Esplanade

Monday, February 3 – Saturday, May 3 – Frank M. Costantino: Visionary Projects

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For over fifty years, acclaimed illustrator Frank M. Costantino provided the world’s leading architects, designers, and developers with hand-drawn project designs from his studio in Winthrop, Massachusetts. This Boston Athenaeum exhibition of his work features over 80 drawings and watercolors. The exhibit will be on view February 3 – May 3.

Focused on Boston and New England projects, the exhibition showcases key landmarks such as the Hynes Convention Center, Esplanade 2020 Vision, and the Old State House renovation. Costantino’s meticulous detail and vibrant depictions, from finished renderings to preparatory sketches, reveal his creative and collaborative process.

This exhibition not only celebrates Costantino’s unparalleled skill but also highlights the Athenaeum’s dedication to local artists and architectural heritage.

Monday, April 21 – TEAM Esplanade & The Boston Marathon

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The Esplanade Association is proud to be a part of the Boston Athletic Association’s Bank of America Boston Marathon® Official Charity Program for the 129th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America on April 21, 2025.

The Esplanade is the premier running trail in Greater Boston. Each year, the excitement builds for the Boston Marathon runners who turn to the Esplanade’s riverfront pathways and footbridges as the setting for their training runs. 

Join us for a fun and positive life-changing experience of running the 129th Boston Marathon® presented by Bank of America with TEAM ESPLANADE! In 2024 we had 17 amazing runners who raised over $197,000!  Sign up now at https://esplanade.org/bostonmarathon/

Wednesday, August 2, 7:00 pm – Rendezvous by The River

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The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay Special Events Committee invites you to a live evening on the Esplanade with the Boston Landmarks Orchestra on Wednesday Aug 2nd  at 7:00 P.M. at the DCR Hatch Shell.  If there was ever a reason to join NABB now, this is it.

The concert will feature George Gershwin’s An American in Paris and a Dvorak cello concerto. A special prelude concert with the Four Strings Academy will set the stage for the rest of the evening. 

Please feel free to bring a picnic or snack for dining under the stars at the event. You are welcome to bring chairs, towels and blankets and even your dogs! No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the park. There is no charge for this event. However, chairs are available for rental that evening for $5 each. We will be gathering near the information booth. Look for the NABB sign. 

Please RSVP to specialevents@nabbonline.org. if you are planning on attending the event. Payment for the chair will be at the event.

Thursday, December 16, 5:00 pm – Prudential Center to Beam Green in Honor of The Esplanade

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The Board of Directors of The Esplanade Association are thrilled to announce that for the second year in a row, the Prudential Center will light up in honor of the Esplanade Association as part of the Prudential Center, Boston’s Annual 31 Nights of Light program. On Thursday, December 16 at 5pm, the Esplanade Association will flip the switch to light the top of the Prudential Center green in honor of the Esplanade’s essential 64 acres of green space and picturesque tree canopy made possible by the work of all during the 20th Anniversary year.
They encourage you to visit the Esplanade to view the Prudential Center beam green on the evening of December 16 and enjoy a scenic winter stroll along our beautiful riverfront park. Share your photos across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using #31NightsEsplanade or #31NOL. 

Renovation of the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge

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The Arthur Fiedler Footbridge, the pedestrian bridge linking David G Mugar Way to the Esplanade, will begin undergoing renovations this month. Renovations will include structural repairs and repainting the footbridge, and will involve closure of the footbridge from mid-May through the end of August.

In upcoming weeks, The Esplanade Association’s partners at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will be releasing press advisories and announcements regarding the renovations and how they will impact the neighborhood’s access to the park.

For those who frequently use the Fiedler Footbridge, the two nearest points of access to the Esplanade once the Fiedler Footbridge closes for renovations will be the Frances Appleton Footbridge and the Dartmouth Street Footbridge. Follow the Esplanade Association on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest updates on this project.

Saturdays, January 30, February 6, 13, & 20, 12:00 noon – Frost Fit: BCBSMA Lynx Saturday Workouts

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Frost Fit Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts is back on the Esplanade this winter for four physically-distant outdoor fitness classes led by Lynx Fitness Club.

For four consecutive Saturdays this winter, beginning January 30, instructors from Lynx Fitness Club will lead you through a free hour-long high intensity interval training (HIIT) class that incorporates bodyweight strength training with high-intensity cardio bursts for maximum calorie burning effect, set to fun and upbeat music. It might be cold outside but we are bringing the heat! Anyone who attends these workouts will receive select Frost Fit Winter Series swag. Classes will be held virtually if it’s not possible to host in-person on the Esplanade.

