Published July 2, 2010
Yep, it's officially fireworks season. (Craig Stevens/Flickr)
Fourth of July: the big kahuna of summer weekends. Wondering where to watch the fireworks, get the best chowdah or celebrate America’s favorite pastime? We have you covered, whether you want a classic or a contemporary Fourth. (And don’t forget about your Monday off.)
EAT
Mmm, chowdah. (Willy Volk/Flickr)
- Friday, July 2, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- East Boston (tour leaves from Long Wharf)
- $30-$45
Step off the beaten path of barbecues and kick off your weekend with a culinary tour of East Boston. Vietnamese, Italian, Latin — you name it, and there’s a stop on the tour that will blow your preconceptions of what you can eat in East Boston out of the water.
- Monday, July 5, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- City Hall Plaza
- Adults $10, children $7
Indulge in as much of this creamy Boston classic as you can stomach as seven of the cities’ best restaurants go head to head to determine whose chowdah (yeah, you just have to spell it that way) is Hall of Fame-worthy. The Chart House will be on hand spooning out their winning recipe and trying not to make everyone else look bad. Bread bowls optional.
DO
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
- Sunday, July 4, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. (Fireworks start at 10:30 p.m.)
- The Hatch Shell
Boston is pretty much required to host the best 4th of July fireworks — after all, we’re as historic and all-American as it gets (sorry, Washington). Touted as “the premier Independence Day celebration in the nation,” the all-day-long extravaganza features the always-inspiring performance of the National Anthem and 1812 Overture and of course, breathtaking fireworks.
- Sunday, July 4, 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- UMass Amherst playing fields
For those of you looking for MORE 4th of July fun than just fireworks, Amherst is hosting a full-out carnival, featuring face painting, field races and pie-eating competitions.
Doesn't get much more American than a trip to Fenway. (Kingdafy/Flickr)
Boston Red Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles
- Friday, July 2, 7:10 p.m.
- Fenway Park
- $41 and up
A lemonade, some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, and America’s favorite game: What better way to kick off Independence day weekend than at Fenway? Root, root, root for the home team as the Sox face off against the Orioles for the first game of their series. Get tickets here.
- Saturday, July 3, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Boston Common, Parkman Bandstand
Some of the beautiful handmade crafts available at last year's Cultural Survival bazaar. (Dr. Momentum/Flickr)
Cultural Survival is a non-profit organization based in Cambridge dedicated to helping indigenous peoples make their voices heard through letter writing, campaigning, education and bazaars like this one. Learn more about America’s first inhabitants, meet local indigenous artisans, and learn about their homemade crafts and the many projects that each sale supports. There will also be Thai food and live music.
LISTEN
Almost The Fourth! Boat Cruise and Concert
- Saturday, July 3, 6:30 p.m.
- The Esplanade
- $225
It may be worth the dough to beat the crowds and get a sneak peak of the big Fourth event. The night includes a cruise on the Charles River, barbecue dinner and reserved seats in front of the Hatch Shell to see Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Orchestra. As those MasterCard commercials go: No fighting for blanket space? Priceless.
- Friday, July 2, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The MFA is the new (free) place to be Friday nights. (Lorianne DiSabato/Flickr)
- Calderwood Courtyard, Museum of Fine Arts
Summer in the city means a rush of free alfresco movies and music, and the Museum of Fine Arts is jumping in on the fun. This series by the MFA kicks off with DJ Denise LaCarubba.
SEE
- Thursday, July 1, to Monday, July 5, various times
- Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper St. (and other galleries)
Rest your eyes on something a little less explosive than fireworks at the five-day long celebration of fine art in Marblehead. Take in mixed-media collages, paintings and sketches at any of the festival’s four venues, check out the film fest, or drive around town on Friday and watch local artists paint impromptu canvases to be displayed on Saturday morning at the Marblehead Arts Association.
- June 29 to Monday, July 5, various times
- Faneuil Hall, Charleston Navy Yard, and other locations
Get out your starched whites and sea legs. The Navy is in Boston through Monday, bringing a healthy dose of patriotism to the tune of Navy bands, military gun drills and parades.
- Friday, July 2, to Monday, July 5, various show times
- Northeastern University Columbus Ave. Parking Lot, Columbus Ave. & Melnea Cass at Ruggles T Station
- $16.50 to $25
Interact with the circus in a way that doesn’t require running away to join it. All weekend long, UniverSoul brings their unique Cirque de Soleil-esque brand of jaw-dropping performance to Northeastern. That parking lot has probably never gotten this cool a visitor.
Don’t know where to go? Here’s a map for directions to all the events listed here.
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