Join us for a full day of activities for kids and families in Downtown Boston! We can’t wait to welcome our partners to Color Flows on Winter Street:

DOGGONE HALLOWEEN PET PARADE

Come to Downtown Crossing for Boston's most beloved Halloween dog costume parade, hosted by the Downtown Boston Alliance! There will be a dog-themed vendor village, a photo booth, face painting, free treats for all, and more! There will be grand prizes for winners of: Best Costume, Cutest Costume, Scariest Costume, Best Dog and Human Duo, Best Dog and Child Duo.

BOSTON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

Stop by the Boston Children’s Museum table for giveaways, games, and to learn how you can get free admission to Boston’s leading cultural institutions through Boston Family Days.

CHOWDERFEST

The annual Chowderfest from Conventures, Inc. features unique takes on the iconic New England dish and culminates in a public vote to select the fan favorite!

ABOUT COLOR FLOWS ON WINTER STREET

This fall, Winter Street is coming alive with Color Flows, a six-week, family-friendly street transformation that will create a vibrant, welcoming space within the heart of Downtown. Color Flows is part of the City of Boston’s broader effort to reimagine how our streets and pedestrian zones can be safer, more engaging, and more enjoyable for all.  

Select Markets is bringing 50 vendors to Downtown Boston in collaboration with the City of Boston and the Downtown Boston Alliance as part of Color Flows on Winter Street! Come check out what Boston’s fashion designers, curators, and small businesses have to offer while enjoying a bite from the food truck line up and beats by local DJs.

ABOUT SELECT MARKETS

Select is more than a market. It's a community. Founded in 2023 to bring more curated and lively experiences to Boston's youth, Select Markets blends fashion, music, and culture into immersive monthly events that draw up to 8,000 people at a time.

ABOUT COLOR FLOWS ON WINTER STREET

This fall, Winter Street is coming alive with Color Flows, a six-week, family-friendly street transformation that will create a vibrant, welcoming space within the heart of Downtown. Color Flows is part of the City of Boston’s broader effort to reimagine how our streets and pedestrian zones can be safer, more engaging, and more enjoyable for all.  

Launched in 2012 by Welcoming America and its members, Welcoming Week provides individuals and organizations with the opportunity to showcase their values through events and initiatives that foster connections and collaboration between immigrants and non-immigrants, as well as belonging for all.

Welcoming Week 2025 takes place from September 12 to 21. Every year, communities around the globe celebrate Welcoming Week by hosting local events that foster deeper understanding and connection among neighbors. This week-long campaign builds the awareness and energy that’s needed to sustain year-long welcoming efforts.

MOIA is proud to host Welcoming Week in Boston! Join one of its activations and share your story as part of the “Stories We Share” theme: 

• The Embrace Massó "¡Con Salsa!”, International Music Festival - September 13 in Boston Common
• Open Streets Dorchester - September 14, on Dorchester Avenue
• City Hall outdoor gallery - September 16, at City Hall Plaza
• Latinx Heritage Night - September 18, at the Museum of Fine Arts (use code CE-CC8RED to register)
• Market on a Mission Day - September 20, at the Boston Public Market

Follow MOIA on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay tuned about all the activations and get your stories reshared by using the hashtag #WelcomingWeekBoston! 

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is hosting the City’s two Ready Boston Field Days the first on September 13, 2025 at Walker Playground ( 550 Norfolk St, Mattapan, MA 02126) and the second on October 09, 2025 at City Hall Plaza ( 1 City Hall Sq, Boston, MA 02201). These family friendly events are open to all!   

• Learn CPR and first aid from Boston Emergency Medical Services through demonstrations and practice sessions.
• Get fire-safety tips from the Boston Fire Department.
• Participate in an emergency exercise with public safety professionals.
• Get an inside look at emergency vehicles: SWAT vehicles, ambulances, police cruisers, fire trucks, emergency management vehicles, and more.
• Build an emergency kit to help you and your family prepare for an emergency.
• Play preparedness games and collect giveaways!

Boston After Dark promotes youth summer safety by creating safe and fun spaces for teens (14-18 year olds) on Friday evenings throughout the summer. The goal is to activate spaces across Boston’s neighborhoods in collaboration with BCYF and YMCA centers. Past events included basketball tournaments, paint nights, pool parties, movie nights, and more. All events include free food, merch giveaways, and a live DJ - don't miss out on the fun this summer season! 

At Youth Fest! 2025, youth employees across the City’s Summer Youth Jobs Program are invited to celebrate the end of the summer in this culminating event. The showcase, which highlights the artistic, musical, and cultural talents of Boston young people employed in the summer youth program, will take place this year at the City of Boston’s City Hall Plaza. futureBOS partners, youth, and young adults from across the city are invited to attend this celebratory showcase to conclude the summer youth jobs experience.

Youth Fest! 2025 will take place on Wednesday, August 13 and will include:

• Signature Youth Performances from the Boston Music Project and SuccessLink
• Headline Performances
• Featured Youth Visual Artists, Jewelers, and Crafts People
• House DJ (Pro) 
• Youth DJs 
• A celebration that includes youth employed at over 200 local non-profit and city agency partnership sites

 *Rain Date - Thursday, August 15th