Boston is gearing up for an exciting summer filled with celebrations and events that promote community, culture, and active transportation. From Open Streets in Back Bay to the highly-anticipated August Moon Festival in Chinatown, the city is encouraging residents and visitors to engage with these activities while opting for environmentally friendly modes of transportation such as walking, biking, and using public transit. Information about Bluebikes, the regional bike-share service, and the MBTA public transit system can be found online. Additionally, the MBTA advises riders to consider purchasing round-trip tickets for quicker returns after events.
The Open Newbury Street Series is set to begin on Sunday, July 13, 2025, and will run each Sunday until September 21, 2025, excluding August 31. This beloved event will transform Newbury Street into a car-free pedestrian walkway, allowing shoppers and diners to fully enjoy the space. Streets such as Arlington Street, Berkeley Street, Clarendon Street, Dartmouth Street, and Exeter Street will remain open, but Fairfield Street, Gloucester Street, and Hereford Street will close at Newbury Street. To facilitate drop-offs and pickups, Berkeley and Clarendon Streets will feature a new 15-minute zone, replacing previously posted no-stopping areas. Alongside these street modifications, parking restrictions will be implemented to ensure smooth operations during the series.
In Chinatown, the annual August Moon Festival is scheduled for Sunday, August 10, 2025, celebrating the end of the harvest season. The festival will come alive with food vendors, music, and traditional dragon dances. To accommodate the anticipated crowds, parking restrictions will be enforced on Beach Street, Harrison Avenue, Hudson Street, and Tyler Street, ensuring safe access to the festivities.
Also on August 10, Boston will play host to the India Day Celebration Parade in Downtown Boston. Kicking off at 11:00 a.m. and concluding at 12:00 p.m., this festive procession will start at Lewis Wharf, continue onto Atlantic Avenue, and make its way to Christopher Columbus Park. Streets along the parade route will be closed to through traffic to provide a safe and enjoyable atmosphere for participants and spectators.
Simultaneously, the Hyde Park neighborhood will celebrate its Open Streets Boston event on the same day. This exciting initiative allows families, residents, and visitors to traverse car-free streets filled with activities designed for walking, biking, and other fun interactions. Parking restrictions will take effect along Central Avenue, Fairmount Avenue, Harvard Avenue, Maple Street, and River Street, ensuring the event can occur smoothly and safely.
On Sunday, August 17, 2025, the Dominican Parade will take place in Jamaica Plain, commemorating the rich culture of the Dominican community. The parade will start at Hyde Square and proceed along a familiar path to Franklin Park. Streets including Perkins Street, Barbara Street, Centre Street, Columbus Avenue, Walnut Avenue, and Seaver Street will see parking restrictions in effect throughout the day to prepare for the anticipated crowds.
The weekend of August 9, 2025, will see the Mattapan 5K race unfolding on Saturday morning. Starting at 8:00 a.m. from Ryan Playground, runners will traverse the scenic paths along the Neponset River, with road closures in effect for the duration of the race.
Meanwhile, the North End will be vibrant with festivities from August 7 to August 10, 2025, as the Society of the Madonna Della Cava hosts its annual feast. Parking restrictions will be implemented along Hanover Street, Battery Street, Commercial Street, and North Square during the four days of celebration.
A major highlight of this weekend will be the Madonna Della Cava Procession on Sunday, August 10, 2025, starting at 1:00 p.m. The procession will navigate several streets in the North End, including Battery Street, Commercial Street, and Hanover Street, with road closures in place to allow participants to honor their traditions safely.
The North End will remain festive with the Fisherman’s Feast beginning on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, and continuing through to Sunday, August 17, 2025. This five-day event will also necessitate parking restrictions across various streets, including Lewis Street, Fleet Street, and North Street.
Following closely, on Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Saint Anthony Feast Welcoming Parade will commence at 6:00 p.m., marking another highlight for the North End community. This parade will traverse Endicott Street, Causeway Street, and several others, with streets closed to through traffic for the procession.
In the weeks to follow, the Saint Anthony Feast will feature several processions, starting with opening ceremonies on Friday, August 29, 2025, followed by the grand procession on August 31. These events will weave through the streets of the North End as the community honors its rich tradition.
The summer festival season will continue with the Saint Anthony/Saint Lucy Festival from August 27 to September 1, 2025. Set-up for this cherished festival will begin on August 27, with parking restrictions across the streets of Cooper Street, Endicott Street, Thacher Street, and more. This festival traditionally draws large crowds and necessitates careful planning to ensure everyone enjoys the festivities responsibly.
Concluding the summer festival lineup is the North End Feast, San Gennaro Feast, running from September 5 to September 7, 2025. As this event approaches, parking restrictions along Hanover Street, Battery Street, and Commercial Street will be enforced to ensure safety for attendees. The San Gennaro Procession will take place on Sunday, September 7, 2025, beginning at 11:30 a.m., allowing the community to celebrate with joy and reverence.
As Boston gears up for this bustling summer of events, residents are encouraged to plan accordingly, either by taking public transit or using environmentally-friendly transportation options. These upcoming events promise a lively mix of cultural celebrations, community engagement, and enjoyable outdoor activities, perfect for families and friends aiming to make the most of their Boston summer.
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