Boston Columbus Day events provide lots of entertainment throughout the 3-day holiday weekend, which always includes the 2nd Monday of October.
In 2022, Columbus Day weekend includes Saturday October 8, Sunday October 9, and Monday, October 10 - although visitors start to arrive (and hotels book up) as early as Wednesday or Thursday.
Columbus Day is an official Massachusetts state holiday, which means state offices, banks, and schools are closed, but most other places including stores and shopping malls are open.
Huge Columbus Day sales make this one of the biggest shopping weekends of the year - so keep your holiday shopping needs in mind!
Visitors fill the city - so to get the best Boston hotel rates, this is a time when you'll want to make your reservations early.
Fall Foliage Tours
Fall foliage tours are a Columbus Day tradition, as brilliant leaf colors appear around this weekend in Boston and other Southern New England locations.
You can see some of the most breath-taking color in all of New England within an hour or two of Boston - and the easiest way to view the gorgeous leaves is on a foliage tour where someone else worries about the driving!
Find out about the best fall foliage tours departing from Boston.
More Fall Foliage Tours from Boston
Fall Foliage Boston Harbor Cruises on the Northern Lights
These scenic sightseeing cruises around Boston Harbor during the Columbus Day Weekend (plus other days in October and early November) show you colorful fall foliage as you cruise aroung the Boston Harbor Islands.
You'll see Long Island Head Light, Boston Light (America's oldest light house), Fort Warren on Georges Islands, Fort Independence, and brightly colored foliage on Peadock's Island and Thompson's Island.
A delicious 3-course brunch or lunch are included with your ticket, and you can purchase beverages on board. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the gorgeous sights!
Reserve your place now:
- Fall Foliage Brunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Enjoy a tasty gourmet brunch, fall foliage, and panoramic views as you cruise around Boston Harbor
- Fall Foliage Lunch Cruise on Northern Lights - Sip hot cider as you enjoy lunch on this relaxing fall foliage cruise to celebrate seasonal colors
More Fall Foliage Cruises
Fall foliage cruises to New England and Canada continue into October, and if you can carve a few days out of your schedule to go on one over Columbus Day weekend, there's no better way to enjoy this spectacular season!
Don't forget, though, that you can see plenty of color right in Boston. The Public Garden and the Beacon Hill neighborhoods are great places to start, but also check out our suggestions about the best places for seeing fall foliage in Boston.
Admiring fall foliage is a traditional Boston Colombus Day activity, and you can see plenty of gorgeous color without leaving the city.
If you want to head out of the city, Salem makes a great destination. Not only will you see gorgeous foliage, but you can also enjoy Salem's Halloween decor (on full display throughout October), witch museums, and historical sites.
- More about Halloween in Salem
- Take the high speed ferry to Salem
Columbus Weekend Sports - 2022
College and pro sports give fans plenty to enjoy on Columbus Day Weekend this year including a Celtics Preseason game and at least one, maybe two Red Sox games at Fenway Park as they compete in the ALDS playoffs.
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- Oct 8 - BU Terriorrs Women's Hockey vs Northeastern Huskies - Walter Brown Arena - Tickets
- Oct 9 - BU Terriers vs UConn Huskies - Agganis Arena - Tickets
- Oct 9 - NBA Preseason: Boston Celtics vs Toronto Raptors - TD Garden - Tickets
- Oct 10 - American League Division Series: Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays - Home Game 1, Series Game 3 - Fenway Park - Tickets
- Oct 11 - ALDS: Boston Red Sox vs Tampa Bay Rays - Home Game 2 Series Game 4 (if the Sox win the Oct 10th game) - Fenway Park - Tickets
Hotels near Fenway Park
If you're coming to a Red Sox game, spend the night or the weekend at one of the nearby hotels, such as the luxurious Hotel Commonwealth:
More top hotels near Fenway Park:
Check out more hotels near Fenway Park
Hotels near TD Garden
Coming to an event at the Garden? Spend the night or the weekend at a nearby hotel, such as the glamorous Onyx (shown in photo), part of the Kimpton hotel family:
More top hotels near the Garden:
Check out more hotels near TD Garden
Cranberry Harvest Festival
Cranberry harvesting takes place from mid-September through early November, making Columbus Day Weekend the perfect time for the annual Cranberry Harvest Celebration sponsored by the Cape Cod Cranberry Growers' Association.
This old-style family festival celebrates this favorite New England tradition with tours to a cranberry bog to see the harvest in progress, carnival rides for children, food vendors, artisans displaying their crafts, and the opportunity to buy super-fresh cranberries.
The largest cranberry grower in the country, A.D. Makepeace Company, hosts the festival at their welcome center in Wareham, about 30 minutes south of Boston.
Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower II
Only about a mile from the Festival's location in Wareham is Plymouth, site of Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower II.
