You know Spring has sprung when the Swan Boats return to Boston in April 2025! Swan Boat photo by Elliott & Dena via Flickr 2.0
Easter Egg Hunts and More Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids April 2025
Ziplining is one of many adventurous activities at Camp Birch Hill. Photo courtesy of the camp
GUIDE
Boston Summer Camp Guide
Vermont's Mountain Top Resort is as picturesque as a New England family getaway could be. Photo by Gary Hall
This Activity-Packed Resort in Stunning Vermont is an Ideal Family Getaway
There's something for everyone, even teens, at Apex in Marlboro! Photo courtesy of Apex
25 Fun Things To Do in Boston with Teens
Find the best snow tubing in Boston and around the region, like Bousquet Mountain Tubing in Pittsfield. Photo by Ogden Gigli for the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Best Snow Tubing Near Boston for Families
From outdoor events to indoor fun, explore the free things to do in Boston with kids! Riverfest at Assembly Row photo courtesy of Federal Realty
100 Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids
Jump into fun with the top kids indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
Best Kids Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Boston
Family Travel Guide
Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website
100 Things To Do in Boston Before Kids Grow Up
Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun for Boston Kids
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
Big league fun awaits at Boston's top attractions for kids. Photo courtesy of Fenway Park
Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids
Photo courtesy of Fire+Ice
15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)
New England Family Travel Guide
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Boston Zoos: There's More Than Just the Franklin Park Zoo!
GUIDE
Guide to Boston Classes and Activities for Kids
Explore a new area on a weekend trip with the kids from Boston
GUIDE
Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Boston Guide
Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids Guide
Hiking is just one of many things to do in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, but it sure delivers great views!
25 Things to Do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with Kids
10 One-Mile-or-Less Hikes to Take with Your Preschooler Around Boston
Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
25 Things To Do in the Merrimack Valley with Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Take flight at Story Land in New Hampshire, one of the top New England theme parks for kids and families! Photo courtesy of the park.
Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families
The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
Black-Owned Restaurants, Shops, and Landmarks to Discover in Boston
Who you lookin' at?! The Tropical Forest at Franklin Park Zoo. Photo by Don Crasco/Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids
Try a little freeze dancing, robot style! Photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels
30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving
Playing in fall foliage is one of the most beautiful and fun things to do with kids in Boston in the autumn
GUIDE
Boston Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
GUIDE
Guide to Science Experiments for Kids and Fun STEM Activities
New England sleepaway camps get kids out into nature. Photo courtesy of Night Eagle Wilderness Adventure Camp
New England Sleepaway Camps Where Kids Completely Unplug
No messy, dripping fingers when you eat watermelon on a stick.
15 Amazing Mom Hacks That Make Everything Easier
Photo by Liz Baill
GUIDE
Games & Activities Guide for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Online and Virtual Family Fun
GUIDE
Homeschool & Online Learning Resources for Families
A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for Kids
Hungry for some weekend fun? Try the Very Hungry Caterpillar Day and more things to do near Boston. Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Easter Egg Hunt, Kids Con, and More Things to Do in Boston This Weekend with Kids

Boston's Free Concerts and Outdoor Music Festivals for Families This Summer

Head out this Summer for Boston's free concerts and outdoor music festivals in 2024!
Head out this Summer for Boston's free concerts and outdoor music festivals in 2024!
6/2/24 - By Michael Del Llano

Free Concerts and outdoor music festivals are coming to Boston for summer 2024! Boston takes pride in its culture, and the music scene is a vital part of this vibrant city. Summer brings some of the best outdoor music festivals for families to Boston. These shows feature a diversity of genres and styles, but they all get you moving and shaking in a fun, community-driven atmosphere. So read on for our guide to free Boston summer concerts and the best outdoor music festivals for families.

If you're looking for more family summer fun, check out Drive-in Movie Theaters in and around Boston for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids​. If you need to cool down rather than rock out, see our guide to the Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Boston. And there's always our Ultimate Boston Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

The 4th of July brings one of Boston's favorite free summer concerts. Boston Pops and 4th of July Fireworks photo courtesy of the GPA Photo Archive (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
The 4th of July brings one of Boston's favorite free summer concerts. Boston Pops and 4th of July Fireworks photo courtesy of the GPA Photo Archive (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

Boston's Free Concerts

Summer in the City Concert Series

Waterfront—June 6 - August 29
Every Tuesday through Friday, the waterfront comes alive with music as the Summer in the City Concert Series returns to Boston. Free concerts feature everything from Jazz to Soul to Country, all with stunning views of Boston Harbor. READ MORE

Boston Pops and 4th of July Fireworks

Esplanade—July 4, 2024
The 2024 Boston Pops July 4th Spectacular returns to the Esplanade along the Charles River. Special guests at this year's spectacular include The Mavericks and Kelli O'Hara. The fireworks finale will also be broadcast as part of the live televised event. READ MORE

Concerts in the Courtyard

Back Bay—June 5 - August 30
The courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square, one of Boston's most beautiful spaces, is filled with music during these free, one-hour concerts throughout the summer.  READ MORE

Berklee Summer in the City

Multiple Locations—June 4 - September 1
The Berklee College of Music Summer in the City Series provides live music at 20 venues throughout Greater Boston. Free shows take place at locations as varied as the Prudential Center, Mission Hill Park, and Spectacle Island. READ MORE

Boston Music Project Annual Block Party

Boston—June 8
Join the Boston Music Project for the annual BMP Block Party at the Rowes Wharf Plaza on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. READ MORE
Kids will love frolicking outdoors at these free concerts. Cambridge Crossing photo by Flavio D Photography, courtesy of AE Events.
Kids will love frolicking outdoors at these free concerts. Cambridge Crossing photo by Flavio D Photography, courtesy of AE Events.

Greater Boston's Free Concerts

Bands on the Beach Concerts & Fireworks Show

Salisbury—June 29 - August 31
Grab the beach chairs and blankets and enjoy some fun summer tunes, Saturdays at 7:30PM on the Salisbury Oceanfront Stage. Benches and picnic tables available and plenty of dancing room for everyone. READ MORE

Revere Beach Summer Concert Series

Revere—June 20 - August 16
Every Thursday throughout June, July, and August, pop-up music performances will take place along Revere Beach. Enjoy Reggae, Country, and more all summer long. READ MORE

CX Summer Nights

Cambridge—June 20 - August 15
Cambridge Crossing's free summer concert series returns, with shows in June, July, and August. READ MORE

Newton Summer Concert Series

Newton—July 14 - August 18
From July 9 to August 13, Sunday nights mean concerts at the Bowl in Newton Centre's playground. Shows begin at 6:00 pm and include performances by a variety of bands. READ MORE

Acton Pride Festival

Acton—June 15
The Acton Pride Festival is a free event including kids activities, live music, vendors and more!  READ MORE
The Lowell Folk Festival hosts days of free music from all over the world. Photo courtesy of the Lowell Folk Festival
The Lowell Folk Festival hosts days of free music from all over the world. Photo courtesy of the Lowell Folk Festival

Greater Boston's Free Outdoor Music Festivals

Bridgewater Arts & Music Festival

Bridgewater—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

Lowell Folk Festival

Lowell—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

Cambridge Jazz Festival

Cambridge—July 27 - 28, 2024
Join the Cambridge Jazz Foundation for a free outdoor music festival. The 8th Cambridge Jazz Festival includes performances by the Don Braden Quartet, the Yauri Muniz AfroCuban Ensemble, the Anastassiya Petova Organ Trio, Ron Savage, and many more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: