Boston Flora

Tag: Duckling Day

  • Sunday, May 11, 10:00 am – Duckling Day 2025

    Duckling Day is a celebration of the children’s classic book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, held annually on Mother’s Day. The day begins at 10:00 a.m. with check-in and a goody bag full of Duckling Day-themed items for every child. Playtime on the Common features a wide range of activities including activity booths, lawn games, magic, and live music that take place on the grass at Parkman Bandstand. The area is filled with children, parents, and caregivers who come together to enjoy games and other outdoor activities.  

    Duckling Day is a family-friendly celebration held each year on Boston Common. Duckling Day features activity booths, lawn games, magic, and live music. The event ends with a parade retracing Mrs. Mallard’s steps to the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture in the Public Garden.

    Registration for Duckling Day 2025 is open! Click the button below to register for this year’s event.

  • Sunday, May 12, 10:00 am – Duckling Day

    Join The Friends of the Public Garden in Boston’s most beautiful parks on May 12 for Duckling Day! We are so excited to gather once again at Parkman Bandstand for the most adorable event in Boston. 

    • Playtime on the Common: 10:00 a.m
    • Duckling Day Parade: 12:00 p.m.

    Before the Parade, join us for Playtime on the Common, a vibrant array of family entertainment from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All activities are included with event admission.

    Registration: $35 per family. Register https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/events/ducklingregistration/

  • Sunday, May 8, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Duckling Day

    Celebrate Mother’s Day in Boston’s most beautiful parks at the Duckling Day celebration and parade on Sunday, May 8th.

    A beloved tradition for over 30 years, the event celebrates the children’s classic book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Every year, hundreds of children parade through Boston’s most picturesque parks, dressed like characters from the story. Led by the Harvard University Marching Band, the parade will begin in the Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand and end in the Public Garden near the famous Make Way for Ducklings sculptures. Bring your cameras – this is the most adorable event in all of Boston!

    Prior to the parade will be Playtime on the Common, a vibrant array of family entertainment from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. All activities are included with event admission:

    · Interactive Circus Games with Esh Circus Arts
    · Jenny the Juggler
    · Peter O’Malley, magician
    · Jump, climb, and play with Knucklebones
    · Meet our giant Duck!
    · Visit with the Harvard University Band
    · Make Way for Ducklings reading station
    · A goody bag for every kid – full of Duckling Day-themed items!

    The registration fee is $35 per family group in advance (before May 6) and $40 per family the day of the event. Guests are required to follow City of Boston public health advisories and mandates in place at the time of the event. Each child who registers will receive a special goody bag. Register through the Friends of the Public Garden HERE.

  • Sunday, May 13, 10:30 am – 1:00 pm – Duckling Day

    The Friends of the Public Garden, in association with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, celebrates Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during its annual Duckling Day event.

    A beloved tradition for more than 30 years, Duckling Day celebrates the children’s classic book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey. Every year, over 1,000 people meet up and parade through Boston’s most picturesque parks, dressed like characters from the story. Led by the Harvard Marching Band, the parade will begin on the Boston Common at the Parkman Bandstand and end in the Public Garden near the famous Make Way for Ducklings sculpture. Bring your camera – the parade is possibly the most adorable thing you’ll ever see!

    Prior to the parade will be Playtime on the Common, a vibrant array of family entertainment including crafts, face painters, a magician, circus games with Esh Circus Arts, and climbing and jumping with the Knucklebones crew. All families are welcome to decorate their wagons or strollers, bring a picnic, and enjoy springtime in Boston’s most beloved parks!

    10:00 a.m. – Registration/check-in begins
    10:00 a.m. – Playtime on the Common begins
    11:45 a.m. – Executive Director Liz Vizza greets families
    12:00 p.m. – Parade begins

    Registration fee: $35 per family in advance (before May 11th); $40 per family at the event.

