"Boston Harborfest, the largest Independence Day festival in the United States, celebrates Boston's colonial, Revolutionary War, and maritime history and heritage with fireworks, entertainers, historical reenactments, music, Harbor cruises, walking tours, and Chowderfest - plus a lot more!

"For more than 25 years, local radio stations have sponsored free concerts at Boston’s Hatch Shell. The official names of the programs are 100.7 WZLX FREE Summer Concerts and MIXFEST sponsored by Mix104.1. The series are a true public service, allowing hundreds of thousands of Boston residents to attend free performances of some of the greatest bands of all time."

Here are a few concerts coming up in July:

Friday July 3, 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm 
Boston Pops Orchestra Independence Day Concert 
Wristbands at Oval Usually Available at 9:00 am 
Wristband Oval Checkpoint Gate Opens at 5:00 pm
1812 Overture Played at 9:15 pm

Saturday July 4, 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm 
Boston Pops Orchestra Independence Day Concert 
Special Guest Performers: TBA 
Wristbands at Oval Usually Available at 9:00 am 
Wristband Oval Checkpoint Gate Opens at 5:00 pm 
1812 Overture Played at about 10:15 pm 
Fireworks at 10:30 pm

Wednesday July 15, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
(Rain Date: TBA) 
Landmarks Orchestra 
Rhapsody in Green 
At the River by Francine Trester (world premiere) 
The Hebrides by Felix Mendelssohn 
And God Created Great Whales by Alan Hovhaness 
River’s Rush by Kevin Puts (new england premiere) 
La Mer by Claude Debussy

26 bars and restaurants in Fenway and Allston celebrate the signature Viking Helmet with exclusive food specials, celebrity dj's, contests, prizes and free bowling, ping-pong, and billiards!

You'll be having fun.  You'll be doing good! Donation and Benefit drawing for The National MS Society

Concept:

Marathon= 26.2 Miles

Great Boston Beer Marathon= 26 Bars.

The . 2 is up to you!

Boston summers are one of a kind. One reason being there are endless FREE (and fun)  things to do. Here are 3 free summer activities, provided by Thrillist:

1. Play bocce at Lawn on D | Seaport

"The Seaport District’s funky/friendly urban refuge, Lawn on D, is all about free-ness with a packed docket of gratis events and a generous supply of game gear. But there’s nothing more chillax than hard-to-find bocce."

2. Tone those glutes while climbing the Bunker Hill Monument | Charlestown

"Ascending the 294 steps to the top nets you a sweet view of Boston and also buns of steel."

3. Catch a concert at the Hatch Shell | Charles River Esplanade

"WZLX and Mix 104.1 keep on rocking in the free world with a summer’s worth of concerts and fests on the Esplanade. Air guitar, also free."

"Stately Cambridge City Hall provides the backdrop for the annual neighborhood boogie bonanza on Mass. Ave. between Prospect and Bigelow Streets. Shake it with thousands of your closest friends while DJs spin dance hits from old school Motown to ‘80s/’90s party classics. (Parachute pants are optional.)"

"Join thousands of Cambridge residents and visitors who will gather in front of Cambridge City Hall for this annual, FREE dance extravaganza on Friday, June 26 from 7pm-11pm. Celebrate summer with an evening of community and music. After dark, colorful lights will be launched, adding to the magic of the evening.

Mass Ave, between Prospect and Bigelow Streets, will be closed to traffic during the event, but open for dancing!! 

Attendees are strongly encouraged to take public transportation to the event."

Head to Franklin Park Zoo to meet the newest member of the park’s Western Lowland Gorillas! Read the full article from Boston.com here.

"In the minutes before the gates open and the Franklin Park Zoo floods with school children, Kiki emerges from her cave, clambering three-legged down the rocks of the enclosure, clutching her tiny baby carefully with her other arm. She moves steadily around the rock structures, munching on leafy greens, her baby almost invisible except for a fuzzy head peeping out, quietly clinging to her.

Her baby remains unnamed until the zookeepers can get a closer look to determine gender, since Kiki is very protective and fully capable of doing everything on her own, even giving birth."

There are still a few seats left at our June Home Buyer Class tomorrow! Sign up by clicking the banner below!

Presented by acclaimed experts in the Boston Real Estate Market from Charlesgate Realty Group, as well as local mortgage market experts, our Boston Home Buyer Class is your opportunity to learn the home buying the right way - before you enter a transaction!  Get educated in a casual, fun setting and avoid the pitfalls that can cause financial and emotional problems during the buying process.

