Boston Events Calendar

 

 

January

Date: Friday January TBD, 2013, 8:00 pm
Event: Love's Muse: Boston Landmarks Winter Concert
Location: Sanders Theatre at Harvard University, 45 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
The Boston Landmarks Orchestra presents its annual winter concert with guest conductor Ronald Feldman featuring "From the Top" star soloist, thirteen year-old pianist Kadar Qian. 99.5 All Classical, a service of WGBH beloved personality Laura Carlo will host the event. Tickets will only be available the day of the concert, first come first serve, beginning at 5 p.m. at Sanders Theatre. Two ticket limit per person pending availability. Tickets are not available through the Boston Landmarks Orchestra. The program includes: Rossini's Overture from The Barber of Seville Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 Mozart's Symphony No. 36 in C major, K.425 "Linz"

February

Date: Mondays, February 6 and 13, 2012
Event: Beanpot College Hockey Tournament
Location: TD Garden
The traditional hockey championship between four cross-town colleges: Boston College, Boston University, Harvard University, and Northeastern University. The contest dates to 1952, and the winner gains bragging rights as best college hockey team in Boston each year.

Date: Saturday February 11, 2012, 6:30 pm (doors open)
Event: Project Cupid Charity Date Auction
Location: The Estate at Boylston Place
The 3rd annual Project Cupid Charity Date Auction will be held at The Estate nightclub at Boylston Place in Boston. There will be a charity date auction and a live auction of gifts and sports memorabilia, with 100% of the proceeds being used for Dr. Kimberly Stegmaier's Acute Myeloid Leukemia Research Fund at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

March

Date: Thursday March 8, 2012, 6:00-10:00 pm
Event: 14th Annual Dana-Farber Chef's Cooking For Hope
Location: 125 High Street, Boston, MA 02110 (Tentative)
Sip champagne, enjoy delicious food from Boston's top chefs and help fight cancer at the Friends of Dana-Farber's 14th annual Chefs Cooking for Hope. Jeremy Sewall of Lineage, Eastern Standard, and Island Creek Oyster Bar is the honorary chef for the 2012 event. Chefs from Boston's most popular restaurants serve their signature specialties at this culinary extravaganza. In addition to a dazzling display of food and confections from Boston's finest chefs and gourmet caterers, guests are able to bid on an incredible collection of vacation, sports and retail packages in a silent auction. Tickets are $100 each to support this important charity.

Date: Sunday March 18, 2012, 1:00 pm
Event: Saint Patrick's Day Parade
Location: West & East Broadway, South Boston 02127
Huge annual parade to honor Saint Patrick. South Boston is the ethnically Irish neighborhood of the city. The parade starts at the Broadway MBTA station, and travels east on Broadway to the sea. Lots of people wearing green, and many marching bands! The parade has to drawn upwards of 600,000 people in the past. The pubs fill up similar to the celebration in New York City, and the event is more appropriate for adults after the parade. This procession also commemorates Evacuation Day, when the British abandoned Boston on March 17, 1776 in the American Revolution.

Date: Thursday-Sunday March 29-April 1, 2012
Event: Boston Underground Film Festival
Location: Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA
Annual showing of independently produced "bizarre and insane" films. Gore and sexual genres draw publicity, with both feature-length movies and shorts being aired. Seating is limited to the theater's capacity.

April

Date: Friday-Sunday, April 6-8, 2012
Event: Anime Boston 2012
Location: Hynes Convention Center
New England’s largest annual celebration of Japanese animation, comics, and pop culture. More than 18,000 guests are expected to attend the convention this year.

Date: Friday-Sunday April 6-8, 2012
Event: Penny Arcade Expo 2012
Location: Boston Convention Center
PAX East is a three-day game festival 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.

Date: Monday April 16, 2012
Event: Boston Marathon
Location: Hopkinton to Copley Square
America's oldest annual marathon. About 20,000 runners participate in this historic 26.2 mile human foot race. The finish line is in Boston's Back Bay District. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit the city to watch the participants cross the finish line. The race also commemorates Patriot's Day, the date when the Battle of Lexington and Concord took place in 1775.

Date: Thursday-Saturday April 26-28, 2012, 12:00 pm -10:00 pm
Event: 14th Annual Boston College Arts Festival
Location: O'Neill Plaza, Boston College, 140 Commonwealth Avenue, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Info Number: 617.552.2787
The Boston College Arts Festival is offered annually to members of the Boston College community and the surrounding areas to showcase the talents of Boston College's many artists. The three day long event features art exhibitions, concerts, theatrical and dance performances, children's activities, literary readings, film screenings, a craft sale, demonstrations, participatory activities, and more. This event is FREE and open to the public. It is both MBTA (Green Line B-Tram, Boston College stop), and handicapped accessible.

