The 36th annual Boston Harborfest kicks off at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on Friday, June 30 at 11:00 a.m. with events running through the July 4th holiday weekend.
Boston Harborfest is a multi-day festival with activities celebrating American Independence, honoring the city’s colonial roots and showcasing Boston’s vibrant harbor. Over the years, Harborfest has grown from a local event to a national celebration. In 1982 there were 35 activities over the course of three days. Now in its 36th year, Harborfest is considered to be the country’s largest Fourth of July festival with hundreds of activities over a 5-day period (June 30 – July 4) at Boston’s best landmarks.
Residents, visitors and businesses are invited to participate in the patriotic opening ceremony on Friday, June 30, featuring The 215 Army Band who will lead the crowd in singing the National Anthem, and the ceremonial cutting of the Harborfest cake. Mayor Walsh, Commander Poulin, Commander Gerosa and special guests will use a cutglass (sword) to cut the cake, provided by Faneuil Hall Marketplace and created by Montilio’s. National Park Service Park Rangers and Freedom Trail® Players, dressed in 18th-century costume, will be on hand to offer historical information about Faneuil Hall and other sites along the Freedom Trail.
“Boston is the perfect place to celebrate our nation’s independence,” said Mayor Walsh. “Every year, Harborfest partners give residents and visitors the opportunity to celebrate Boston’s unique history and diverse waterfront and harbor with exciting events and activities. I encourage everyone to attend this wonderful, inclusive event.”
Harborfest will feature highlights at Christopher Columbus Park including FOCCP’s Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 1. Arts at Harborfest, a curated preview to the September Boston Area Festival, will return on Saturday followed by a performance from Sweet Harmony and a screening of Yankee Doodle Dandy. Old North will host Colonialfest with family-friendly colonial activities all weekend. Sunday will reintroduce Chowderfest where attendees may vote on the best creations from local restaurants.
See the full Harborfest schedule here.
Will there be harbor fireworks on July 1? This site say there will be but I can’t confirm it anywhere else . http://www.boston-discovery-guide.com/boston-event-calendar-july.html
Hi chris, According to the Boston Harborfest website, there will be no fireworks for Boston Harborfest.
http://www.bostonharborfest.com/faq/