Join the City of Boston and friends to celebrate and experience the power of play on Tuesday, June 11, the first International Day of Play! 

This family-friendly event is free and open to the public. Guests will be able to celebrate and experience the power of play! 

 The day will be filled with sports, biking, board games, bubbles, ping pong, arts and crafts, dance and music, and many more fun powerful play opportunities. Flyer is available in multiple languages! 

Community partners that will be celebrating with us at City Hall Plaza:

International Day of Play celebrations beyond City Hall Plaza, include: 

• YMCA Boston Early Education Center is hosting a "Stay and Play Day" at each center, for families to read or participate in other activities at the center. This event is only open to YMCA families. 
• Boston Children's Hospital Main Campus will offer opportunities for play at the Hale Center for Families, live programs at the Ryan Seacrest Studio, music therapy group play activities, an “Open Studio" by the Art team, and gaming opportunities by the Tech Team.  These events are only open to Boston Children Hospital Patients and their Families. 
• Active Kids/Active Minds Quincy is hosting an obstacle course at Josiah Quincy Elementary School which aims to promote health, wellness, and fun for students. This event is only open to Josiah Quincy Elementary School. 
• Playworks is hosting various on-site activities at Boston Public School (BPS) partner schools. These events are only open to BPS.

• Horizons for Homeless Children will send trauma-informed mindfulness kits to children living in shelters throughout Massachusetts to be opened and used beginning on June 11^th. These kits are an essential tool for helping children navigate the challenges of managing big emotions through play.

In our society, there is often no space for marginalized people to tell their stories. Reclaiming Folk seeks to make space for musicians of color to tell their stories and tell the stories of our past, so that our future can be a more inclusive place for all. 

We are Reclaiming Folk because history has forgotten that people of color have always been at the root of American folk music. From field calls to blues to gospel, the origin of American folk music is connected to people of color.

This 90 minute program includes a 60 minute performance by three Massachusetts based folk artists of color—Naomi Westwater, Pamela Means, and Kim Moberg—singing songs in the round. Each musician will play original songs and one traditional folk song by a musician of color. Following the performance will be a 30 minute talk back—moderated by Boston Poet Laureate Porsha Olayiwola, who will also read a poem—where the musicians will talk about their songs and their experience as folk musicians. There will be time for audience Q&A.

WBUR and WERS are media partners for the Mayor's Office of Arts & Culture's 2024 event season. 

We will focus on picking up trash and improving growing conditions for beautiful wildflowers. There will be opportunities to learn more about Willowwood Rock and how we can work together to help this special place remain healthy for all.

No experience necessary! Urban Wilds staff will provide all necessary tools and instruction.

Rain date Saturday May 18, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Please register here.