Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook welcome Boston’s most popular waterfowl back during the 30th annual Return of the Swans event on Wednesday, May 2. The celebration in the Public Garden begins with entertainment at 11 a.m.

After wintering at the Franklin Park Zoo, Romeo and Juliet will reside during the summer months in the Public Garden. The swans will be returned to the lagoon at 12:30 p.m. following a parade that begins at the Beacon and Charles Street corner of the park near the Make Way for Ducklings statue. Carts beautifully decorated by Boston’s Winston Flowers will help usher the swans to the release site.

Led by a brass band, the parade will continue to the George Washington Statue at the Commonwealth Avenue/Arlington Street entrance, over the pedestrian bridge, and end on the Boylston Street side of the lagoon for the official Return of the Swans ceremony.

The accompanying entertainment program, sponsored in part by the Friends of the Public Garden, includes a brass band, face painters, a reading of “Make Way for Ducklings” led by the Boston Park Rangers, and children’s activities presented by the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. In-kind sponsors HP Hood LLC, Power Crunch, and the Four Seasons Hotel Boston will provide refreshments.

The Boston Pride Parade and Festival is the highlight of Pride Week. The theme of this year's parade is, "Rainbow Resistance."

Mayor Martin J. Walsh will join other elected officials, community leaders, and activists in the parade. This celebration of the LGBTQ+ community draws a large crowd as it weaves through the City. The parade:

• start at Boylston St and Clarendon Street
• turn right onto Clarendon Street
• turn left onto Tremont Street
• turn left onto Berkeley Street
• turn right onto Boylston Street
• turn left onto Charles Street
• turn right onto Beacon Street
• turn left onto Tremont Street, and then,
• finally, City Hall Plaza on Cambridge Street

When the parade concludes, the festival begins. Enjoy food and drink, live music, and more at the parade's end on City Hall Plaza.

Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility, and dignity, they educate, communicate, and advocate by building and strengthening community connections. Follow Pride Week on social media using the social media hashtags #WickedProud and #RainbowResistance.

The Community Forum on Disability Issues is an event which brings together:

• members of the local disability community
• City of Boston staff
• Mayor’s Commission for Persons with Disabilities Advisory Board members, and
• disability advocates to discuss current issues affecting the local disability community.

Attendees have the opportunity to raise questions and concerns about accessibility in Boston, and have their issues heard. We want to hear from you!

pre-register and request accommodations
* Pre-registration is not required to attend.

• Provide input to the City of Boston’s Annual Accessibility Agenda
• Hear updates from Disability Commissioner Kristen McCosh
• Meet members of the Boston Disability Commission Advisory Board
• Learn about the work of City Health and Human Services departments
• Make your concerns about accessibility known to City Officials

ASL and CART provided. 

To request an accommodation, contact the Mayor's Commission for Persons with Disabilities by June 14 at disability@boston.gov, or call 617-635-3682 / 617-635-2541 TTY.