Boston Events Calendar

2012 Free Hatch Shell Concerts

2012 Free Friday Flicks Films

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.

Saint Patrick's Day Parade (FREE)
Sunday March 18, 2012, 1:00 pm
Huge annual parade to honor St. Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, and Irish culture in Boston. It's held in South Boston, the predominantly Irish-American neighborhood of the city.

Boston Underground Film Festival
Thu-Sun, March 29-April 1, 2012
Annual showing of independently produced "bizarre and insane" films. Gore and sexual genres draw publicity, with both feature-length movies and shorts being aired.

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.

Boston Marathon (FREE)
Monday April 16, 2012, 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 26-28, 2012, 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.

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

Walk For Hunger
Sunday May 6, 2012, 7:00 am Registration
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.

Date: Monday-Sunday May 7-13, 2012
Event: 13th 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.

Make Way For Ducklings Parade
Sunday May 13, 2012, 10:30 am Registration
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 ducks in the famous Robert McCloskey book.

Date: Thursday May 17, 2012, 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. 

Phantom Gourmet Hot Dog Safari
Sunday May 19, 2012, 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 19, 2012, 9:00 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.

June

Date: Sunday June 3, 2012, 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Event: Beacon Hill Art Walk
Location: Beacon Hill
The Beacon Hill Art Walk will take place on Sunday June 3, 2012, 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. Starting Points are 135-1/2 Charles Street and the corner of Cambridge Street & West Cedar Street.

Date: Sunday June 3, 2012, 7:30 am Registration
Event: 27th Annual AIDS Walk & 5k Run
Location: Hatch Shell
Support a great cause to help fight a horrific disease. The 27th 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 5-7, 2012, 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Event: Scooper Bowl
Location: City Hall Plaza
The 30th annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl® presented by FedEx will be held June 7 through 9 at Boston City Hall Plaza. The 29th 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 $10 for adults and $5 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 9, 2012, 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. The Pride Festival takes place at City Hall Plaza from 12:00 to 6:00 pm.

Date: Sunday June 10, 2012, 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: Thursday - Wednesday June 28 - July 4 , 2012
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 1, 2012, 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.

Date: Tuesday July 3, 2012, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
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 Wednesday July 4.

Date: Wednesday July 4, 2012, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm
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 2012 is TBD.

Revere Beach Sand Sculpting Festival (FREE)
Thu-Sun July 12-15, 2012
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.

August

Date: Thursday - Sunday August TBD, 2012, 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 TBD, 2012, 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 TBD, 2012, 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: September 7-15, 2012
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: Saturday - Sunday, September TBD, 2012, 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 TBD, 2012
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 TBD, 2012
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 TBD, 2012
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 TBD, 2012, 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 TBD, 2012, 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 TBD, 2012
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.

Hub on Wheels - Sep. TBD, 2012, 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 a non-profit dedicated to enhancing the education of Boston students.

Mayor's Cup Race - Sep. TBD, 2012
200+ top professional bicyclists descend on Government Center for high speed racing. A mascot race, a kid's race and a concert are also featured. Known as a crit race, bicyclists speed around Government Center at nearly 30 mph.

October

Date: Sun October TBD, 2012, 10:00 am Festivities, 1:00 pm Parade Start
Event: Columbus Day Parade
Location: East Boston in 2012
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 TBD, 2012
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 TBD, 2012
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 TBD, 2012, 5:30 pm
Event: 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.

Head of the Charles Regatta
Sat-Sun, Oct. 20-21, 2012, 8 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 & the clock. Winners receive the title of Head Of The Charles.

November

Date: Friday - Sunday November 16-18, 2012
Event: 36th 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 - Sunday November 15-18, 2012
Event: 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.

Christmas Tree Lighting - Nov. TBD, 2012
Annual Christmas Tree lighting event on Boston Common. Holiday music, cultural exchanges, and light refreshments. The tree is a gift from Nova Scotia each year in gratitude for Boston's aid after the tragic Halifax explosion of 1917.

December

Date: Saturday December TBD, 2012, 10:00 am Check-In & 1:00 pm Start
Event: 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.

First Night - Mon, Dec. 31, 2012
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.