Boston, August 22, 2025
News Summary
This weekend in Greater Boston features a variety of both free and ticketed events from Aug. 22 to 25. Major highlights include concerts by Kenny Chesney at Gillette Stadium, Childish Gambino at TD Garden, and family-friendly activities like the Vintage Night Market and St. Anthony’s Feast. With outdoor movies and neighborhood festivals, there is something for everyone. Plan your visit to enjoy live music, community gatherings, and cultural programs across the city.
Boston — A wide range of free and ticketed events across Greater Boston this weekend, Aug. 22–25, 2024, includes major stadium concerts, neighborhood festivals, family-friendly activities, outdoor films and cultural programs. The busiest highlights are multi-night performances at Gillette Stadium and a headline concert at TD Garden, alongside long-standing community gatherings in the North End and Jamaica Plain.
Top events and essential details
The weekend’s largest ticketed events are the final dates of the Sun Goes Down 2024 Tour with Kenny Chesney at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough from Friday, Aug. 23 through Sunday, Aug. 25 (shows begin at 5 p.m.; tickets start at $74.15), and a Friday evening show by Childish Gambino at TD Garden in Boston (Aug. 23, 8 p.m.; tickets start at $79.51). Saturday night brings an Avril Lavigne concert in Mansfield (Aug. 24, 7 p.m.; tickets $65–$316).
Free and family-oriented options include the Vintage Night Market at Bow Market in Somerville on Thursday, Aug. 22 (4–10 p.m.) with more than 30 vendors; the multi-day St. Anthony’s Feast in the North End running Thursday through Sunday with street food, live entertainment and a religious procession; and the citywide Open Newbury Street pedestrian day on Sunday, Aug. 25.
Other notable free programs
- Highland Street Foundation’s August Adventures — free admission participating sites this weekend: Buttonwood Park Zoo (Thursday), Wenham Museum (Friday), Paul Revere Heritage Site in Canton (Saturday) and Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester (Sunday).
- Free outdoor movie screenings — “The Haunted Mansion” at Revere Beach (Thursday, 8 p.m.), “Kung Fu Panda 4” at Iacono Playground in Hyde Park (Thursday), and the live-action “The Little Mermaid” at Prudential Center (Saturday, dusk).
- Jamaica Plain Porchfest — Saturday, Aug. 24, 12–6 p.m., more than 150 artists performing on neighborhood porches; free admission.
- Bay State Hot Jazz Festival — Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 23–24, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. at Condon Band Shell in Medford with traditional jazz ensembles and local artists; free admission.
- LEGO Club at Boston Public Library (Allston) — Saturday, Aug. 24, 10–11:30 a.m.; hands-on activity with LEGO and Duplo bricks; free.
- Boston French Film Festival at MFA — ongoing through Aug. 24 with a selection of French films and premieres at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
- Summer in the City Entertainment Series — live music on a floating barge at the Boston Harbor Hotel Tuesdays through Fridays through Aug. 28.
Where and when: schedule and locations
Major venues to note include Gillette Stadium (1 Patriot Place, Foxborough) hosting multiple shows Friday through Sunday; TD Garden (100 Legends Way, Boston) for the Friday Childish Gambino concert; and local neighborhood sites such as Bow Market in Somerville, the North End, Jamaica Plain, and Prudential Center in Back Bay. Several museum and historic sites participating in Highland Street Foundation’s free-admission program are located outside Boston proper, including Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford and the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester.
Many free events are scheduled in the evenings to take advantage of cooler temperatures and pedestrian traffic: outdoor films are timed at dusk or 8 p.m., Porchfest runs midday into early evening, and night markets span late afternoon into the evening.
Tickets and admission
Ticketing details vary: stadium and arena concerts have paid tickets with starting prices listed above. Most neighborhood festivals, outdoor films, Porchfest, LEGO Club and several festival stages are free to attend. Where large crowds are expected at ticketed events, attendees should plan arrival time, parking or transit and possible entry checks at venues.
