Boston’s National Bike to Work Day Festival celebrates National Bike to Work Day and is our way of saying, “Thanks for riding your bike today.” We think it’s important to celebrate everyone who rides in Boston, and we want to make it fun for experienced and new bike commuters.

On Bike to Work Day, you can join a commuter convoy as it rides through one of dozens of locations throughout the Boston metro area. These convoys are guided by experienced ride leaders and follow a fixed schedule and route. Everyone finishes together at City Hall Plaza! Because you rode your bike, you’ll get a free breakfast and coffee amid an expo at City Hall Plaza. Join a convoy, or just show up for the fun at City Hall Plaza. Going to work after the event is optional.

Registration is free and encouraged so we know to expect you. It will also help us ensure that we have enough food and free t-shirts for everyone. Breakfast is only for cyclists, so please be prepared to show us your bike, helmet, or Bluebikes key.

Register now

Want to help out as a convoy leader? Want to exhibit at the event?

Bike To Work Day details

WHAT ARE FAIRY HOUSES?

Fairy houses are small structures for fairies and woodland creatures to live in. These whimsical habitats are build by children, families, gardeners, and nature lovers alike. 

Fairy house building is a fun and creative activity for children that encourages kids to go outside and connect with the natural world, in an environmentally friendly way. 

Not sure how to make a fairy house? Don't worry, members of the Mayor's Mural Crew have come up with step-by-step instructions of how to create your very own fairy house. 

This free, family event will feature:

• outdoor nature play
• storytelling, and
• Fairy House Building.

Children are invited to wear their favorite fairy and elf costumes to encourage their tiny guests to alight in Franklin Park. Natural materials will be provided, but everyone is  welcome to explore their surroundings to find natural elements, including sticks, stones, and leaves to adorn their fairy houses.

Schoolmaster Hill is located on Circuit Drive between the William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse and Shattuck Hospital. For more information, please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505, or visit the Parks website.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will be bringing the annual Children’s Winter Festival to Boston Common in partnership with the Highland Street Foundation during school vacation week on Wednesday, February 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Additional support is being provided by XFINITY, Capital One, the Floating Hospital for Children at Tufts Medical Center, L.L. Bean, and Cricket Wireless. 

“The Children’s Winter Festival gives kids and families the opportunity to enjoy a day of outdoor fun in downtown Boston,” said Mayor Walsh. “Come join us for free games and activities on the Common during public school vacation week.”

Among the attractions will the 45-foot-long Toboggan Tunnel mountainous adventure with twin roller lanes, the 30-foot-high inflatable Everest Climb N Slide, a Ski Lift photo op, and much more.  In addition, the Highland Street Foundation is sponsoring a week-long Winter Camp at the Boston Common Frog Pond with free skating and rentals for all ages from Monday, February 18, through Friday, February 22.  You can find more information on Winter Camp skating online.

The festival will also feature 103.3 AMP Radio’s JD, giveaways (while supplies last) from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” Signature Collection 30th Anniversary Edition and “Ralph Breaks the Internet,” and refreshments from Power Crunch protein energy bars, Cabot Cheese with Fuel Up To Play 60, KIND Snacks, and Nature’s Path.

Additional support is being provided by Magic 106.7 and 103.3 AMP Radio.  For more information, please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505, visit our the Parks homepage, or go to our Facebook page.

Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and title sponsor The Province of Nova Scotia will host Boston’s signature holiday celebration, the 83rd annual Boston Common Tree Lighting, on Thursday, December 5, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in Boston Common, adjacent to the Visitor’s Information Center at 139 Tremont Street. 

The event is supported by title sponsor Province of Nova Scotia, presenting sponsor Amazon, signature sponsors JetBlue and Meet Boston, community sponsors Bank of America and Constellation, and media partners WCVB Channel 5 and The Boston Globe. A sampling village will feature giveaways and refreshments from JetBlue, H.P. Hood, New England Coffee, Harry Potter, The Exhibition, and Raising Cane’s while supplies last. Sponsors of the “Make the Common Glow for the Holidays” who make the lighting of the Common and Public Garden possible include The Lynch Family Foundation, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, the Friends of the Public Garden, and Gilbane Building Company.

WCVB Channel 5’s Chronicle co-anchors Anthony Everett and Shayna Seymour will host Channel 5’s live broadcast of the event beginning at 7:00 p.m. American Authors, 5x platinum recording artists, and 2x Grammy nominees who got their start in Boston at Berklee College of Music, will headline with hit songs like “Best Day of My Life” and “Christmas Karaoke”. This year’s entertainment includes Halifax pop singer-songwriter Ria Mae, songs from A Christmas Carol performed by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, the soulful melodies of Mi’kmaq folk artist and fiddler Morgan Toney, the legendary vocals of Boston-based jazz and gospel icon Renese King, a heartwarming performance by the Boston Children’s Chorus, and more.

The holiday lights throughout both parks will light up in sequence shortly before 8 p.m. when Mayor Wu is joined onstage by Santa Claus and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.

A sampling village will feature a photo-op, giveaways, and refreshments from several companies while supplies last.

Immediately following the celebration on the Boston Common, Mayor Michelle Wu, the Friends of the Public Garden, and the Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall will  flip the switch to light up Commonwealth Avenue Mall. 

Please call (617) 635-4505 or visit our tree lighting page for more information about the festivities. To stay up to date with news and events in Boston parks, sign up for the email list  and follow the social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and The Friends of Copley Square welcome the holidays with the annual Copley Square Tree Lighting on Monday, November 26, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The free event will feature appearances by Mayor Walsh, NECN’s Jenny Johnson, Santa Claus, and Rudolph along with musical performances by vocalist Mark “Sing” Robertson, the Boston Children’s Chorus, the Boston Pops Brass Quintet, and Berklee College of Music's own Natalie Daniela Castro Diaz.

Light refreshments will be provided by Drake’s Cakes, KIND Snacks, HP Hood LLC, and the dairy farm families of New England and Must Be The Milk. The Fairmont Copley Plaza will host a family reception immediately following for all in attendance.  The reception will include cookie decorating, photos with Santa and treats from the Fairmont Copley Plaza.

For additional information please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505. You can learn more about The Friends of Copley Square online.

Mayor Martin J. Walsh has announced that the annual Fall Pumpkin Float will be held at the Boston Common Frog Pond on Friday, October 19, from 5 - 8 p.m. Hundreds of illuminated jack-o’-lanterns will be floated on the water accompanied by spooky family activities.

Attendees are asked to bring eight-inch or smaller carved pumpkins that will be lit and then floated on the Frog Pond for a dramatic early evening display. In addition, attendees are invited to view creatively carved and decorated jack-o’-lanterns from various local sports teams and organizations. Adults and children are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and participate in a wide range of fun activities. Children are invited to decorate luminary bags which will be displayed and illuminated along the edge of the Frog Pond. Test your courage and problem-solving skills in our haunted corn maze.

The Fall Pumpkin Float is presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Skating Club of Boston. For more information, please call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505, or visit our Facebook page.

The Madonna Della Cava Feast opens at 7 p.m. on Friday and stays open from 12 p.m. (noon) - 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Madonna Della Cava Procession takes place at 1 p.m. on Sunday on Hanover Street and Battery Street.

To learn more about the history of this event, check out the Madonna Della Cava Society's website.