Boston Antiques and Design Show
Saturday-Sunday January TBD, 2014
A very popular antiques show held each year at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington. Dealers offer rare furniture, porcelain, lamps, paintings, and many other antiques and works of art. $10 entry fee on Saturday and $7 on Sunday. Ample free parking.

Beanpot College Hockey Tournament
Monday, February TBD, 2014
The traditional hockey championship held at TD Garden between four cross-town colleges: Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University. The contest dates back to 1952, and the winner gains bragging rights as best college hockey team in Boston each year.

Penny Arcade Expo Boston
Friday-Sunday March TBD, 2014
PAX East is a three-day game festival at the Boston Convention Center for tabletop, videogame, and PC gamers. There are tournaments and freeplay areas, and even nerdcore concerts, panel discussions, and an exhibitor hall filled with booths displaying the latest from top game publishers and developers.

Boston Marathon (FREE)
Monday April TBD, 2014, 9:00 am
America's oldest annual marathon. This world-famous 26.2 human foot race begins in Hopkinton, MA and ends one block west of Copley Square in Boston. A Patriot's Day tradition.

Boston College Arts Festival (FREE)
Thu-Sat April TBD, 2014 12:00-11:00 pm
This 3-day event features art exhibitions, concerts, theatrical and dance performances, children's activities, literary readings, film screenings, a craft sale, and much more.

Walk For Hunger
Sunday May 5, 2013, 7:00 am Reg.
Annual charity walk for Project Bread. Sponsored volunteers walk up to 20 miles. Food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and food salvage programs are supported by Project Bread.

Duckling Day and Parade
Sunday May 12, 2013, 10:30 am Reg.
Annual Make Way For Ducklings children's parade through the Public Garden. Young kids dress up in duck-like outfits and trace the steps of the mallards in the famous Robert McCloskey book.

Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill Tour
Thursday May 16, 2013, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Members of the Garden Club open up their hidden urban gardens for the tour. It's a unique event, with proceeds going to environmental, horticultural, and conservation organizations across the US. Tickets are $35 in advance or $40 on the day of the event. A temporary ticket booth is set up at Charles & Chestnut Streets. Rain or shine event.

Phantom Gourmet Hot Dog Safari
Saturday May 18, 2013, 12:00 - 4:00 pm
Annual charity event to raise money for cystic fibrosis research. All the you can eat hot dogs, drinks, and other food items after entering Suffolk Downs. Lots of family entertainment as well.

Radio 92.9 EarthFest (FREE)
Saturday May 18, 2013, 10:00 am - 4:45 pm
Find Earth-friendly Green products and services at this family-friendly event. This event is now the largest Earth celebration in New England. The main concert starts at 11:30 am. Camper Van Beethoven, Gentlemen Hall, Fastball, Cracker, and Vertical Horizon are performing!

Anime Boston
Friday-Sunday May 24-26, 2013
New England’s largest annual celebration of Japanese animation, comics, and pop culture. More than 20,000 guests are expected to attend the event in 2013 at the Hynes Convention Center.

Beacon Hill Art Walk
Sunday June 2, 2013, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Residents open up their private gardens, patios, and courtyards and allow artists to display and sell their artwork at a wide range of prices. Visitors also enjoy a unique atmosphere with background sounds of live classical, klezmer and folk music playing in various gardens throughout the day. Starting places are 135-1/2 Charles Street and the corner of Cambridge Street & West Cedar Street.

Aids Walk & 5k Run
Sunday June 2, 2013, 7:30 am Registration
Support a great cause to help fight a horrific disease. The event starts and ends at the Hatch Shell along the Esplanade. Registration is at 7:30 am, with the Larry Kessler 5k Run beginning at 9:50 am, and the AIDS Walk starting at 10:00 am.

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl
Tuesday-Thursday, June 4-6, 2013
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The all-you-can-eat Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl® will take place at Boston City Hall Plaza. The Scooper Bowl has raised more than $300,000 for cancer research and patient care at the Dana-Farber Institute. Admission is TBA for adults and TBA for children aged 3-9. Rain or shine event.

Dragon Boat Festival (FREE)
Saturday-Sunday, June 8-9, 2013
12:00 pm - 5:00 pm (Sunday Festival)
A celebration of Asian culture. The time trials take place on Saturday, with the official tournament and festival on Sunday. There are live dance and music performances, martial arts demonstrations, and arts & crafts exhibits. A variety of Asian foods and treats are also available of course.

