Boston University

07/02/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/03/2024 01:53

Great Picks for Celebrating the Fourth in the City

Great Picks for Celebrating the Fourth in the City

Your 2024 guide to parades, fireworks, and other fun-filled Independence Day festivities

The grand finale of the Boston Pops Fourth of July concert lights up the Charles River with a spectacular display. This year marks the display's 50th anniversary. Photo by Michael Blanchard

Things-to-do

Great Picks for Celebrating the Fourth in the City

Your 2024 guide to parades, fireworks, and other fun-filled Independence Day festivities

July 2, 2024
0
TwitterFacebook

As Boston gears up to celebrate America's 248th birthday, the city is alive with patriotism and excitement. This Fourth of July weekend, dive into a wide array of festivities marking Boston's role in the founding of our country. Start with historical reenactments at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, explore the Freedom Trail on a guided tour to relive the Revolutionary War, and enjoy live music, captivating performances, and family-friendly activities throughout the city. Last, don't miss the spectacular annual fireworks display over the Charles River.

Check out our comprehensive guide to celebrating America's birthday, Boston-style, and make the most of this patriotic holiday.

Boston Harborfest

Harborfest kicked off on July 1 and runs through the 4th, filling downtown Boston with days of patriotic celebration and hundreds of activities at iconic historic landmarks.

Enjoy the annual parade in Downtown Crossing, historical reenactments, live musical entertainment, Freedom Trail tours, the U.S. Navy Week, and Macy's All-American Fashion Show. Many events are free, making it a family-friendly way to celebrate the Fourth of July.

The 42nd annual Boston Harborfest runs through Thursday, July 4. Check out a complete list of free and paid events here.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Voted the best patriotic attraction by USA Today, the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum offers an immersive experience of the 1773 Boston Tea Party. Begin your tour in the museum's Meeting House, where a costumed guide portraying Samuel Adams sets the revolutionary scene. Aboard replicas of 18th-century ships, you can relive the historic event by throwing tea overboard. Witness a 3D reenactment of the ensuing debate between a Patriot and a Loyalist at Griffin's Wharf. Don't miss seeing the original tea chest, which traces its journey from China to Boston Harbor over two centuries ago.

For refreshments, visit Abigail's Tea Room & Terrace, where you can enjoy some of the original teas thrown into the harbor in 1773, along with a selection of freshly baked goods. Open to the public, the tea room does not require a general admission ticket.

The Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm at 306 Congress St., Boston. General admission tickets range from $35 to $40 for adults and $25 for children. Buy tickets here.

Boston Navy Week

Running through July 7, Boston Navy Week is a unique opportunity to meet members of the US Navy during special events and activities. This is the first time since 2012 that Boston and surrounding communities will host Navy Week, bringing between 50 and 75 sailors on shore. Each day, you can attend STEM presentations, fitness demonstrations, and learn about the history of the US Navy.

In addition to the Navy Week events, the USS Constitution Museum will host activities like mini-golf, cannon drills, and a tattoo program, where you can learn about sailors' tattoos and get a temporary one yourself. The National Park Service will offer activities at the Charlestown Navy Yard, including a chance to explore the USS Cassin Young and engage with the Navy Dive Team on July 3 and 4.

Boston Navy Week runs through July 7. The events are free. Find more information here.

Thursday, July 4

Flag-Raising Ceremony and Parade

Kick off the most patriotic day of the year bright and early at City Hall Plaza with the city's flag raising ceremony and parade at 9 am. From there, the parade proceeds past the Granary Burial Ground, where wreaths are placed on the graves of Patriots. The parade makes its way through Downtown Crossing before ending at the Old State House.

The ceremony and parade are free. To get there, take an MBTA Green Line trolley to Government Center.

Declaration of Independence Reading

After following the parade to the Old State House, stick around to be reminded of our country's historic beginnings with a reading of the Declaration of Independence, which will be read from the balcony just as it was on July 18, 1776, when Bostonians heard it for the first time.

The Declaration of Independence reading is July 4 at 10 am at the Old State House, 206 Washington St., Boston. It is free and open to the public. Take the MBTA Green Line trolley to Government Center and walk to Washington Street.

Reading of Frederick Douglass' "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?"
One Franklin St.

Head to the Steps at Downtown Crossing to listen to the powerful words of one of the most influential African Americans of the 19th century, Frederick Douglass. A former slave, Douglass delivered the speech "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" on July 5, 1852. It questions the idea of independence in a country plagued by racial injustice. The reading will be accompanied by the sounds of African drums, dance, and gospel music. After the reading, enjoy a free ice cream social and explore a lively marketplace. This program is made possible by a grant from Mass Humanities through the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

The reading of "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" is July 4 at 1:30 pm at the Steps at Downtown Crossing, One Franklin St., Boston. Find more information here.

Walk the Freedom Trail

Immerse yourself in America's fight for independence by embarking on a tour of the Freedom Trail, led by guides dressed in 18th-century costumes. These 90-minute "Walk Into History" tours take you along a one-mile trail, showcasing parks, museums, churches, and meeting houses that highlight Boston's Revolutionary War connections. Experience the tales of iconic patriots like John Hancock and Paul Revere and uncover the stories of lesser-known historical figures. Delve into major events such as the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre.

Tours depart from the Boston Common Visitors Center and the BosTix kiosk next to Faneuil Hall; find directions here. Admission ranges from $8 to $14, and tickets can be purchased online. Book your tickets here.

USS Constitution Turnaround

Celebrating Independence Day, the USS Constitution, famously known as "Old Ironsides," embarks on her traditional yearly turnaround cruise across Boston Harbor. Launched in 1797, this 204-foot vessel holds the distinction of being the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. Photo via iStock/shananies

For history buffs, watch the world's oldest active warship come alive on her annual turnaround cruise in Boston Harbor. Affectionately known as "Old Ironsides," this 204-foot-long vessel was launched in 1797. The ship will depart from the Charlestown Navy Yard around 10 am, sailing towards Fort Independence on Castle Island. The ship will fire a 21-gun salute around 11 am at Castle Island.

The Turnaround begins at 10 am at the Charlestown Navy Yard. To reach the Charlestown Navy Yard, take an MBTA Green Line trolley to Haymarket, then transfer to the MBTA 93 bus from Congress St. @ Haymarket St. to Chelsea St. @ Fifth St.

The 50th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular

In the evening, celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Fireworks Spectacular with the Boston Pops Orchestra. The beloved event intertwining music and celebration returns to the Hatch Shell on the Charles River Esplanade from 8 to 11 pm. Conducted by Keith Lockhart (Hon.'04), the event features performances by Tony Award-winner Kelli O'Hara, The Mavericks, Darlene Love, and the Singing Sergeants from the United States Air Force Band. The 2024 celebration will include patriotic favorites, culminating with Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture and a fireworks display over the Charles River at 10:30 pm.

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular concert begins at 8 pm, with fireworks at 10:30 pm, at the Hatch Memorial Shell, 47 David G. Mugar Way, and is free and open to the public.Find information on directions and parking here.

Note: plan to arrive early. Gates open at noon and space is expected to fill quickly. Security will be tight; find a list of banned and allowable items and other security details here.

Explore Related Topics:

  • Share this story
  • 0CommentsAdd

Share

Great Picks for Celebrating the Fourth in the City

Copy URL:Copy

  • Gia Shin (COM'27)

    Gia Shin (COM'27) Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

Post a comment. Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.Required fields are marked *

Comment*view guidelines
Name *
Email *
Submit Comment

Latest from BU Today