Date: Friday April 20, 2012, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Event: Free Day at the MIT Museum
Location: 265 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139
Free day at the MIT Museum. Part of the week-long Cambridge Science Festival. The MIT Museum explores invention, ideas, and innovation. Through interactive exhibitions, public programs, experimental projects and its renowned collections, the museum showcases the fascinating world of MIT, and endeavors to inspire people of all ages about the possibilities and opportunities offered by science and technology.

May

Date: Sunday May 1, 2011, 7:00 am - 9:00 am Registration
Event:  43rd Annual Walk For Hunger
Location: Boston, Cambridge, & Newton
Annual charity walk for Project Bread. Volunteers walk (up to) 20 miles from Boston to Newton via Cambridge, and then back to Boston. Registration is from 7:00 to 9:00 am at Boston Common. Funds donated by sponsoring walkers are used to reduce hunger in Massachusetts. Food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and food salvage programs are supported by the Project Bread Organization. The first Walk For Hunger took place in 1969.

Date: Monday-Sunday May 2-8, 2011
Event: 12th Annual Boston Bakes For Breast Cancer
Location: Various Restaurants
Info Number: 617.632.5008
Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is a sweet and delicious way to raise "dough" to battle breast cancer. More than 150 restaurants and bakeries in the Boston area will bake unique desserts the week leading up to Mother's Day. One hundred percent of sales from a specially selected dessert will benefit breast cancer research and care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The 2011 Boston Bakes for Breast Cancer is dedicated to the memory of Colleen O'Farrell a good friend and colleague to the FOX25 Morning News team.

Date: Sunday May 8 2011, 10:00 am Registration, 12:00 pm Start
Event: Make Way For Ducklings Celebration
Location: 24 Beacon Street, Base of Shaw Memorial on Boston Common
Annual Make Way For Ducklings children’s parade through the Public Garden. Young kids often dress up with duck-like outfits and trace the steps of the ducks in the famous children’s book by Robert McCloskey. A $25 donation per family is required, which includes access to the celebration snacks, entertainment, and a toy for each child. Registration begins 10:00 at the base of the Shaw Memorial, with the parade starting at 12:00 pm.

Date: Saturday May 14 2011, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Event: Phantom Gourmet Hot Dog Safari
Location: Suffolk Downs Race Track, 111 Waldemar Avenue, East Boston
22nd annual charity event to raise money for the Joey Fund for Cystic Fibrosis. A ticketed event to support cystic fibrosis research. All the hot dogs you can eat, drinks, and many other food items after entering Suffolk Downs. Family fun and very crowded. Live horse racing for those who enjoy gambling. Doors are open for the safari from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. Tickets are $10 online or at advance locations, or $20 at the door.

Date: Thursday May 19, 2011, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Event: Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill Tour
Location: Beacon Hill
82nd annual Hidden Gardens of Beacon Hill Tour. It's a pretty unique event, with proceeds going to environmental, horticultural, and conservation organizations across Boston, Massachusetts, and the United States. Select members of the Garden Club open up their hidden urban gardens for the tour. Tickets are $30 in advance or $35 on the day of the event at a temporary ticket booth at Charles & Chestnut Streets, rain or shine.

Date: Saturday May 21, 2011
Event: 18th Annual Radio 92.9 EarthFest
Location: Hatch Shell
Celebrate the Earth! Find Earth-friendly Green products and services at this family-friendly event. Free concerts, contests, and a whole lot more. This event is now the largest earth celebration in New England. There is a separate area set up at the Esplanade for children-oriented entertainment, with the main concert starts at 11:30 am.

June

Date: Sunday June 5, 2011, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Event: Beacon Hill Art Walk
Location: Beacon Hill
The Beacon Hill Art Walk is taking place on Sunday June 5, 2010, from noon to 6 pm, throughout the secret gardens and patios of Beacon Hill. Residents open up their private gardens, alleyways, and courtyards and allow artists to display and sell their artwork at a wide range of prices. As a visitor you will enjoy a unique atmosphere boasting bursts of colors at the background sound of live classical, klezmer, and folk music playing in various gardens throughout the day. Artists display a variety of styles, media, and subject matter.

