- First Night: 31 December – 1 January annually. Boston's New Year's Eve celebration is the oldest public New Year's Eve party in America, and has been copied by cities around the world. It's a city-wide, family-friendly arts and culture festival which starts in the late morning with child-centric events and continues with dozens of music, dance, poetry and other exhibitions through midnight, culminating in fireworks on the waterfront. Dress appropriately!
- Evacuation Day (St. Patrick's Day): 17 March annually. What the rest of America calls St. Patrick's Day, Boston calls Evacuation Day; a local holiday marking the expulsion of occupying British forces from the city. Remember to wear green, drink a beer, and wear something that says "Kiss Me I'm Irish!". Join the celebration at the huge parade held in Southie the closest Sunday.
- Patriot's Day (The Boston Marathon):. The third Monday in April, or "Marathon Monday" as locals call it, is the oldest marathon in the world. The race started in 1897 and is run on the holiday commemorating Paul Revere's famous ride in 1775. Running from Hopkinton 26.2 miles to the finish line in Copley Square, the race draws crowds of over half a million spectators. Huge parts of the city are closed for the race, so don't plan on moving around too much. The Red Sox also play a home game on Patriot's Day; ensuring every bar, pub, and watering hole is filled to capacity by noon. (date needs fixing)
- Boston Pride Parade:. The second largest event in the city after the Fourth of July. Boston's LBGT community — and everyone else — comes out for a fabulous parade from Copley Square, through the South End, to Boston Common. Many other social events are scheduled around this weekend. The Boston Pride organization dissolved itself in 2021, so the event's future is uncertain. (date needs fixing)
- Harborfest:. A family-friendly oceanfront festival during the runup to Independence Day (July 4). Check out presentations on musket technology, 18th-century chocolate making, or even argue the Stamp Act! OK, but there are pub crawls too and it's cooler than it sounds. Several specialized historical, architectural, wildlife and sightseeing tours also available by land and sea. (date needs fixing)
- Independence Day: 4 July annually. A host of events occur throughout the day culminating in fireworks and a Boston Pops concert on the Esplanade. Many roads close and trains are packed to bursting, as close to a million spectators try to squeeze along the banks of the Charles River. For a "Boston" take on this national holiday, head over to the Old State House during the day. Here you can listen as the Declaration of Independence is read in its entirety from the main balcony, just as it has been every year since 1776.
- St. Anthony's Feast:. A religious festival taking place in the Italian North End neighborhood on the last Sunday of August. Patron Saint of the poor, St Anthony is also known as the "Saint of Miracles" and the finder of lost articles. This feast includes plenty of food, games, music, and of course a parade down Hanover Street. (date needs fixing)
- Allston Christmas: 31 August – 1 September annually. This very unofficial holiday commemorates the annual "changing of the leases", as students across the city switch apartments. Picture tens of thousands of young people simultaneously renting moving trucks, and carting everything they own a half mile down the road. Whatever didn't fit in the truck goes on the street. Check out the curbs in densely populated student neighborhoods to find everything from furniture and kitchenware, to clothing or even food! The city's DPW works all day and night to keep up with the chaos.
- Head of the Charles Regatta:. Mid-October. Thousands of rowers come together from around the globe for two days of competition in one of the world's largest regattas. Get there before 8AM to see the first sculls run. The course is on the Charles River between Cambridge and Allston, it can take about an hour to walk the three-mile course. Take the T to Harvard, Central, or any Boston University stop. (date needs fixing)
Boston travel guide
Plan a trip to Boston, United States — things to do, where to stay, food, transport, and local tips.
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Stays in Boston
Hotellook
Compare hotels and apartments in Boston — neighbourhood vibe, price, and walkability in one search.
- Stay near a metro line if you plan museum-hopping days.
- Read recent reviews for noise — central streets can be loud at night.
- Flexible cancellation helps when flight times shift.
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Flights in Boston
Aviasales
Find flights into Boston and compare fares across airlines in one place.
- Compare nearby airports — sometimes a short train ride beats a pricey hub.
- Midweek departures are often cheaper than Friday/Sunday peaks.
- Set a flexible ±3 day search when your dates can move.
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Experiences in Boston
Klook
Tours, food walks, day trips and city activities around Boston — book ahead and skip the guesswork.
- Book popular tours early in peak season — small-group slots go first.
- Day trips often include hotel pickup; check the meeting point.
- Look for free-cancellation options if the weather looks unstable.
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Tickets in Boston
Tiqets
Skip lines and grab attraction tickets for Boston — museums, landmarks, and city passes.
- Book popular museums and towers ahead — timed slots sell out on weekends.
- Mobile tickets are usually scanned at the gate; keep offline screenshots as backup.
- Combo passes can be cheaper when you plan 2–3 big sights in one day.
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Transfers in Boston
Kiwitaxi
Private airport and city transfers for Boston — fixed price, driver waiting for you.
- Pre-book airport transfers when landing late or with heavy luggage.
- Meet-and-greet at arrivals beats hunting taxis after a long flight.
- Confirm child seats / extra stops when you reserve.
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Cars in Boston
GetRentacar
Rent a car around Boston for day trips and countryside — flexible pickup options.
- Compare full-to-full fuel policies — they save hassle at return.
- Check congestion / limited-traffic zones before driving into historic centres.
- Book early for weekends and holidays; automatic cars go first.
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eSIM in Boston
Yesim
Travel eSIM data for visiting Boston — online as soon as you land, no kiosk queues.
- Install the eSIM before you fly; activate on landing.
- Confirm your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
- Keep a small local SIM as backup if you need a local number for calls.