Friends of the Public Garden

10/14/2026

Who's ready to get SPOOKY in America's first public park? Calling all ghosts and ghouls, the Children's Fall-O-Ween festival returns to the Frog Pond on Thursday, October 22, from 4-8 PM! 🎃

The Boston Parks & Recreation Department will celebrate the season with a day full of free, spooky, family-friendly fun on Boston Common. Costumes for both kids and adults are encouraged, so come dressed to impress!

Race through the Monster Dash Obstacle Course, tackle the Scarecrow Slide, and catch live performances on the Parks Department Stage.... there's something for everyone at this fright-tastic annual celebration.

Presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Skating Club of Boston.

10/08/2026

10/02/2026

The temps are cooling down, there’s a chill in the air, the foliage is turning… and there’s no better time to take a FREE walking tour of America’s first public botanical garden! 🍁

Take a closer look at the Public Garden and discover the stories, design, and details that make it so enchanting. Free walking tours are offered every Tuesdays & Thursdays at 10 AM and 4 PM, Wednesdays at 6 PM, and select Saturdays and Sundays at 10 AM all October long!

Meet us at the Make Way for Ducklings sculpture. Register ahead at bit.ly/fopgtours.

09/23/2026

Happy first day of fall, Boston. The Common, Garden, and Mall will soon come to life with vibrant colors from Park Street to Kenmore Square. Plan your visit and get outside to experience the foliage!

But leaf-peeping isn’t the only thing going on in your parks this fall...

🍁 Take advantage of FREE walking tours of the Public Garden during peak foliage, offered every Tuesday & Thursday at 10 AM and 4 PM, every Wednesday at 6 PM, and every Saturday & Sunday at 10 AM

🎨 Meet Me at Brewer invites you to enjoy watercolor workshops, live music, food trucks, and exciting pop-up experiences in the heart of Downtown Boston

⛲ Free sculpture tours will share the origins of historic pieces across the Common & Garden, the stories of the artists, and the vital conservation work that the Friends undertake to preserve them.

Behind the beauty of the trees and landscape is year-round care. Friends of the Public Garden works in close partnership with the City of Boston to steward all three parks. From caring for trees and improving soil health to conserving historic sculpture and providing free programming in the parks, community support keeps these historic spaces healthy, safe, and accessible for everyone.

Learn more about upcoming events and support your parks at bit.ly/fopgboston.

09/21/2026

Such an incredible afternoon on Boston Common! Everything was free and fun for the whole family at the Paint, Sip, Play pop-up at Brewer Fountain Plaza, hosted by Friends of the Public Garden. 🎨

From relaxing watercolor workshops on the lawn to fresh matcha iced drinks from Flour Bakery, lawn games, and dancing in the park, Brewer Plaza was the place to be. DJ Tahani kept the energy high with pop, Afrobeats, and Latin tunes while everyone connected, danced, and made new friends in the heart of downtown Boston.

This is just a taste of what’s to come this autumn... stay tuned for more pop-ups happening in your parks!

09/18/2026

Looking for something fun to do in downtown Boston this weekend? Spend Saturday afternoon on the Common at Paint, Sip & Play!

Join us tomorrow, September 19, from 1-3 PM at Brewer Fountain Plaza for lawn games, a photo booth, music from a local DJ, a watercolor workshop, treats from the Cookie Monstah food truck, and matcha sips courtesy of Flour Bakery + Café.

This free pop-up experience is designed for the perfect carefree afternoon. Meet up with friends, head over with family, or come solo to connect with your Boston community and forge new friendships at this free, family-friendly experience.

Want to paint? Supplies for the watercolor workshop are limited, so please remember to register in advance as painting supplies are limited at bit.ly/brewerplaza

Come play a game, make something new, grab a treat, or simply spend some time outside in America’s first public park. Free and open to all. See you on Saturday!

09/17/2026

We have heard your feedback, seen your photos, and read your comments, and we agree—the roses looked spectacular this summer! 🌹 The Garden’s four distinct rose beds require consistent, year-round maintenance to remain healthy and vibrant, and this is made possible by the Friends of the Public Garden volunteer Rose Brigade.

On Tuesdays throughout the summer season, volunteers of all ages and experience levels gather with our Parks Care team to care for the beds. Their work includes pruning spent blooms, weeding, monitoring for pests and disease, and keeping the soil well-conditioned. By handling this physical upkeep alongside our staff, the Rose Brigade provides an essential service to the park.

Thank you to all the volunteers who contributed their time and effort to this season’s beautiful harvest of blooms!