Date: Sunday June 5, 2011, 7:30 am Registration
Event: 26th Annual AIDS Walk
Location: Hatch Shell
Support a great cause to help fight a horrific disease. The 26th annual AIDS walk will take place along Boston's Esplanade. The event starts and ends at the Hatch Shell. Registration beings at 7:30 am and the Larry Kessler 5k run starts at 9:00 am. At 9:30 am there is an opening ceremony, with the AIDS walk beginning at 10:00 am.

Date: Tuesday-Thursday, June 7-9, 2011, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Event: Scooper Bowl
Location: City Hall Plaza
The 29th annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl® presented by FedEx will be held June 7 through 9 at Boston City Hall Plaza. The 28th annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl® presented by FedEx raised more than $300,000 for cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber. Thank you to everyone who came out to eat ice cream and support the Jimmy Fund. Admission to the Scooper Bowl is $8 for adults and $4 for children aged 3-9. Tickets and discounts for large groups are available online starting in April. It's a rain or shine event.

Date: Saturday June 11, 2011, 12:00 pm
Event: Boston Gay Pride Parade
Location: Berkeley, Boylston, Charles, Beacon & Tremont Streets to City Hall Plaza
Annual festival and parade 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.

Date: Sunday June 12, 2011, 11:00 am (7-mile) or 12:00 pm (2-mile)
Event: NSTAR's Walk for Children's Hospital Boston
Location: Hatch Shell
This event is an annual pledge walk supporting Children's Hospital Boston. Walkers can walk 2 or 7 miles or participate virtually. It's a day when patient families and friends come together, when employees have a chance to show their company pride and enjoy each other outside the office, it's a time for kids to walk a mile for other kids and it's a day when everyone contributes to the important work of Children's Hospital.

July

Date: Wednesday - Monday June 29 - July 4 , 2011
Event: Boston Harborfest
Location: City Hall Plaza, Waterfront
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.

Date: Sunday July 3, 2011, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Event: Boston Chowderfest
Location: City Hall Plaza
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. $12 Adults, $9 Children under 12.

Date: Sunday July 3, 2011
Event: Boston Pops Warm Up Concert
Location: Hatch Shell & Charles River Esplanade
Part of the annual Independence Day celebration. A free Boston Pops Orchestra warm up concert at 8:30 pm. The oval opens up at (4:00 PM) for access to the Hatch Shell lawn area (wrist band system). The big concert and fireworks display will take place on Monday July 4.

Date: Monday July 4, 2011
Event: Independence Day Celebration
Location: Hatch Shell & Charles River Esplanade
Annual Independence Day celebration. There is a free Boston Pops Orchestra concert at 8:30 pm, and a fireworks display above the Charles River after dark. From 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 Hatch 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. The fireworks are set off when the Pops are playing the finale of Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. The guest performer in 2011 is Michael Chiklis.

Date: Thursday-Sunday 14-17, 2011, FREE Admission
Event: Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival
Location: Revere Beach, Revere, MA
The largest sand-sculpting event in New England takes place at Revere Beach each summer. Thousands of dollars in prize money is available in 2011, so famous sculptors will participate. There is an area of the beach that is fenced off like a gallery, and visitors can stroll past the giant sand sculptures. Parking is available along Ocean Avenue and Revere Beach Blvd, as well as parking lots (fee) near Wonderland MBTA Station.

Date: Sunday July 31, 2011, 6:00 pm, FREE Admission
Event: Landmarks Orchestra Concert
Location: Pine Bank Park, Jamaica Pond, Jamaica Plain, MA
"Pack a picnic, bring your family, and enjoy this classical music concert featuring the Boston Landmarks Orchestra — Charles Ansbacher, Conductor, featuring a host of top-notch classical musicians. Music aficionados of all ages are sure to enjoy this free outdoor concert of classical favorites with support from media sponsor WGBH Radio."

August

Date: Thursday - Sunday August 18-21, 2011, FREE Outdoor Festival
Event: Fisherman's Feast
Location: North End, Fleet & North Streets
Annual festival to honor the ancient local fishing trade, and Madonna del Soccorso (Our Lady of Help). Boston's North End is the ethnically Italian neighborhood of the city. The feast includes a religious procession through the narrow streets carrying the Madonna Statue. A traditional event dating back to 1911. There are numerous cafes and restaurants in the North End, with many street vendors around also during the feast.

