Dear Members and Friends:
August in Boston has many free offerings! From Shakespeare on the Common (through August 9), Free outdoor movies at the Pru (Saturdays, thru Aug 29), Jazz on the Esplanade Aug 8, Festivals in the North End and on the Boston Common, and more. Check out the Meet Boston site: Top Things to Do in Boston This August | 2026 and Boston Summer Bucket List
In the Fenway: enjoy the Mayor’s Coffee Hour, make some art at Edgerly Plaza and catch a concert at Ramler Park. Also, be sure you’re registered for the September Primary Election! There are some T shutdowns, and some new fare options as well!
THE WEEK AHEAD
Monday, August 3, 10:30 am – 11:30 am, Mayor Michelle Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hour (for Fenway/Kenmore) at Symphony Hall, 251 Huntington Ave (new location due to rain in the forecast)
Tuesday, August 4, 5pm – 8pm, National Night Out – The Boston Police Department and Castle Square Tenants Organization host the 2026 Night Out in the South End at Castle Square, 484 Tremont Street (see flyer below)
UPCOMING – SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, August 8, 7:30pm, NEC Summer Chamber Music: Opening Night, Jordan Hall. 280 Huntington Ave. Free event, but advance registration required. Expanded Education: Summer Chamber Music Young Artists Program Opening Concert – NECMusic. Opened in 1903, New England Conservatory’s acoustically superb Jordan Hall provides an intimate and versatile setting. In addition to being the heart and soul of NEC, Jordan Hall is central to the musical life of New England, having hosted performances by the world’s leading soloists and ensembles.Check this link for more Performances + Events – NECMusic
Saturday, August 15, 10:30 am – 2:30 pm, “We Are Fenway” Art Workshops & Storytime at New Edgerly Plaza 17 Westland Ave.
Kids Storytime is at 10:45, then join the fun of large scale art making – with free snacks and drinks on offer! See the flyer below! Part of the Edgerly Plaza activation series sponsored by FCA and City of Boston Streets department.
Tuesday, August 25, 6:30–8pm, Rain Date: Aug 26, Jazz at Ramler Park: Kenji and Friends, 130 Peterborough Street
Free, open to all. Bring a friend, a picnic, a blanket and enjoy live music in the twilight of a summer’s eve. Thanks to support from Mission Hill Fenway Neighborhood Trust and hosted by Friends of Ramler Park.
Primary Elections on September 1st
For full information on the Massachusetts State Elections visit: Upcoming Elections
Voter Registration Deadline: August 22
Vote by Mail Application Deadline: 5 p.m., August 25
Early Voting Period: August 22-28
Sept. 1 Election Day Polling Hours: 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Boston to host the second National Urban Rat Summit, Sept 23-24. City officials will host participants from across the US, and focus on evidence-based strategies for managing and reducing the city’s rat population. The inaugural conference in 2024 coincided with the initiation of the Boston Rodent Action Plan, which is ongoing. The FCA recently coordinated a walk-through in the East Fens to identify problem areas, and is coordinating an upcoming walk in the West Fens.
ONGOING
Fenway Park Concert Dates; remaining August 1, 2, 14, 15.
The Fenway Park Concert Neighborhood Committee meets to discuss concert impacts and mitigation actions by the Red Sox. Email fenwaycivic@aol.com with comments or concerns, or on concert dates, report problems by phoning:
City Licensing Board: 617-635-4170
Red Sox Complaint Line: 617-226-6424
City Problem Line: 311 / or online @ Boston 311
2026 Boston Parks and Recreation Summer Program Guide
Thursday Evenings Are on the House at Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Advance ticketing is recommended via ISG’s ticketing page.
On the Emerald Necklace through September: Journey the Necklace and
Studios Without Walls Presents: Urban Symphony / Art exhibit on the Muddy!
MBTA
Commuter Rail Summer Promotions | Fares Overview | MBTA (new fare options!)
Alerts | MBTA (note, planned shut downs on the Green line)
MBTA NEWS (shared by Senator Will Brownsberger)
- Governor Healey announced new MBTA affordability initiatives and extended commuter rail savings programs.
- Summer service updates for Green Line riders related to C Branch accessibility improvements and signal upgrade work in the central tunnel.
HEALTH & SAFETY
Free Memberships (while they last!) to Huntington YMCA for ages 18-29 To apply, contact Jordan Shea, Membership Director, Huntington Avenue YMCA, YMCA OF GREATER BOSTON, 316 Huntington Ave, Boston MA 02115
jordanshea@ymcaboston.org | www.ymcaboston.org
FENWAY CARES Every other Wednesday, 3:30 pm ‘til done – Next date Aug 12
Upcoming Food Distribution Dates (3:30PM, while supplies last)
WEST FENWAY: 8/12* | 8/26
EAST FENWAY: 8/12 | 8/26*
* Presence of Mass General Brigham Community Care Van 1-5 pm
Thursdays, 10 a.m., Free Chair Yoga with Michelle, Symphony Park, 39 Edgerly Road. (weekly until August 27) Join yoga instructor Michelle Coleman for a gentle workout – this class is performed mostly seated. This class is part of the Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series – information at: Parks Fitness: Chair Yoga with Michelle
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 