If last year was about watching Moakley Park, a key waterfront park along Boston Harbor in South Boston, come alive, this year is about stepping into everything it has to offer.
From weekly gatherings and waterfront activities to public art and hands-on science, Moakley Park will once again become a hub for community connection in South Boston through a full season of free, accessible programming designed to make the park, and the waterfront, welcoming and available to all.
Southie Summer Nights Return
At the heart of the season is the return of Southie Summer Nights, a series of free Wednesday evening gatherings that bring neighbors together in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
Developed by Boston Harbor Now, in partnership with Mercy Robinson and South Boston en Accion, collaborators with Boston Harbor Now for more than five years, these evenings are rooted in the needs and energy of the local community.
Running from 5:30–7:30pm, each event features dinner, interactive pop-ups, and play opportunities led by Knucklebones, creating space for families, kids, young adults and neighbors to connect, unwind, and spend time outdoors together.
This year’s schedule includes:
Southie Summer Nights at Moakley Park
- July 15 – featuring DJ Easy Flicks
- July 22 – featuring the Timba Messengers
- July 29 – featuring a special Boston Lyric Opera Street Stage performance
Southie Summer Nights at Carson Beach (just steps from Moakley Park)
- August 5 – featuring DJ WhySham and kayaking with Piers Park Sailing Center
- August 12 – featuring DJ LadyLy and “CPR by the Sea,” a Better Beaches program led by the South Boston Collaborative Center and Boston Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- August 19 – featuring Eliza and the Vibes and kayaking with Piers Park Sailing Center
Whether you stop by for a quick bite or stay the full evening, Southie Summer Nights are designed to be easy to join and open to everyone.
Art That Invites You to Explore
Building on the momentum of last year’s public art installation, a new interactive experience is coming to Moakley Park this season: a scavenger hunt.
Designed to spark curiosity and movement, the scavenger hunt invites visitors to explore the park in a new way, encouraging discovery, creativity, and a sense of play for all ages. Whether it’s your first time visiting or a place you return to often, the scavenger hunt shows there’s always something new to find at Moakley Park.
Science You Can Take Part In
This year, Moakley Park will also become a living laboratory.
Through a season-long BioBlitz and participatory science effort, community members are invited to help collect baseline data on the park’s plant and insect biodiversity, creating a snapshot of what’s here today as the park continues to evolve.
The initiative kicked off during the April 25th cleanup, aligning with the global City Nature Challenge (April 24–27), and continues throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
Monthly cleanup days are also offered each month from March through October and remain one of the most popular ways for volunteers to get involved at Moakley Park. Summer cleanup days will occur on May 16, June 27, and July 18, each from 9:30–11:30am with breakfast provided.
Later this summer, in partnership with The Trustees of Reservations, another BioBlitz is scheduled for August 22. Anyone can help, by downloading iNaturalist, taking photos of plants, animals, insects around the Park and then uploading them.
It’s a chance to not just experience the park, but to contribute to understanding it and to see how it changes over time.
A Park and Waterfront in Motion
Moakley Park is evolving as part of a broader effort to create a more welcoming, resilient, and connected waterfront for all.
This season’s programming reflects that bigger picture, going beyond events and creating opportunities for people to spend time outdoors, connect with their neighbors, explore their environment, and take part in shaping what this space can become.
Whether you’re kayaking along the shoreline, listening to live music, contributing to a community science effort, or simply enjoying an evening in the park, there are more ways than ever to be part of it.
This summer, Moakley Park is one of the best ways to experience Boston’s waterfront, whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning to a place you know. It’s a place to experience and discover together. Learn more about the ways you can participate and experience Moakley Park for yourself.
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