Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
June
Boston Pride March,
Back Bay to
Beacon Hill (
&
617/262-9405;
www.
bostonpride.org). The largest gay pride
parade in New England is the highlight
of a weeklong celebration of diversity.
The parade, on the second Sunday of
the month, starts at Copley Square and
ends on Boston Common. Early June.
Dragon Boat Festival,
Charles River
near Harvard Square, Cambridge (www.
bostondragonboat.org). Teams of pad-
dlers synchronized by a drummer pro-
pel boats with dragon heads and tails as
they race 500m (1,640 ft.). The win-
ners go to the national championships;
the spectators go to a celebration of
Chinese culture and food on the shore.
Second or third Sunday of June.
Central Square World's Fair,
Cam-
bridge (
&
617/868-3247;
www.
cambridgema.gov). This celebration of
unity and diversity features the usual
food, crafts, and kids' activities—and a
twist that elevates the event far above
the usual street festival: local and
national rock, jazz, and blues musi-
cians. Early or mid-June.
Cambridge River Festival
(
&
617/
349-4380;
www.cambridgeartscouncil.
org), Memorial Drive from John F.
Kennedy Street to Western Avenue. A
salute to the arts, the festival incorpo-
rates live music, dancing, children's
activities, crafts and art exhibits, and
international food on the banks of the
Charles. Mid-June.
July
Boston Harborfest,
downtown, the
waterfront, and the Harbor Islands.
The city puts on its Sunday best for the
Fourth of July, a gigantic weeklong cel-
ebration of Boston's maritime history.
Events surrounding Boston Harborfest
(
&
617/227-1528;
www.boston
harborfest.com) include concerts, chil-
dren's activities, cruises, fireworks, the
Boston Chowderfest, guided tours,
talks, and USS
Constitution's
turn-
around cruise
.
Beginning of the month
(June 30-July 5, 2009).
Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks
Display,
Hatch Shell, on the Esplanade.
Spectators start showing up at dawn
(overnight camping is not permitted)
to stake out a good spot on the lawn
and spend all day waiting for the sky to
get dark enough for fireworks. Others
show up at the last minute—the Cam-
bridge side of the river, near Kendall
Square, and the Longfellow Bridge are
good spots to watch the spectacular
aerial show. The program includes the
1812 Overture,
with real cannon fire
and church bells. For details, check the
website (www.july4th.org). July 4.
Sail Boston 2009,
Boston Harbor and
the Inner Harbor waterfront. The Tall
Ships—magnificent sailing vessels from
around the world—parade majestically
into the heart of the harbor, berth at
piers that are open to the public, and
leave town in another stately proces-
sion. Festivals, fireworks, and tours of
the ships await the millions of visitors
who flood eastern Massachusetts for
this uniquely enjoyable event. Make
reservations as early as possible. For
more info, visit
www.sailboston.com
.
July 8-13.
Puerto Rican Festival and Parade,
Franklin Park. This 5-day event, insti-
tuted in 1967, is part street fair, part
cultural celebration, with plenty of live
music and traditional food. The festi-
val ends with a gala carnival. For details,
contact
Festival Puertorriqueño de
Massachusetts
(
&
866/481-0695;
www.prfestma.org). Late July.
August
Italian-American Feasts,
North End.
These weekend street fairs begin in
July and end in late August with the
two biggest: the Fisherman's Feast and
