Every summer our patients at Boston Dental ask us what event is going on at City Hall Plaza (just behind us at Government Center) and in most cases we put on a sheepish grin and admit we are not too sure. This summer we decided to go out of our way and find out exactly what events are going on at City Hall Plaza.

Boston City Hall Plaza, located at 1 City Hall Square in Boston hosts learning activities and fun-filled celebrations. The aim is to celebrate the summer by providing a venue where Bostonians and visitors can get together to have a delightful time. Previous attendees had an incredibly positive experience, which is the impetus for repeating the festivities. Handicapped people are welcome to attend. The staff are trained to assist them and provisions like wheelchair accessible ramps are provided.

Boston City Hall Plaza Events

The first event, A Celebration of Summer V: Donna Summer Roller Disco Party will be held on Friday, June 22 at 6 p.m. A Boston native, Ms. Summer became an important star in the height of the disco era. She has five Grammy awards. Like the original celebration in 2013, there will be roller skating. To buy tickets, click on the link.

On June 29, Friday at 11:00 a.m., the Frog Pond Spray Pool will be opened to the public. It is free. Girls and boys will have a marvelous time frolicking in the water during the hot summer day. The Boston Common Carousel is also available for rides on that day. Click on the link, for more information.

The Boston Pizza Festival will be celebrated on Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8. This is their 2nd year. Satisfy your pizza craving at this extraordinary pizza experience. There will be beer and wine. A ticket for all you can eat pizza is sold online. There will be live performances from bands, singers, acrobats and cooking exhibitions. Many eating areas with patio umbrella covers are going to be set up. There will be several entrance points to limit the line wait. To buy tickets, click on the link.

Caliente! Music Festival will be held on Saturday, July 21 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. You will have a magnificent night celebrating the Latin culture and heritage. The event is free, family-friendly and open to people of all ages. You can joyfully dance the night away and watch celebrities like Willie Colon and Jerry Rivera who were last year’s main performers. Professional singers and dancers will make the evening unforgettable. Food will be sold. For more information, call 617-635-3911.

The Best of Boston, a fabulous culinary event will be held on Tuesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. The evening will highlight Boston’s top taste-makers and culinary trendsetters. A combination of more than 1,000 chefs, critics and food enthusiasts will be attending. A band will play music as you enjoy the evening’s savory repast under the sheltering evening sky. Some of the participating food establishments include the winners of the Best of Boston from the past years. You will enjoy delectable food from Boston’s best restaurants like Area Four, Bar Mezzana, Boston Public Market, Cafe du Pays, Eventide Fenway, Grill 23 & Bar, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Mooncusser Fish House and Row 34. The event is open to people who are 21 years old and older. Click on the link for more information and to buy tickets.

The 11th Boston GreenFest will be held from Saturday, August 3 at 12:00 p.m. to Sunday, August 5 at 10 p.m. These two days will be filled with activities to educate and promote the preservation of wildlife, vegetation and the eco-system. You and your children will have a good time learning how to effectively sustain the natural environment. The program is full of lively exercises that will invigorate your mind and renew your interest in your day-to-day ability to protect the earth’s resources. Here’s what to expect:

  • a stimulating inter-active community discussion with questions and answers from the experts and attendees,
  • hybrid and electric vehicles that you can personally examine and test drive,
  • an eco-fashion show and a film fest for young people,
  • pony rides, games and STEM projects,
  • an EcoKids Center where children will have the time of their lives with robots, exhibits, music and art,
  • refreshments from the local food truck emporium.

Click on the link for additional information.

On Saturday, August 11, from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tour De Fat Boston 2018 will hold its 19th season to raise money for a more bike-friendly city. The organization is dedicated to making the bicycle a regular mode of transportation. The money goes to improving street designs that will accommodate more cyclists, bike paths and public spaces. This year, the cyclists will commence with a tour of 6 cities. Aside from the bikes, there will be beer, food and music from The Voidz. The other bands that will perform are Daredevil Chicken, Handsome Little Devils, Sedan Halen and KOLARS.

Tickets sell for $15.00 with no age restrictions. To buy tickets, click on the link.

Reserve the Saturday of August 19th for a day-long celebration of Happy Independence Day, India Festival. This wonderful and colorful occasion marks the 71st year of India’s independence from British colonial rule. There will be a fabulous array of cultural programs (think of Bollywood) and free games.

The Indian Association of Greater Boston, which organizes the yearly festivities aims to create a stronger understanding and appreciation of Indian-Americans in the New England community. There will be talent and cultural shows, Indian music, field games, delicious Indian food and a henna bazaar. For more information, click on the link.

