This post covers the best things to do in August in Boston.
We include evening, free, as well as family-friendly things to do, all updated for 2025.
This section lists our top 10 things to do in Boston in August
If you’d like to see some of the most popular things to do in the city, check out these posts:
Remember that many of the things listed here are included for free or at lower price with a Boston tourist concession pass.
1. See a Sporting Event
Seeing Fenway Park is often a highlight for any baseball fan's trip to Boston.
Baseball season is in full swing during Augus so you'll have plenty of opportunities to go to Fenway and see the Boston Red Sox!
Baseball
Soccer
Take a look at other sporting events taking place in Boston in August.
These games are great activities for the whole family to attend together. For more kid-friendly activities, check out the section below.
2. Attend a Concert
Many talented musical artists are visiting the Boston area in August.
Is there anything better than spending an evening listening to live music by your favorite artist surrounded by other fans?
Concerts
- Kenny Chesney/Zac Brown | August 23, 24, 25
- PINK | August 21
- Metallica/Pantera/Mammoth WVH | August 2 & 4
Find even more concerts playing in the Boston area with artists such as: Green Day, Cheap Trick, The Beach Boys, New Kids on the Block, The Doobie Brothers, Gin Blossoms, Imagine Dragons, Avril Lavigo, Childish Gambino, Righteous Brothers, Incubus, and more.
Music Festivals
- Sad Summer Festival | Worcester | August 3
- Boston Jazz Fest | Maritime Park in Boston's Seaport District | August 30 & 31
Also, check out the nighttime section below for more things to do at night.
3. Sightseeing Tours
Summer is the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the city!
There are lots of events happening in August, so we suggest getting a fun overview of the city to start your trip.
Our most popular pay-what-you-wish walking tour is the Freedom Trail tour.
Of course, if you’d rather go on your own, you can always use our free, self-guided tour.
Another interesting side of the city to see is the North End neighborhood, also known as Little Italy.
If you’re looking to see more ground than you can cover on foot, summer is the perfect time for bus tours and boat tours.
4. See a Live Comedy Show
There will be at least two well-known comedians performing live stand-up comedy in Boston this month.
Comedy Shows
- Corey Holcomb | August 11
- Shawn Wayans | August 16-17
- Jack Jr. | August 23
Comedy Clubs
5. Visit the New England Aquarium
The visit to the New England Aquarium is an excellent family activity.
They are open from Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm, and on weekends from 9 am-6 pm.
Even if you can't afford tickets, you might still want to visit this attraction just to see their free exhibit: the Atlantic Harbor Seals!
These adorable aquatic animals are located just outside of the aquarium on the front plaza, and there is plexiglass allowing all visitors to come and see them during the day -- no ticket required!
They are currently functioning under a timed-ticketing procedure due to covid so ask that you purchase tickets ahead of time.
7. See Something on the Stage
August brings musicals, comedy, and family-friendly events to theatres in and around the Boston area. There's something for everyone.
Plays and Musicals
- Les Miserables | August 13 - 25 | Boston
Family-Friendly
- Blue Man Group | August 1st-27th | Boston
Check here for a list of other theatre offerings in Boston.
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to paid comedy shows, there are several great clubs and venues that offer free open-mic comedy nights
7. Attend Boston Jazzfest
Boston Jazz Fest puts on live performances from both well-known international and local artists.
In addition to great jazz, there will also be food vendors in the area, so you might want to bring some cash along for treats.
This event is free for all visitors, so all you have to do is show up and enjoy the music!
The Boston Jazzfest is hosted at the Maritime Park in the Seaport on August 30 & 31, 2025.
Find additional fun and free events in the free activities section below.
8. August Moon Festival
Boston has a thriving Chinatown neighborhood that goes all out for the August Moon Festival each year.
You'll see lion dances, martial arts competitions and demonstrations, folk dancing, and plenty of street vendors with souvenirs and street food.
Of course, there will be plenty of mooncakes for sale - the traditional food of the Moon Festival feast.
The festival takes place on August 11 from 10 am - 4 pm. Visit the August Moon Festival Boston website for updates.