These authentic reproductions take you back in time to when the first brave band of English Pilgrims sailed to the New World in the Mayflower and landed here to start a new life, just over 100 years after Columbus arrived in the Americas.
Costumed actors make you feel like you've time-traveled back to 1620 and are among the settlers and the Wampanoags, the Native Americans who helped them survive.
How to Visit: Join a day trip to Plimouth Plantation by bus from Boston
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Boston's Columbus Day Parade
Columbus Day Parade on Hanover Street in Boston's North End Boston's spectacular Columbus Day Parade features an eclectic mix of marching brass bands, military units and Colonial militias, Italian-Boston organizations, Duck Boat floats, politicians, other entertainers, and even vintage autos.
PLEASE NOTE: The Parade will not take place this year, but a special Heritage Day event will be scheduled - details coming soon! We are leaving the parade information up on the website in case you want to plan for next year.
The Parade always occurs on the Sunday before Columbus Day.
The parade celebrates Boston's Italian heritage, Christopher Columbus's expeditions to the Americas, and the commitment of Massachusetts military units to American freedom. Lots of local organizations, military corps, politicians, performers, and high school marching bands provide fun and entertainment.
In odd-numbered years (2023, 2025), the parade kicks off in Boston and winds through the North End's narrow streets - Atlantic Ave, Hanover Street, Cross Street.
In even-numbered years (2022, 2024), the parade marches down Bennington Street in East Boston, starting at the Suffolk Downs parking lot and ending up at Maverick Square.
Where to Stay near Christopher Columbus Park
More Things to Do in Boston
Top October Tours
Opening Our Doors Day in Fenway
Fenway Alliance presents "Opening Our Doors," Boston's biggest single day of FREE arts, cultural, and educational events when its members invite you to 60+ activities, performances, tours, music, and games from 10am - 4pm.
Festivities start on the Mass Ave side of the Christian Science Plaza at the intersection of Huntington Ave and Mass Ave. The kick-off celebration features a Kids Parade with the Hot Tamale Brass Band, performances, and free cupcakes, with fun activities for all ages all day.
Added plus: Free admission to several top Fenway museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, and the Mary Baker Eddy Library Mapparium.
When: Monday, October 10, 2022
Where: Multiple locations in Fenway
Cost: Free
More information: Fenway Alliance website - Complete events schedule for Boston's Fenway neighborhood
Cape Ann Artisans Open Studios
Don't miss this wonderful excuse to tour artist studios along the beautiful Rockport and Gloucester coast on Columbus Day weekend! Fifteen artists and artisans will welcome you to view their paintings, sculpture, mosaics, photography, pottery, jewelry, and other wonderful creations.
Go for just the day - or spend the weekend and go for walks along the beach, dine on lobster dinners, and browse in local boutiques, galleries, and antique shops. View Rockport Hotels
Open Studio Tour: October 9 and 10 at 10am - 5pm
Where: Open Studio Tour map and more information at www.capeannartisans.com - or pick up brochures with route maps at the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, the Rockport Information Booth on Rte 127, and at each studio. Look for the Studio Tour banner at each location
More information: Cape Ann Artisans website
Cost: Free
Find more October events in Boston
Boston Theater District Shows on Columbus Day
Schedules & Tickets:
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- Blue Man Group - Charles Playhouse - Multiple shows all weekend
Columbus Day Sales
You'll find plenty of deals and steals all over the city at the big Columbus Day sales - the best time to begin your holiday shopping! Virtually all stores will have big Columbus Day sales underway. Use these Boston shopping suggestions to get started:
- Newbury Street/Boylston Street - Great mix of designer boutiques and discount fashion - expect to see lots of "SALE" signs
- Wrentham Village - Crowds will be massive - but so will the savings!
- Assembly Row - Discount and factory outlet stores just 5 minutes (by subway) from Downtown Boston- Take the Orange Line to the Assembly Square station
- Boston shopping areas and malls - Where to shop throughout the Boston metro area
Things to Do with Kids on Columbus Day Weekend in Boston
Family-oriented activities to do with kids in Boston on Columbus Day weekend include:
- New England Aquarium - Kids and grownups alike love all the exhibits - great rainy weather choice also - plus huge Imax theater next door. Free Aquarium admission if if you have a GoBoston card, plus you go to the head of the line. More about New England Aquarium
- Boston Duck Tours - Kids' favorite way to tour the city by land and water! More about Boston Duck Tours
- Faneuil Hall Marketplace - Bring your whole family to this popular Freedom Trail site and shopping/eating/entertainment destination - More about Faneuil Marketplace
More to Do in Boston in October
More Fun Things to Do in Boston
More Articles about Top Boston Fall Events
- Columbus Day Parade - Information & photos
- Halloween Events in Boston - Shows, cruises, parties, & more
- Boston Thanksgiving - Halloween over? Start planning where to go for Thanksgiving dinner
- More Top Things to Do in Boston during October
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