Fourth of July celebrations officially kicked off in Boston with the start of Harborfest on Monday — here’s what to know about the upcoming festivities.
As always, the Boston area will have no shortage of ways or enthusiastic visitors coming in to celebrate this Independence Day — from the spectacular fireworks display on the Esplanade, to the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House, to countless local displays and events.
Boston’s 42nd annual Harborfest celebrating Independence Day started Monday morning with a kickoff ceremony at Downtown Crossing featuring performances from the U.S. Navy Band, a cake-cutting and historical reenactors. The festivities will continue through Thursday night, finishing off with the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade.
Harborfest continues Tuesday and Wednesday, featuring new events including a beer garden at Summer and Washington streets in Downtown Crossing open from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. both days and a block party to celebrate Navy Week at 6 p.m. Wednesday.
Tuesday will see the return of Harborfest’s storied Chowderfest with a sampling of local chowders at Downtown Crossing at 6 p.m.
On the Fourth, Harborfest events will begin at 9 a.m. with a procession from City Hall to the Old State House. The procession will stop to lay wreaths at Granary Burial Ground and conduct a reading of the Declaration of Independence at the Old State House.
Throughout the holiday, there will be events on the U.S.S. Constitution, a Middlesex County Fires and Drums concert at Downtown Crossing, a reading of Frederick Douglass’s “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” on the Franklin Steps, and much more.
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will start on the Esplanade starting at 8:00 p.m., though the park will open for seating at noon. The concert portion, featuring performances from Darlene Love, Kelli O’Hara and The Mavericks, will last until 10:30 p.m., and fireworks will go off from 10:30 to 11 p.m.
A full list of Harborfest activities is listed on bostonharborfest.com.
The spectacular display is visible from many points along the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river for those looking to avoid the crowds, though officials are warning viewing from the Longfellow Bridge and Mass. Ave. bridge is prohibited.
Watchers can also catch the display at home streaming on Bloomberg TV and Boston’s WHDH-TV.
Boston is predicted to have more than a million visitors for the Fourth of July festivities.
The City of Boston has posted a full list of many parking restrictions and street closures for the week on their website and is urging participants to walk, bike or take public transit on the day.
The MBTA will be offering free service on Thursday after 9:30 p.m. on bus, subway, ferry, Commuter Rail and RIDE transportation. Information on the public transit’s modified schedule on the Fourth is available on mbta.com/holidays.
The weather for the Fourth of July looks a little hotter and more humid than earlier in the week, with a high in the mid-80s. There is a chance of rain, though meteorologists predict any showers will not be “widespread or lingering” enough to washout the evening festivities.
