guide

Summer in Boston

Last updated: 4/10/25

Boston’s hub for programming, events, and resources for your entire family to enjoy all summer long!

Explore Boston

Neighborhoods

Parks and Playgrounds

Public Restrooms

Boston Mural Map

Boston Public Library Branches

Food Trucks Schedule

Historic Districts

Browse, Borrow, Board

Stay Cool All Summer Long

Splash Pads Map

Find a spot for your family cool down during the summer.

Heat Safety Tips

Extreme heat can be dangerous to health, and even fatal. We want our residents and visitors to be safe during hot weather.

BCYF Pool Locations

At Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF), we offer a variety of aquatics programs at our indoor pools, two outdoor pools, and beach.

Summer Events

Open Streets Boston

Experience our streets as public spaces! Explore our Open Streets Boston events.

Summer Dance Party Series

This family-friendly event series, featuring salsa, kizomba, R&B, and house music, is free and open to the public.

City Hall Plaza Events

As the epicenter of the City of Boston, City Hall Plaza is a place where all Boston residents, visitors, and newcomers have access to participate in arts and cultural events.

More Events and Programming

View more events happening around our City!

Summer Programs and Activities

Summer Eats

Boston Summer Eats provides nutritious breakfast and lunch at no cost at over 100 sites across the City. All youth 18 and under are eligible. No ID or registration required.

Youth Sports

Learn where you can play sports this summer

From basketball to softball and everything in between, find a collection of youth sports opportunities in Boston here! Many opportunities are free and open for registration.

Emerald Necklace

Boston's Emerald Necklace consists of an 1,100-acre chain of nine parks linked by parkways and waterways.

Summer Programs and Events at BCYF

Boston Centers for Youth & Families offers many summer classes and programs for youth. These aren’t only a lot of fun — they also keep children active over the summer months so they are prepared for the return to school in the fall.

Parks Fitness Series

The Boston Parks Fitness Series offers free fitness programming in Boston parks. Join us for both in-person and virtual classes led by certified fitness instructors.

Parks Sports and Activities

We offer free athletic programs, clinics, and camps in neighborhood parks across the City.

Programming, Activities, and Special Events in Boston's Parks

Every year the Parks Department brings engaging programs and events to parks throughout the City of Boston. Don't miss out on these free, fun events!

Host an event in a public park!

Check out Boston Parks and Recreation's new online permitting and registration system. We are proud to offer a wide range of activities and events for the whole family!

Host a Block Party!

Block parties are one of the most delightful ways to connect neighbors, build community, and have fun! Depending on what activities you want, you may need more than one permit.

Women Bike!

Our free learn-to-ride classes are led by women and are for any Boston resident who identifies as female or gender-diverse. Each participant will gain the skills and confidence to get on a bike and keep on rolling! Bikes and helmets are provided.

BPL Outdoor Spaces

We’re expanding the critical role of Boston Public Library (BPL) branches as community resource hubs.

Friday Afternoon Concerts

The Friday Afternoon Concert Series returns to Sam Adams Park this summer!

Historic Burying Grounds Initiative

The Historic Burying Grounds Initiative manages sixteen different burying grounds located in Boston.

TeenVentures

Stay connected to youth events happening across the City this summer!

Youth Summer Employment

SuccessLink

We employ Boston's youth at nonprofits, community-based organizations, and City agencies. Applications are open for 2023 Summer Youth Jobs.

BostonPIC

Students who participate in PIC work readiness activities and work closely with your PIC career specialist receive priority access to PIC Employment Opportunities for the School Year & Summer.

BCYF Lifeguard Recruitment

BCYF often has positions open for lifeguards. We offer full-time year-round and seasonal positions. If you are interested in being a lifeguard at a BCYF pool you can check out available positions in the City of Boston Career Center.

Summer safety

The Mayor’s Office, in tandem with other City of Boston Departments and constituents of the communities most impacted by community violence, will develop a comprehensive community violence prevention, intervention, recovery, and community-building framework. This framework will be implemented during the Summer of 2023, and will roll over into a year-round priority. Our framework aims to acknowledge the root causes and social determinants of violence, while also proactively intervening in conflicts to prevent violence from occurring or escalating. These programs and initiatives represent the work that City departments are currently participating in, while also highlighting the existing gaps in services that we want to address. Centering the safety and well-being of the community, we create pathways to opportunities so that all Bostonians can thrive.

Read our Summer Safety Strategy

Mosquitos and Ticks

Heading to a grassy or wooded area? Make sure to apply a repellent that will protect against mosquitoes and ticks. Mosquito bites can spread West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. Ticks can spread Lyme disease.

Bug Tips

Check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after returning indoors.
Remove attached ticks right away using tweezers.
Wear long sleeve shirts, long pants, and socks to prevent mosquito and tick bites.
Limit your time outdoors between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active at that time.

To stop mosquitoes from breeding:

Limit places around the home where standing water can collect
Turn over unused flower pots, buckets, wheelbarrows, and garbage cans
Remove leaves and other debris that can clog gutters and trap water
Remove old tires and cover swimming pools when not in use.

Extreme heat

During periods of extreme heat, we'll declare a heat emergency and open community centers as cooling centers. Please check on your neighbors and the elderly to make sure they're okay.

Watch out for those at risk

Infants, children, people age 65 and older, and the homeless are at greater risk for heat-related illness. Other high risk people are those who are physically ill or who take certain medications.