Do your Fourth of July festivities center around a backyard BBQ and kids’ crafts at your place? Or are you more about spending the day waiting to see Boston’s most epic fireworks display over the Harbor? Either way, we think this year’s Independence Day celebration is going to be a blast, especially since so many Boston favorites are back this year. So grab the kids and your best red, white and blue accessories, then head out to find our favorite fireworks displays, parades, historical reenactments and more. Here’s where Boston families can celebrate July 4th in 2022!
Boston’s Best 4th of July Celebrations
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular Boston's main event returns for the first time since 2019! Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops will be at the Esplanade performing their acclaimed Fireworks Spectacular that includes the Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums. The program will be live from the stage of the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade Shed, and will be broadcast locally on Channel 7.
Boston Harborfest Boston Harborfest, the decades-old tradition celebrating Boston’s harbor and history, makes it 2022 debut with exciting activities at Boston’s best landmarks. This family-friendly event is one of the country’s largest Fourth of July festivals, and local families can enjoy the opening ceremony in Downtown Crossing, historical reenactments, Freedom Trail walks, boat tours, live entertainment and much more.
246th Independence Day Celebration City Hall Plaza is the starting point of this short parade that passes by the Granary Burial Ground, where wreaths will be laid on the graves of patriots. The parade continues through Downtown Crossing past other historical spots before the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company reads the Declaration of Independence.
Independence Day Parades & Festivals Beyond Boston
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Plymouth's 4th of July Celebration If a fun run, parade, food trucks, concerts and fireworks are the way you want to celebrate the 4th, head to Plymouth to enjoy the festivities. The 5K starts bright and early and is followed by a fun-filled parade. Round out your trip south with live music and food trucks before fireworks light up the sky over the harbor at dusk.
Fireworks at Polar Park Take the kids out to a ballgame with a side of fireworks after the last pitch flies at Polar Park. Home of Boston's minor league team, the WooSox, Polar Park will be hosting patriotic-themed fireworks for fans to enjoy from the stands when the WooSox take on the Scranton Railriders.
Lexington Lions’ 4th of July Carnival The carnival is in town and families will be able to enjoy rides, games, food and fun at this annual event starting June 30 through July 4. Fireworks are scheduled for July 1 at 9:30 p.m., and families will also catch youth games on July 4 at 10 a.m.
Coca Cola July 4th Fest Plan your fireworks extravaganza with a side of thrilling rides and Hurricane Ridge waterpark adventures. Take the kids to Six Flags New England for a sun-up to sun-down celebration every day. In addition to ticket discounts and rides for kids of all ages, families can watch a stunning fireworks display at 9:15 p.m.
Amesbury Days This year marks the 123rd Amesbury Days. It’s a chance to get together for fun and exciting community events and launch the summer of 2022. Beginning June 23rd, there will be lots to do including a block party, Pride celebration, live music, a Kids Night on June 28 and more. But the most wow-worthy of them all has gotta be the 4th of July fireworks display.
Hampton Beach Special 4th of July Fireworks Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind when you take to the shores of New Hampshire for a beach day followed by a fireworks display. Bring your sand toys and picnic basket! Dress the kids in the jammies just in time for the spectacular main event. We think they’ll be sound asleep before you get to the Massachusetts border after this exciting day.
If you never celebrate the holiday season without your favorite Hallmark Channel movies, then you’ll be excited to learn that you can get your hands on a Monopoly Hallmark Channel game.
The game is laid out just like the original Monopoly, but with “properties” based on Hallmark Channel movies, like a Christmas tree farm and a bed and breakfast.
The game tokens are also inspired by the films, with items like ice skates and a diamond ring for players to choose from. You can build on your properties by purchasing cottages and inns in place of the traditional hotels and houses.
The game is priced at $39.99 and is available for purchase at Hallmark online.
