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Spring brings May flowers to Boston, along with free and fun things to do all month! Lilac Sunday photo by Lauren Miller/Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
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4/29/24 - By Kate Andrews

There is no shortage of things to do in Boston in May. From Mother's Day to Memorial Day, we've got the best events happening all month—and May the 4th be with you!

Boston's blossoming with events this May, and we've done the groundwork to bring you the best picks!  Family outing? Cheer on Boston's beloved ducks at the adorable Duckling Day parade on Boston Common. Celebrating Mom? Treat her to a charming Mother's Day Tea at the Daffodil and Tulip Festival. Craving summer fun? Head north for Canobie Lake Park opening day 2024! And that's not all - May boasts outdoor adventures like Boston's Lilac Sunday, the Cider Hill Farm Tulip Festival, and North Andover's Spring BloomFest. Feeling a touch mystical? Deadwick's Ethereal Faire at Castle Hill awaits! May in Boston promises something for everyone!

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Bluey takes the stage this May 2024 in Boston! Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show production photo by Darren Thomas
Bluey takes the stage this May 2024 in Boston! Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show production photo by Darren Thomas

Best Things To Do in Boston in May 2024

Free Comic Book Day 2024

Everywhere—May 4, 2024
Pow! Crash! Boom!  Getting comic books for free is...super! Free Comic Book Day returns on its usual first Saturday in May date. READ MORE

Lilac Sunday

Boston—FREE
May 12, 2024
Tours of the lilacs and other special collections, music, picnicking (allowed on this special day only), and family activities make for a memorable day. Street parking along the Arboretum perimeter is limited and visitors are advised to take public transportation.   Photo: Angela Sciaraffa READ MORE

Tulip Fest at Cider Hill Farm

Amesbury—FREE
May 4 & 5, May 11 & 12, 2024
A gorgeous variety of 100k tulips are scheduled to bloom in early May. Welcome in spring with this multi-weekend festival featuring free live music, self-guided blooming orchard walks, outdoor hard cider bars, food trucks, fitness n' family activities and pick-your-tulips. READ MORE

2024 Watch City Steampunk Festival

Waltham— FREE
May 11, 2024
2024's Watch City Steampunk Festival will feature costumed performers, musicians, kids' activities, and a large collection of unique vendors peddling all things Steampunk! Plus, this year will feature a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery of Queen Mercy’s missing crown. READ MORE

Somerville's PorchFest

Somerville— FREE
May 11, 2024
Musicians and bands in styles including funk, blues, gospel, bluegrass and so many more serenade passersby from porches throughout Somerville. READ MORE

Mother's Day Weekend at Southwick's Zoo

Mendon
May 11 - 12, 2024
This Mother's Day weekend, treat Mom to a day at Southwick's Zoo! READ MORE

Duckling Day

Boston Common
May 12, 2024
Join the Friends of the Public Garden in Boston’s most beautiful parks for Duckling Day! A beloved Mother’s Day tradition for over 30 years, the event celebrates the children’s classic book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. READ MORE

Canobie Lake Park: Opening Day 2024

Salem, NH
May 18, 2023
Celebrating 122 years of family fun, the folks at Canobie Lake Park, a premier New England fun spot, are putting together what promises to be an amazing experience for opening day this year.  Parties, prizes, giveaways, and more! READ MORE

Canton Heritage Festival

Canton— FREE
May 18, 2024
The Canton Heritage Festival promises to bring together folks of all ages for fun, food, shopping, and history as it celebrates the region’s past and living present. READ MORE

Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival

Dorchester— FREE
May 18, 2024
Go fly a kite at this 50-year Franklin Park tradition and celebrate the arrival of spring. READ MORE

Dragons and Mythical Creatures at the Roger Williams Zoo

Providence, RI
Throughout May
Adventure awaits at the Zoo’s newest special attraction, Dragons & Mythical Creatures. Come face-to-face with animatronic and interactive creatures that move, roar, and even breathe smoke. READ MORE

Spring BloomFest at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens

North Andover
May 1 - 15, 2024
Celebrate all things flowers, sunshine, and Spring at Stevens-Coolidge House & Gardens. Stroll through seven manicured gardens, meadows, and orchards planted with 165,000 tulip, daffodil, and other bulbs. READ MORE

Encanto in Concert Live to Film

Boston
May 11 & 18, 2024
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Academy Award®-winning film comes to life in a concert event, featuring the entire feature-length film with a full orchestra performing the score. READ MORE

Revere Beach Kite Festival

Revere -- FREE
May 19, 2024
The 8th Annual Kite Festival on Revere Beach will take place Sunday, May 19th.  Kick off beach season with fun for the whole family! READ MORE

Greenway Food Truck Festival

Boston -- FREE
May 4, 2024
The 2024 Greenway Food Truck Festival will take place on Saturday, May 4th, from 11am to 4pm. With 20 vendors in attendance offering everything from dumplings to Danish hotdogs, chicken tikka masala to po’ boys, and from bubble tea to ice cream, this will be an outdoor culinary experience you won’t want to miss. READ MORE

Matilda Jr. at Concord Youth Theatre

Concord
May 10 & 11, May 18 & 19, 2024
Rebellion is on order in Matilda JR., a celebration of the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. READ MORE

Newton Family FunFest

Newton -- FREE
May 18 & 19, 2024
Celebrate spring at Newton’s Family FunFEST. READ MORE

Bluey's Big Play The Stage Show

Boston
May 18 & 19, 2024
When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag. Bluey’s Big Play is a brand-new theatrical adaptation of the Emmy® award-winning children’s television series, with an original story by Bluey creator Joe Brumm, and new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. Join the Heelers in their first live theatre show made just for you, featuring brilliantly created puppets, this is Bluey as you’ve never seen it before, brought to real... READ MORE

Wellesley Wonderful Weekend & Fireworks

Wellesley -- FREE
May 19, 2024
Enjoy an evening of fun indoor and outdoor events for all ages in Wellesley! READ MORE

Esplanade Community Day Celebration

Boston -- FREE
May 19, 2024
The Esplanade Association is hosting their 4th Annual Community Day! Head to the Esplanade’s Fiedler Field for a full day of movement, music, food, games, and great partners. READ MORE

Deadwick's Ethereal Faire at Castle Hill

Ipswich
May 10 & 11, 2024
A brand new experience awaits you at Deadwick’s Ethereal Faire, as the casino complex at Castle Hill becomes a magical market featuring over 50 vendors of arts and crafts to fascinate and transform you and food by Portsmouth’s Fezziwig to fill you READ MORE

Mother's Day Tea at The Daffodil & Tulip Festival

Stockbridge
May 11, 2024
Enjoy Mother’s Day weekend at the Daffodil and Tulip Festival with a special tea in the gardens. READ MORE

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