05.01.2024

Today’s Forecast

52º | 16% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 5:39 a.m. | Sunset 7:45 p.m.

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Summer events happening in Boston

The sun shining on the palm branches inside the Boston Public Garden.

Summer time and the living is easy, especially when the Public Garden has these tropical palms. | Photo by @amyhoro

Summer’s here and Boston is so ready. From concerts and floral displays to community gardens and Fourth of July celebrations, summer is when Boston comes alive.

Enjoy the warm weather vibes with our guide featuring 20+ summer events — including ideas for the Fourth of July — happening between May and August.

Concerts or live music

Tim McGraw, May 10, TD Garden
Supporting his last studio album, 2023’s “Standing Room Only,” the smooth-voiced country singer comes to Boston “Just to See You Smile.” Tickets are available now and you can grab a pre-show performance upgrade ticket with special guest Carly Pearce.

Diana Ross, May 16, Boch Center Wang Theatre
The legendary singer presents her “Beautiful Love Performance- Legacy Tour,” which is guaranteed to bring the house down. Tickets are on sale now, starting at $74.

Boston Calling, May 24-May 26, Harvard Athletic Complex
Ed Sheeran, Tyler Childers, and The Killers will headline this year’s edition of the Memorial Day weekend festival. The three-day festival has a stacked food and drink line-up, too. Tickets are on sale now and start at $194.

Boston Calling Music Festival entrance — Now in its 11th year, this local music festival is calling our names Memorial Day weekend.
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Photo provided by Crash Line Productions

Fenway Park Summer Concert Series, June-August
Head to America’s Most Beloved Ballpark to see concerts take on the outfield, including Hootie and the Blowfish on June 21, Noah Kahan on July 18 + July 19, blink-182 on July 23, and Def Leppard and Journey on Aug. 5.

Gillette Stadium Summer Concerts, May-August
Journey to Foxborough to rock out with the Rolling Stones on May 30, “Fade to Black” with Metallica on Aug. 2 and Aug. 4, “Get the Party Started” with Pink on Aug. 21, and watch the sun go down with Kenny Chesney on Aug. 23-Aug. 25

Justin Timberlake, June 29 + June 30, TD Garden
Dance along with the former boy band member at this Garden concert for his new album featuring “Selfish.”

Usher, Aug. 27 + Aug. 28, TD Garden
Break out your roller skates and relive the Super Bowl halftime spectacular at the Garden with the “Burn” artist.

Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Tanglewood Concerts, June-August
See one of the world’s most beloved music festivals with over 350,000 visitors for performances, recitals, and seminars across 500 acres and nestled between Lenox and Stockbridge this summer. Performers include Trey Anastasio with the Boston Pops, Jon Batiste, and Brandi Carlile.

Flower and garden displays

Kelleher Rose Garden, 73 Park Dr.
Head to Back Bay Fens to stop and smell the ~1,500 roses. Dating back to 1931, the garden was designed by landscape architect Arthur Shurcliff, who later worked with Frederick Law Olmsted.

Boston Public Garden, 4 Charles St.
Separated by Charles Street, this Boston Common on one side and Public Garden on the other always has plenty of flora and fauna for garden enthusiasts. The Public Garden’s array of flowers, plants, and trees are a welcome oasis in the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway
Spend Mother’s Day taking a scenic stroll among the lilacs during Lilac Sunday on May 12.

Cider Hill Farm, 45 Fern Ave., Amesbury
About 45 miles north of Boston, this farm’s Tulip Fest 2024 will be held over two weekend dates, May 4-May 5 and May 11-May 12. Pick your own bouquet of tulips and enjoy plenty of food and drink.

Massachusetts Horticultural Society, 900 Washington St., Wellesley
The Massachusetts Horticultural Society hosts “A Spring Affair,” the Noannet Garden Club’s Spring Horticulture Show on May 7. Displaying springtime flowers and plants grown by garden club members, select planter and garden tools will be available for purchase.

BOStoday Pride May — Let your rainbow flags and colorful garbs fly at the Boston Pride for the People Parade this June in Copley Square.
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Photo by Mehmet D.

Pride events

Boston Pride for the People Parade and Festival, June 8
Boston’s Pride Parade returns with festivals at Boston Common + City Hall Plaza — it all kicks off at 11 a.m. in Copley Square. Register for the parade if you’d like to participate. If you’re there to watch, the party continues for all ages at the Boston Common Festival, or head to City Hall Plaza’s Block Party for a 21-years-and-older afterparty.