Attend our FREE Boston homebuying class to learn:

• Renting vs. Buying: Whether it even makes sense for you to buy right now
• Homebuying process and timeline: How long it actually takes to buy
• Working with a buyer agent: How it works and whether or not you really need one
• What mortgages are still available and how much cash you need to buy.
• Using neighborhood level data (like discount ratios and real time trend graphs) to value properties
• Negotiating 101: How to craft your offer to drive a hard bargain!
• Top 10 online resources to aid your home search

Is this class for you?  Well, if you’re looking for a fun, low key, and informal way to learn the Boston real estate market from the experts, then YES!  You’ll have a chance to ask any questions you want and get the straight scoop from us. Plus we’ll have pizza and beer!  How can you pass that up! 

A duck tour is just about as cheesy and touristy as it gets, but when there's as much history as there is in Boston, it's actually a fun and informative way to explore the city. 

"You’ve never toured Boston in anything that comes close to Boston Duck Tours. The fun begins as soon as you board your “DUCK”, a W.W.II style amphibious landing vehicle. First, you’ll be greeted by one of our legendary tour ConDUCKtors®, who’ll be narrating your sightseeing tour of Boston. Then you’re off on a journey like you’ve never had before.You’ll cruise by all the places that make Boston the birthplace of freedom and a city of firsts, from the golden-domed State House to Bunker Hill and the TD Banknorth Garden, Boston Common and Copley Square to the Big Dig, Government Center to fashionable Newbury Street, Quincy Market to the Prudential Tower, and more. And, as the best of Boston unfolds before your eyes, your ConDUCKtor® will be giving you lots of little known facts and interesting insights about our unique and wonderful city. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s more. It’s time for “Splashdown” as your ConDUCKtor® splashes your DUCK right into the Charles River for a breathtaking view of the Boston and Cambridge skylines, the kind of view you just won’t get anywhere else. So take the ride of your life. Hop on a Boston Duck Tour!"

Click here to buy tickets

Looking for something special to do this Fathers Day? Check out these 3 ideas from Boston.com:

1.Spa Day

"Dad certainly won’t feel intimidated about such grooming when it’s specifically geared toward men. The Emerge Spa, on Newbury Street, offers a number of manly services, including a sports pedicure (50 minutes, $65), gentleman’s facial (60 minutes for $115), and waxing ($25-$80). Appointments can be arranged at 617-437-0006 oremergespasalon.com/services."

2. Go Cruising

"Spirit Cruises has a couple of special cruises scheduled for Father’s Day. There is both a lunch cruise (11 a.m.- 2 p.m., $49.90 adults, $29.95 children ages 3-12) and a sunset cruise (6-8:30 p.m., $64.90 adults, $38.95 children ages 3-12), both including buffets, DJs, and views of Boston Harbor. Visit spiritofboston.com/Boston/fathersday to make reservations."

3. Brew It Up

"If Dad is a lover of craft brews, it’s no secret there are a great number of local establishments that speak to beer geeks everywhere. Whether it’s Lord Hobo, The Publick House, or a pint at Bukowski’s, Dad is sure to appreciate stepping in for a pint at one of Boston’s local beer bars. Here are some of the best to visit."

Kick off Father's Day weekend by taking your Dad to Formaggio Kitchen for their Saturday BBQs:

"Each year as the weather warms up, we roll out our massive Weber grill to finish house smoked meats and a variety of sides to satisfy a long line of die hard fans. Our 2015 season kicked off on Saturday, April 4th and will continue into October.

Check out our 2015 BBQ menu and call us at 617-354-4750 with your pre-order. We are happy to take smaller pre-orders up until 4pm on the Thursday before the barbecue. If you’re serving a large group of 8 or more people, you must place your pre-order prior to Wednesday by 12 noon. Please be aware that pre-orders will not be warmed up on the grill at time of pickup. Hot dogs, sausages and other items that require “finishing” on the grill are not available via pre-order.

Each week, our work begins in earnest on Thursday as we start prepping and smoking the meats. We smoke our brisket, chicken, lamb and pork shoulder using a variety of woods, and we put a healthy dose of dry rub on the pork ribs. We also cook up a heaping batch of baked beans, caramelized onions, and coleslaw to provide the trifecta of killer sides.

On Saturday morning, we roll out the grill and get the fire started with hardwood lump coals as a line of customers starts forming. We love the laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, and so do others: In 2007, we were voted Best Street Food by Boston Magazine, and in 2009 we were named one of the top ten best new BBQ spots in the US by Bon Appétit. Most importantly, we have a following of devoted regulars who make it all worthwhile. So stop by and join us for some great barbecue!"