The 2026 Boston Arts Festival

The Boston Arts Festival is a good reminder that you don't need to trek across town or buy a ticket to spend a worthwhile afternoon with local art. Now in its 24th year, the free two-day festival brings Boston-area visual artists and musicians to Christopher Columbus Park for a waterfront showcase that feels genuinely connected to the local creative community. The setting helps, too. With the harbor just beyond the park, you can browse paintings, photography and other work at an unhurried pace, then stick around for live music. It is family friendly, rain or shine, and runs from 11am to 6pm on September 12 and 13. Since the festival is specifically focused on artists from the Boston area, it is also a useful place to discover people whose work you may not encounter in the city's larger galleries or institutions. Best of all, admission is free.