On August 14, Tuesday, Boston Magazine will host The Cue, a scrumptious celebration of the barbecue. Now on its 5th year, The Cue is a barbecue lovers dream. It features more than 25 reputable vendors like Sweet Cheeks, The Smoke Shop BBQ, Blue Ribbon BBQ, Lincoln Tavern and Restaurant, Michael’s Deli, Le Petit Pouf, B3 Restaurant and Bar, Area Four, Legal Sea Foods, Loretta’s Last Call, The Lobster Trap and other amazing eating establishments. You will be able to enjoy tasting a generous array of samples. There will be beer, beverages, wine, cocktails and sparkling water. To buy tickets, click on the link.

On Wednesday, August 15 at 6:00 p.m., Boston Magazine will host its 7th annual Battle of the Burger, which will be presented by Budweiser. From now until June 26, you have the chance of choosing the winning burger by voting at www.bostonmagazine.com/battle-of-the-burger/#Burgers. The winner will be crowned as the Burger Battle Champion on the 15th during the celebration night. A terrific line of entertainment will be provided for the evening. They include the Hot Mess Band, Beats by Wallace, Frank and Brown and DJs J-Wall, Frank White and Ryan Brown. The special guest is the Floorlords Crews. Cocktails, wine and beer are available. Complimentary and delectable dishes from the winners of the previous Best of Boston is available to ticket holders. To buy your ticket, click on the link.

HUBweek 2018 will commence on September 10, Monday and end on September, 14, Friday. This exciting activity is a fantastic gathering of technocrats, scholars, artisans, entrepreneurs and educators. Their aim is to collaborate, network and enjoy each other’s company and insights to encourage future innovations in the industry. Sponsored by The Boston Globe, Harvard University, MIT and Massachusetts General Hospital, Hubweek will celebrate inventive people who are making a global impact. There will be representatives from more than 59 countries, 46 states and 35 industries. Talks, films and entertainment are scheduled for the week. To get more information on how to get passes for attendance, click on the link.

On Wednesday, September 12 at 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., GospelFest, a glorious and happy event will take place. Known to be the biggest event of its kind in New England, GospelFest is in its 18th year. People have been flocking to listen to the fusion of modern and traditional gospel music. It is free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Edna Wilkie of the Mayor’s Office organized a special choir group called the Mayor’s Community Gospel choir to open the concert. For more information, click on the link.

Prepare to laugh and have lots of fun at the 3rd annual Country in the City Concert. It will be held on Thursday, September 13 at 7:00 p.m. The event is free. It is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment and by Country 102.5 radio. You will savor the engaging country music that will be performed by talented people on the outdoor stage. There will be food trucks that serve down-home favorites. For a list of performers, please call their office at 617-635-3911.

On Saturday, September 15, Boston will hold a free and all day celebration of health and fitness. The 3rd annual Boston Social Fitness Festival starts at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. You will move, dance, spin, jump and make new friends. There is nothing like exercising in the open air with a group of enthusiastic people to get going. Your body will thank you for it! For more information and to register, call their office at the City Hall Plaza at 207-221-5188. You can also email info@nextdecibel.com. If you want an idea of last year’s event, click on the link.

The Dance Mile Block Party will be held on September 15. The event features music and dance to encourage a healthy lifestyle. There will be a dance parade from the City Hall Plaza to downtown Boston. There will also be a wellness expo where natural and wholesome products that promote your well-being will be sold. You can sign up for a free social fitness class that includes yoga and Zumba dancing. There are fun things for children to do like arts and crafts, face painting and games. You can watch dance teams on the stage. The entire event is free. Register at DanceMileBlockParty@BostonSFF or getfunky@thedancemile.com. You can also call 207-221-5188.

On Sunday, September 16 at 6:45 a.m., the 2018 Hub On Wheels will take place. Cyclists have two route choices: the downtown route and emerald route. The downtown route involves riding past 12 car-free miles from the city center to Fenway Park, Boston Common, the State House, Faneuil Hall and other landmarks. The downtown route is free for 10 to 17-year-old participants who are accompanied by a registered parent or guardian. The emerald necklace route, on the other hand, follows more than 40 miles of car-free streets from Storrow drive to the Emerald Necklace Park system, which includes views of The Riverway, Jamaica Pond, Stoney Brook Reservation and other neighborhoods.

Both departure and arrival places are at the City Hall Plaza. To register, click at the link. A part of your fee will help Boston Children’s Hospital to fight children’s cancer.

Public parking is limited. Rideshare and public transportation are recommended. If you have any questions, call the Boston City Hall at 311 or 617-635-4000.