Boston Pride Festival
Saturday June 8, 2013, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Annual parade and festival to celebrate gay pride and public awareness. The parade winds through several streets in the Back Bay, staging at Tremont & Clarendon Streets, and ends at Boston City Hall Plaza.

NSTAR's Walk for Children's Hospital
Sunday June 9, 2013
11:00 am (7-miles) or 12:00 pm (2-miles)
Annual pledge walk at the Hatch Shell to support Children's Hospital Boston. It's a day when patient families and friends come together, employees have a chance to show their company pride off and mingle, and a time for kids to walk for other kids while everyone contributes to the important work of Children's Hospital.

Boston HarborFest
Tuesday-Sunday July 2-7, 2013
30th annual festival leading up to July 4th that celebrates Boston's rich colonial and maritime history. There are many free concerts and other activities that take place during the week, from Children's Day at City Hall Plaza to an Extreme Sailing race in the harbor.

Independence Day Warmup Concert
Wednesday July 3, 2013, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Part of the annual Independence Day celebration at the Hatch Shell. The free Boston Pops Orchestra warmup concert starts at 8:30 pm. The oval opens at 4:00 PM for access to the Hatch Shell lawn area (wrist band system). The famous concert and fireworks display will take place on Thursday July 4.

Independence Day Celebration
Thursday July 4, 2013, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
Annual Independence Day celebration at the Hatch Shell. There is a free Boston Pops Orchestra concert at 8:30 pm, and a fireworks display above the Charles River after dark. About 400,000 to 700,000 people attend the event each year. A first-come first-served wrist band booth is setup on the morning (9:00 am) of the 4th near the Shell. The wrist bands allow access to the lawn or "oval" area in front of the Hatch Shell. Concert visitors should arrive at the Esplanade early as capacity is very limited. Many people view the fireworks from the Cambridge side of the Charles River or from the Longfellow Bridge. The fireworks are set off when the Pops are playing the finale of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture.

Boston Chowderfest
Sunday July 7, 2013, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Annual cooking competition of Boston restaurants to determine the best local clam chowder. The event is part of the six-day long July 4th Harborfest celebration.

Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival (FREE)
Thursday-Sunday TBD, 2013
An area of the Revere Beach is fenced off like a gallery and visitors stroll past giant sand sculptures. There is free music at the bandstand, and fireworks on Saturday night.

Fisherman's Feast (FREE Outdoor Festival)
Thursday-Sunday August 15-18, 2013
Annual Italian festival that takes place at Fleet & North Streets in the North End to honor Madonna del Soccorso (Our Lady of Help), and the ancient local fishing trade. The feast includes a religious procession through the narrow streets carrying the Madonna Statue. Lots of food, entertainment, games, and street vendors line the streets during the festival.

Boston GreenFest (FREE Outdoor Festival)
Thursday-Saturday August 15-17, 2013
A huge festival that takes place at City Hall Plaza, emphasizing earth-friendly products and how to reduce one's impact on the environment. There are live performances on multiple stages, over 200 exhibitors, a family entertainment area, EcoFashion Tent, GreenFilmFest, and forums and lectures. A Green Fireworks Display and Laser Light Show have taken place in previous years.

Saint Anthony's Feast (FREE Outdoor Festival)
Friday-Sunday August 23-25, 2013
Annual Italian festival that takes place at Thacher & Endicott Streets in the North End to honor St. Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony was a Catholic teacher and orator, and is beloved by many people. St. Anthony has historically been invoked to help find lost things. Lots of food, entertainment, games, and street vendors line the streets during the festival.

Boston Arts Festival
Saturday - Sunday September TBD, 2013
12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
10th annual display of works of art by local artists. Multiple waterfront stages are erected for performing artists. There's also a children's pavilion set up for younger visitors. The festival is a celebration of the many ethnic cultures in Boston, and held at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End.

Boston Arthritis Walk (FREE)
Sunday September 15, 2013, 10:30 am Reg.
Annual Boston Arthritis Walk at DCR Artesani Park in Brighton. A one or three mile walk for all ages that benefits arthritis research and community programs. Registration begins at 10:30 am, with the walk starting at 12:00 pm.

Boston Film Festival (Ticketed)
Friday-Thursday, September TBD, 2013
Annual showing of original English language and independently produced films. Seating is limited to the participating theater's capacity. Special events in past festivals have included visits by famous film stars including Jeff Bridges, Nicholas Cage, George Clooney, Jodie Foster, and Susan Sarandon.