    Each registered family will gain free access to all the activities in the Playtime on the Common, and they will receive a special goody bag filled with Duckling Day themed items for each child in their party. Event will be held rain or shine, and there are no refunds. To register visit http://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/2018/02/05/13may2018-ducklingday/

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  • Sunday, May 11, 10:30 am – Duckling Day

    Join in this beloved Mother’s Day tradition! The Duckling Day Parade celebrates Make Way for Ducklings, the classic children’s book by Robert McCloskey. Every year, over a thousand children dress as their favorite characters from the story and gather on Boston Common to enjoy face painting, a puppet show, and other entertainment before marching through the Common behind the famous Harvard Band to the Public Garden.

    New for 2014: the new mayor of Boston, Martin J. Walsh will continue the tradition of welcoming the ducklings in attendance. Plus – the Knucklebones team will bring their wonderful play equipment to encourage duckling frolicking…while Joint Ventures Physical Therapy will be offering free mini-massages for moms to take a moment to relax.  Event will be held rain or shine, and there are no refunds. Register online ($35 per family, $40 on event day) at https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=ftpg&id=8.  Online registration ends May 10 at 8:00 pm.

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  • Sunday, May 13, 10:30 am – Annual Duckling Day Parade

    The Friends of the Public Garden will celebrate Mother’s Day with Boston-area families during its annual Duckling Day parade on Sunday May 13th. Registration will begin at 10:30am and the parade will begin at noon.

    Based on the children’s classic Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, Duckling Day is an annual event where children and their families retrace the steps of the beloved characters Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their family of eight ducklings. The parade will begin at the Boston Common on the corner of Beacon and Park Street. Children will parade through Beacon Hill dressed like characters from the story and end in the Public Garden near the famous duckling sculptures.

    Prior to the parade there will be plenty of family entertainment including a face painter, balloon artist and a magician. Mayor Menino will greet families at the end of the parade and actors from the Wheelock Family Theater will do a dramatic reading from the book.

    The registration fee is $35 per family in advance and $40 per family the day of the event. Each family that registers will receive a special goodie bag filled with Duckling Day toys and treats.  For more information visit www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org.  Photo courtesy of www.universalhub.com – don’t you just love the feathers?

  • Sunday, May 9, 12:00 noon – 30th Annual Duckling Day Parade

    The Friends of the Public Garden, in partnership with The City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department, presents the 30th Annual Duckling Day Parade on Sunday, May 9, beginning at noon on Boston Common.  Registration begins at 10:30 am, inside the Boston Common, across from the State House. Parade participation requires a $25 donation per family.  This donation includes snacks, entertainment, and a toy for each child. Registration is available in advance on line using the “For Kids” tab  at www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org.  Based on the book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, children and their families will retrace the steps of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their family of eight ducklings. Led by the Harvard University Marching Band, children relive the adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard dressed as one of their favorite characters from the book, or echoing its themes.  The Friends of the Public Garden is a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and protection of the Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. For additional information call 617-723-8144.  Duckling Day happens rain or shine because ducks love water.

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  • Sunday, May 10, noon – 29th Annual Duckling Day Parade

    The Friends of the Public Garden, in partnership with The Boston Athenaeum, presents the 29th Annual Duckling Day Parade on Sunday, May 10, beginning at noon on Boston Common.  Parade participation requires a $25 donation per family.  This donation includes snacks, entertainment, and a toy for each child. Registration is available in advance on line at www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org.  Based on the book Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, children and their families will retrace the steps of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their family of eight ducklings. Led by the Harvard University Marching Band, children relive the adventures of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard dressed as one of their favorite characters from the book.Pre-registration is encouraged, and on site registration begins at 10:30 a.m. on the Boston Common, at the base of the Shaw Memorial, opposite the State House.  The Friends of the Public Garden is a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and protection of the Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. For additional information call 617-723-8144 or email fopg@gis.net.  Duckling Day happens rain or shine because ducks love water.