Boston Harborfest Opens 39th Anniversary as City Emerges from Pandemic

BOSTON — July 22, 2026 — Boston Harborfest marks its 39th anniversary and post-pandemic return with a downtown kickoff ceremony. Acting Mayor Kim Janey, State Representative Aaron Miklowitz, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, and Downtown Boston Business Improvement District President Rosemarie Sansone headlined the Tuesday event, which organizers described as one of the city's first major public gatherings since the onset of COVID-19. Martha Sheridan, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau, named event sponsors including People's United Bank, Macy's, the Freedom Trail Foundation, Sperry Conventures, and Eastern Bank, and noted Boston will offer fireworks on both July 3 and July 4. Captain Wesley Hester of the First Coast Guard District delivered water safety remarks, citing a statistic that three out of four boating fatalities involve victims not wearing a life jacket, and reported Boston Harbor water temperature at 59 degrees. All Freedom Trail sites are open through the four-day holiday weekend.