ONGOING EVENTS
SoWa Open Market Sundays, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM through October 26th, 500 Harrison Avenue. Boston's largest celebration of local art, food and music continues with over 100 regional and local vendors, food trucks, live music, and Beer Garden. Features rotating brewery takeovers every Sunday. FREE Website: sowaboston.com
SoWa Artists Guild Open Studios Every Sunday, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM, 450 Harrison Avenue. Over 80 professional studio artists open their doors. Browse studios, meet artists, and buy art directly from makers. FREE Website: sowaartists.com
SoWa First Fridays First Friday of each month, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM, 450 Harrison Avenue & throughout SoWa Art + Design District. Artists, galleries, shops and showrooms open their doors for an evening of art and culture. FREE Website: sowaartists.com
Community Music Center of Boston Programming Registration open for fall 2025 lessons and classes. 109-year-old accredited music school providing equitable access to music education. Website: cmcb.org
Age Strong Commission Programming Union Church, 485 Columbus Avenue. Programs for older adults including fitness and social activities. Contact: 617-635-4505
Youth Flag Football Saturdays, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM, Carter Playground Bubble, 709 Columbus Avenue. Free co-ed program for ages 8U, 10U, 12U, and girls 15U. Registration: boston.gov/sports
OCTOBER 4-10
Haley House's 2nd Annual Community Day Saturday, October 4, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, Montgomery Street (between Dartmouth Street and Union Park). A joyful, inclusive event celebrating the diversity and spirit of the South End. The street will be transformed into a pedestrian-only corridor featuring live music and dance performances, family-friendly activities, food and drink offerings, hands-on art-making stations, sidewalk games for children, and communal seating. Rooted in Haley House's nearly six decades of community-building work. FREE, all ages welcome. Haley House Soup Kitchen, 23 Dartmouth Street. Website: haleyhouse.org
Neighborhood Partners for the Hurley School - Family Fun Event Sunday, October 5, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM, playground behind the Hurley School, 70 Worcester Street (on West Springfield Street). Celebrate the new community playground coming to the South End. Learn about the project and enjoy games, music, and snacks. FREE, everyone welcome.
Boston Police Department - Walk In The Park At Night Monday, October 6, 6:00 PM. Start at Titus Sparrow Park, 75 West Rutland Square, walk to South West Corridor. Community safety walk.
OCTOBER 13-19
Head of the Charles Regatta (60th Anniversary) Friday, October 17 - Sunday, October 19, 2025, Charles River, Boston/Cambridge. World's largest 3-day rowing competition with 11,500+ competitors and 325,000 spectators. Friday: 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM; Saturday: 7:45 AM - 5:00 PM; Sunday: 7:45 AM - 4:30 PM. Viewable from both sides of Charles River and bridges. FREE to spectators. Website: hocr.org
South End Historical Society House Tour (57th Annual) Saturday, October 18, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM. Pick up tickets and guidebooks at Sprogis & Neale Real Estate, 679 Tremont Street. Boston's premier open house tour featuring historic South End homes. General Admission: $30 advance / $35 day of tour. Note: Online advance ticket sales end 4:00 PM on Friday, October 17. Website: southendhistoricalsociety.org
Titus Sparrow Park Clean Up and Fall Gathering Saturday, October 18, Titus Sparrow Park, 75 West Rutland Square. Community park clean-up and seasonal gathering. FREE
Cathedral of the Holy Cross Concert Sunday, October 19, 3:00 PM, Cathedral of the Holy Cross, 1400 Washington Street. Celebrating Opus 801's 150th Anniversary with notable artists. General Admission $20 / $10 Seniors, Students. Website: bostoncathedral.com
OCTOBER 20-26
Ellis South End Neighborhood Association - Community Dinner Stroll Monday, October 20, 5:30 PM. Start at Spy Bar, 40 Berkeley Street. Begin as one group for drinks and appetizers, then groups of 8 will stroll to multiple restaurants. Contact: ellisneighborhood.org for registration details.
SoWa Open Market (Final of Season - Halloween Special) Sunday, October 26, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM, 500 Harrison Avenue. Last SoWa Open Market of the 2025 season with Halloween festivities. Free pumpkin painting, face painting, and costume contest with prizes. FREE
COMMUNITY SERVICES & PROGRAMMING
Boston Public Library Programs Note: South End Branch closed for facilities issues - residents can access services at Central Library in Copley Square
ESOL Conversation Groups (Tuesdays, 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM)
Story Times for children
Adult programming and literacy services
Website: bpl.org
United South End Settlements (USES) 48 Rutland Street. Early childhood education, after-school programs, family services. Website: uses.org
City Hall on the Go Mobile City Hall services including paying parking tickets, requesting documents, checking voter registration. Check boston.gov for South End schedule locations and times. Note: Does not accept cash payments. Website: boston.gov
COMMUNITY MEETINGS
South End Landmark District Commission First Tuesday of each month. Reviews proposed changes to South End building exteriors.
Neighborhood Association Meetings
Ellis South End Neighborhood Association - Website: ellisneighborhood.org
Pilot Block Neighborhood Association - Email: PBNAinfo@gmail.com
Various other associations - check with individual groups
CITY CONTACT INFORMATION
South End Neighborhood Liaison Sarah Sharpe, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services 617-635-4505 | Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM
Boston 311 Services Report non-emergency issues: Dial 3-1-1 or download BOS:311 app
For the most up-to-date event information, visit boston.gov/events, sowaboston.com, sebaboston.org, haleyhouse.org, southendhistoricalsociety.org, ellisneighborhood.org, or check individual organization websites and social media pages. Weather may affect outdoor events. Event times and dates subject to change.
The South End News - Connecting Our Community Since 1983