From free waterfront concerts at Rowe’s Wharf’s Summer in the City to outdoor movies on Boston Common make your summer unforgettable with the best things to do in Boston this August. Whether you’re enjoying a relaxing swan boat ride in the Public Garden, catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, or experiencing the vibrant North End feasts and festivals, there’s something for everyone.
These August activities are as refreshing as that first sip of iced coffee in the morning, ensuring your summer days are filled with excitement and joy before they come to an end!
1. Attend a glorious Candlelight Concert
Have a Mamma Mia summer with a Candlelight Concert! Enjoy hits like The Four Seasons from Vivaldi and Here Comes the Sun. Find all of the upcoming Candlelight Concert options!
2. Get ready for Dine Out Boston, round two
Our favorite time of the year is here—Dine Out Boston! Over 100 menus to choose from, enjoy a two or three course lunch for just $25 at some of Boston’s best establishments!
3. Take a picnic…a mystery picnic
If you like scavenger hunts and picnics, you’ll love this mystery picnic that combines the best of both worlds! Play in a group of 2 to 8 and solve clues, puzzles, and games to take yourself through a pre-organized tasting and stunning picnic spread featuring curated artisanal cheese, meats, crackers and local produce.
4. Cool down with a scoop of Boston’s best ice cream
If it’s hot out in Boston, there’s one thing you must have at hand at all times–an ice cream! Our mapped-out list has everything from Emack & Bolio’s cool cones to Eataly’s gourmet Italian gelato. Check it out!
5. Enroll in a guided walking tour of Harvard
Sure you might live in Boston or a neighboring hub like Cambridge, but have you seen Harvard? As one of the strictest and most exclusive campuses in the state, unless you’re a student the most access permitted is a passing through the yahd.
This walking tour will take you through the square, campus, art museums, Memorial Hall, and make a necessary visit to the John Harvard Statue. August is a fun time to be on campus as new and returning students trickle into Harvard Square.
6. Harmonize at Summer in The City with the Boston Harbor Hotel
The 27th annual Summer in the City series is back! Enjoy free waterfront beats on select dates at Rowe’s Wharf. August welcomes dozens of different entertainers! Check them out here!
📍Boston Harbor Hotel
7. Attend a free Shakespeare play in the park
Boston’s most popular outdoor theatre is back this summer with free productions of Shakespearean classics like As You Like It. Running this month, you don’t wanna miss these lovely performances in an even lovelier location: Boston Common! Shows are nightly at 8 PM on the Common.
8. Take a wild ride at a local theme park
Warm summer weekends call for city escapes and adventure — and what better place to find both than at a theme park? From the North Shore to the further-flung Lake Compounce, our list of theme parks near Boston are some of the best to pay a visit to this summer.
9. Cruise around the city’s parks on a bicycle
A bike ride around Boston is a simple yet enjoyable summer activity for locals and visitors alike. There’s a bike path for everyone – whether you’re looking for a beginner-friendly path, Instagrammable views of the city, or historical landmarks. You can bring your own bike or rent a Blue Bike from one of the many docking stations around the Hub.
10. Board an 80-foot schooner for a Boston Harbor sail
Take a 90 minute to 2-hour sail around Boston aboard this timeless ship originally dating back to the 1890s! You’ll see everything from Castle Island to the Long Island Head Light on this sail. Reserve your adventure here!
11. Lounge around at one of Boston’s beautiful parks
From Fenway to the South End to the Back Bay, Boston’s green spaces are a perfect backdrop for a lazy summer afternoon. For all your lounging and picnicking needs, check out our picks for some of the best parks in Boston.
12. Seal the summer with a Seaport cruise
There’s no better way to close out the summer than on a boat with friends. Bring some old ones and make some new ones on this Seaport Summer Cruise! Enjoy panoramic city views and watch the sunset on the Provincetown II Boat launching from Seaport.
13. Take part in a historic stand-up paddle challenge
The Cape Cod Bay Challenge is the Northeast’s oldest and most recognized stand-up paddle challenge! Participants can partake in a 4 or 16-mile paddle! The proceeds from the Cape Cod Bay Challenge will benefit Christopher’s Haven, a non-profit helping family whose children have cancer secure housing adjacent to MGH.
Over the last 19 years, Christopher’s Haven has raised more than $1 million with the Cape Cod Bay Challenge. Learn more and register here.
Find the Cape Cod Bay Challenge on August 15 from 6:30 AM until 5 PM
14. Shell-ebrate National Oyster Day
Monday, August 5 is National Oyster Day—shell-ebrate that! Tons of Boston establishments serve up shucking good deals for the special day, or you can get festive on your own with these evergreen $1 oyster deals.
15. Enjoy a relaxing dinner by the waterfront
As a seaside town, Boston has no shortage of waterfront dining. There’s no better plan for a summer evening than to spend the evening cooling off by the water at one of the many beautiful waterfront spots the city has to offer, so check out our list of seaside eateries for your evening plans.
16. Awe at The Great Elephant Migration
The Great Elephant Migration makes its Boston debut on August 8! Over 100 life-size handmade elephants take over Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Learn more about the Boston spectacular.
