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Annual Army-Navy Football Game

Please join us at the Fifth Annual Arm-Navy football game on Saturday, December 5, 2026.

December 5, 2026
Event Date2026-12-05T11:00:00 - 2026-12-05T14:00:00

This game is an opportunity for the Army and Navy to get together to show the community that they are not only soldiers and sailors defending our country, but also part of the fabric of our community.

This location of the game is Barry Field, at 190 Chelsea St. in Charlestown.

Come meet our soldiers and sailors.

December 5, 2026
Event Date2026-12-05T11:00:00 - 2026-12-05T14:00:00

Parks Fitness: Walking Group with Brandy

Participate in FREE fitness classes offered by one of our certified instructors. Our classes are a partnership between the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Public Health Commission. The series is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

October 17, 2026
  • 8:00am - 9:00am
    Repeats weekly on Saturday, starting from September 19, 2026, until October 17, 2026
  • Wiiliam J. Devine Golf Clubhouse
    1 Circuit Drive
    Dorchester, MA
  • Contact:
    Jennifer Misiaszek
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Dorchester
  • Published Date
Event Date2026-10-17T08:00:00 - 2026-11-14T09:00:00

Get moving, boost your energy, and make new friends with our fun outdoor walking program at Franklin Park! Enjoy a brisk walk that strengthens your body, improves endurance, and keeps you motivated.

Click the link below to sign up for the class on Eventbrite. This will allow you to add it to your calendar and receive updates if there are changes or cancellations due to the weather.

Register here

October 17, 2026
  • 8:00am - 9:00am
    Repeats weekly on Saturday, starting from September 19, 2026, until October 17, 2026
  • Wiiliam J. Devine Golf Clubhouse
    1 Circuit Drive
    Dorchester, MA
  • Contact:
    Jennifer Misiaszek
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Dorchester
  • Published Date
Event Date2026-10-17T08:00:00 - 2026-11-14T09:00:00

Parks Fitness: Tai Chi with Joe

Participate in FREE fitness classes offered by one of our certified instructors. Our classes are a partnership between the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Boston Public Health Commission. The series is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

September 13, 2026
  • 10:00am - 11:00am
    Repeats weekly on Sunday, starting from September 13, 2026, until October 11, 2026
  • Titus Sparrow Park
    75 West Rutland Square
    South End, MA
  • Contact:
    Jennifer Misiaszek
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    South End
  • Published Date
Event Date2026-09-13T10:00:00 - 2026-10-11T11:00:00

Tai Chi, an ancient Chinese martial art, is used as a slow-moving exercise to achieve relaxation and stress reduction. Tai Chi offers benefits for the body, mind and spirit.

Click the link below to sign up for the class on Eventbrite. This will allow you to add it to your calendar and receive updates if there are changes or cancellations due to the weather.

Register here

September 13, 2026
  • 10:00am - 11:00am
    Repeats weekly on Sunday, starting from September 13, 2026, until October 11, 2026
  • Titus Sparrow Park
    75 West Rutland Square
    South End, MA
  • Contact:
    Jennifer Misiaszek
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    South End
  • Published Date
Event Date2026-09-13T10:00:00 - 2026-10-11T11:00:00

2026 Golf Course Concert Series: Katherine Winston

Enjoy live music on the patio at one of the City's golf courses.

August 12, 2026
Event Date2026-08-12T18:00:00 - 2026-08-12T20:00:00

The Golf Course Concert Series is part of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkARTS program. They are held in July and August. Shows begin at 6 p.m.

About Katherine Winston: 

Whether you discovered her on Season 14 of American Idol, in a club across the country, or in an intimate listening room, Katherine leaves a lasting impression with every impassioned melody and heartfelt lyric.  Wherever you may hear Katherine, you can expect a genre-bending sound pulling influences from indie-pop, country, rock and folk music.  Her album, Something Special, Nothing Fancy is out and available everywhere now!

Learn more about Katherine Winston

August 12, 2026
Event Date2026-08-12T18:00:00 - 2026-08-12T20:00:00

Hike Boston: Allandale Woods

Hike Boston is our series where we invite you to join us for a walk, hike, or interpretive program in one of Boston's parks or urban wilds.

May 7, 2026
Event Date2026-05-07T14:30:00 - 2026-05-07T15:30:00

Boston Park Rangers, Urban Wilds staff, and Parks employees will provide formal and informal discussions or tours during the hikes. Some hikes may be more focused on taking a walk in the park, while others may be more informational.

A good old fashioned hike in Allandale Woods.

For more information visit the Hike Boston home page.

May 7, 2026
Event Date2026-05-07T14:30:00 - 2026-05-07T15:30:00

Boston Veterans Parade

We're honoring the service and sacrifices of all who have served and those who continue to serve. The parade starts at 12 - 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

November 7, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Boston Public Library located on Boylston Street and marching to the corner of Park and Tremont St to 1 City Hall Plaza
    Boston , MA 02114
  • Contact:
    Veterans Services
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
  • Downloads:
Event Date2026-11-07T12:00:00 - 2026-11-07T15:00:00

The Parade will begin at Boston Public Library located on Boylston Street and marching to the corner of Park and Tremont St and end at 1 City Hall Plaza. This is a new and exciting parade designed to honor the service and sacrifice of veterans and their families, as well as a thank you to all who continue to serve. We are seeking veteran, military, and civic organizations as well as musical groups to headline this all-star salute to service. 

If your organization would like to participate, please click on the register link. 

If you have any questions, please email veterans@boston.gov.

