Boston 4th of July family events

9 am-11pm - Esplanade Concert and Fireworks
9:00AM Oval opens
12:00PM Recorded music begins in Boston
4:30PM Recorded music begins in Cambridge
8:00PM Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular broadcast begins on WBZ-TV Boston
8:30PM Boston Pops concert begins with the National Anthem and flyover
8:30PM WBZ News Radio1030 and WCRB 99.5 FM simulcast begins
9:30PM 1812 Overture is played
10:00PM CBS Network national broadcast begins
10:30PM Fireworks begin
11:00PM Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular ends
www.july4th.org

8:30am-9pm – Whale Watch Cruises
Massachusetts Bay Lines (617-542-8000), and
New England Aquarium (617-973-5281)
Whales frolicking in their natural environment
Times, length, routes and prices vary, reservations required
www.massbaylines.com
www.neaq.org

9am-10am – Flag Raising Ceremony and Parade
At the flag pole on the Plaza at City Hall
Follow the parade to the Granary Burial Ground where wreaths are laid on the graves of the patriots and then to the Old State House

9am-Noon – Footloose on the Freedom Trail
Boston By Foot (617-367-2345)
Meet at the State House Steps, Beacon Street
A guided walking tour of over 3 miles and 300 years of architecture and history
Admission $15, BBF members $5
www.bostonbyfoot.org

9am-5pm – Moon Shot – JFK and Space Exploration
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
(617-514-1600)
Columbia Point, Dorchester
In 1961, President Kennedy challenged the nation to send a man to the moon and back; two American astronauts walked on the moon’s surface on July 20, 1969
Admission $9-$12, 12 and under free
www.jfklibrary.org

10am-10:15am – Whiskers, Fur and Flippers
New England Aquarium (617-973-5200)
The Seal Pool, New England Aquarium Plaza
Central Wharf
Watch harbor seals frolic with their handlers
www.neaq.org

10am-10:30am – Reading of the Declaration of Independence
From the balcony of the Old State House, State and Devonshire Streets
Read from the balcony as it was on July 18, 1776

10am-1pm – Boston Light Climbing Adventure
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
(617-223-8666)
Fan Pier at the Moakley Courthouse, Northern Avenue, South Boston
A guided tour of Little Brewster Island, site of the first lighthouse in the nation, meet the keep and cruise the outer Brewster islands
Admission $40-$48, reservations recommended
www.bostonharborislands.com

10am-4pm – Behind the Scenes at Old North Church
Old North Church (617-523-4848)
193 Salem Street, North End
Tour the crypt, second-floor gallery and bell tower
Admission $5-$8, times vary, reservations recommended
www.oldnorth.org

10am-4pm – 18th Century Garden Conversations
Old North Church (617-523-4848)
193 Salem Street, North End
Discover herbs and flowers behind the 1713 Clough
House, the city’s oldest surviving residence
www.oldnorth.org

10am-4pm –Kayaking at Grape Island
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
(617-223-8666)
Boston Harbor Islands Ferry Kiosk, Long Wharf
Take shuttle from Georges Island to Grape Island
Kayak around the Island with an experienced ranger
Admission $8-$14 for ferry, space limited
www.bostonharborislands.org

10:30am-3pm – Explore the Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail Foundation (617-357-8300)
BosTix Booth, Faneuil Hall
Walk into history, led by a Colonial guide
Admission $6-$12, discount tickets online
www.thefreedomtrail.org

10:30am-3:30pm – Tory Stories
King’s Chapel (617-523-1749)
Corner of Tremont and School Streets
Join Tory families (Loyalists) as they plan their hurried escape from Boston to Nova Scotia
www.kings-chapel.org

11am-Noon – Oration at Faneuil Hall
The Great Hall at Faneuil Hall
A traditional oration in “the Cradle of Liberty” given by a prominent citizen

11am-Noon – Beacon Hill’s Treasures
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
A guided walking tour of Beacon Hill in the early days of the Republic
Admission $6-$12, reservations required
www.historicnewengland.org

11am-12:15pm – "My Country 'Tis of Thee"
Park Street Church (617-523-3383)
Zero Park Street
Celebrate this famous hymn and enjoy other musical selections in the 200-year-old church
www.parkstreet.org

11am-1pm – A Flag for the Fourth
Boston National Historical Park Visitor Center
(617-242-5642)
15 State Street
Learn about the flags of the American Revolution
Space limited
www.nps.gov/bost/

11am-3pm – All Hands on Deck!
USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown
Navy Yard, Charlestown (617-426-1812)
Learn about sailors during the War of 1812
and the skills they needed aboard ship
Admission by donation

11am-3:30pm – Puritans, Patriots and Pirates
King’s Chapel (617-523-1749)
Corner of Tremont and School Street
Tour the Burying Ground and learn about Puritan traditions
Boston’s Patriots, and tales of local Pirates
Donation requested
www.kings-chapel.org

11am-3:30pm – Explore the Freedom Trail
Freedom Trail Foundation (617-357-8300)
Visitor Information Center on Boston Common
Walk into history, led by a Colonial guide
Admission $6-$12, discount tickets online
www.thefreedomtrail.org

11am-4:30pm – At Home with the Otises
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
Tour the elegant mansion of Harrison Gray Otis,
a Congressman and the third mayor of Boston,
his wife Sally Foster Otis and their large family
Admission $4-$8, Boston residents and under 5 free
www.HistoricNewEngland.org

11:30am-12:30pm – USS CONSTITUTION Turn-around
Charlestown Navy Yard to the US Coast Guard Base
(617-242-7511)
“Old Ironsides” gets underway to salute the Nation
www.oldironsides.com

