Celebrate the East Boston community with two weeks of culture, art, wellness, and fun
Special to the Times-Free Press
Boston Harbor Now has announced the return of Eastie Week, the annual multi-week event celebrating the community, culture, music, and art of East Boston. This year will mark the 11th anniversary of Eastie Week, which will take place throughout East Boston from July 14 – July 28.
Each year, the team at Boston Harbor Now and a handful of community partners like ZUMIX, East Boston Social Center, Piers Park Sailing Center, Veronica Robles Cultural Center (VROCC), HarborArts, East Boston Main Streets, Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association, East Boston Branch Library and the ICA Watershed team up to create two weeks of activities centered around bringing communities together to highlight the people, organizations, and diversity of East Boston.
Founded in 2013, Eastie Week has solidified itself as an annual celebration cherished throughout East Boston. This annual event provides an opportunity for residents and visitors alike to appreciate Eastie’s unique heritage and rich cultures while encouraging the community to get outside and enjoy a range of activities and festivities. Eastie Week continues to play a significant role in showcasing the diversity and spirit of East Boston.
This year’s celebrations will consist of more than 50 programs, ranging from free live music performances and parades to fitness activities, culturally inclusive workshops, outdoor movie nights, and more.
“Eastie Week is not just a celebration but a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant culture and rich history of East Boston,” stated Rebecca Smerling, Director of Programs at Boston Harbor Now. “We’re proud to partner with many organizations throughout East Boston to foster strong connections amongst neighbors and friends.”
Attending Eastie Week will be more convenient than ever this year. From July 5 until August 5, the MBTA Blue Line and East Boston ferry service will be free for all riders. Additionally, the MBTA is providing discounted fares for the commuter rail, as well as discounts on parking at both MBTA and Commuter Rail parking lots and garages.
Eastie Week Logistics:
Everyone is welcome to celebrate the East Boston community starting July 14 through July 28.
Eastie Week consists of special free and low-cost programming designed by and for the East Boston community. Enjoy family-friendly activities and events ranging from live concerts to fitness and dance classes to kayaking and sailing on the Harbor.
This event is all around East Boston.
Join Boston Harbor Now staff, elected officials, partner organizations, friends, and neighbors in beautiful Piers Park as we celebrate the kickoff of Eastie Week festivities on July 14th.
Eastie Week will conclude on Sunday, July 28th, with a free concert from ZUMIX Summer Concert featuring World Women in Jazz.
To view the full Eastie Week programming schedule and participating partners, visit: https://eastieweek.org.
About Boston Harbor Now
In April of 2016, Boston Harbor Now launched as a new nonprofit civic organization with a bold mission: to ensure a vibrant and sustainable future for Boston’s harbor, waterfront, and islands. Boston Harbor Now works with public and private partners to expand access to open space and recreational, educational, and cultural opportunities harbor-wide, plan for and build an integrated and expanded water transportation system, and to foster economic development and growth that is resilient to sea-level rise and the effects of climate change. Boston Harbor Now plays a unique role as the non-profit partner of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park raising funds to help the National Park Service, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the City of Boston, and hundreds of youth and community organizations to build visitor amenities and recreational infrastructures like campsites and trail networks, to provide interpretive, educational and cultural programs and volunteer opportunities, and to provide free access for children and families from low-income communities.