Date: Thursday - Saturday, August 18-20, 2011, FREE Outdoor Festival
Event: Boston GreenFest
Location: City Hall Plaza
Boston GreenFest is a fully inclusive festival filled with fun learning experiences to address the important changes we need to make in our daily lives and our neighborhoods. The GreenFest has something for all ages. It is a place where people can learn, connect & celebrate. There will be ongoing live performances on multiple stages, over 200 exhibitors, EcoFashion Tent, and GreenFilmFest. New Programs for 2011: GreenFest will run the first EcoQuest, a city-wide environmental scavenger hunt and our first Noche Latina with an Eco Salsa Fashion Show.  To top off the evening, they plan to offer a special Green Fireworks Display and Laser Show.

Date: Friday - Monday August 26-29, 2011, FREE Outdoor Festival
Event: Saint Anthony's Feast
Location: North End, Thacher & Endicott Streets
Annual outdoor festival to honor St. Anthony of Padua. St. Anthony was a Catholic teacher and orator, and is beloved by many people. The feast is a traditional street festival, with an ancient statue of St. Anthony being publicly displayed at Thatcher & Endicott Streets. St. Anthony has historically been invoked to help find lost things.

September

Date: Saturday - Sunday, September 10-11, 2011, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Event: Boston Arts Festival
Location: North End, Christopher Columbus Park
9th annual display of the works of art by local artists. Waterfront stages are erected for local performing artists. There is also a children's art pavilion set up for younger visitors.

Date: Friday - Thursday, September 16-22, 2011
Event: 27th Annual Boston Film Festival
Location: Stuart Street Playhouse, 200 Stuart Street, Boston, MA 02116
Annual showing of original language and independently produced films. Seating is limited to the 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.

Date: Sunday September 18, 2011
Event: 15th Annual Boston Arthritis Walk
Location: Artesani Park, 1234 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA
15th 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.

Date: Sunday September 18, 2011
Event: 25th Annual Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk
Location: Hopkinton, Wellesley, or Boston College
Info Number: (866) JF-1-WALK
The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk allows participants to follow the course of the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon to honor friends, family, co-workers, and patients facing all forms of cancer. Over the past 22 years, the Walk has contributed more than $66 million to support cancer research and care at Dana-Farber. Walkers choose from one of five route options designed for everyone from the marathon enthusiast to the youngest walker. There is also a virtual Walker option for those who can't make it to the event.

Date: Saturday September 24, 2011, FREE Outdoor Festival
Event: Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival
Location: Columbus Avenue (between Mass Avenue & Burke Street)
The ever-expanding annual Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival had its biggest year ever in 2010, featuring 20 bands and 130 musicians on ten stages, stretching over several days in September. While the ticketed concerts attracted large crowds, the free outdoor festival drew an estimated 80,000 people!

Date: Saturday September 24, 2011, 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm, Ticketed Event
Event: Phantom Gourmet Food Festival
Location: Lansdowne & Ipswich Street, Next to Fenway Park
The annual Food Festival on Lansdowne Street. 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 watched the show on Channel 38, you’re probably thinking of half-pound cheeseburgers with onion rings on them right now.

Date: Saturday - Sunday September 24-25, 2011
Event: Life is Good Festival
Location: Prowse Farm, 5 Blue Hill River Road, Canton, MA 02021
Life is Good will host a two-day music festival at the foot of Blues Hills at Prowse Farm in Canton, MA with the goal of raising $1 million for kids. The 2011 Life is Good Festival featured two days of first-quality musical talent on multiple stages along with good food, games, activities and art projects. The goal of the festival is to raise funds to heal and strengthen children facing life-threatening challenges, including violence, illness, and extreme poverty.

Date: Sunday September 24, 2011, 8:00 am
Event: Hub on Wheels
Location: City Hall Plaza
For one day each year, Storrow Drive becomes a bike path, when the 7th annual Hub on Wheels—Boston's only citywide bike ride—takes place. Choose from 10, 30, or 50 mile routes! After the ride, enjoy good eats, great tunes, and all-around fun at City Hall Plaza. Ride starts promptly at 8:00 am. All proceeds go to Technology Goes Home, a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the education of Boston students.

Date: Sunday September 25, 2011 (Free), 12:00 pm
Event: Mayor's Cup Pro Race
Location: City Hall Plaza
More than 200 top professional racers, including Olympic cyclists and national champions, will descend on Government Center for high speed, fast-action racing. This event will also feature a mascot race, a kid's race and a concert. Known as a crit race, the bicyclists will race around Government Center at nearly 30 mph.

