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Summer Festivals and Fairs in 2024 in Boston for Families

Put your hands together for family fun and the best summer festivals and fairs in Boston for 2024! Photo courtesy of Harborfest
Put your hands together for family fun and the best summer festivals and fairs in Boston for 2024! Photo courtesy of Harborfest
5/17/24 - By N Ferreira

Boston's summer festivals and fairs bring games, treats, and entertainment—​all in the fresh air with the whole family having fun. Whether you get excited about parades or sand sculptures, delicious food, or art activities for your little ones, the festive events here are all super family-friendly and make for a memorable summer outing. Read on for our picks for the best summer festivals and fairs for Boston kids and families.

Looking for even more seasonal fun? Check out our Summer Fun Guide for all the best ways to have a blast, stay cool, and rock school vacations! And check our events calendar often; we're always adding more activities in and around Boston. If you're in the mood for something a little more laid-back, see our guide to Drive-In Movie Theaters In and Around Boston for Outdoor Movie Night With Kids.

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Boston's North End takes to the streets with summer festivals and fairs. Fisherman's Feast photo by Matt Conti
Boston's North End takes to the streets with summer festivals and fairs. Fisherman's Feast photo by Matt Conti

Best Summer Festivals and Fairs in Boston 2024

Boston Pride For The People

Boston — FREE
June 8, 2024
The Boston Pride For The People 2024 celebration will include a parade, a festival, and more! ​ READ MORE

Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Cambridge — FREE
June 9, 2024
Stunningly decorated boats race down the Charles River all day long, while arts and crafts, Asian food vendors, and Asian cultural performances line the riverbank. READ MORE

Boston Pizza Festival

City Hall Plaza
June 22-23, 2024
Interested in "all-you-can-eat" pizza, sampling, live entertainment, games, and more? Vendors from all over will be serving up Gluten-Free, Vegan, Neapolitan, Sicilian, New York Style, and much more at City Hall Plaza in Boston. READ MORE

Harborfest

Boston
July 1-4 , 2024
With hundreds of activities over Independence Day week at Boston’s best landmarks, this family-friendly event is one of the country’s largest Fourth of July festivals. Activities include historical reenactments, Freedom Trail walks, boat tours, live entertainment, and more. READ MORE

Fisherman's Feast

Boston — FREE
August 15-18, 2024
This annual event began in Boston in 1910 and is based on a tradition that goes back to the 16th century in Sciacca, Sicily. READ MORE

14th Annual African Festival of Boston

Cambridge — FREE
August 17, 2024
Explore "The biggest African Festival of New England" featuring African music, drum call parade, African-style face painting, health & wellness, children & family pavilion and a day of Afro-fashion show through performances by local and internationally known African artists. READ MORE

St. Anthony's Feast

North End — FREE
August 22-25, 2024
Celebrate with the North End as they honor patrons Saint Anthony and Saint Lucy with colorful parades, religious services, strolling singers, live entertainment, and of course, an abundance of great Italian and American food. READ MORE
See some amazing things this summer! International Sand Sculpting Festival photo Zayde Buti via Flickr 2.0
See some amazing things this summer! International Sand Sculpting Festival photo Zayde Buti via Flickr 2.0

Best Summer Festivals and Fairs near Boston 2024

Topsfield Strawberry Festival

Topsfield — FREE
June 8, 2024
The second Saturday in June marks the beginning of summer with the Topsfield Historical Society’s Annual Strawberry Festival where bowls and bowls of fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and piles of shortcakes are prepared and served by volunteer members. READ MORE

Fairy Festival at the Wenham Museum

Wenham
June 8, 2024
Start the summer in magical fashion at this year’s Fairy Festival, full of family-friendly activities inspired by Neverland. READ MORE

Bridgewater Arts & Music Festival

Bridgewater — FREE
July 4, 2024
At this festival, the whole family can enjoy art, live music, dance, yummy food, children's activities (like face painting), train rides, sand art, and more. READ MORE

Artbeat 2024

Somerville — FREE
July 13, 2024
The theme of this year’s ArtBeat Festival is WILD, exploring all the ways the word can be interpreted. There will be 100 craft, community, and food vendors, plus live music and a dance showcase. READ MORE

Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival

Revere — FREE
July 19-21, 2024
The largest Sand Sculpting Festival on the East Coast is back for the 20th year. The festival features include an interactive Kid’s Zone & Learning Center, a beach-side food pavilion and a fireworks extravaganza on Saturday night. READ MORE

Lowell Folk Festival

Lowell — FREE
July 26-28, 2024
Lowell celebrates its 37th Folk Festival with three days of musicians, food vendors, and artisans celebrating folk culture from around the globe.  READ MORE

Yankee Homecoming in Newburyport

Newburyport — FREE
July 27 - August 4, 2024
Head to Newburyport for the annual celebration of Yankee Homecoming. This week-long celebration features a parade, fireworks, live music, and vendors. Events include a cornhole tournament, a road rally, and an exhibition of artwork from all over New England. READ MORE

Beverly Homecoming

Beverly — FREE
August 6-11, 2024
The 59th annual Beverly Homecoming celebration features dozens of events over six fun-filled days. Enjoy classics like the LobsterFest, a fireworks display, concerts, and a movie night. READ MORE

Marshfield Fair

Marshfield
August 16-25, 2024
The Marshfield Fair is a traditional American country fair begun in 1867 that features amusement rides, a midway, fair food, and farm and animal exhibits. READ MORE

August Moon Festival

Quincy — FREE
August 18, 2024
The annual festival features lion dancing, live music, giant backyard games, a kids' zone, and other Asian cultural performances. READ MORE

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