September 5–7, 2026 · The long weekend
5 worthwhile events, plus three easy outings. Boston city outings + a clearly marked Amesbury farm day trip.
5 events in Boston
Saturday–Monday evenings, 6–10:30 p.m.; timed entry
Separate paid evening ticket · All ages; consider bedtime
Follow an illuminated outdoor trail of animal and nature lanterns, turning an evening walk into a glowing adventure.
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Sunday, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free entry; food and purchases extra · All ages
Let each child choose a food-truck treat, meet local makers, and browse colorful stalls at a manageable Sunday market.
Representative imageTaylor HeeryUnsplash LicenseRepresentative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.
Monday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Free; advance tickets required · Best for school-age children and teens
Try a short contemporary-art visit by the harbor without the usual admission charge.
Representative imageAlacoolwikiCC BY-SA 4.0Resized for web and displayed to fit card; representative event photograph.
Monday, 1:35 p.m.; recheck first pitch
Paid game tickets; prices and availability vary · Best for school-age sports fans
Trade a late school-night game for a holiday afternoon at the ballpark, with the Green Monster as your backdrop.
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Saturday–Monday; games from 8 a.m., live music 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Free festival entry; picking, food and some rides extra · All ages
Start apple season with old-fashioned games, live music and a farm-store doughnut stop; add picking if the family has energy.
Representative imageLand O'Lakes, Inc.Unsplash LicenseRepresentative photograph; displayed to fit card, original file unchanged.
A little more adventure
More things to do with kids in Boston. Keep one in your back pocket for the long weekend.
Martin’s Park
A free waterfront play stop near the Children’s Museum. Useful for an active break before committing to another ticketed attraction.
Museum of Science
A paid indoor day with hands-on discovery. Pick a few exhibits and book separately ticketed shows only if they suit your children.
New England Aquarium
A paid marine-life outing centered on penguins and the giant ocean tank. Reserve a time slot and keep the rest of the waterfront day flexible.
Labor Day is Monday, September 7, 2026. This guide covers Saturday, September 5 through Monday, September 7. All times are local to Boston.
SoWa Open Market, ICA Free Labor Day Admission, Cider Hill Farm Country Fair offer free admission. Food, rides, parking and special exhibitions can cost extra; free does not always mean no reservation.
SoWa works as a short daytime food-and-market visit. Boston Lights is an evening outing; Cider Hill adds substantial travel outside the city.
The Museum of Science and New England Aquarium are paid indoor choices. Monday’s ICA admission is free with advance tickets; its water shuttle has separate reservations.
Use each organizer link to confirm the latest admission rules and availability. A listing here is not a live ticket inventory. Reserve timed or dated admission before traveling, and check outdoor-event updates on the day.
Keep exploring
Guides, destinations and activities worth a family weekend.
Kids Activities Near MeA parent-first guide to finding ideas for today by age, distance, weather, budget, and energy level.
After-School Adventures Near YouTen genuinely doable ways to move, reconnect, and reset between school pickup and dinner.Representative imageFilip Rankovic Grobgaard / Unsplash
Meaningful Date Ideas for ParentsTwelve date formats for time alone, kids-along adventures, and meaningful connection after bedtime.Representative imageWeekend Wild image library
This Weekend with KidsFamily events, festivals, pop-ups, and seasonal happenings—plus a backup when the weather changes.Representative imageWeekend Wild image library
The Ultimate Kids’ Party GuideFind kids’ birthday themes by age, Spidey, PAW Patrol Dino Movie, Bluey, Minecraft and LEGO party plans, researched supplies and a practical planning checklist.Representative imageVlada KarpovichPexels License
16 Extraordinary Family Trips for 2027A worldwide edit with a month-and-age finder, side-by-side comparisons, realistic routes, stays and honest planning tradeoffs.MimihitamCC BY 4.0
Where to Go When with KidsA month-by-month global shortlist with one standout family destination in every world region.Representative imageUnsplash
October & November School-Break TripsTen complete family destinations compared by weather logic, travel ambition, and a pace children can actually enjoy.
