Boston Harborfest is Boston’s official Fourth of July celebration and one of the largest Independence Day festivals in the United States. Established in 1981, the multi-day festival celebrates Boston’s Colonial, Revolutionary War, and maritime history with hundreds of free and family-friendly activities held across the city’s most iconic historic landmarks—primarily Downtown Crossing, Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park, and Boston Harbor. Signature events include the annual opening ceremony and cake-cutting, costumed historical reenactments, live musical performances across all genres, the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Old State House balcony, beer gardens, the USS Constitution turn-around cruise, and the Harborfest Fireworks launched from a barge at Long Wharf. The festival regularly integrates with U.S. Navy Week programming. Now in its mid-40s (the 2026 edition coincides with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution), Harborfest is produced in partnership with the City of Boston, Meet Boston, and the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District, with event management historically led by Conventures, Inc. Donations are processed through Boston Celebrations, Inc., a 501(c)(3) organization.