Best time to visit Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

22 THINGS TO DO IN MASSACHUSETTS (SEPTEMBER 12 - SEPTEMBER 21)

The Big E

The Big E

September 13-29, 2024 • event

The sixth-largest fair in the United States, the biggest on East Coast

Lobster

Lobster

mid-May–mid-November • food

During the lobster season, seafood is particularly succulent

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

April–October • nature

The Bay State is one of the top-ten whale-watching spots in the world, according to the World Wildlife Fund

Boston Harbor Islands

Boston Harbor Islands

May–mid-October • activity

The islands of Boston Harbour conceal abandoned forts, ancient lighthouses, and many other surprises

New England Fall Foliage

New England Fall Foliage

early September–October • nature

Check out the most picturesque spots for fall foliage all over the New England region

Baltimore Oriole

Baltimore Oriole

April–September • nature

Attracted by fruits and nectar, these birds are often spotted in the gardens

Spring and Autumn Surf Season

Spring and Autumn Surf Season

March–May | September–November • activity

Spring season in Hawaii is a good time to enjoy waves and master your surfing skills

Boston Harbor Cruises

Boston Harbor Cruises

March–December • activity

Boston Harbor has all kinds of cruises on offer

Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds

May–September • nature

Ruby-throated hummingbirds visit Massachusetts to nest and breed every summer

Seekonk Flea Market

Seekonk Flea Market

April–November (every Sunday) • event

Vintage flea heaven with hundreds of vendors

Baseball and the Red Sox

Baseball and the Red Sox

April–October • event

Visiting Boston without seeing the Red Sox is just unforgivable

Bash Bish Falls

Bash Bish Falls

April–November | best April –May • nature

One of the most beautiful New England waterfalls

Plimoth Patuxet (Plimoth Plantation)

Plimoth Patuxet (Plimoth Plantation)

mid-March–late November • activity

The 17th-century settlement reenacted in this living history museum

Stargazing

Stargazing

all year round (best June–October) • nature

Cape Cod and other scenic areas offer decent stargazing during the warm season

Charles River Kayaking

Charles River Kayaking

April–October • activity

Boston is one of those lucky cities that can be observed by boat

Bocce

Bocce

April–September • activity

This ancient bowling game which comes from the Roman Empire is nowadays quite popular in Boston

Clams

Clams

June–September • food

Clams come fresh, steamed, baked, fried, breaded, and in clam chowder—one has no excuse to abstain from this divine delight

Boston’s Historic Trails

Boston’s Historic Trails

April–October • activity

The glorious history of freedom-loving Bostonians lives on the city's numerous heritage trails

Beach Season

Beach Season

mid-May–mid-September • activity

If you don't mind frigid waters, you can enjoy a nice beach weekend

Singing Beach

Singing Beach

late May–early September (all year round) • activity

Shuffle the sand and listen to the magic sounds of this beach at Manchester-by-the-Sea near Boston

Fall Foliage

Fall Foliage

mid-September–late October  • nature

With the arrival of autumn, another unexpected vacation season begins in Cape Cod

Halloween

Halloween

late September–October • event

From Witch City to Beantown—hear all of New England's dark stories

44 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

St Anthony Feast

St Anthony Feast

out of rangeAugust 22-25, 2024 • event

This feast showcases Italian culture in America's melting pot

Northeast Balloon Festival

Northeast Balloon Festival

on holdJuly 10–12, 2020 • event

One of the best ballooning events in New England

Boston Pride Parade

Boston Pride Parade

overJune 12, 2021 • event

The most important event for LGBT community

Boston Harborfest

Boston Harborfest

out of rangeJune 30–July 4 • event

Naval ship cruising, historical reenactments, walking tours, and concerts—tonnes of fun and all for free!​

Christmas Tree Lighting

Christmas Tree Lighting

out of rangelate November • event

The official start of the holiday season in Boston

Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights

out of rangemid-November–early January  • event

Spectacular light tunnels, Christmas trees, and holiday installations

Massachusetts Renaissance Faire

Massachusetts Renaissance Faire

out of rangeAugust 3–4, 2024 • event

Explore a world of legend and soak up a magical ambiance

Provincetown Carnival Week

Provincetown Carnival Week

out of rangeAugust 12–19, 2023 • event

A vibrant celebration of Cape Cod

The Green River Festival

The Green River Festival

out of rangeJune 21-23, 2024 • event

The celebration of music in Western Massachusetts

New Year's Eve in Boston

New Year's Eve in Boston

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Join the famous First Night celebrations in Boston

Boston Dragon Boat Festival

Boston Dragon Boat Festival

unconfirmedJune 9, 2024 • event

Charles River gets crowded with elegant dragon boats as well as live music and entertainment