We’ve all gotten used to streaming blockbuster videos at home during the pandemic, especially when it comes to kid flicks. Thankfully, many films are coming to streaming providers earlier than ever, and that includes Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Encanto!
Disney’s newest film just hit theaters on Nov. 24, but you won’t have to wait much longer to view it from the comfort of your own sweatpants home. According to What’s on Disney Plus, the movie is coming to the Disney+ platform on Dec. 24! And while you wait for Friday to come, you can watch a special new featurette about the film right now!
Because the film is exclusively in theaters for 30 days, you won’t have to purchase Premier Access (usually $30) to watch it come Dec. 24. Your regular subscription is all you need!
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Encanto tells the story of the Madrigal family, who live in the mountains of Colombia in a special place called Encanto. The location is home to the family, but also to plenty of magic. Keep scrolling to catch the official trailer.
Mirabel, the only one in her family without magical powers, is on a journey to find her place in the family. Voicing the character, Stephanie Beatriz shares, “Mirabel is a really funny, loving character who also deeply yearns for something more. She’s also not afraid to stand up for what she knows is right—something I love and relate to very much.”
The film features new original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, as well as the voice of Colombian singer and songwriter, Carlos Vives.
––Karly Wood
Feature photo: Walt Disney Animation Studios via YouTube
This year was one for the books: we finally got our Friends reunion! Now we can count down the holiday season with the 2021 Friends: The Official Advent Calendar.
Packed with 25 days of goodies, Friends fans will love taking a trip back to Central Perk and other nostalgic moments of the beloved show. You’ll be surprised with mementos, mini books, activities and even a few recipes. Could it BE any more exciting?
Friends: The Official Advent Calendar is available starting today on Amazon for $25.
Buddy cop movies are always a blast! What’s not to love? Adventure, drama, laughs—an unlikely team ends up coming out on top and leaves us wanting more. We are loving this young-reader version of that archetype—and we all know the book is always better than the movie! Horace & Bunwinkle is a mystery-adventure series about Horace, an anxious Boston Terrier, and Bunwinkle, an exuberant potbellied pig, who team up to solve crimes in their barnyard and local neighborhood. If you have a reader ages 6-10, this exciting book could be the one to get them psyched about reading and a whole lot more confident, too.
Horace is flying high after solving the pet-tectives' first mystery. But Bunwinkle just hasn’t been herself—she’s scared all the time and is too embarrassed to tell anyone.
Before they can work on getting Bunwinkle’s confidence back, a new case lands in their laps—well, actually their trash cans—when Shoo the raccoon asks for help. The neighborhood humans think he’s behind a series of garbage upheavals and home break-ins—but he swears he’s innocent. Just because people call him a trash bandit doesn’t mean he is one.
To make matters worse, while the pet-tectives are trying to clear Shoo’s name, they learn that Eleanor is having money problems. She hopes to solve them by starting a community Farmer’s Market in the back field. The neighbors seem excited to help at first but then, one by one, they suddenly drop out.
With time running out, can the pet-tectives solve the mysteries and save Shoo and the Homestead?
“Gardner’s debut tale of mystery and (eventual) bucolic bliss brings to mind Joan Carris and Noah Z. Jones’ Bed & Biscuit series. Graduates of the Mercy Watson books will also feel right at home. Mottram’s occasional illustrations just add to the charm….This kicks off a series, and readers will be glad to know that this piggie and pooch will pair up again.”
— Kirkus Reviews
"I know a thing or two about animals who investigate mysteries, and Horace and Bunwinkle have what it takes, doing so with pluck and charm. Kids will be delighted by the curiosity and caring natures of these adorable, adoptive, crime-solving siblings!"
— John Patrick Green, New York Times-bestselling writer and artist of InvestiGators
“Horace and Bunwinkle are a delightful pair. Sweet and funny, their antics will keep young readers eagerly turning the page.”
— Suzanne Selfors, bestselling author of Wedgie & Gizmo and The Imaginary Veterinary Series
You can grab a copy of the first Horace & Bunwinkle book here to see what all the buzz is about!
