Events

Mission Hill Main Streets sponsors community events throughout the year. These activities are fun for local residents and give other people an opportunity to experience  and enjoy our community.

Mission Hill is home to many artists, including - but not limited to - students of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts and Massachusetts College of Art. Every fall, Mission Hill Open Studios allows artists to show and sell their art, as they open their homes and studios to visitors.

In the late summer or fall, we hold a Community Picnic in Sheehy Park/Mission Hill Playground. We provide free refreshments: hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers are donated by Brigham & Women's Hospital and grilled by a Main Streets volunteer; other local institutions also donate food and Ben and Jerry's has provided ice cream. We hold an information fair at which community organizations provide literature about their work, and a community fair at which residents can sell their artwork, crafts, or yard sale items. Local youth organizations and others facilitate activities for children.

In 2005 we are coordinated our first Countdown to Kindergarten Parade. Children registered for their first year of kindergarten in the Boston Public Schools walked with their parents from business to business in the Main Street district, and participating businesses handed out gifts designed to enhance the children's first year of school. This event is co-sponsored by Children's Hospital Boston and Countdown to Kindergarten Boston.

In October, we host the Mission Hill Halloween Walk. Participating businesses offer treats to young, costumed trick-or-treaters, and related activities take place in the plaza at One Brigham Circle.

In December we celebrate the holiday season with our annual Tree Lighting featuring Mayor Thomas M. Menino, elected officials and the one and only Santa Claus! This event takes place in the Memorial Park next to the Sovereign Bank in Brigham Circle. Also in December, along with two other Main Streets districts, is the Holiday Trolley Tour. This tour visits Main Streets districts Dudley Square, Washington Gateway and Mission Hill for holiday shopping in Dudley Square at Hibernion Hall and the crafts sale in Washington Gateway. Then come back to Mission Hill for special offers at Mission Hill delicious eateries.