There will also be an August Moon Festival in Quincy, MA on August 18, 2025.
Don’t forget to find more free activities in Boston listed below.
9. Cheer on Athletes at the Boston Triathlon
Athletes from around the world come to Boston to take part in the challenging Boston Triathalon.
But it's not only open to pros. Amateur athletes take place as well! Note that there is also a Kids' Race.
There will be swimming, cycling, and running - all taking place in Boston area landmarks such as Franklin Park, Charles River, and the South End.
Activities take place over August 17-18th, 2025.
10. Save on a 5-Star Meal During Dine Out Boston
Dine Out Boston (formerly known as 'Restaurant Week Boston') takes place twice a year, in March and August.
The event offers diners the opportunity to dine at some of the best Boston restaurants at concessionary prices.
Summer Dine Out Boston will occur in August 4-17, 2025.
Prices for a special fixed-price menu start at $22 for lunch and $36 for dinner.
For more information, visit the Dine Out Boston website.
You can enjoy this same experience throughout the year during Restaurant Week in other cities like New York City, New Orleans, and Washington DC.
Save Money with a Tourist Attraction Concession Pass
The easiest way to save more money while seeing all the popular sites in Boston is by purchasing a tourist pass.
These passes work by bundling together many popular Boston attractions and tours all for one concessionary price, saving you up to 55%.
They also can save you time by allowing you to skip the ticket lines at select attractions.
A few great attractions and activities included in the passes are:
- Legoland
- Skywalk Observatory
- Old State House
- Boston Children’s Museum
- New England Aquarium Whale Watch
For an in-depth comparison and look at all the concession passes available, take a look at our tourist pass post.
THINGS TO DO AT NIGHT IN AUGUST
Several of the fun activities, concerts, and productions to see listed above are all great evening entertainment.
This section includes more outdoor movies, parties, and events in Boston during August.
If you're looking for things to do at night, check out our full post.
Take the Beacon Hill Crime Tour
August is the perfect time to go out for an evening walking tour.
One of our pay-what-you-wish tours is the Beacon Hill Crime Tour, which goes into gory details about the Boston Strangler and the neighborhood he terrorized for over a year.
You’ll see the homes of the victims and the Charles Street Jail.
Tours start at 4 pm and last for a few hours.
NOTE: This tour is for participants 14 years old and older, due to the nature of the gruesome and historical events discussed.
Check out the Boston Museum of Science
This Boston institution has been around since 1830 and has grown into a large museum with 700+ exhibits, most of which are interactive.
They’re open late until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tickets to the Museum of Science range from $24 to $29, but you can get in for free with some of the Boston tourist concession passes.
Check out our post on the Boston Museum of Science here.
If you're looking for things to do at night, check out our full post.
Take an Evening Cruise
Summer is one of the best times to take a cruise in Boston Harbor, and there are several companies offering evening cruises.
In addition to specialty cruises for holidays, some companies also offer sunset and dinner cruise options throughout the week.
Whether you want to see the skyline as the sun sets or when the city lights up after dark, there will be plenty of services available in July.
For more details, make sure to read our post covering Boston cruises.
NOTE: Some cruises are included with Boston tourist passes.
See Shakespeare on the Common
In addition to all the fun you can have with your kids at the Frog Pond, Boston Common will also be hosting a summer series of classic Shakespeare plays.
This annual event is showing The Winter's Tale in 2025. It will be performed during July and August on Boston Common.
Shakespeare on the Common doesn’t cost a thing and there are no tickets sold, so all you need to do is show up and get a good spot!
Chairs though can be rented for $10, although you can bring your own chair or blanket along. You can also bring "modest" food items.
TIP: If you’re looking for something to do before the show, don’t forget that our Freedom Trail Tour runs through Boston Common.
Enjoy a Beer Garden
Rose Kennedy Greenway has the Trillium Beer Garden, a place to find food and drink.
This family-friendly outdoor beer garden has both seasonal food trucks and draft beer.
You can also bring your own food to the venue.
It's open as late as 8 PM on Fridays and Saturdays.
Catch a Movie Under the Stars
The Mayor's Movie Nights are held throughout Boston at various city parks.