The beloved blue steam engine is rolling to a screen near you very soon! Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go premieres September 13 on Cartoonito, a new preschool block from Cartoon Network. And we have an exclusive new clip to get your kids even more excited.
It’s rocket launch day and Thomas is ready to go! Of course, big days are a little more fun with friends involved. You’ll get a sneak peek at Percy, Nia, Diesel and Kana, plus the vibrant 2D animation, in this brand new clip.
The series follows the adventures of Thomas as he dreams of being the Number One Tank Engine. There’s plenty of trial, error and fun involved. Along the way, it showcases 26 social-emotional, cognitive and physical life lessons for young viewers. It’s produced by Mattel Television and reimagines the classic train franchise, with all the friends as kids, played by kid actors.
“We can’t wait for the next generation of fans to meet Thomas and his friends. In Thomas & Friends: All Engines Go, we aim for audiences to have fun as we expand the world of Sodor in new and exciting ways,” said Christopher Keenan, Senior Vice President, Global Content & Executive Producer, Mattel Television.
Gather the gang and get ready to watch next Monday, September 13! The Cartoonito preschool block runs from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. every day. After the season premiere, new episodes will come out every Monday. And if you’re looking for more fun ways to jump into the world of Thomas, check out the Thomas & Friends Storytime podcast, with 70 episodes available by the end of 2021. It can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever else families listen to podcasts.
Michelle Branch shared some exciting news yesterday––she’s expecting! The singer took to Instagram yesterday to share the news that she’s already got some cravings because a baby is on the way.
This will be the second child for Branch and her husband, Patrick Carney. The two share two-year-old son Rhys, along with Branch’s 16 year-old-son, Owen, from her first marriage.
While all baby news is exciting, this is particularly joyous for the couple who announced they experienced a miscarriage in Dec. 2020. New baby Carney is due in early 2022, but Branch hasn’t shared whether a baby brother or sister is joining the fam.
It’s been quite the ride this year for “Jeopardy”. Between honoring the passing of long-time host Alex Trebek, to a slew of celeb guests hosts, the gameshow finally has a permanent MC.
Since Alex Trebek leaves some large shoes to fill, going forward the show will now have TWO hosts! And for the first time ever, a woman will be among them. Mayim Bialik and Mike Richards will take the reins for the 38th season to start in September.
Actress and mom Mayim Bialik took to Instagram to share the exciting news, stating “Really really honored and astounded and excited for this – it’s beyond anything I ever imagined could happen.”
Jeopardy’s executive producer, Mike Richards will take the podium next to Bialik. Richards has been a long time producer for the show, and many others.
Be sure to tune in when the newest season hits television in September.
––Karly Wood
Feature photo: Ryan J. Thompson / Shutterstock.com
As we ease out of summer and into fall, retailers everywhere are getting amped for warm weather duds. When it comes to Halloween, Old Navy is ready for the spooky season!
The retailer just launched the first round of Halloween pajamas, T-shirts and socks that will get your excited to scream boo! While clearly there is more to come, we couldn’t help but get excited at the products available so far. Keep scrolling to see our faves!
Gender-Neutral Snug-Fit Skeleton Graphic Pajama One-Piece for Kids
Who doesn’t love an animated film about a sweet and cuddly creature that’s also packed with music? Thanks to Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation, Vivo checks all the boxes.
Featuring our fave musical guru Lin-Manuel Miranda, Vivo tells the story of a kinkajou on a mission to deliver a special message. Oh yeah, but what’s a kinkajou?
Now that we know all about the rainforest “honey bear,” we’re even more excited to watch the musical adventure. Along with Miranda, Vivo also shares the voices of newcomer Ynairaly Simo, Zoe Saldaña, Michael Rooker, Gloria Estefan, Nicole Byer and more.
Vivo will debut only on Netflix this Fri., Aug. 6.