MFA First Friday, June 7, 6-9 p.m.
Celebrate Pride at the MFA with art making, music, and more.

Love Conquers Ale at Sam Adams Brewery
Since 2022, the local brewery has offered this special release, this year a wheat ale with yuzu and prickly pear, to celebrate Pride month and support GLADD.

Events

Wednesday, May 1

R&D Pint Night | Wednesday, May 1| 6-9 p.m. | Samuel Adams Boston Brewery, 30 Germania St., Boston | $5 | Try out Samuel Adams’ newest research and development brew and provide feedback. Food specials will be available with discounted hot apps.

Thursday, May 2

Berlioz “Roméo et Juliette” | Thursday, May 2-Saturday, May 4 | Times vary | Symphony Hall, 310 Massachusetts Ave., Boston | $40-$177 | A performance of Hector Berlioz’s composition of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” sung in both French and English.
Boston Ballet Presents “Carmen” | Thursday, May 2-Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | Citizens Opera House, 539 Washington St., Boston | $25-$195| Head to opening night of this ballet full of passion, anger, and struggle.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater | Thursday, May 2-Sunday, May 5 | Times vary | Boch Center, 270 Tremont St., Boston | $29-$99 | The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to Boston.

Friday, May 3

Strangelove - The Depeche Mode Experience | Friday, May 3 | 7 p.m. | Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge | $25 | The Depeche Mode tribute band performs songs throughout the British outfit’s 40- plus-year career.

Saturday, May 4

Dog Licensing and Low-cost Rabies Clinic | Saturday, May 4 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | BCYF Charlestown 255 Medford St., Charlestown | Price of purchase | BCYF Charlestown is offering low-cost clinics.
Taylor The Next Jedi | Saturday, May 4 | 3-4 p.m. | Improv Asylum, 216 Hanover St., Boston | $20-$35 | An interactive show that allows audiences to shape a new story inspired by “Star Wars” characters.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Community

Open Streets returns to Dorchester Avenue on Saturday, May 5. From 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m., visitors can interact with local businesses, enjoy entertainment, and explore the area from Ashmont to Linden streets.

Coming Soon

More changes are coming to Assembly Row this year. Amelia’s Taqueria will open it’s fifth location , while a second location of Posto will be coming into the space formerly occupied by FRANK. New restaurant Toca Chida is also headed to the former Papagayo space. (Boston Business Journal)

Development

In an effort to prevent more trucks from getting stuck in the Sumner Tunnel, MassDOT plans to use new digital signs to offer routes for truck drivers on I-93 northbound and southbound. The state agency will also add new “low clearance” signs. (CBS Boston)

Arts

Longtime Boston Ballet principal dancer John Lam is departing the company after twenty years. Lam’s final performances will be in “Carmen” at the Citizen’s Opera House in May and the Boston Ballet’s “Spring Experience” from May 9 - May 19. He starts teaching at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee this fall. (CBS Boston)

Sports

The Celtics bested the Heat once again in Game Four Monday night with a final score of 102-88. The C’s lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. Snag tickets for Game Five tonight at 7:30 p.m. (7 News)

Outdoors

Escape down the Cape in style: Unwind after a day of exploring Martha’s Vineyard and roaming Herring Cove Beach with a memorable stay at AutoCamp Cape Cod, right by the scenic Atlantic shore. Pro tip: Use code PROS23 for up to 25% off all dates April-May. Plan your stay.*

Community

A guide to community fridges in Boston

Community fridges in Boston, MA

According to an analysis by Consumer Affairs, grocery prices have increased in Massachusetts by 6.6% from November 2022 to November 2023, resulting in the second-highest price increases in New England.

Community fridges are typically stocked with groceries ranging from fresh produce to canned and packaged foods, with some accepting other household essentials and toiletries.

Refer to this guide of safe food items that are often requested before you head over to donate, and check the fridge’s Instagram page or website to confirm what they accept.

The City of Boston has a toolkit for residents who are interested in starting a fridge, with resources and key questions to consider.

The Boston area is home to 20+ fridges. Click the button below to find one in your neighborhood.

Pro tip: Be sure to contact the organizer in your area for details on volunteering to help keep Boston fed.

20+ community fridges

The Buy

A summer sip. Prepare for a summer by the pool or on the porch with these iced coffee and sparkling tea options.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Katy

From the editor

A chocolate Fribble has always been my favorite treat whenever I visit Friendly’s. The Massachusetts-based chain may not have any locations left in Boston, but the Bay State restaurants still left now have a late-night menu.

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