and it can certainly feel that way in Boston. But there are plenty of things happening around the city to keep you busy, entertained, and spiritually centered this holiday season.
2006 Boston Christmas Guide
A guide to Christmas in Boston, featuring events, shopping and travel tips, volunteer opportunities, dining options, gift guides and more.
Photos with Santa 2006
It's not too late for a photo op with Santa Claus. Whether he's posing with your kids or your pets, here's a listing of some of the places Santa will be parking his sleigh this season.
Holiday Tree Lightings 2006
There’s something sort of magical about standing outside on a cool night, surrounded by strangers all eagerly anticipating the same thing—a tree lighting. It brings back a bit of the childhood wonder and enthusiasm about the holidays that so often gets lost in the shuffle of consumerism and planning. Boston has three separate lighting ceremonies, one in the North End, one in the Back Bay, and one in the Boston Common.
History Comes Alive at Plimoth Plantation
An entertaining and educational experience famous for its living history exhibits, Plimoth Plantation recreates the people and lifestyle of 17th-century Plymouth. It’s a chance for families and history buffs to see the days of the early settlers from both the Pilgrim and Wampanoag perspectives.
2006 Boston Halloween Happenings
A guide to some of the most frightening fun to be had in Boston this Halloween season. Whether you're looking for family activities, GLBT events, costume contests, or a puppy parade, there is sure to be something for you.
Duck Tours, Not Just for Tourists
For students or others who have recently relocated to the Boston area, the Duck Tour can be a fast, fun way to get your bearings and learn a little history about your new home. And even longtime residents will learn something new.
Get Lost in Davis’ Mega Maze
Though it’s a bit of a drive from Boston—about an hour and a half—Davis’ Mega Maze in Sterling, Massachusetts, has been a popular seasonal attraction since 1998. Massachusetts’ largest corn maze, the family friendly attraction draws visitors from around the state each fall.
Pumpkin Fun at Seven Great Boston-Area Farms
Go pumpkin picking at one of these family-friendly Boston-area farms.
Salem Haunted Happenings
Salem does Halloween like nobody else, celebrating for the entire month of October. The streets are busy with merchants and performers, and all sorts of special events go on at the various museums and hotels.
Pub Trivia Nights in Boston
Stump!'s website lists the days and times where pub trivia is being played in and around Boston. Work in teams of six or less answering trivia questions. Winners often go home with gift certificates and other prizes.
Topsfield Fair
America's oldest fair features livestock and agricultural showings, craft exhibits, live shows, games, and rides for children.
Massachusetts Audubon Society
The largest conservation organization in New England, Mass Audubon maintains 43 wildlife sanctuaries, which are open to the public for hiking, bird watching, and recreation. They also run nature centers and summer camps for environmental education.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Information on campgrounds, trails, fishing, passes and fees, events, and more in Massachusetts parks and lands.

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