Best time to visit · Boston · United States
The best time to visit Boston
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Seasider53, CC BY 4.0
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Quick answer
The best months for Boston are May–June and September–October, when the weather is mild for the Freedom Trail and the city's parks and harbour are at their best. October adds autumn colour but also the year's highest hotel prices, as do May graduations. July and August are warm and good for beaches and islands. January to March is cold and snowy but the lowest-priced season.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–June and September–October
- Shoulder season
- April, July–August and November
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 28°C (82°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 3°C (37°F))
- Rainiest month
- May (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January
Seasons
Boston has a humid continental climate with a maritime edge: cold, snowy winters with occasional nor'easter storms, a cool and late spring, warm and fairly humid summers cooled by sea breezes, and crisp, colourful autumns.
March–May
Spring
A slow, chilly start, then blossom in Back Bay, the marathon in April and graduation crowds in late May.
June–August
Summer
Warm days cooled by sea breezes, outdoor dining, harbour cruises, island ferries and Red Sox games; busy but less hectic than the big autumn weeks.
September–November
Autumn
Students return, the leaves turn in October and the weather is crisp and sunny; hotels are at their most expensive until early November.
December–February
Winter
Cold and often snowy, with nor'easter storms that can disrupt travel, but festive lights, ice skating and the lowest hotel rates.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -5°C | 11 | 5°C | 9.4 h | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| February | 4°C | -4°C | 10 | 4°C | 10.5 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 8°C | -1°C | 11 | 4°C | 11.8 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 13°C | 4°C | 11 | 7°C | 13.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 19°C | 10°C | 12 | 11°C | 14.6 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| June | 25°C | 15°C | 10 | 16°C | 15.3 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| July | 28°C | 19°C | 9 | 19°C | 15 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August | 27°C | 18°C | 9 | 20°C | 13.9 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 23°C | 14°C | 9 | 18°C | 12.4 h | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| October | 17°C | 8°C | 10 | 14°C | 11 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| November | 11°C | 3°C | 10 | 10°C | 9.7 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 6°C | -2°C | 11 | 7°C | 9.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| January | Lunar New Year celebrations in Chinatown (January or February) |
| February | Beanpot college ice-hockey tournament (usually the first two Mondays of February) |
| March | South Boston St Patrick's Day Parade (usually the Sunday nearest 17 March); Dine Out Boston restaurant week (usually March) |
| April | Boston Marathon (Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April); Red Sox home opener at Fenway Park (usually early April) |
| May | Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum (usually Mother's Day, mid-May); University commencements (mid-to-late May) |
| June | Bunker Hill Day parade in Charlestown (usually mid-June); Boston Harborfest (usually late June to early July) |
| July | Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the Esplanade (4 July) |
| August | Saint Anthony's Feast in the North End (usually the last weekend of August); Dine Out Boston restaurant week (usually August) |
| September | Student move-in weekend around 1 September, when streets fill with moving vans |
| October | Head of the Charles Regatta (usually the second-to-last weekend of October); Halloween month in Salem (throughout October) |
| November | Thanksgiving celebrations in Plymouth (usually the weekend before Thanksgiving) |
| December | Boston Common Christmas tree lighting — the tree is a yearly gift from Nova Scotia (usually early December); Boston Tea Party reenactment (around 16 December); First Night Boston on New Year's Eve (31 December) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January, and the sights are quietest in January–February.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Boston?
The best months for Boston are May–June and September–October, when the weather is mild for the Freedom Trail and the city's parks and harbour are at their best. October adds autumn colour but also the year's highest hotel prices, as do May graduations. July and August are warm and good for beaches and islands. January to March is cold and snowy but the lowest-priced season.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Boston?
Usually in January. The coldest month, with snow and biting wind; museums are quiet and hotel rates are among the lowest of the year.
+What is the rainiest month in Boston?
May, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Boston get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 28°C (82°F) and lows of 19°C (66°F).