If you're planning to navigate Boston's summer streets, good luck! The city is brimming with events that’ll turn your usual traffic headaches into a full-blown migraine. From open-air markets to thumping concerts, there's a lot to keep track of, and Boston's Transportation Department laid out all the details.
Starting with the Open Newbury Street Series, every Sunday from July 13 through September 21 (save for August 31), Newbury Street will transform into a car-free zone. Shoppers and diners can enjoy the freedom of the full street width, so leave the car behind and consider walking or taking public transit. As the City of Boston's traffic advisory puts it, "Arlington Street, Berkeley Street, Clarendon Street, Dartmouth Street & Exeter Street will all remain open," but a few cross streets will be closed off to traffic.
Over in Dorchester, the Boston Little Saigon Night Market hits Dorchester Avenue on Saturday, July 12. This vibrant event mirrors the beloved night markets of Vietnam, creating a fusion of local and international experiences. While this culinary and cultural extravaganza takes over, parking's going to be a bit of a nightmare on adjacent streets, so plan accordingly.
Fenway Park is jamming out with concerts by The Lumineers and Thomas Rhett from July 17-19. And if that’s not enough to draw a crowd, on July 26, the Annual Run to Home Base race is sure to add to the throngs. The city's advisory notes that with 2,000 runners, the event will likely attract upwards of 10,000 people.
But the real party is in the North End, where no less than eight feasts and processions from the storied Procession Of Madonna Delle Grazie on July 13 to the San Gennaro Feast concluding on September 7, celebrate heritage, faith, and community. Streets will be closed, and parking will vanish faster than gelato on a hot day.
As if that's not enough, Roxbury's streets will join the fray with the Open Streets Boston – Roxbury on July 12 and the Boston Unity Cup and Roxbury Unity Parade on July 19 and 20, respectively. Meanwhile, the South End has its own cultural highlight with the Betances Festival on July 19.
Even basketball is taking it to the streets with the Connecticut Sun rolling onto Canal Street on July 15.