Hub on Wheels (FREE)
Sunday September TBD, 2013, 8:00 am
Boston's only citywide charity bike ride. Choose from 10, 30, or 50 mile routes. After the ride, enjoy food, tunes, and fun at City Hall Plaza. Proceeds go to the education of Boston students.

Mayor's Cup Race (FREE)
Sunday September TBD, 2013, 12:00 pm
Professional bicyclists descend on Boston for high speed racing. A mascot race, kid's race and concert are also featured. Called a crit race, bicyclists speed around Government Center at nearly 30 mph.

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival (FREE)
Saturday September 28, 2013
This ever-expanding outdoor jazz celebration takes place on Columbus Avenue between Mass Ave & Burke Street. It's a very popular street festival featuring 20 or so bands and 130 musicians, and draws 80,000 people annually.

Phantom Gourmet Food Festival
Sunday September 29, 2013
12:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Ticketed)
The annual Food Festival on Lansdowne Street next to Fenway Park. No minors or pets. Buy the tickets early via Phantom Gourmet web site or their partners as the tickets often sell out before the event. If you have ever watched the show on Channel 38, you’re probably thinking of a half-pound cheeseburger with onion rings on it right now.

Boston Comedy Festival (Ticketed)
Thursday-Sunday September TBD, 2013
Annual contest of stand-up comedians and improve groups. There are also airings of independent films in local theater(s). For a week, comedians come together from all across the globe to share their talent and make people laugh.

Columbus Day Parade (FREE)
Sunday October TBD, 2013, 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
A decades-long tradition in East Boston and the North End celebrating the historic voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Single Malt & Scotch Whiskey Extravaganza
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Ladies and gentlemen are cordially invited to enjoy a connoisseur's evening hosted by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society at the Taj Boston. The extravaganza provides attendees a wide range of the most prestigious single malt, premium Scotch and Irish whiskies. Presented by whisky professionals, the goal is to educate attendees in the discerning consumption of the finest spirits known. Tickets are by advance purchase only at 800.990.1991. Business attire. Must be 21 years of age or older to attend.

Great Pumpkin Float (FREE)
Saturday October TBD, 2013, 5:30 pm
An adorable event with young children watching their pumpkins being launched into Davenport Creek near the Neponset River. Held at Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester, Hallet Street entrance. Reservations are required. Bring a 6-8" pumpkin carved at home. A candle will be placed into it, and then the pumpkin is placed on a small float and launched into the river. Rain date is the next day.

Head of the Charles Regatta (FREE to Observe)
Saturday - Sunday, October 19-20, 2013
8:00 am - 4:15 pm
The world's largest 2-day rowing event. Head races are usually 3-miles long, with the boats racing against each other and the clock. Winners receive the title of Head Of The Charles.

Boston International Fine Art Show
Friday - Sunday, November 16 - 17, 2013
Held at the Hynes Convention Center, the Fair is one of the oldest and most prestigious book shows in the country, featuring fine and rare collections from more than 120 dealers. A broad range of rare, collectable and antique books, modern first editions, manuscripts, maps, atlases, autographs and literary ephemera are presented. There will be an abundance of bargain books, as well as lectures on collecting and restoration, and glimpses at rare books seldom seen outside academic libraries. Fine and decorative prints will also be featured.

Boston International Fine Art Show
Thursday - Sunday, November 21 - 24, 2013
Annual major show with contemporary and traditional fine art, paintings, sculpture, fine prints and photographs. Expo fair and sale, gala preview benefit, lectures and other events, that all take place at Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont Street.

Nova Scotia Christmas Tree Lighting (FREE)
Thursday November TBD, 2013, 6 pm - 8 pm
Annual Christmas Tree lighting event on Boston Common. Holiday music, cultural exchanges, and other entertainment. The tree is a gift from Nova Scotia each year in gratitude for Boston's aid after the tragic Halifax Explosion of 1917.

SS Charity Run (FREE to Observe)
Saturday December TBD, 2013, 1:00 pm Start
Each year, people strip down into tiny bathing suits in near freezing weather and run around the Back Bay to raise money for local charities. The event is limited to the first 500 registrants, age 21 or older. Registration is at 903 Boylston Street (Lir Tavern) at 10:00 am. The fee is $30, with a commitment to raise at least $300 in donations. Formerly known as the Santa Speedo Run.

First Night Celebration
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Huge annual New Years Eve celebration. Visitors purchase a button that allows entry into many arts performances and exhibitions. Nearly a million people attend. There is an impressive fireworks display over Boston Harbor at midnight.