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Free in September: Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids

Free September activities will have your kids dancing in the streets of Boston. Photo courtesy of Riverfest
Free September activities will have your kids dancing in the streets of Boston. Photo courtesy of Riverfest
9/2/22 - By Michael Del Llano

With so many activities free in September, families can keep an eye on their budgets and still find plenty of things to do in Boston with kids. This month, Museum Day lets visitors get free admission to participating locations all over Massachusetts. Curious kids can touch a truck or even explore a plane. And September in Boston has free fairs and festivals all month long, including Riverfest in Somerville, the South Boston Street Festival, and the Boston Local Food Festival. Given all these free things to do in Boston in September, there's every reason to get out and have fun with the family! So read on for our picks for the top things to do in Boston with kids that are free in September.

For more great family fun ideas, check out 30 Fall Activities in Boston To Do with Kids. Our Fall Fun Guide for Boston Kids is packed with activities, ideas for day trips, and much more. And always be sure to visit our Boston Events Calendar for all the great happenings (including more free ones) in and around the city.

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Get active with free September activities. Photo courtesy of the South Boston Street Festival
Get active with free September activities. Photo courtesy of the South Boston Street Festival

Free in September - Boston Festivals and Fairs

Gloucester Schooner Festival

Friday, Sept. 2 - Monday, Sept. 6 — Gloucester
Free
The Gloucester Schooner Festival takes place in America's oldest seaport over Labor Day Weekend. Events include the annual Mayor's Cup Race, schooner tours, a concert, a boat parade of lights, and fireworks. READ MORE

Sabores de Nuestra Cultura: Family Festival

Saturday, Sept. 3 — East Boston
Free
Celebrate food, culture, and family, all with the stunning views of the Boston skyline and harbor as your backdrop. Festival-goers will enjoy free treats, music, games, and creative crafts for the whole family. READ MORE

Riverfest

Saturday, Sept. 10 — Somerville
Free
Riverfest is the culmination of a summer of activity at Assembly Row with live local music, dozens of local artists, free children’s activities, a sidewalk sale, and of course the annual fireworks show over the Mystic River. READ MORE

Cambridge Carnival International

Sunday, Sept. 11 — Cambridge
Free
Cambridge Carnival International is a celebration rooted in African traditions featuring live music, ethnic foods, and crafts from around the world. READ MORE

South Boston Street Festival

Saturday, Sept. 17 — South Boston
Free
This street festival features “The Best of South Boston” including over 100 merchants, restaurants, artists and community organizations, which will fill East Broadway. READ MORE

What the Fluff? Festival

Saturday, Sept. 17 — Somerville
Free
What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation is a lively festival celebrating the invention of Marshmallow Fluff and Somerville’s legacy of creativity. This year will feature live music, fluff-filled feasts, fun games, and zany activities. READ MORE

Boston Local Food Festival

Sunday, Sept. 18 — Greenway
Free
The Boston Local Food Festival, overlooking historic Boston Harbor, is an outdoor, beginning-of-autumn celebration of the many virtues of locally grown and produced food. READ MORE

Salem Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

Saturday, Sept 24 - Sunday, Sept. 25 — Salem
Free
Enjoy a day of eating, drinking...and eating some more. Fifty of New England’s most popular food trucks will dish out fan favorites while national, regional and local craft beers will be available to wash it all down.  READ MORE
Get their motors running at Touch-A-Truck at the Track. Photo courtesy of the event.
Get their motors running at Touch-A-Truck at the Track. Photo courtesy of the event.

Free in September - Boston Events, Classes, and More

Free Community Day!

Saturday, Sept 10—Acton
Free
Stop by this free Community Day celebration, a thank you to the community in honor of the museum's 40th anniversary. In the morning, festivities kick off by making one-of-a-kind noisemakers. READ MORE

18th Annual MetroWest Humane Society Craft Fair

Saturday, Sept 17— Framingham
Free
The 17th annual MetroWest Humane Society Craft Fair features vendors specializing in jewelry, home décor, pet toys, candles, and clothing. READ MORE

Museum Day

Saturday, Sept. 17 — Boston
Free
Museum Day is a one-day event in which participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. READ MORE

Wheels & Wings

Saturday, Sept. 17 — Nashua, NH
Free
There's touch-a-truck and then there's Wheels & Wings! At this event, kids can climb into and explore trucks AND planes. READ MORE

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