Fall Foliage in & around Boston

Fall Foliage in & around Boston

out of rangeOctober • nature

A leisurely stroll in Boston's parks is a delightful autumn experience

4th of July

4th of July

out of rangeJuly 1–July 4 • event

You won’t run out of things to do in Massachusetts on America's Independence Day

St. Patrick's Day Parade

St. Patrick's Day Parade

out of rangeMarch 17, 2024 • event

A huge celebration of everything green and Irish

Massachusetts Fall Foliage

Massachusetts Fall Foliage

out of rangeOctober • nature

The most popular season to visit New England

SoWa Winter Festival

SoWa Winter Festival

out of rangeNovember 24–December 17, 2023 (on selected dates) • event

The biggest winter shopping village and holiday festival in Boston

Spencer Fair

Spencer Fair

out of rangeSeptember 1–4, 2023 • event

Spend a memorable weekend at this family-friendly fair

Restaurant Week Boston (Dine Out Boston)

Restaurant Week Boston (Dine Out Boston)

out of rangeMarch 12–25, 2023 • event

Choose the place that fits your budget and your appetite

Christmas Markets in Boston

Christmas Markets in Boston

out of rangemid-November–early January  • event

Festive entertainment and plenty of gift ideas for the holidays

Brimfield Antique Show

Brimfield Antique Show

out of rangeMay 9–14, 2023 | July 11–16, 2023 | September 5–10, 2023 • event

The largest show of its kind in the United States

Charles Canoe and Kayak Races

Charles Canoe and Kayak Races

out of rangeOctober 20–22, 2023 • event

Check out the action on the Charles River in spring and autumn when Boston hosts two famous water races

Spring Blooms

Spring Blooms

out of rangemid-April–late May • nature

Boston is particularly charming and colourful during the spring flower blooming period

Boston Marathon

Boston Marathon

out of rangeApril 15, 2024 • event

Runners from all over the world come to Boston to partake in its most famous athletic competition

Greenfield Winter Carnival

Greenfield Winter Carnival

out of rangeFebruary 2-4, 2024 • event

Join a century-long winter tradition!

Lowell Winterfest

Lowell Winterfest

out of rangeFebruary 17-18, 2025 • event

The weekend full of fun competitions and outdoor activities

Harvard Primal Scream

Harvard Primal Scream

out of rangeearly May | early December • event

A peculiar biannual tradition when students run naked around the Harvard Yard before finals begin

Festival of Lights

Festival of Lights

out of rangeOctober 6–15, 2023 • event

Nocturnal light magic at Franklin Park Zoo

Fiddleheads

Fiddleheads

out of rangeMarch • food

Have you ever tried eating ferns? In Boston, this green delicacy is quite a popular ingredient

Boston Calling Music Festival

Boston Calling Music Festival

out of rangeMay 24-26, 2024 • event

Dance, laugh and enjoy a great music festival at the Harvard Athletic Complex

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend

out of rangeMay 23–27, 2024 • event

Lots of special events, concerts, and activities all over the city

Christmas Lights and Events in Cape Cod

Christmas Lights and Events in Cape Cod

out of rangelate November–late December • event

Cape Cod is a perfect destination to visit during the winter holidays

Oysters

Oysters

out of rangemid-October–April • food

Oysters never taste better than during harvest season

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

out of rangeApril • nature

Boston isn't the only place in Massachussetts where cherry-blossom culture thrives

Frozen Waves

Frozen Waves

out of rangeJanuary–February • nature

This unusual phenomenon is a great reason to visit an island of Nantucket when temperature drops

Fan Expo Boston (Boston Comic Con)

Fan Expo Boston (Boston Comic Con)

out of rangeAugust 4–6, 2023 • event

The major comic convention in New England

Wachusett AppleFest

Wachusett AppleFest

out of rangeOctober 14–15, 2023 • event

Celebrate yummy apple season and crisp, flamboyant fall at the most accessible ski resort in the East

North Adams Fall Foliage Parade

North Adams Fall Foliage Parade

out of rangeOctober 6, 2024 • event

Discover the beautiful fall foliage in the Berkshires and enjoy plenty of fun activities

Westfield International Air Show

Westfield International Air Show

out of rangeMay 13–14, 2023 • event

Experience the fighting spirit of America at Barnes Municipal Airport!

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival

Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival

out of rangeJuly 15, 2023 • event

Believe it or not, you can feel like you're in Scotland while staying in Massachusetts–but only if you attend this festival

Skiing

Skiing

out of rangeDecember–March (best in February) • activity

Beat the winter gloom with cross-country or alpine skiing in the Berkshire region

Falmouth Road Race

Falmouth Road Race

out of rangeAugust 18, 2024 • event

The most massive and famous race on Cape Cod

King Richard's Faire

King Richard's Faire

out of rangeSeptember 2–October 22, 2023 • event

One of the largest and oldest Renaissance fairs in New England

Whip City Brewfest

Whip City Brewfest

out of rangeJune 3, 2023 • event

A summer beer festival in Westfield, Massachusetts

North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival

North Quabbin Garlic & Arts Festival

out of rangeSeptember 30–October 1, 2023 • event

The beloved community " festival that stinks”

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