Ten Things to Do on Columbus Day
Christopher Columbus Statue by Kathryn Rotondo on Flickr
Columbus Day Parade in the North End
Even though it’s happening a day early, the North End Columbus Day Parade will celebrate the holiday in style, with floats, marching bands, antique cars, and more. The bi-annual parade will begin at City Hall Plaza, continue through downtown Boston and Christopher Columbus Park (where more festivities will be taking place on Monday, see below), and end in the North End. For the best views of the parade, the organizers recommend heading over to Endicott and Hanover Streets in the North End.
Free, Sunday, October 13, 1 p.m., City Hall Plaza and the North End, northendwaterfront.com
Christopher Columbus Day Celebration at Christopher Columbus Park
What better way to celebrate Columbus Day than by doing it at Christopher Columbus Park? On Monday, join the North End community as they hold a shorter parade through the park, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Columbus statue. Other entertainment will include stilt walking, juggling, and magic tricks.
Free, Monday, October 14, 10:45 a.m.-3 p.m., Christopher Columbus Park, northendwaterfront.com
Opening Our Doors 2013
For the 12th Annual Opening Our Doors, The Fenway Alliance is bringing you a full day of free events at the Christian Science Plaza, Evans Way Park, and open houses at the Mary Baker Eddy Library, the MFA, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Fenway Studios, and more. With more than 60 activities and 42 organizations participating, you’re sure to get your fill of arts, music, and food in the Fenway.
Free, Monday, October 14, 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m., various locations, full program of events at fenwayculture.org
MFA Fall Open House
One of several art institutions opening their doors on Columbus Day, the MFA will host an open house event on Monday. You can check out Dell Hamilton’s Columbus Day Blues, see the Sargent and Think Pink exhibits, and take part in numerous family art-making activities.
Free, Monday, October 14, Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave., mfa.org
Newburyport Fall Harvest Festival
Looking to take the family outside and out of town for some fine autumn weather? Visit Newburyport this weekend for their Fall Harvest Festival, where there will be a scarecrow contest, live music, storytelling for kids, and more.
Free, Sunday and Monday, October 13 and 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., State, Pleasant, and Inn Streets in downtown Newburyport, newburyportchamber.org
Columbus Day Game at the Gore House
Spend your Columbus Day with the kids as they explore more than 50 acres of land at the extravagant Gore Place in Waltham, which will be hosting a daylong scavenger hunt for the whole family.
$5 per group, Monday, October 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 52 Gore St., Waltham, goreplace.org
Tufts Health Plan Women’s 10K
Now in its 37th year, the Tufts Health Plan Women’s 10k is one of the premiere running events of the year. The run starts and ends at Boston Common and goes through Back Bay and Cambridge. Register online to run the course and help promote exercise and a healthy lifestyle, or be a supportive spectator along the picturesque course.
$40, Monday, October 14, noon, Boston Common, tuftshealthplan.com
Boston Bruins vs. Detroit Redwings
Despite losing the Stanley Cup last season, the Bruins aren’t cooling off anytime soon. For those sports-loving families looking for something to do on Columbus Day, consider snagging some tickets to watch the Bruins play the Detroit Red Wings on Monday.
$75+, Monday, October 14, 1 p.m., TD Garden, 100 Legends Way, ticketmaster.com
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Present: Dragon
The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey are switching up their circus repertoire with a dragon-themed performance. Dragon tribes will compete in a circus skill based tournament, where they must prove their virtues in order to win. Your kids will be dazzled.
$26+, Monday, October 14, 1 p.m., 50 Foster St., Worcester, dcucenter.com
Fall Fairy Tale Festival
Join the National Marionette Theatre for the last day of the Fall Fairy Tale Festival, where puppeteers offer their take on conventional fairy tales. See “Little Red Riding Hood” as the Ancient Romans might have done it, laugh at a dinner table retelling of “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves,” and watch a prank-filled version of “The Princess and the Pea.”
$12, Monday, October 14, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., 32 Station St., puppetshowplace.org