Recent movies are shown, and popcorn is provided for free (until it runs out).
This year the movies will run August 6-29.
From Shakespeare on the Common to outdoor concerts, Boston has a lot of free activities going on during August.
Check out the events below. If you're looking for more things to do, we have a full post on free activities in Boston.
Berklee Summer in the City
The Berklee College of Music puts on roughly 400 free concerts every summer, from May through September.
You'll hear classical, contemporary, folk, Latin, and jazz music, among other genres.
For a list of scheduled concerts, click here.
Enjoy Concerts in the Courtyard
Head over to the Boston Public Library on Wednesdays and Fridays to hear free concerts with a wide range of genres.
These concerts are free concerts and in the case of bad weather the concerts are moved indoors.
- Wednesdays at 6:00 pm
- Fridays at 12:30 pm
For a list of who is playing in August, visit the Boston Public Library's list of scheduled events.
Take In the Esplanade Concerts
If you visit the Hatch Shell in July and August on the Boston Esplanade you can find a free concert series.
The Boston Landmark Orchestra will play everything from classical to contemporary music.
In August 2025, concerts take place on the 3rd, 10th, 14th, and 21st.
Celebrate St. Anthony's Feast
The feast honoring St. Anthony is the largest Italian religious festival in all of New England.
You'll find the street party stretching across Endicott, Thatcher, and North Margin Streets, in the North End.
Arrive on an empty stomach so you can sample the wide array of street food available to purchase.
The Festival runs from August 22nd-25th, 2025, with the main parade on Sunday at noon.
Visit the St. Anthony's Festival website for a list of scheduled activities.
If you're looking for more things to do, we have a full post on free activities in Boston.
Enjoy Other North End Festivals
There are a number of free and nighttime festivals taking place in the North End in August.
- San Rocco's Feast | August 1-4, 2025
- Madonna Della Cava Fest | August 9-11, 2025
- St. Agrippina di Mineo Feast and Procession | August 1-4, 2025
- Fisherman's Feast| August 15-18, 2025
- St. Lucy's Fest | August 24-25, 2025
Tour the Fenway Victory Gardens
The annual Open Gardens event at the Fenway Victory Gardens often takes place in August.
Visitors can tour the over 500 garden plots inside for free.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES IN AUGUST
From outdoor movies to sporting events, the sections above list plenty of family-friendly ideas for how to spend your time in Boston.
This section lists more events, kid-centered movies, and places to take the younger ones in your family.
If you're looking for even more inspiration for things to do with the kids in Boston, check out our full post.
Take a Duck Tour
August is the perfect time to get out on the water with a boat tour.
And one of the most popular boat tours to take with kids is the Duck Tour in an amphibious vehicle.
You’ll get to drive through the city with narration from a tour guide before launching into the Boston Harbor for a quick circuit on the water.
Free Family Flicks
Every Saturday night in August you can take the family to Prudential Center's South Garden for a free movie night!
We recommend bringing a picnic and blankets or lawn chairs.
Movies run from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM July 13-August 24, 2025.
For a schedule of films, click here.
Enjoy Faneuil Hall Marketplace Street Performers
Kids will be excited to see the world-class performers who have been appearing here since 1976, making it part of the fabric of Faneuil Marketplace.
Acts include a man who can twist his body into a knot, a juggler, an amazing acrobat, an escape artist, and much more.
Note: nearby is a Dino Safari Tour.
See the Boston Lights
The Franklin Park Zoo puts on the stunning Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience.
There will be 50 large light displays placed around the park, making a night visit a magical experience.
It runs from August 2 through November 3, 2025.
Go to a Kid-Friendly Museum
Boston is a city with an amazing history as well as some excellent current scientific organizations.
This means Boston has plenty of excellent museums to enjoy and learn from, and many of these museums are family-friendly and interesting to younger visitors.
- Boston Children’s Museum
- Museum of Science
- Boston Fire Museum
- The Mapparium
- The Coit Observatory
Some of these museums are free to attend, and others are included on several tourist concession passes.
Check out our full list of child-friendly museums here.
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