October

Date: Sunday October 9, 2011, 10:00 am Festivities, 1:00 pm Parade Start
Event: Columbus Day Parade
Location: Christopher Columbus Park, North End
A decades-long tradition in the North End and East Boston celebrating the historic voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492. The parade starts at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End. The parade used to travel up Hanover Street and around City Hall Plaza, but this editor cannot verify the exact route for 2011. Lots of family fun starting at 10:00 am, including lawn games, a magician, a marionette show, with the parade starting at 1:00 pm. The parade pays tribute to members of our military, honoring veterans and those currently serving, while remembering those that made the ultimate sacrifice, and provides local civic, social, ethnic, cultural and entertainment groups a venue to shine and instill pride in the community.

Date: Thursday October 13, 2011
Event: Single Malt & Scotch Whiskey Extravaganza
Location: Taj Boston, 15 Arlington Street, Boston, MA 02117
Ladies and gentlemen are cordially invited to enjoy a connoisseur's evening hosted by The Scotch Malt Whisky Society. The extravaganza provides our attendees an unusually wide range of the most prestigious single malt, premium Scotch and Irish whiskies in joyous camaraderie. Presented by whisky professionals, our goal is to educate our attendees in the discerning consumption of the finest spirits known. Tickets by advance purchase only: Call 800.990.1991. Reservations are limited. Business attire. Must be 21 years of age.

Date: Saturday - Sunday October 15 - 16, 2011
Event: An Evening With Champions
Location: Harvard's Bright Hockey Center, 79 North Harvard Street, Allston, MA 02134
World-class figure skating exhibition features World and Olympic champions. All proceeds go to the Jimmy Fund of Dana Farber Cancer Institute. 7:00 pm show time on Saturday night, and 2:00 pm start on Sunday afternoon.

Date: Saturday October 22, 2011, 5:30 pm
Event: 10th Annual Great Pumpkin Float
Location: Pope John Paul II Park, Hallet Street Entrance, Dorchester
An adorable event with young children watching their pumpkins being launched into Davenport Creek near the Neponset River. 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.

Date: Saturday - Sunday October 22-23, 2011, 8:00 am - 4:15 pm
Event: Head of the Charles Regatta
Location: Christian Herter Park, 1175 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA
Head of the Charles is the world's largest two-day rowing event, and was first held in 1965. Head races are generally three miles long, with the boats racing against each other and the clock, starting sequentially approximately fifteen seconds apart. Winners of each race receive the honorary title of Head Of The Charles. The Regatta has grown tremendously over the years. Today, more than 8,000 athletes from around the world compete in 56 different race events. The Regatta became a two-day event in 1997 and now attracts up to 300,000 spectators during the October weekend.

November

Date: Saturday - Monday November 5-12, 2011
Event: Boston Comedy Festival
Location: Multiple Venues
Annual contest of 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 talents and celebrate the rich culture of Boston. The stand Up Contest brings nearly 100 of the best comics together to compete for the honor of being the Best Comedian!

Date: Friday - Sunday November TBD, 2012
Event: 35th Annual Boston International Antiquarian Book Fair
Location: Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston
The Fair is one of the oldest and most prestigious book fairs in the country, and features fine and rare collections from more than 120 rare book dealers from North America and Europe. The Boston Book Fair presents a broad range of rare, collectable and antique books, modern first editions, manuscripts, maps, atlases, autographs and a plethora of literary ephemera. Visitors may hunt for what is missing from their collections or bring their family first editions for complimentary appraisals on Sunday. 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.

Date: Thursday - Saturday TBD, 2011
Event: 15th Annual Boston International Fine Art Show
Location: Cyclorama, 539 Tremont Street, South End
Annual Boston art show with contemporary and traditional fine art, paintings, sculpture, fine prints and photography galleries, artists, designers and exhibitors. Expo fair and sale, gala preview benefit, lectures and events that all take place at the Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts.

December

Date: Saturday December 10, 2011, 10:00 am Check-In & 1:00 pm Start
Event: 13th Annual SS Charity Run
Location: 903 Boylston Street, Boston (Starting Line at Lir Tavern)
Each year 500 people strip down into tiny bathing suits in near freezing weather and run around the Back Bay to raise money for local charities. The SSRun registration is open to anyone and everyone that is at least 21 years of age. The run is limited to the first 500 registrants. Registration requires a $30 fee and a commitment to raise at least $300 in donations. Formerly known as the Santa Speedo Run.

Date: Friday December 31, 2011
Event: First Night
Location: Boston Common, Copley Square, Hynes Convention Center, & Waterfront
Annual New Years Eve celebration. Visitors purchase a button that allows entry into many performances and exhibitions. Nearly a million people visit the city for this event each year. There is an impressive fireworks display over Boston Harbor at midnight.