Esplanade Community Day 2024

SUNDAY, MAY 19th | 11am-3pm Part of our 4th Annual Community Day, Produced by AfroDesiaCity

AfroDesiaCity is thrilled to present an energetic performance as part of the fourth GroundBeat series, hosted at the iconic Hatch Shell for the Esplanade’s free riverfront music series. 

Join us on May 19th for a day filled with family-friendly festivities, embracing community spirit and place-keeping. Our dynamic showcase will feature a captivating blend of storytelling, dance, and music, spotlighting a talented lineup of local artists. A free, public, outdoors event meant for everyone to enjoy the Esplanade. We kick off the day with our Annual Esplanade 5k (registration required) followed by free music, vendors, and food around the Hatch Shell! We have several different activities for you

Our Esplanade 5K

Separate Registration is required to participate in the 5K

Sad you've been stuck indoors? No problem! Come join up to 1,000 fellow runners on one of the most popular running routes in Greater Boston. Online sign-ups close at 5:00pm on Saturday, May 18th, you can register with this link: Esplanade 5K Sign Up

Sponsored by Dashing Whippets

GroundBeat Produced by AfroDesiaCity

We are partnering again with AfroDesiaCity for this year’s GroundBeat Concert happening as part of the 4th Annual Community Day! AfroDesiaCity will bring their expertise and talent to both produce and curate a variety of diverse, inclusive, and entertaining performances at the iconic DCR Hatch Memorial Shell.

Produced By  AfroDesiaCity Productions Hosted By Mo The Great Performances By Tamyya Wright featuring visual Artist AKROBATIK ft. DJ DEADEYE & The Marcus Grant Trio  Stiggity: Groove Punch Hour  DJ Bobby BangersYESSMADJ TROY Frost

All of your donations support the Esplanade Association and provide us the opportunity to increase live arts and culture events at the Hatch Memorial Shell. Additional GroundBeat concerts will take place on Wednesday, May 29th and Wednesday, June 6th!

Sponsored by Audax Charitable Foundation, The Boston Foundation & Mass Cultural Council

Family Fun Activities

How could we forget about the little ones? We've dedicated a space just for them and you to enjoy the day. We'll have plenty of equipment and lawn games. If that's not enough, we will be hosting partners that will do educational activities and facepainting for everyone to participate in!

Vendor Fair + Food & Beverages

Throughout the day while you enjoy the music, you can peruse various vendors and grab a FREE bite from Jamaica Mi Hungry-- a local Jamaican food truck! And cool off from the heat of the day with a FREE ice cream social sponsored by Beacon Hill Village! We'll have a wide array of vendors!

Attendees are strongly encouraged to pre-register for these FREE events to ensure all attendees are sent any updates or additional information regarding this specific event.

Location Information & Directions

NOTE: There is NO PARKING on the Esplanade. Please plan to arrive via one of the options below:

WALKING If entering by foot, you can take one of many footbridges to enter the park. They are all noted on this map. The Hatch Memorial Shell is closest to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge which is located between Beacon Street and Beaver Place, adjacent to David G Mugar Way. Once in the Esplanade, begin walking right to shortly find the Hatch Shell! 

MBTA The Hatch Shell is a ten-minute walk from the Arlington MBTA Station (Green Line) and a ten minute walk from the Charles / MGH 

MBTA Station (Red Line). Find all of the nearby stations on this map.BLUE BIKES Pick up a Bluebike at any station around Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville and return to a station located conveniently near the Hatch Shell. Find locations on the System Map or mobile app. The closest Blue Bikes station is located where Beacon Street meets David Mugar Way, in front of Beacon Street access to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. 

PARKING (outside of park) Recommended parking locations include Newbury Street lots or the Boston Common Garage. 

RIDE SHARE Please direct rideshare vehicles to drop you off on Beacon Street near Arlington Street. Cheers is a good reference spot. Once you’ve been dropped off, enter the park on foot via the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge, located between Beacon Street and Beaver Place, adjacent to David G Mugar Way.

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Visit Esplanade.org/Events to learn about upcoming events and programs on the Esplanade.