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Things-to-do

Six Spots to Check Out This Memorial Day in Boston

Honor the fallen, visit a museum or outdoor market, and enjoy the Boston Calling Music Festival

There won’t be summer-like weather this Memorial Day weekend, but have no fear. From the Boston Calling Music Festival to free museum admission to a ceremony honoring the fallen, there’s no shortage of ways to make the most of your long weekend as Boston kicks off summer.

Memorial Day Flag Garden

Every year, over 37,000 American flags are placed on the Boston Common to honor the men and women of Massachusetts who have died since the Revolutionary War while serving their country. The flags are planted on the Wednesday before Memorial Day weekend. Locals are welcome to volunteer to watch the flags, educate visitors on their importance, or help retire them on Monday evening. Stop by for a breathtaking display and learn the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Through Monday, May 26, on the Boston Common. Learn more here.

Take the T to a local coastal town

Although ocean waters are still a bit chilly this time of year, there’s plenty of fun to be had on the coast during Memorial Day weekend. Better yet, some of the best Massachusetts beaches are accessible via the MBTA Commuter Rail. Hop on the Newburyport/Rockport line from North Station and explore the beach towns of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Gloucester, and Rockport. Beyond their stunning beaches, these quaint towns are filled with delicious seafood spots and homemade ice cream stands, making them perfect for a relaxing day trip.

Commuter Rail weekend passes are $10. Check out the train schedule here. 

Memorial Day at the USS Constitution Museum

Throughout the month of May, the USS Constitution Museum is honoring the lives of the fallen with ceremonies, events, and free admission for active service members and their families. Visitors are invited to make a leaf to be placed on the Willow Tree Tribute, craft their very own patriotic flag pin, and join together in a moment of silence on Monday, May 26, at 3 pm. 

Museum admission is pay-what-you-wish, with suggested tiers of admission found here. Find times and locations here. 

Visit a local market

This weekend is the perfect opportunity to explore one of Boston’s plentiful outdoor markets and to shop locally. On Saturday, May 24, and Sunday, May 25, the Brighton Bazaar is hosting over 100 local small businesses at the Charles River Speedway, 507 Western Ave., Brighton. Items for sale range from handcrafted art to custom T-shirts to vintage clothing. The event features live music from a vinyl DJ, plenty of food trucks and stalls, and craft beers from Notch Brewing. Elsewhere in Boston, there’s the Copley Square Farmers Market on Friday, May 23, and the SoWa Open Market, 530 Harrison Ave., Boston, on Sunday, May 25. 

All outdoor markets are free to enter, but dates and times vary, so check the websites. 

Boston Calling Music Festival

Boston Calling is back! The city’s largest music festival returns to the Harvard Athletic Complex for three days of fun. This year’s headliners include Luke Combs, Megan Moroney, Fall Out Boy, Avril Lavigne, the Dave Matthews Band, and Vampire Weekend. The multistage festival also features over 30 local food vendors serving up Boston classics, as well as a giant Ferris wheel offering gorgeous views of the Charles River.

Friday, May 23, to Sunday, May 25, Harvard Athletic Complex, 65 N. Harvard St., Allston. Tickets are $178 for a single day or $361 for a weekend pass. Check out the full lineup and purchase tickets here. 

Free Admission to the MFA

The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, is hosting a free open house all day on Memorial Day for those with a valid Massachusetts zip code. This includes admission to the special exhibition Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits. You can also expect live music from spoken-word artist Tim Hall and from Adobo-Fish-Sauce, two artists who “fuse spoken word, cooking, intentionality, vulnerability, and joy to create a one-of-a-kind experience,” as well as special events and lectures.

Monday, May 26, 10 am to 5 pm, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., Boston. Free entry is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more information here.