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Great Spring Festivals and Fairs in Boston for Families

Sunshine, warm days, and spring fairs and festivals come to Boston for 2023! Photo courtesy of Harvard ArtsFirst Festival
Sunshine, warm days, and spring fairs and festivals come to Boston for 2023! Photo courtesy of Harvard ArtsFirst Festival
4/7/23 - By Kelley Heyworth

Warm weather and longer days bring spring festivals and fairs to Boston! As the city blossoms into springtime, there are few better ways to celebrate than by getting outside at one of Boston’s fun, family-friendly festivals. With so many to choose from, it seems like the whole city is cheering for warmer, sunnier days with music, art, flowers, and food. And the best part? Many of these special events are free. Mark your calendars now and enjoy the balmier, more festive days ahead!


Find more family fun ideas with 23 Things To Do This Spring in Boston with Kids. And check out our spring fun guide for additional ideas for embracing this gorgeous season around Boston.

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Get outside for spring festivals in Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, and around Boston!
Get outside for spring festivals in Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, and around Boston!

Spring Festivals andFairs and in Boston

Lilac Tours

Jamaica Plain - May 6 - 13, 2023
Of the thousands of flowering plants in the Arboretum, only one, the lilac, is singled out each year for a daylong celebration. This year, however, the Arboretum is spending a week celebrating this beautiful flower.  READ MORE

Duckling Day

Boston - May 14, 2023
Join the Friends of the Public Garden in Boston’s most beautiful parks for Duckling Day! A beloved Mother’s Day tradition for over 30 years, the event celebrates the children’s classic book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. READ MORE

Franklin Park Kite & Bike Festival

Dorchester - May 20, 2023
Go fly a kite at this 50-year Franklin Park tradition and celebrate the arrival of spring. READ MORE

Boston Pizza Festival

Boston - June 20 - 23, 2023
Interested in "all-you-can-eat" pizza, sampling, live entertainment, games, and more? Vendors from all over will be serving up Gluten-Free, Vegan, Neapolitan, Sicilian, New York Style, and much more at City Hall Plaza in Boston. READ MORE

Earth Day is Every Day Festival

Mattapan - April 8, 2023
Kick off Earth month with the Boston Nature Center. Dress up in a bee suit and explore the apiary, learn about birds while on a walk with Nature Man Mike, tune up those old bikes with Shavel'le from Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition, take a calming meditation walk with preschool teacher Shawnta Carson, and explore the garden and spring wild edibles with Kim Baker. READ MORE
Celebrate nature, art, and more at festivals in and around Boston this spring! Earth Day is Every Day Festival photo courtesy of Mass Audubon
Celebrate nature, art, and more at festivals in and around Boston this spring! Earth Day is Every Day Festival photo courtesy of Mass Audubon

Spring Festivals, Fairs, and Celebrations near Boston

Somerville's PorchFest

Somerville - May 13, 2023
Musicians and bands in styles including funk, blues, gospel, bluegrass and so many more serenade passersby from porches throughout Somerville. READ MORE

Harvard ArtsFirst Festival

Cambridge - April 27 - 30, 2023
Each ARTS FIRST festival is unique but every year combines the exuberance of Harvard students, faculty and affiliates who are passionate about the many art forms presented in four rousing days of performances, exhibitions and art-making opportunities. READ MORE

Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

Cambridge - June 11, 2023
Stunningly decorated boats race down the Charles River all day long, while arts and crafts, Asian food vendors, and Asian cultural performances line the riverbank. READ MORE
From Patriots' Day to Steampunk, there's a fair or festival for so many occasions. Photo courtesy of the Watch City Steampunk Festival
From Patriots' Day to Steampunk, there's a fair or festival for so many occasions. Photo courtesy of the Watch City Steampunk Festival

Spring Festivals and Fairs in Greater Boston

Spring Spectacular & Egg Hunt

Berlin - April 7 - 9, 2023
Calling all parents and grandparents! Gather the Peeps and hop on down to the enchanted world of Peter Cottontail's carrot patch, the magical garden of cherry blossom trees, tulips, daffodils, and wisteria awaits. READ MORE

Stone Zoo Spring Fling

Stoneham - April 8, 2023
Welcome the warmer weather while learning about the flora and fauna that are springing back to life. Enjoy music, dancing, and games throughout the Zoo. READ MORE

Concord's Patriots' Day Parade

Concord - April 17, 2023
One of the most popular annual Patriots' Day celebrations around the region, the Concord Parade begins in the town center and travels to North Bridge, where there will be a battle reenactment of the "shot heard 'round the world."  READ MORE

Earth Day Festival

Worcester - April 22,2023
Enjoy a day of family and earth-friendly activities and entertainment during the annual Earth Day Celebration at the museum. READ MORE

The Gore Place Sheepshearing Festival

Waltham - April 22, 2023
It’s the 36th year for this fair with 100 crafters and fiber artists, music, demonstrations of sheepshearing and herding dogs, wagon rides, historic re-enactors, and activities for kids of all ages. READ MORE

Earth Day Celebration

Concord - April 22, 2023
Join the Umbrella community for a creative, family-friendly celebration of Earth Day. Build and launch an Earth Float, enjoy live music and performances, partake in arts & crafts, and complete the Earth Month Exhibit scavenger hunt.  READ MORE

2023 Watch City Steampunk Festival

Waltham - May 13, 2023
2023’s Watch City Steampunk Festival will feature costumed performers, musicians, kids' activities, and a large collection of unique vendors peddling all things Steampunk! Plus, this year will feature a Sherlock Holmes-style mystery of Queen Mercy’s missing crown. READ MORE

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl

Foxborough - June 2 - 3, 2023
The annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is the nation's largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival serving up ice cream, frozen yogurt, and sorbet from ten of the nation's leading ice cream companies.  READ MORE

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About the Author

Kelley Heyworth
Kelley Heyworth is the regional editor for Mommy Poppins, covering Boston, Connecticut, and the rest of New England. She has covered parenting and health topics for nearly two decades, as an editor for Child Magazine and Fitness Magazines and a contributor to Parents Magazine, Mommy Nearest, and other national publications and websites. Previously, she was a writer and editor at Sports Illustrated and Philadelphia Magazines. A mom of three boys outside of Boston, Kelley also writes a blog, Happy Healthy Kids, and loves hiking, running, cooking, gardening, and spending time at beaches in Nantucket, Connecticut, and New Jersey with family and friends.
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