Background and context
These events come as summer winds down and cultural activity ramps up for late August. The blend of large-scale commercial concerts and neighborhood-driven free programming reflects an approach that combines national touring acts with community arts and family-focused offerings. Several programs, including the Highland Street Foundation’s free admission days and the MFA film festival, are timed to encourage museum and heritage site visitation before fall schedules begin.
Organizers and venue operators typically publish updated schedules, safety guidance and accessibility information on their own websites or at onsite information booths. Attendees should check local transit options and any advisories for large events, particularly for the multi-night stadium concerts and street festivals in dense urban neighborhoods.
Practical tips for attendees
- For ticketed concerts, verify ticket authenticity and venue entry requirements before travel.
- For free neighborhood events, arrive early for popular stages and family activities to secure seating or space.
- Outdoor movie start times are approximate and depend on dusk; plan to arrive 15–30 minutes early for best viewing positions.
- Public transit and shared-ride options are recommended for events with limited parking or street closures.
FAQ
Which events are ticketed and what are starting prices?
Ticketed events this weekend include the Kenny Chesney shows at Gillette Stadium (tickets start at $74.15), Childish Gambino at TD Garden (tickets start at $79.51), and Avril Lavigne in Mansfield (tickets $65–$316). Other listed events are free to attend.
Are there family-friendly activities?
Yes. Family-friendly options include free outdoor movie screenings, the LEGO Club at the Boston Public Library in Allston, the Vintage Night Market, and multiple free museum admissions through the Highland Street Foundation program.
What should I know about street festivals?
Street festivals such as St. Anthony’s Feast often feature many food vendors, live entertainment and processions. Expect street closures and higher pedestrian traffic; use public transit where possible and arrive early for popular food vendors or performances.
How can I find exact start times and locations?
Event start times and locations are included above for the listed programs. For the most current details, check event postings at venues or community calendars managed by organizers, and confirm any last-minute changes before attending.
Weekend events at-a-glance
| Event | Date(s) | Time | Location | Admission / Ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vintage Night Market at Bow Market | Thu, Aug. 22 | 4–10 p.m. | 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville | Free |
| Highland Street Foundation’s August Adventures | Thu–Sun, Aug. 22–25 (site-specific) | Varies by site | Buttonwood Park Zoo; Wenham Museum; Paul Revere Heritage Site; Cape Ann Museum | Free (selected days) |
| Free Outdoor Movie Screenings | Thu & Sat, Aug. 22 & 24 | 8 p.m. / Dusk | Revere Beach; Iacono Playground (Hyde Park); Prudential Center | Free |
| Kenny Chesney (Sun Goes Down Tour) | Fri–Sun, Aug. 23–25 | 5 p.m. | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough | Tickets from $74.15 |
| Childish Gambino | Fri, Aug. 23 | 8 p.m. | TD Garden, Boston | Tickets from $79.51 |
| St. Anthony’s Feast | Thu–Sun, Aug. 22–25 | Varies | North End, Boston | Free |
| Jamaica Plain Porchfest | Sat, Aug. 24 | 12–6 p.m. | Various porches, Jamaica Plain | Free |
| Avril Lavigne (Mansfield) | Sat, Aug. 24 | 7 p.m. | 885 S. Main St., Mansfield | $65–$316 |
| LEGO Club (Boston Public Library, Allston) | Sat, Aug. 24 | 10–11:30 a.m. | 300 North Harvard St., Allston | Free |
| Bay State Hot Jazz Festival | Sat–Sun, Aug. 23–24 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. | Condon Band Shell, Medford | Free |
| Boston French Film Festival (MFA) | Ongoing through Aug. 24 | Varies | Museum of Fine Arts, Boston | Admission varies (festival) |
| Open Newbury Street | Sun, Aug. 25 | All day (summer Sundays) | Newbury Street, Boston | Free |
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Additional Resources
- Time Out Boston: Things to Do This Weekend
- Wikipedia: Boston
- Mommy Poppins: Things to Do in Boston This Weekend
- Google Search: Boston events
- Boston Uncovered: Weekend Things to Do
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Boston
- Boston.com: 10 Free Things to Do in Boston
- Google News: Boston weekend events
- TD Garden: Nine Inch Nails Event
- Boston.com: 15 Must-See Concerts in Boston
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
