Calendar of Events

The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (tel. 888/SEE-BOSTON or 617/536-4100; www.bostonusa.com) operates a regularly updated hot line that describes ongoing and upcoming events. The Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events (tel. 617/635-3911; www.cityofboston.gov/arts) can provide information about specific happenings. If you're planning at the last minute, the arts sections of the daily Boston Globe and Boston Herald are always packed with ideas.

For an exhaustive list of events beyond those listed here, check http://events.frommers.com, where you'll find a searchable, up-to-the-minute roster of what's happening in cities all over the world.

January

Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Celebration, various locations. Events include musical tributes, gospel concerts, museum displays and programs, readings, speeches, and panel discussions. Check special listings in the Globe for specifics. Third Monday in January.

Boston Wine Festival, Boston Harbor Hotel and other locations. Tastings, classes, lectures, receptions, and meals provide a lively liquid diversion throughout winter. Look for 20th-anniversary events in 2009. Call the festival reservation line (tel. 888/660-WINE or 617/330-9355; www.bostonwinefestival.net) for details. January to early April.

Chinese New Year, Chinatown. The dragon parade (which draws a big crowd no matter how cold it is), fireworks, and raucous festivals are part of the celebration. Special programs take place at the Children's Museum (tel. 617/426-8855; www.bostonkids.org). For more details, visit www.chinatownmainstreet.org. Depending on the Chinese lunar calendar, the holiday falls between January 21 and February 19. In 2009, it's January 26.

February

African-American History Month, various locations. Programs include special museum exhibits, children's activities, concerts, films, lectures, discussions, readings, and tours of the Black Heritage Trail led by National Park Service rangers (tel. 617/742-5415; www.nps.gov/boaf). All month.

School Vacation Week, various locations. The slate of activities includes special exhibitions and programs, plays, concerts, and tours. Contact individual attractions or check the Globe for information on programs and extended hours. Third week of February.

March

New England Spring Flower Show, Bayside Expo Center, Dorchester. This annual harbinger of spring, presented by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society (tel. 617/933-4900; www.masshort.org), draws huge crowds starved for a glimpse of green. Plan to take public transit. Second or third week of March.

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations, various locations. Concerts, talks, special restaurant menus, and other offerings celebrate the heritage of one of the most Irish American cities. Note that the parade, along Broadway in South Boston, is not a city-sponsored event; the organization that runs it is private and therefore free to bar any group it wants to from marching. That includes gays and, at least once in recent years, antiwar veterans. March 17; parade is on the closest Sunday.

College Sports Extravaganza. In 2009, Boston plays host to the semifinals and finals of the Men's Hockey East Tournament, to an NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional, both at the TD Banknorth Garden (tel. 617/624-1000; www.tdbanknorthgarden.com), and to the NCAA Women's Frozen Four (hockey), at Boston University's Agganis Arena (tel. 617/358-7000; www.bu.edu/agganis). Expect giddy crowds, sold-out hotels, and packed sports bars. Hockey East (www.hockeyeast.com), late March; Frozen Four (www.ncaa.com), March 20-22; East Regional, March 26-28 (www.ncaa.com).

April

Big Apple Circus (www.bigapplecircus.org), City Hall Plaza, Government Center. The New York-based "one-ring wonder" performs in a heated tent with all seating less than 50 feet from the ring. Proceeds support the Children's Museum. Visit the museum box office or contact Ticketmaster (tel. 617/931-ARTS; www.ticketmaster.com). Late March to early May.

Red Sox Opening Day, Fenway Park. Even if your concierge is a magician, this is an extremely tough ticket. Check ahead (tel. 877/REDSOX-9; www.redsox.com) when tickets for the season go on sale in December. If you can't get tickets to Opening Day, try to see the 10am game on Patriots Day, the third Monday in April. It begins so early to allow spectators to watch the Boston Marathon afterward. Early and mid-April.

Swan Boats Return to the Public Garden. Since their introduction in 1877, the Swan Boats (tel. 617/522-1966; www.swanboats.com) have been a symbol of Boston. Like real swans, they go away for the winter. Saturday before Patriots Day (in 2009, April 18).

Patriots Day, North End, Lexington, and Concord. Festivities commemorate and reenact the events of April 18 and 19, 1775. Lanterns glow in the steeple of the Old North Church (tel. 617/523-6676; www.oldnorth.com). Participants dressed as Paul Revere and William Dawes ride from the Paul Revere House (tel. 617/523-2338; www.paulreverehouse.org) in the North End to Lexington and Concord to warn the Minutemen that "the regulars are out" (not that "the British are coming" -- most colonists considered themselves British). Musket fire rings out on the Battle Green in Lexington and then at the North Bridge in Concord. Contact the Lexington Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center (tel. 781/862-1450; www.lexingtonchamber.org), or the Concord Chamber of Commerce (tel. 978/369-3120; concordchamberofcommerce.org), for information on battle reenactments. Third Monday of April (in 2009, April 20).

