Things to Do with Kids in Boston the Fourth of July Weekend: Boston Harborfest and More
Fourth of July activities overtake the city this week, as Boston Harborfest celebrations run through July 7. As a reminder, we’ve pulled together a list of our favorite Boston Harborfest events, including "America's Biggest July 4th Celebration" on the Esplanade. There are also plenty of smaller-scale alternatives around Boston, just right for families.
We’ve also published our July Go Boston list - check out our picks for some of the best and biggest events happening this month. And Tara explored Foxboro with her family this past week - they found 15 things to do there this summer, including a visit to the Hall at Patriot Place. And fast on the heels of strawberry picking (the season isn’t over yet!) comes the you-pick blueberries season - we’ve rounded up some options for picking (and included our favorite blueberry recipe).
Read on for Harborfest highlights and other special events taking place this week. As always, you can visit our Events Calendar for even more things to do.
Enjoy, and have a happy and safe 4th!
Boston Pops July 4th Concert - Hatch Shell Esplanade, Boston
Thursday, 7/4
FREE
Guest stars rock the Esplanade with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops.The Oval (the lawn in front of the Hatch Shell) opens at 9am; concert begins at 7:30pm; Fireworks start at 9:30pm. Please see the website for details about where to watch and how to reserve spots and for a map of viewing spots.
Happy Birthday, USA! - Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, Weston
Thursday, 7/4
Adults $8; Seniors and students $5; Children (5 to 16) Free
Activities for children and adults include stamp scavenger hunts, games and puzzles, designing patriotic stamps, making envelopes from recycled paper to use to send letters to friends (the Museum pays the postage) and arts and crafts activities using stamps. Children can also help create a flag mosaic using postage stamps, make a collection of American flags on stamps to take home and can have their photograph made into a postage stamp.
Cinderella's Wedding - North Shore Music Theatre, Beverly
Friday, 7/5
Tickets $10-$12
Kaleidoscope Children's Theatre presents its own version of the classic tale, especially for younger children. Performances at 10am & 1pm.
Justin Roberts and the Not Ready for Naptime Players - Club Passim, Cambridge
Saturday, 7/6
Tickets $15
Grammy-nominee Justin Roberts performs at Club Passim with a performance where little ones can get their Not Ready for Naptime groove on.
Book Launch: A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea - Barefoot Books Studio, Concord
Saturday, 7/6
Story time free; crafts $4 and up
Barefoot Books celebrates the release of its latest singalong storybook, A Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, with a full day of events, including story time, arts and crafts, and games.
Koala Birthday Party - Stone Zoo, Stoneham
Saturday, 7/6
Included with admission: Adults $14, children (ages 2-12) $10
Visit the Stone Zoo to celebrate the 2nd birthday of koalas Milo and Thackory. Learn about the koalas at the zookeeper encounters (10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm), sign a giant birthday card; and enjoy lamington cake samples (first 200 visitors).
Lindsay and Her Puppet Pals - Gore Place, Waltham
Sunday, 7/7
Adults $10; Children 12 and under $8
Lindsay brings her amazingly crafted life size puppets to children and adults alike. Filled with silliness, crowd participation, and unique, memorable characters, her series of charming and positive short stories will delight the young and the young at heart! (She was a big hit at Sheepshearing this year!). The constantly evolving performance is ideal for ages 3-8 but all are welcome.
Magic Beans Birthday Bash - All locations
Sunday, 7/7
FREE
Magic Beans celebrates its 9th birthday with a birthday bash in each of its four stores with cupcakes, Elmo appearances, glitter tattoos and more. Check the website for the schedule of events at the Brookline, Cambridge, Boston and Wellesley stores.
