Graduation Celebration Ideas in Boston

It’s that time of year when the small city of Boston expands even more as families flock here to see their loved ones receive diplomas from one of the 66 colleges and universities in Boston and Cambridge. Between the travel, navigating the congested city, and sitting through hours of ceremonies (which we know everyone, including the graduate, dreads), you need some activities to look forward to! While Boston has become a hotbed of food and fun, with so many choices deciding on what to do can be difficult. Check out our list of great group dining spots and some of our favorite outdoor activities for families celebrating graduation in Boston to make things a little easier on you. These are definitely things you want to do before saying goodbye to Beantown!

Out and About

Visit SoWa Open Market

Photo Credit: SoWa

This seasonal open market in Boston’s South End celebrates 175 local makers, farmers, artists, food trucks, and businesses. The locals wait impatiently for opening day to eat and shop in the sunshine. SoWa is a great place to spend the afternoon with your family during graduation weekend strolling through the arts market, farmers market, beer barn, and food truck bazaar. It’s open every Sunday from 10-4, rain or shine!

Bites of Boston Allston Arts & Eats Tour

Photo Credit: Bites of Boston

Book an afternoon of fun for your group in Boston’s Allston neighborhood with a Bites of Boston walking food tour. Filled with delicious local eats and stunning wall murals, Allston is a true treat for the senses. This tour is perfect for graduation weekend so parents can see where their kids have been living and hanging out all this time. Allston is full of great food and culture so go ahead and Eat, Explore and Experience Allston! Check out the full tour schedule here.

Visit the Boston Harbor Islands

Photo Credit: Boston Harbor Islands

Escape the city hubbub for the day and explore the islands just off Boston’s Harbor that everyone misses. Catch some rays on the ferry where you’ll learn a little Boston history and how the islands were created. There’s lots to do so be sure to set aside the day! Visit the Islands, the Mainland Parks and the Historical sites. They also offer events and activities so check out the calendar here.

Tour Fenway Park and See a Sox Game

Photo Credit: @danie_eve via Instagram

This one hour walking tour of “America’s most beloved ballpark” is the perfect way to spend a casual afternoon outside with your family. This unique opportunity gives you full reign of the park before it’s packed with fans. Learn some history and sit on top of the infamous Green Monster (Dad will love this photo-op). If you want a day filled with America’s greatest pastime, stick around for a game.

Group Dining

Jazz Brunch at The Beehive

Photo Credit: The Beehive

This South End favorite offers simple comfort food with flavor inspiration from the Middle East, Europe, and America in a hip, bohemian setting. They often have live entertainment and on weekends they’ve become known for their jazz brunch. The whole family will be pleased with the combination of a live jazz band in a cool setting with delicious food.

Address: 541 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-423-0069

Small Plates and Drinks at Cuchi Cuchi

Photo Credit: Cuchi Cuchi

For an experience your family surely won’t forget head to Cuchi Cuchi for some globally-inspired small plates to share and fabulous cocktails to cheers with. The whole thing is inspired by Old World Beauty and Hollywood instantly transporting you to another time when you walk in the doors. The staff gets all dolled up in burlesque-style outfits that match the unique setting inside. It’s definitely a celebration-worthy spot!

Address: 795 Main St, Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: 617-864-2929

The Big Rig at Sweet Cheeks Q

Photo Credit: @kirstenjepsen via Instagram

If you want to celebrate the end of your time in Boston with a BANG, head to Fenway’s beloved Texas barbecue spot with your group and order The Big Rig. Meant for a group of ten or more, The Big Rig offers you most of the menu in a jaw-droppingly large portion. If you finish it all you get free dessert, *insert laughter* no one’s done it yet. If you know anything about Sweet Cheeks they are infamous for no one leaving hungry so if your family’s got appetites, bring them here!

Address: 1381 Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215
Phone: 617-266-1300

Dinner at Fogo de Chão

Photo Credit: Fogo de Chão

This Brazilian Steakhouse in the Copley neighborhood celebrates the tradition of Churrasco, the Brazilian method of barbecuing, where grilled beef carved from a long skewer at a churrascaria, or steakhouse. At Fogo de Chão they carve the meat tableside, a bit different then the tableside guac you might be used to. This is fun for the whole family and a new experience to enjoy all together.

Address: 200 Dartmouth St, Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-585-6300

Dim Sum at China Pearl

Photo Credit: @jeanyquintal via Instagram

Dim Sum is the ultimate kind of casual and fun family-style dining. Great for a laidback graduation celebration where there are arms reaching over the table constantly to grab dumplings. If you tend to make a mess like us then watch out for the soy sauce that will be flying. That’s our kind of party – fancy dress and dumplings! Head to Boston’s Chinatown, rich with culture and history for an unconventional post-graduation meal. Stay tuned, we’ll be doing a food tour there soon!

Address: 9 Tyler St, Boston, MA 02111
Phone: 617-426-4338

Private Dining Room at Cinquecento

Photo Credit: Cinquecento

This modern Roman Trattoria located in Boston’s South End is the ideal place for a group celebration. Their private dining room is a warm and welcoming space with a lovely view of their outdoor dining area. The room comes equipped with hospitable staff, a full private bar, and access to speakers and a screen for any embarrassing videos you might want to play of the graduate. Their incredible menu will have you shouting for joy in Italian in no time. Buon appetito!

Address: 500 Harrison Ave, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: 617-338-9500

Eat at the Pasta Table at Giulia

Photo Credit: Giulia

Photo Credit: @mucciimports via Instagram

When Giulia opened it’s doors in Porter Square it instantly became a beloved spot by many. The rustic Italian atmosphere is comforting and the food exceptional. They have a very special pasta table that you should book your graduation celebration at. By day the pasta table is used for, you guessed it, making handmade pasta for the menu, and by night it’s set for intimate group dining. The elegant table is the statement piece in the room, custom-built from reclaimed white oak and waiting for you to dine at it.

Address: 1682 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138
Phone: 617-441-2800