Boston Harborfest & Fireworks 2026

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Dates:	Thursday, July 2, 2026 - Saturday, July 4, 2026
Hours:	9:00am - 9:00pm
Ages:	Infants, Toddlers, Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Cost:	Free see below
Category:	Holiday

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and there’s nowhere better to celebrate than in the Cradle of Liberty.

History will come alive this summer as Boston celebrates its pivotal role in the founding of the United States, and we can’t wait to honor the past while looking forward to our country’s bright future.

Boston Harborfest is a proud tradition celebrating Boston’s maritime and revolutionary history.

With hundreds of activities over Independence Day weekend at Boston’s most iconic historic landmarks, this family-friendly event is one of the country’s largest Fourth of July festivals.

The festivities begin Thursday, July 2 at 12:00 p.m. in Downtown Boston with an official Harborfest kick-off, cake-cutting, and salute. Music, re-enactors, and events will fill Boston that afternoon and the following three days, with activity centered in Downtown Crossing, Christopher Columbus Park, and on Boston Harbor.

Popular Activities include the annual opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, historical reenactments, arts market, live musical entertainment, fireworks, and much more!

🌟 What’s New for 2026?
🚢 USS Donald Cook Ship Tours: Tour a U.S. Navy destroyer docked at the Black Falcon Cruise Terminal on July 2, 3, and 5 (10:00 AM – 3:00 PM).

🎶 Expanded Live Music: More performances from local bands and the U.S. Navy Band Northeast at Christopher Columbus Park.

🔊 More Entertainment: Extended set times, fashion shows, reenactors, and detailed historical programming.

📅 Thursday, July 2
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
USS Donald Cook Public Ship Tours
Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, South Boston
Tour the vessel and meet the crew.

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Harborfest Kick-Off Ceremony
Summer Street Stage at Downtown Crossing
Public officials, ceremonial cake cutting, giveaways, USS Constitution crew, and live music by the Middlesex County Volunteers Fife & Drum.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Fife and Drum Showcase
The Steps at Downtown Crossing
Performances by Middlesex County Volunteers, William Diamond Junior Corps, and The Sudbury Ancients.

12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Reenactors & DTX Live Entertainment
Downtown Crossing & Summer Street Stage
Live music and historical reenactors roam the streets.

1:00 PM & 4:00 PM
U.S. Army Band Performances
Franklin Steps

2:00 PM
Macy’s Great American Fashion Show
Macy’s Downtown Crossing
Summer style and fashion in a signature Harborfest event.

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Harborfest at Christopher Columbus Park
Performances by Rob Thackery & The Lighthouse Route Band, Hill House the Band, and S and R. Includes family activities and games.

2:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Re-Enactors & Live Entertainment
Summer Street Stage
Live acts including Soul Amazing, Maddi Ryan, and The Femmes.

4:00 PM
Downtown Boston Beer Garden Opens
Summer Street Plaza (21+)

7:45 PM – 9:15 PM
Pre-Fireworks Concert: U.S. Navy Band Northeast
Christopher Columbus Park

9:15 PM
Harborfest Fireworks
Boston Inner Harbor (viewable from Long Wharf & waterfront areas)

📅 Friday, July 3
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
USS Donald Cook Public Ship Tours
Black Falcon Cruise Terminal

12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Salute to the U.S. Army 250th
The Steps at Downtown Crossing
Music from the 215th Army Band and special guests including Unlikely Strummers.

12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Reenactors & Live Entertainment
Summer Street Stage
Performers include Unlikely Strummers, Lucky 13, and others.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Macy’s Great American Fashion Show
Summer Street Stage

2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Harborfest at Christopher Columbus Park
Live music from Sweet Harmony, Hill House the Band, and S and R. Includes children's activities.

2:00 PM
Downtown Boston Beer Garden Opens

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Shore Leave Block Party
Summer Street Stage
Live music from Soul of Boston.

7:00 PM
Revelry on Griffin’s Wharf (Ticketed Event)
Link: Revelry Event Details

📅 Saturday, July 4
9:00 AM
City of Boston’s 249th Independence Day Parade
City Hall → Granary Burial Ground → Old State House

10:00 AM
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Old State House Balcony

10:30 AM
Annual Oration
Faneuil Hall

11:00 AM
USS Constitution Turnaround Sail
Boston Harbor, with 21-gun salute at Fort Independence

12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
DTX Entertainment & Activities

12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums Concert
Downtown Crossing

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Christopher Columbus Park Music & Family Activities
1:00 – Sons of Levin
3:00 & 5:00 – Boston Music Project
Face painting, balloon art, and carousel access.

1:00 PM
Frederick Douglass Reading & Ice Cream Social
Community celebration of Douglass’s historic speech

8:00pm – 11:00pm
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
Hatch Shell on the Esplanade
Featuring Boston Pops, Darlene Love, Kelli O’Hara, and The Mavericks.
More info: Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular

For the most current updates, visit the official Harborfest schedule.
Explore more family-friendly ideas in our July Events Guide and Outdoor Activities List.

View the full list of Boston Harborfest events

Over the years, Harborfest has grown from a local event to a national celebration. In 1982 there were 35 activities over the course of three days. Harborfest is considered to be the largest patriotic celebration in the nation with visitors enjoying more than 200 activities during the weeklong festival.

There's no better place to celebrate our nation's independence than at Boston Harborfest.

Find lots more fun things to do in Boston during the summer in our July & August guides to family fun. And since summer is a great time to be outside, check out our guide to Boston outdoor activities, featuring lots of cool places to enjoy a beautiful summer day.

Find lots more ideas on fun things to do in Boston.

COST

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Most events are free however there is a cost associated with certain ones. Please visit bostonharborfest.com to see a full list of events.

WEBSITE

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www.bostonharborfest.com/schedule/

LOCATION

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City Hall Plaza, Boston, MA map

TIPS

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And since it's the 4th of July week, make sure you Find a Fireworks Display near you in MA.

REVIEWS

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Children's Day Is Lame

A large presence of the Naval recruiting folk at an event for young children. Free samples of processed meat and high fructose corn syrup for the kids. Ridiculous lines for a single person making balloon animals and for face painting. Mayor Mumbles just Barely sounding out a children's book. This was one of the few days this summer I think we were glad it started raining.