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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2021

Join us in proudly honoring the lives and legacies of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and civil rights leader, author, and activist Coretta Scott King.

January 18, 2021
2021-01-18T12:00:00 - 2021-01-18T14:00:00

Join the City of Boston, the Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground at Boston University, and New England Conservatory in proudly honoring the lives and legacies of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and civil rights leader, author, and activist Coretta Scott King.

This annual event has adapted this year to a virtual format with public health and safety guidelines in mind. We invite you to view the full program, featuring live and pre-recorded content, which will be aired live on the City of Boston TV channel (Xfinity: channel 24, RCN: channel 13, and Fios: channel 962) and via livestream on Boston.gov and Boston University's website.

January 18, 2021
2021-01-18T12:00:00 - 2021-01-18T14:00:00

About the event

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Eddie S. Glaude Jr. is the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University. In a year when many are reading James Baldwin’s essays, Dr. Glaude helps us to understand Baldwin’s excursion to understand racism in Begin Again: James Baldwin’s America and Its Urgent Lessons for Our Own. 

Ibram X. Kendi is a bestselling author, the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. Professor Kendi is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News correspondent. He is also the 2020-2021 Frances B. Cashin Fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for the Advanced Study at Harvard University.

READINGS:

Selections from Baldwin’s essays and introduction of speakers will be done by graduates of Boston Public Schools now attending Boston University and New England Conservatory, including NEC's David Norville.

ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS:

  • Karen Holmes Ward, Director of Public Affairs and Community Services at WCVB and host/executive producer of CityLine
  • Karilyn Crockett, Chief of Equity, City of Boston
  • Martin J. Walsh, Mayor, City of Boston
  • Andrea Kalyn, President, New England Conservatory
  • Katherine Kennedy, Director, Boston University Howard Thurman Center for Common Ground
  • Jean Morrison, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, Boston University
  • Dr. Robert A. Brown, President Boston University 

MUSIC:

  • "Come Sunday" – Duke Ellington | performed by NEC's Naledi Masilo '22 (voice), Eden MacAdam-Somer (violin), and Hankus Netsky (piano)
  • "Delights and Dances" – Michael Abels | performed by NEC Philharmonia; Hugh Wolff, conductor
  • "Striving for God" – Undine Smith | performed by NEC Chamber Singers; Erica Washburn, conductor
  • "Unity Medley" | performed by Boston University's Inner Strength Gospel Choir
  • "Summerland" – William Grant-Still | performed by Isabel Garita-Chin (violin) and Lorena Tecu (piano)
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Boston GospelFest: A virtual experience

New England’s largest Gospel music celebration will be streamed online on Sunday, August 9, at 5 p.m.!

August 9, 2020
2020-08-09T17:00:00 - 2020-08-09T20:00:00

The City of Boston’s annual GospelFest event, presented in partnership with Event Gospel, will be streamed online at 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 9. For more than 20 years, this annual gospel festival showcases both national and local gospel talent, blending contemporary and traditional gospel melodies.



Performers include the Mayor’s Community Gospel Choir, The Worship Bandits, Todd Galberth, Maranda Curtis, and Jonathan McReynolds! This virtual event will be hosted by Commissioner Gross of the Boston Police Department, Bishop Bobby Perry of Kingdom Builders Church, Bishop John Borders of Morning Star Baptist Church, and Pastor Ray Hammond of Bethel AME Church.

Attendees are encouraged to register to attend the event. The show will premiere on Sunday, August 9, at 5 p.m. on the Boston GospelFest website, and on the City of Boston’s YouTube channel.

August 9, 2020
2020-08-09T17:00:00 - 2020-08-09T20:00:00
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Canceled:
BCYF Girls Open House

Reason for cancellation: Contact the organizer
March 28, 2020
2020-03-28T12:00:00 - 2020-03-28T15:00:00

Refreshments will be provided. For more information, please contact erika.butler@boston.gov.

March 28, 2020
2020-03-28T12:00:00 - 2020-03-28T15:00:00
Last updated:

2023 Children's Winter Festival

The Children's Winter Festival returns to Boston Common!

February 22, 2023
2023-02-22T11:00:00 - 2023-02-22T14:00:00

Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department present the annual Children's Winter Festival on the Boston Common Parade Ground on Wednesday, February 22, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will feature treats, promotions, and fun giveaways.

The free festival is open to all and offers music, giveaways, winter activities, treats, and crafts. Featured attractions include:

  • All-Star Challenge
  • Everest Climb ‘N’ Slide
  • Fun House Maze
  • Trackless Train
  • ski lift photo booth
  • slap shot hockey
  • snow throw
  • pop-up mural activity from the Mayor's Mural Crew
  • LEGO build activity with a Master Model Builder, and
  • much more. 

The event is hosted in partnership with title sponsor Highland Street Foundation, presenting sponsor L.L. Bean, contributing sponsors Dunkin’, H.P. Hood, College Hunks Hauling Junk & Moving, and media sponsor The Boston Globe. Additional support is provided by Xfinity, Mission Realty Advisors, LEGO Discovery Center Boston, Lighthouse ArtSpace Boston, and the Baby Lab at UMASS Boston.

The Boston Common Parade Ground is located at the corner of Beacon and Charles Streets. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, call 617-635-4505, visit the Parks Department website, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

February 22, 2023
2023-02-22T11:00:00 - 2023-02-22T14:00:00
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