Best Things to Do in Boston in August | Studio Allston Blog
Best Things to Do in Boston this August
August is one of the most exciting times to visit Boston. Summer is still in full swing, outdoor events fill the calendar, and the city's waterfront, historic neighborhoods, and parks come alive with activity. From food festivals and live music to baseball games and harbor adventures, there is no shortage of ways to make the most of a late-summer getaway. If you're looking for a stylish home base close to many of the area's top attractions, Studio Allston offers easy access to the best of Boston while providing a creative and comfortable place to recharge after a day of exploring.
Catch a Game or Concert at Fenway Park
No Boston summer is complete without a trip to Fenway Park. August brings a full slate of Red Sox home games, and the energy inside America's oldest ballpark is hard to match. Beyond baseball, Fenway also hosts some of the season's biggest concerts on its field, drawing major touring acts to Boston for one-night-only shows. Whether you catch a game or a concert, the streets around Lansdowne Street stay lively well after the final out, with bars and live music keeping the night going.
Feast Season in the North End
August is peak feast season in Boston's North End, a tradition that dates back more than a century. The Fisherman's Feast returns from August 13 through 16, filling the neighborhood with food vendors, live entertainment, and a religious procession honoring the Madonna del Soccorso di Sciacca that has taken place since 1910. Later in the month, St. Anthony's Feast brings similar energy, with music, parades, and some of the best Italian street food in the city. These feasts draw huge crowds, so plan to arrive early, grab a cannoli, and soak in the atmosphere of one of Boston's oldest cultural traditions.
Celebrate the August Moon Festival in Chinatown
Every August, Boston's Chinatown comes alive for the August Moon Festival, a lively neighborhood celebration featuring lion dances, martial arts demonstrations, and live music along Harrison Avenue and Beach Street. Vendors line the streets selling food and goods, and the free, family-friendly event is one of the most colorful ways to spend a summer afternoon in the city. Start with dim sum before the festivities begin, then follow the crowds to the main stage for performances that run throughout the day.
Live Music on the Esplanade
The Boston Landmarks Orchestra wraps up its 25th anniversary season this August with free outdoor concerts at the DCR Hatch Memorial Shell along the Charles River Esplanade. Performances continue into early August, with the season finale on August 12th. Bring a blanket, pack a picnic, and settle in for an evening of live orchestral music with the Boston skyline as your backdrop.
Get Out on Boston Harbor
August is prime season for getting out on the water. City Cruises offers whale watching trips that head out toward Stellwagen Bank, where humpback and finback whales are frequently spotted feeding close to the surface. For a more relaxed outing, sunset cruises around the harbor offer sweeping views of the skyline and the Boston Harbor Islands as the sun goes down. If you would rather stay on land, the Harborwalk delivers many of the same views on a scenic waterfront stroll.
Watch a Movie Under the Stars at Frog Pond
Boston Common's Frog Pond hosts a free outdoor movie night on August 29, with the film starting at dusk and free popcorn available while supplies last. It is a simple, family-friendly way to end a summer evening in the city, and the carousel stays open right up until showtime for anyone who wants to ride before settling in on the grass. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair and claim your spot early.
Explore Beyond Downtown
While downtown Boston and the North End tend to get the most attention in August, the surrounding neighborhoods have plenty going on too. Cambridge and Harvard Square host summer markets and outdoor performances of their own, and the Seaport District stays busy with waterfront dining and evening events all month long. If you are staying in Allston, you are just a short ride from all of it, close enough to hop between festivals without dealing with downtown traffic or parking.
Make Studio Allston Your Base for August in Boston
With so much happening across the city in August, where you stay matters. Studio Allston puts you close to the Charles River, Harvard Square, and the T, giving you an easy path to Fenway, the North End, Chinatown, and everywhere else on this list, all without downtown hotel pricing. Rooms come with daily continental breakfast, a 24-hour fitness center, high-speed WiFi, and access to a rotating collection of art from local and national artists throughout the property.
Right now, guests can take advantage of the hotel's Stay More, Save More offer, which rewards longer August visits with bigger savings: 10% off for one to two nights, 15% off for three nights, 20% off for five nights, and 25% off for stays of seven nights or more, plus breakfast and a complimentary reward for booking direct. With a full month of feasts, concerts, and festivals to get to, a longer stay only makes sense, and this offer makes it easy to build your whole August around Boston without stretching your budget. Book your stay at Studio Allston Hotel today and make this your home base for the best of Boston in August.