Boston Marathon, Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to Boston. International stars and local amateurs join in the world's oldest and most famous marathon (www.bostonmarathon.org). The first wave of competitors begins at 9:25am. Cheering fans are welcome until the last weekend warriors stagger across the Boylston Street finish line in the late afternoon. Third Monday of the month (in 2009, April 20).

Freedom Trail Week, various locations in Boston, Cambridge, Lexington, and Concord. This is another school vacation week, with plenty of crowds and diversions. Family-friendly events include tours, concerts, talks, and other programs related to Patriots Day, the Freedom Trail, and the American Revolution. Third week of April.

Independent Film Festival of Boston, various locations. Features, shorts, and documentaries by international filmmakers make up the schedule for this increasingly buzz-worthy event. Check ahead (tel. 617/697-8511; www.iffboston.org) for the schedule. Late April.

May

Museum-Goers' Month, various locations. Contact individual museums or surf ahead for details and schedules of special exhibits, lectures, and events. All month.

Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009, Boston Harbor and various waterfront locations. The biggest deal in professional yacht racing makes the only North American stop on its round-the-world route. An in-port competition on or near the harbor takes place the day before the pro-am race, which uses a course designed to make the boats easily visible from the shore. Visit www.volvooceanrace.org for more info. Two weeks leading up to the competitors' departure for Galway on May 16.

Lilac Sunday, Arnold Arboretum, Jamaica Plain. This is the only day of the year that the arboretum (tel. 617/524-1717; www.arboretum.harvard.edu) allows picnicking. From sunrise to sunset, wander the grounds and enjoy the sensational spring flowers, including more than 400 varieties of lilacs in bloom. Mid-May.

Street Performers Festival, Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Everyone but the pigeons gets into the act as musicians, magicians, jugglers, sword swallowers, and artists strut their stuff. Late May.

June

Boston Pride March, Back Bay to Beacon Hill (tel. 617/262-9405; www.bostonpride.org). The largest gay pride parade in New England is the highlight of a weeklong celebration of diversity. The parade, on the second Sunday of the month, starts at Copley Square and ends on Boston Common. Early June.

Dragon Boat Festival, Charles River near Harvard Square, Cambridge (www.bostondragonboat.org). Teams of paddlers synchronized by a drummer propel boats with dragon heads and tails as they race 500m (1,640 ft.). The winners go to the national championships; the spectators go to a celebration of Chinese culture and food on the shore. Second or third Sunday of June.

Central Square World's Fair, Cambridge (tel. 617/868-3247; www.cambridgema.gov). This celebration of unity and diversity features the usual food, crafts, and kids' activities -- and a twist that elevates the event far above the usual street festival: local and national rock, jazz, and blues musicians. Early or mid-June.

Cambridge River Festival (tel. 617/349-4380; www.cambridgeartscouncil.org), Memorial Drive from John F. Kennedy Street to Western Avenue. A salute to the arts, the festival incorporates live music, dancing, children's activities, crafts and art exhibits, and international food on the banks of the Charles. Mid-June.

July

Boston Harborfest, downtown, the waterfront, and the Harbor Islands. The city puts on its Sunday best for the Fourth of July, a gigantic weeklong celebration of Boston's maritime history. Events surrounding Boston Harborfest (tel. 617/227-1528; www.bostonharborfest.com) include concerts, children's activities, cruises, fireworks, the Boston Chowderfest, guided tours, talks, and USS Constitution's turnaround cruise. Beginning of the month (June 30-July 5, 2009).

Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks Display, Hatch Shell, on the Esplanade. Spectators start showing up at dawn (overnight camping is not permitted) to stake out a good spot on the lawn and spend all day waiting for the sky to get dark enough for fireworks. Others show up at the last minute -- the Cambridge side of the river, near Kendall Square, and the Longfellow Bridge are good spots to watch the spectacular aerial show. The program includes the 1812 Overture, with real cannon fire and church bells. For details, check the website (www.july4th.org). July 4.

Sail Boston 2009, Boston Harbor and the Inner Harbor waterfront. The Tall Ships -- magnificent sailing vessels from around the world -- parade majestically into the heart of the harbor, berth at piers that are open to the public, and leave town in another stately procession. Festivals, fireworks, and tours of the ships await the millions of visitors who flood eastern Massachusetts for this uniquely enjoyable event. Make reservations as early as possible. For more info, visit www.sailboston.com. July 8-13.

Puerto Rican Festival and Parade, Franklin Park. This 5-day event, instituted in 1967, is part street fair, part cultural celebration, with plenty of live music and traditional food. The festival ends with a gala carnival. For details, contact Festival Puertorriqueño de Massachusetts (tel. 866/481-0695; www.prfestma.org). Late July.

August

Italian-American Feasts, North End. These weekend street fairs begin in July and end in late August with the two biggest: the Fisherman's Feast and the Feast of St. Anthony. The sublime (fresh seafood prepared while you wait, live music, dancing in the street) mingles with the ridiculous (carnival games, tacky T-shirts, fried-dough stands) to leave a lasting impression of fun and indigestion. Visit www.fishermansfeast.com or www.saintanthonysfeast.com for a preview. Weekends throughout August.

