Enjoy no-fee fun at these premium warm-weather happenings

Summer in the City: The Boston Harbor Hotel’s annual series continues this summer for its 25th year. June 6–August 29 on Tuesday through Friday evenings, enjoy entertainment that includes a variety of live music on the floating barge stage that boasts historic Boston Harbor as a backdrop. Al fresco dining and drinks are available on the hotel’s Rowes Wharf terrace, yet the performances can be savored gratis. 

Boston Arts and Music Soul Festival (BAMS Fest): This free musical celebration dedicated to racial justice and equality takes place on June 29 & 30 at Franklin Park Playstead Field and is headlined by singer-songwriter BJ the Chicago Kid and Grammy Award-nominated hip-hop artist Rapsody. Crowds expected to be in excess of 10,000 can also enjoy a Vendor Village offering wares from Black-owned businesses, dance lessons and an international array of food options at Soul Food Row.

Boston Harborfest: From July 1–4, this yearly patriotic tradition takes over Downtown and the waterfront with much-anticipated occurrences that include live music at locations throughout the area, fireworks over Boston Harbor on July 2 at 9:15 p.m. (pictured), Chowderfest on July 3 at 2 p.m. and the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Old State House balcony on July 4, followed by the dramatic turnaround cruise of the venerable USS Constitution from South Boston’s Castle Island back to its Charlestown berth.

Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular: The 50th anniversary of the annual Fourth of July extravaganza brings Broadway luminary Kelli O’Hara to town to perform with conductor Keith Lockhart and the beloved orchestra at the Hatch Memorial Shell along the banks of the Charles River. The music starts at 8 p.m., with other special guests that include The Mavericks, Darlene Love and the Singing Sergeants of the United States Air Force Band. Once the last notes of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture fade, the pyrotechnic display commences at 10:30 p.m. to the delight of all.

Chinatown Main Street Summer Festival: The first of two free summer celebrations takes place July 6 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on the streets of this neighborhood near the Chinatown Gate and boasts fun food, martial arts demonstrations, lion dances and more.