Registration for Lynx Saturday Workouts is capped at 23 people per class and is only available by clicking here, through Eventbrite. Please cancel if you are no longer able to attend. By registering for Lynx Saturday Workouts, you automatically sign the electronic waiver to participate in this Frost Fit Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts fitness class.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter (@EsplanadeBoston) to learn the latest news on Frost Fit and potential class cancellations due to weather conditions. You can also look to our Facebook page (@EsplanadeBoston) and Instagram (@EsplanadeInBoston) to find out the latest news on Frost Fit and all things Esplanade.

We’re thrilled to partner with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Lynx Fitness Club, Wishroute, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation this year to give the Greater Boston Community the opportunity to experience a positive, physically-distant and energetic outdoor winter workout like no other.

FROST FIT COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND GUIDELINES

  • Participants are required to pre-register in advance; only pre-registered attendees can participate.
  • Cones will be placed on the grass roughly 8 feet apart to designate where participants can stand. We ask participants to please respect keeping a consistent physical distance of 8 feet from others.
  • All participants are required to wear a mask.
  • The Esplanade Association will have hand sanitizer available on-site.
  • Stay home if you feel sick and/or are part of a vulnerable population

Thursday, July 18, 6:30 pm – 10:30 pm – 9th Annual Summer Dock Party

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Set against the incomparable backdrop of the Charles River at sunset, the 9th Annual Summer Dock Party has become a social highlight for young Bostonians. Over 200 guests will enjoy a sunset dinner and drinks followed by dessert and dancing on the docks.  The funds raised at this year’s event support the Esplanade Association’s work to care for and maintain the park, while providing the community with free summer programming.

Tickets may be purchased at www.esplanade.org.

Thursday, November 15, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – 2018 Friends of the Public Garden Members Reception

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The Reception is full, but contact Rachel Hangley below for membership information. Marie Law Adams and Dan Adams, founders of Landing Studio, will be discussing their vision and design for Charlesgate Park and sharing the community-led plan to revitalize this long-neglected area. Reclaiming the lost segment of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall at the intersection of three historic park spaces; the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Fens, and the Esplanade, their innovative plan will create new multi-modal connections to reconnect the park systems of Boston.

Landing Studio is an architecture and urban design practice. Their work is focused on the design of industrial and infrastructural systems in cities through shared-use landscapes, buildings, light installations, festivals, exhibitions, tours, and industry/community operations agreements. Additionally, Dan is the Director of the School of Architecture at Northeastern University, and Marie is a Lecturer in Urban Design at MIT.

The event takes place Thursday, November 15 from 6:30 – 8:30 at The Omni Parker House, 60 School Street, Boston. Contact Rachel Hangley at the Friends if you’d like to inquire about your Membership status: 617-723-8144 or email: rachel@friendsofthepublicgarden.org. Not a Member yet or need to Renew? You can join today. Click on https://friendsofthepublicgarden.org/2018/10/09/november-15th-2018-members-reception-2018/ to join or renew your membership.

Wednesday, August 16 – Friday, September 1 – Volunteer Opportunity: Public Art on the Esplanade

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Help enliven a Boston landmark by taking part in the creation of an exciting new public art piece. The Esplanade Association has commissioned a mural along the Charles River Esplanade, and is partnering with Now + There to produce the work. As we await final approvals, we need to recruit volunteers to help us during the painting phase of the project.

Volunteering will take place on the mural site on the Esplanade (to be revealed soon). Volunteer duties include ensuring brushes and other materials are clean and organized, running water to the site, providing general information to passers-by, and flagging pedestrian traffic to ensure that work is completed in a safe and timely manner. There is also an opportunity to help out at an upcoming community mural painting day.

Now + There is looking to schedule at least two volunteers on site during all painting days, which are schedule to run August 16 to September 1st. There will be two three-hour volunteer shifts per day, running from 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM. Volunteers should be comfortable interfacing with the public, and should be able to stand outdoors for three hours at a time. Some moderate lifting may be required of volunteers who help with materials.

This is a great opportunity to work with a talented local artist and help the Esplanade Association and Now + There bring more vibrant public art to Boston. Sign up at http://www.nowandthere.org/esplanade-volunteering?mc_cid=95385b6198&mc_eid=995cffa160

Thursday, June 15, 3:30 pm – Lotta Fountain Ribbon Cutting

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The Esplanade Association is pleased to announce that water is once again flowing in the Lotta Fountain thanks to their supporters, and to partners at the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

To celebrate the $358,000 revitalization, they will be hosting a ribbon cutting on Thursday, June 15th at 3:30 pm. It will be a family and dog-friendly free event, featuring a performance by Lotta Crabtree and her banjo player, vendor giveaways, and refreshments for you and our four-legged friends.

WHERE: The Lotta Fountain (midway between the Arlington Street footbridge and the Dartmouth Street footbridge). For more information visit www.esplanadeassociation.org.