August Moon Festival, Chinatown. A celebration of the harvest and the coming of autumn, the festival includes dragon and lion dances during the parade through the crowded streets, and demonstrations of crafts and martial arts. It's also an excuse to stuff yourself with tasty mooncakes. For details, visit www.chinatownmainstreet.org. Mid-August.

September

Boston Film Festival (tel. 617/523-8388; www.bostonfilmfestival.org), various locations. Independent films continue on the festival circuit or make their premieres, sometimes following a lecture by an actor or filmmaker. Most screenings are open to the public without advance tickets. Mid-September.

October

Salem Haunted Happenings, various locations. Parades, parties, a special commuter-rail ride from Boston, fortune-telling, cruises, and tours lead up to a ceremony on Halloween. Contact Destination Salem (tel. 877/SALEM-MA) or check the website (www.hauntedhappenings.org) for specifics. All month.

An Evening with Champions, Bright Athletic Center, Allston. World-class ice skaters and promising local students stage three performances to benefit the Jimmy Fund, the children's fundraising arm of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Sponsored by Harvard's Eliot House (tel. 617/493-8172; www.hcs.harvard.edu/~ewc). Early or mid-October (tickets on sale in August).

Oktoberfest, Harvard Square, Cambridge. This immense street fair is a magnet for college students, families, street performers, musicians, and crafts vendors. Sponsored by the Harvard Square Business Association (tel. 617/491-3434; www.harvardsquare.com). Second Sunday of October.

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, TD Banknorth Garden (tel. 617/624-1000 events line, 617/931-2000 Ticketmaster; www.tdbanknorthgarden.com). The Greatest Show on Earth makes its annual 2-week visit. Mid-October.

Head of the Charles Regatta, Boston and Cambridge. High school, college, and postcollegiate rowing teams and individuals -- some 4,000 in all -- race in front of tens of thousands of fans along the banks of the Charles River and on the bridges spanning it. The Head of the Charles (tel. 617/868-6200; www.hocr.org) has an uncanny tendency to coincide with a crisp, picturesque weekend. Late October.

November

Thanksgiving Celebration, Plymouth (tel. 800/USA-1620; www.visit-plymouth.com). Plymouth observes the holiday with a "stroll through the ages," showcasing 17th- and 19th-century Thanksgiving preparations in historic homes. Menus at Plimoth Plantation, which re-creates the colony's first years, include a Victorian Thanksgiving feast. Reservations (tel. 800/262-9356 or 508/746-1622; www.plimoth.org) are accepted beginning in June. Thanksgiving Day.

December

The Nutcracker, Opera House, Boston. Boston Ballet's annual holiday extravaganza is one of the country's biggest and best. This is the traditional way to expose young Bostonians (and visitors) to culture, and the spectacular sets make it practically painless. Visit the website (www.bostonballet.org) for more info. For tickets, call Tele-charge (tel. 800/447-7400 or TTY 888/889-8587; www.telecharge.com) as soon as you plan your trip, ask whether your hotel offers a Nutcracker package, or cross your fingers and visit the box office when you arrive. Thanksgiving weekend through late December.

Boston Tea Party Reenactment, Old South Meeting House (tel. 617/482-6439; www.oldsouthmeetinghouse.org) and Tea Party Ship and Museum, Congress Street Bridge (tel. 617/338-1773; www.bostonteapartyship.com). Chafing under British rule, American colonists rose up on December 16, 1773, to strike a blow where it would cause real pain -- in the pocketbook. A re-creation of the pre-party rally at the meeting house is a lively all-ages audience-participation event; call ahead to see whether the ship has reopened during your visit. Mid-December.

Black Nativity, Converse Hall, Tremont Temple Baptist Church, 88 Tremont St. (tel. 617/723-3486; www.blacknativity.org). Poet Langston Hughes wrote the "gospel opera," and a cast of more than 100 brings it to life. Check ahead for 40th-anniversary events in 2009. Most weekends in December.

Christmas Revels, Sanders Theatre, Cambridge. This multicultural celebration of the winter solstice features the holiday customs of a different culture each year. Themes have included the Balkans, Victorian England, and Romany Gypsies. Be ready to sing along. For information, contact the Revels (tel. 617/972-8300; www.revels.org); for tickets, call the box office (tel. 617/496-2222). Last 2 weeks of the month.

First Night, Back Bay and the waterfront. This is the original arts-oriented, no-alcohol, citywide New Year's Eve celebration. It begins in the early afternoon and includes a parade, ice sculptures, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, and indoor and outdoor entertainment. Some attractions require tickets, but for most you just need a First Night button, available for $15 or so at visitor centers and stores around the city. Fireworks light up the sky above Boston Common at 7pm and over Boston Harbor at midnight. For details, contact First Night (tel. 617/542-1399; www.firstnight.org) or check the newspapers when you arrive. December 31.