11:30am-3:30pm – “Cock..Firelock! Present..Fire!”
Boston National Historical Park (617-242-5601)
Bunker Hill Monument, Charlestown
Demonstrations of 18th century military skills
www.nps.gov/bost/

11:45am-Noon – Whiskers, Fur and Flippers
New England Aquarium (617-973-5200)
The Seal Pool, New England Aquarium Plaza
Central Wharf
Watch harbor seals frolic with their handlers
www.neaq.org

Noon –12:05pm – Salute to the Nation
Off the US Coast Guard Base, North End
USS CONSTITUTION fires her 21-gun salute
www.oldironsides.com

Noon-12:30pm – Captain Kidd’s Treasure Hunt
Boston By Foot (617-367-2345)
Meet at Samuel Adams’ Statue, Faneuil Hall,
Congress Street
A self-guided hunt for history with a pirate’s map
Admission per group $10 (up to 10), includes kit
www.bostonbyfoot.org

Noon-1pm – The Art of Change Ringing
Old North Church (617-523-6676)
193 Salem Street, North End
A bell ringer explains the ancient and complex art of
change ringing
www.oldnorth.org

Noon-1pm – Beacon Hill’s Treasures
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
A guided walking tour of Beacon Hill in the
early days of the Republic
Admission $6-$12, reservations required
www.historicnewengland.org

Noon-3:30pm – Tours of Fort Independence
Castle Island Association/DCR (617-727-5290)
Fort Independence, Castle Island, South Boston
An historic 19th century fort, site of 375 years of fortifications

12:15pm-1pm – The Jolly Rogues
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
(617-223-8666)
Boston Harbor Islands Ferry Kiosk, Long Wharf
Music of the 18th and 19th centuries with sea shanties
and classic revolutionary tunes
Admission $8-$14 for ferry, under 3 free
www.bostonharborislands.org

1pm-2pm – Beacon Hill’s Treasures
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
A guided walking tour of Beacon Hill in the early days of the Republic
Admission $6-$12, reservations required
www.historicnewengland.org

1pm-3:30pm –Concert by Poor Richard’s Penny
Paul Revere House (617-523-2338)
Courtyard 19 North Square, North End
Comical Tavern songs, lively dance tunes and
Colonial ballads
Admission $1-$3.50, under 5 free
www.PaulRevereHouse.org

1:30pm-4:30pm – Boston Light Family Tour
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
(617-223-8666)
Fan Pier at the Moakley Courthouse, Northern
Avenue, South Boston
A guided tour of Little Brewster Island, sight of the
first lighthouse, and cruise around Graves Light and
the Outer Harbor
Admission $19-$38, reservations recommended
www.bostonharborislands.org

2pm-2:30pm – Early 19th Century Gun Drills
USS CONSTITUTION (617-242-7511)
Pier One, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown
Undefeated in 33 engagements, watch the full sequence of
a naval gun drill using a 24-pound Naval long gun
www.oldironsides.com

2pm-2:45pm – The Jolly Rogues
Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
(617-223-8666)
Boston Harbor Islands Ferry Kiosk, Long Wharf
Music of the 18th and 19th centuries with sea shanties
and classic revolutionary tunes
Admission $8-$14 for ferry, under 3 free
www.bostonharborislands.org

2pm-4:30pm – Mad Sweet Pangs in Concert
On the Plaza at City Hall (617-227-1528)
Back by popular demand, a blend of American folk rock
www.madsweetpangs.com

2pm-4pm – Twisted Times
Boston National Historical Park (617-242-5601)
Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center
Learn about the craft of rope making and take
part in this hands-on activity
www.nps.gov/bost/

2pm-7pm – Cape Verdean Independence Celebration
City Hall Plaza, North Stage (617-442-6644)
Music, dancing and traditional games, arts and crafts
Prices vary for delicious Kriolu foods
www.cvcunido.org

2pm-3pm – Beacon Hill’s Treasures
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
A guided walking tour of Beacon Hill in the
early days of the Republic
Admission $6-$12, reservations required
www.historicnewengland.org

3pm-3:45pm – The Battle for Bunker Hill
Boston National Historical Park (617-242-5601)
Charlestown Navy Yard Visitors Center
A guided walking tour of the famous battlefield where
the American Colonist first fought for their liberties
Space limited
www.nps.gov/bost/

3pm-4pm – Beacon Hill’s Treasures
Otis House Museum (617-227-3957 x256)
141 Cambridge Street
A guided walking tour of Beacon Hill in the
early days of the Republic
Admission $6-$12, reservations required
www.historicnewengland.org

3pm-5pm – Two If By Sea: Family Fun
Old North Church (617-523-6676)
193 Salem Street, North End
Listen to the story of Old North’s famous lanterns
and make a paper lantern to take home
Admission $2 per child with adult
www.oldnorth.org

3pm-5pm – Re-enact the Boston Tea Party
Aboard the LIBERTY CLIPPER (617-742-0333)
Central Wharf at the New England Aquarium
Raid a British ship with the Sons of Liberty!
Throw tea in the harbor and fire the cannons!
Admission $20-$35, reservations recommended
www.libertyfleet.com

4pm-4:30pm – Early 19th Century Gun Drills
USS CONSTITUTION (617-242-7511)
Pier One, Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown
Undefeated in 33 engagements, watch the full sequence of
a naval gun drill using a 24-pound Naval long gun
www.oldironsides.com

4pm-5:30pm – Charlestown: Where Boston Began
Boston By Foot (617-367-2345)
Meet at main entrance (Gate 1), Charlestown Navy Yard
A guided walking tour of the early Puritan Settlement,
the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Monument
Admission $12, BBF members $5
www.bostonbyfoot.org