Map of the parade route

 

November 7, 2026
  • 12:00pm - 3:00pm
  • Boston Public Library located on Boylston Street and marching to the corner of Park and Tremont St to 1 City Hall Plaza
    Boston , MA 02114
  • Contact:
    Veterans Services
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
  • Published Date
  • Downloads:
Event Date2026-11-07T12:00:00 - 2026-11-07T15:00:00

Map of the parade route

Veterans Parade Graphic

2026 Boston's Official Holiday Tree Arrival

The annual gift of an evergreen Christmas tree from Nova Scotia is scheduled to arrive by police escort at Boston Common at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24.

November 24, 2026
Event Date2026-11-24T11:00:00 - 2026-11-24T12:00:00

This is the 55th year that a tree has been donated and commemorates 109 years of friendship with Nova Scotia after the people of Boston provided emergency assistance when Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital, was devastated by a maritime munitions explosion in the harbor in 1917. The first Tree for Boston was donated in 1971 by Joseph Slauenwhite from Lunenburg County.

Visit the Nova Scotia Tree page and Boston's Parks page for more information on the Tree for Boston, and follow our social channels to stay up to date with all the holiday lighting events: Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

November 24, 2026
Event Date2026-11-24T11:00:00 - 2026-11-24T12:00:00

2026 Copley Square Tree Lighting

Please join us in celebrating the grand reopening of Copley Square Park and our annual tree lighting.

November 30, 2026
Event Date2026-11-30T17:00:00 - 2026-11-30T18:00:00

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, November 30, presented in partnership with the Friends of Copley Square, BXP and Fairmont Copley Plaza.

This free event is sponsored by H.P. Hood LLC with additional support from Drake’s Cakes. The celebration will feature arts & crafts, appearances by Santa Claus and Rudolph along with musical performances by vocalist Julia Chisholm, the Boston Children’s Chorus and Rey Royale. After the event attendees are invited to enjoy cookies and pictures with Santa in Fairmont Copley Plaza at 6 p.m.

Other 2026 holiday celebrations hosted by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department include the 24th annual holiday lighting of the trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End on November 23, the lighting of the ship in Martin’s Park at the Children’s Wharf Harborwalk on November 28, and the Boston Common Tree Lighting followed by the lighting of the trees on Commonwealth Avenue Mall on December 3.

The arrival of Boston’s official 2026 Christmas tree from Nova Scotia will be celebrated on Boston Common at approximately 11 a.m. on November 24. The 2026 Tree for Boston is a 46-foot-tall white spruce donated by Henry and Pat Knol of East Amherst in Cumberland Country, Nova Scotia. 

Visit the tree lighting events page or call 617-635-4505 for more information. To stay up to date with news, park improvements, and events, sign up for our email list and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky.

November 30, 2026
Event Date2026-11-30T17:00:00 - 2026-11-30T18:00:00

2026 Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park

Help spread the holiday cheer by joining the City of Boston, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park for our annual trellis lighting in the North End's Christopher Columbus Park!

November 23, 2026
Event Date2026-11-23T17:00:00 - 2026-11-23T18:00:00

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park will host the 24th annual holiday lighting of the signature trellis at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End.

Boston’s historic waterfront, will be transformed into a beautiful holiday display when the park’s 260 feet of trellis are illuminated with lights near the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel and throughout the park. 

Other festive activities include: 

  • Musical performances by NEMPAC and Pitch Perfect
  • Special guest appearance from Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer 
  • Eggnog from H.P. Hood
  • Hot chocolate and cookies from the Boston Marriott Long Wharf
  • Clam Chowder courtesy of Joe's Waterfront

The celebration is sponsored by H.P. Hood LLC and the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park.  Additional support is provided by Meet Boston.

Visit the Parks events page or call (617) 635-4505 for more information.

November 23, 2026
Event Date2026-11-23T17:00:00 - 2026-11-23T18:00:00

Boston Common Tree Lighting

The City of Boston together with the Province of Nova Scotia invite you to the 85th annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common on Thursday, December 3.

December 3, 2026
Event Date2026-12-03T18:00:00 - 2026-12-03T20:00:00

Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and The Province of Nova Scotia will host Boston’s signature holiday celebration, the 84th annual Boston Common Tree Lighting, on Thursday, December 3, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Boston Common, adjacent to the Visitor’s Information Center at 139 Tremont Street. Mayor Wu will be joined by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, marking the 55th year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917 explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor. Within 24 hours of the disaster, a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel traveled from Boston to Nova Scotia to aid in recovery efforts.

At approximately 8:15 p.m., immediately following the celebration on the Boston Common, Mayor Wu will join the Friends of the Public Garden and the Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall to flip the switch to light up Commonwealth Avenue Mall in the Back Bay. The lights on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall will be lit from Arlington Street to Charlesgate.

Please call (617) 635-4505 or visit boston.gov/boston-common-tree-lighting for more information about the festivities. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call 617-635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.

December 3, 2026
Event Date2026-12-03T18:00:00 - 2026-12-03T20:00:00

Why partner with us?

Align your brand with one of Boston’s most meaningful and widely viewed seasonal events.

  • Support a cherished community tradition
  • Gain valuable visibility
  • Enjoy a tax-deductible contribution
  • Engage with thousands of families, Bostonians, and New England viewers

Be a part of this historic celebration. Partner with the Boston Parks to help spread the magic of the season.

Contact us today to explore sponsorship packages and benefits.

 

Sponsor by check

Please join us in keeping this iconic tradition shining bright in America’s oldest public park. We are counting on your partnership to help us reach our goal.

Donations

Please make your check payable to the Fund for Parks and Recreation. You can mail the sponsorship form and your check to:

Maureen McQuillen, Events and Development Director

1010 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd floor, Boston, MA 02118

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