The Highland Street Foundation's Free Fun Fridays program offers visitors no-cost admission to many of the most treasured cultural venues in Boston and across Massachusetts. The program was created to increase access and enrichment opportunities for children and families throughout Massachusetts during the summer months. Every Friday, from the end of June through the end of August, multiple sites are open for free.

This year, the Free Fun Fridays program boasts 24 venues in Boston:

• June 29: Lyric Stage Company
• July 6: Boston Children's Museum
• July 13: Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate, The Sports Museum
• July 20: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
• July 27: Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, Boston Athenaeum, Arnold Arboretum
• August 3: Franklin Park Zoo
• August 10: Boston Harbor Islands National & State Park, Institute of Contemporary Art / Boston, Nichols House Museum, Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, The Greenway Carousel, Freedom Trail Foundation
• August 17: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Commonwealth Museum, New England Historic Genealogical Society, Old State House, and Museum of the First Corps of Cadets
• August 24: Museum of African American History
• August 31: USS Constitution Museum, Mary Baker Eddy Library and Mapparium

Since 2009, Free Fun Fridays has drawn more than 900,000 visitors to venues throughout the Commonwealth. The program has grown to include participating venues in every corner of the state, helping them open their doors for free to the community.

The Highland Street Foundation is committed to addressing the most pressing needs and concerns for children and families in Massachusetts and California. We provide access and opportunities in education, housing, mentorship, health care, environment, and the arts.

The Bunker Hill Day Parade commemorates the Battle of Bunker Hill, which was fought on Breed's Hill on June 17, 1775, in Charlestown. This parade is always held on the Sunday before or on June 17.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, joined by local marching bands and other musical groups, current and past military personnel, re-enactment groups, sports teams, fire trucks, police motorcycles, and floats sponsored by local businesses, will travel:

• from the intersection of Vine Street and Bunker Hill Street
• down Main Street, and then
• finally, to Winthrop Street by the Charlestown Militia Training Field.

Many people take this opportunity to learn more about Boston's history by visiting the the Bunker Hill Museum, the Bunker Hill Monument, and other historic sites along Boston's Freedom Trail before or after the parade.

To explore Boston's rich history further, check out our guide to uncovering Boston's history.

Every year the Dorchester Day Parade, also known as the Dot Day Parade, takes place on the first Sunday in June.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Chief Marshall Ed Kelly, and other members of the community will travel:

• from Lower Mills at the corner of Washington Street and Dorchester Avenue
• along Dorchester Avenue, and
• ending at Savin Hill at the corner of Columbia Road and Dorchester Avenue.

The parade route totals 3.2 miles.

The 18th annual Haitian-American Unity Parade, organized by Haitian-Americans United, Inc. (H.A.U.), celebrates Haitian Heritage Month and Flag Day. Its mission is to increase visibility of the Haitian community, promote unity, and teach Haitian-American youth about civil rights and their Haitian heritage.

H.A.U. is a nonprofit organization founded in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to improve the quality of life for Haitian-Americans through education, community empowerment, and cultural development, using an approach where participation and unity are strongly favored.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Parks Commissioner Chris Cook welcome Boston’s most popular waterfowl back during the 30th annual Return of the Swans event on Wednesday, May 2. The celebration in the Public Garden begins with entertainment at 11 a.m.

After wintering at the Franklin Park Zoo, Romeo and Juliet will reside during the summer months in the Public Garden. The swans will be returned to the lagoon at 12:30 p.m. following a parade that begins at the Beacon and Charles Street corner of the park near the Make Way for Ducklings statue. Carts beautifully decorated by Boston’s Winston Flowers will help usher the swans to the release site.

Led by a brass band, the parade will continue to the George Washington Statue at the Commonwealth Avenue/Arlington Street entrance, over the pedestrian bridge, and end on the Boylston Street side of the lagoon for the official Return of the Swans ceremony.

The accompanying entertainment program, sponsored in part by the Friends of the Public Garden, includes a brass band, face painters, a reading of “Make Way for Ducklings” led by the Boston Park Rangers, and children’s activities presented by the Four Seasons Hotel Boston. In-kind sponsors HP Hood LLC, Power Crunch, and the Four Seasons Hotel Boston will provide refreshments.

The Friends of the Public Garden, in association with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, celebrates Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during its annual Duckling Day event. We look forward to seeing you there!

A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Duckling Day celebrates the children’s classic book, “Make Way for Ducklings,” by Robert McCloskey. Every year, more than 1,000 people meet up and parade through Boston’s most picturesque parks, dressed like characters from the story. Led by the Harvard Marching Band, the parade will begin on the Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand and end in the Public Garden near the famous Make Way for Ducklings sculpture. Bring your camera–  the parade is possibly the most adorable thing you’ll ever see!

Prior to the parade will be Playtime on the Common, a vibrant array of family entertainment, including crafts, face painters, a magician, circus games with Esh Circus Arts, and climbing and jumping with the Knucklebones crew.  All families are welcome to decorate their wagons or strollers, bring a picnic, and enjoy springtime in Boston’s most beloved parks!

The Boston Pride Parade and Festival is the highlight of Pride Week. The theme of this year's parade is, "Rainbow Resistance."

Mayor Martin J. Walsh will join other elected officials, community leaders, and activists in the parade. This celebration of the LGBTQ+ community draws a large crowd as it weaves through the City. The parade:

• start at Boylston St and Clarendon Street
• turn right onto Clarendon Street
• turn left onto Tremont Street
• turn left onto Berkeley Street
• turn right onto Boylston Street
• turn left onto Charles Street
• turn right onto Beacon Street
• turn left onto Tremont Street, and then,
• finally, City Hall Plaza on Cambridge Street

When the parade concludes, the festival begins. Enjoy food and drink, live music, and more at the parade's end on City Hall Plaza.

Boston Pride produces events and activities to achieve inclusivity, equality, respect, and awareness in Greater Boston and beyond. Fostering diversity, unity, visibility, and dignity, they educate, communicate, and advocate by building and strengthening community connections. Follow Pride Week on social media using the social media hashtags #WickedProud and #RainbowResistance.

The 36th annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl, presented by Valvoline Instant Oil Change. is the nation's largest all-you-can-eat ice cream festival. Whether you're a volunteer or professional ice cream eater, you play a huge part in our mission to conquer cancer.

Made possible by the generous contributions of the industry's largest ice cream companies, the Scooper Bowl has raised more than $6.3 million in the past 35 years for cancer research and patient care at the world-renowned Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

Grab your spoons and mark your calendars! Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is proudly held on City Hall Plaza June 5, June 6, and June 7 from 12 - 8 p.m.