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2026 Winter Festival at Franklin Park

The Winter Festival at Franklin Park will be SNOW MUCH FUN!

February 21, 2026
Event Date2026-02-21T11:00:00 - 2026-02-21T16:00:00

 The Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Franklin Park Coalition present the 2026 Winter Festival at Franklin Park on Saturday, February 21st, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit boston.gov/winterfest for more information about this family-friendly school vacation week event.  The event is hosted in partnership with title sponsor Highland Street Foundation and contributing sponsors H.P. Hood LLC.

The free festival is open to all and offers music, giveaways, winter activities, treats, games and crafts. Featured attractions include a synthetic ice skating rink, snowman igloo bounce house and obstacle course.  Try your musical skills at Boston Music Group’s instrument ‘petting zoo.’  Enjoy the New England Revolution interactive soccer exhibit.  Meet the horses of the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit and learn about their important role in our parks. 

Additional Winter Festival at Franklin Park Activities to include:

Thursday, February 19th: Stable Tour and Snowshoeing Safari

Friday, February 20th: Horse-Of-Course

The Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse is located at 1 Circuit Drive, Dorchester MA 02121. Call (617) 635-4505 or email parks@boston.gov for more information. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, visit Boston.gov/Parks, join our email list at bit.ly/Get-Parks-Emails, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

February 21, 2026
Event Date2026-02-21T11:00:00 - 2026-02-21T16:00:00

Swan Boats Opening Day 2026

Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department are pleased to announce that the popular Boston Swan Boats will open for the 2026 season at the Boston Public Garden lagoon on Saturday, April 18, at 10 a.m.

April 18, 2026
  • 10:00am
  • 4 Charles Street
    Boston Public Garden, Lagoon
    Boston, MA 02116
  • Contact:
    Swan Boats of Boston
  • Price:
    Price
    $3.25 - $4.75
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2026-04-18T10:00:00 2026-04-18T10:00:00

For more information, please visit the Swan Boats of Boston website, call 617-522-1966, or email info@swanboats.com.

Swan Boats at the Boston Public Garden lagoon

About the Swan Boats: 

Launched in 1877 by Irish immigrant and shipbuilder Robert Paget, the Swan Boats continue to be owned and operated by the Paget family. Mr. Paget designed the Swan Boats after attending the opera Lohengrin in New York City. At the end of the opera, the hero crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan.

Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden Lagoon

2026 marks the 149th season for the Swan Boats. The oldest and smallest boat in the fleet just celebrated its 116th season, while the newest was launched in 1993. The swan on today’s boats is made from either copper or fiberglass, depending on the age of the boat, and encloses a paddle mechanism that is used to foot propel the boat through the water.

Fully loaded, each Swan Boat weighs three tons and is powered by the driver using a foot-propelled paddle wheel. The Swan Boats are built on oak framed pontoons sheathed in copper just as they were initially constructed in 1877. After being stored in a safe place for the winter, the boats are returned to the Public Garden Lagoon each spring.

Swan boat in the Public Garden filled with people.

April 18, 2026
  • 10:00am
  • 4 Charles Street
    Boston Public Garden, Lagoon
    Boston, MA 02116
  • Contact:
    Swan Boats of Boston
  • Price:
    Price
    $3.25 - $4.75
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
Event Date2026-04-18T10:00:00 2026-04-18T10:00:00
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