For years I've been wanting to come to Revere beach to see the sand castles in the International…read moreSand Sculpting Festival and I finally got the opportunity this year. The parking that is closer to the beach was blocked off to allow for people to walk without worrying about getting hit by a car, but this did mean that it took longer to find legal parking in the residential area. We did see a car getting towed, so please take all signs seriously. It was about a mile walk from the car to the sand castles so at one point we got worried the event was cancelled since we kept walking and walking with no castles in sight. But keep going, and they will be there. On our walk there, we passed by about 30 + food trucks, and some tents which were giving away free drinks, and snacks. The price of the food trucks were anywhere around $10-$20 so about average. I was very impressed with the artists and how much detail they were able to add to the castles. They did allow us to take a picture with one of the castles. At some points we were poking our heads and gently pushing through people to get a good view of the castles. Although I didn't get a chance to stay for them, they did have a firework show in the schedule the day I went. Although not related to the event, something I loved most about this beach is that it is so close to Logan airport that while we were there, we watched planes coming and going very close to land.

Boston is lucky to have such a festival. There were about 12 sand sculptures lined up. They are…read morelit up so it is possible to view the sculptures without fighting the crowds. I always visit each year the festival, usually during the off hours. It is really remarkable what they can do with just sand. Never fail to be amazed. I usually look at the sand castles which won awards to see if I agree. Usually, they have made the right call. As an aside........... I always get lost cutting through Revere but it is worth the trip. I can't wait until the next one.

Always lots of fun. I just came back from the festival today and am happy to say that it was a…read moresuccessful experience for me for a 5th straight year. The weather wasn't great this year, but the energetic and entertaining Haitian RaRa parade more than made up for it. It's free to attend, so I recommend stopping by for this fine once-a-year entertainment event.

what a fabulous way to spend an afternoon. Come hungry and…read moretry out some authentic food from all over the world, Jamaica, Senegal, Thailand, India, hot dogs and everything in between! Sit down on a street corner to eat your lunch and enjoy some mucis at one of the many stages. Let your kids enjoy amazing face painting and other craft making projects. Do a little shopping along the many set up tents. Finally get ready to dance and marvel at the colorful and loud parade. Full of feathers, colors and amazing costumes, the parade will astonish you. We stayed for the entire show and saw beautiful troups and lots of people having a grand time. Definitively a must do and see!

I love chocolate and I can't think of a better way to kick off the weekend in the middle of what I…read morefind a gloomy, harsh winter. With some light entertainment (music troupe) and chocolate, what more can you ask for at this 10th year of the festival? Line started forming around 12/12:15PM. We were lucky that today was warmer in comparison to weeks ago but it easily could have been frigid. I do suggest being prepared attire wise in case. By the time I left with a full plate of samples (fudge, ganache, chocolate dipped bacon, tiramisu, Starbucks brownies, Crema Cafe brownie/chocolate cake, JP Licks hazelnut ice cream and more), the line extended over 5 blocks long. I wish I was able to document all the goodies and vendors but it was too crowded to take pictures of every stand. As per the event website (http://harvardsquare.com/events/legendary-10th-taste-chocolate-festival-harvard-square), these are the vendors: Benedetto Cabot's Candy DAVIDs TEA Flour Bakery Freepoint Hotel Harvest Henrietta's Table JP Licks Parsnip Pressed Juicery Roseadela's Seacoast Sweets Starbucks Tatte Bakery & Cafe Toscano Zinneken's Suggestions for a more organized event though I could see how some of these may be difficult to execute: - Have previous registration - Use a fenced in area to ensure that those waiting in line can get a fair chance at getting samples - it seemed like anyone off the street could just join in at lightly crowded vendors instead of waiting in line for a plate that organizers hand out at the beginning; vendors are too busy to regulate who waits in line or not - Token/raffle ticket system - i.e. give a string of 12 tickets and each patron can use their tickets how they choose; in this way, there are more samples to go around Overall, I enjoyed the event, recommend it, and would definitely come again.

Who doesn't love free chocolate? The Harvard Square Chocolate Festival is an annual tradition (now…read morein its 8th year) and occurs over one weekend in late January. The festival culminates in a one-hour free chocolate tasting event that is held in Brattle Square, usually from 1-2pm on a Saturday. I attended the one-hour tasting today, and it was fantastic! The lines start to form around 12:30pm, so getting there early is a must. Also note that the event is outside, so dress warmly since you will probably be standing in line in the cold for 30 minutes to an hour. Once the line starts moving, it goes fast. The event features a lot of local businesses like J.P. Licks, Ben and Jerry's, Crema Cafe, and so on, and you basically pick up a plate and then move along the line to different tents in order to grab free samples. Some of the goodies that I got today were: - cup of hot chocolate from Shake Shack - scoop of chocolate ice cream from Ben and Jerry's - scoop of chocolate ice cream from J.P. Licks - mini chocolate covered cannoli from Toscano (delicious! My favorite item) - chili chocolate mini cupcake from Crema Cafe - Chocolate chip cookie from UNO's - Bite-sized portion of chocoalte cake from Wagamama - Chocolate square with a dab of honey from Follow the Honey - Sponge cake from El Jefe's - Fudge from Cabot Candy Most of the vendors also have free coupons and discounts that you can grab to encourage you to visit their stores. There was also a music group that was playing, and it contributed to the festive atmosphere of the event. Overall, I was very happy with the event - I just wish it could happen during the summer when it isn't so cold to stand outside!

Great event! The lines were huge though. Please just take my money and give me food sooner! Perhaps…read morethe event numbers could have been calculated better. The line for what looked like the most popular stall- for street food, including lots of grilled meat on sticks, papaya salad, and tons of other yummy looking options stretched beyond the food designated area and into the carnival games area. A couple of lines were like that, and I just had to live with not getting food or drink from those stalls. I remember the egg roll cafe truck from a past year. Their fusion egg rolls do not disappoint! So crisp. Got the Buffalo chicken one. Also got Japanese curry fries, which definitely worked flavor wise- the curry had kind of a gravy quality, and there was a creamy sauce, seaweed, and scallions. Also tried Nigerian food for the first time, which I was surprised to find there. I appreciated the way all the flavors came together- the special rice, plantains, and spice encrusted thin piece of beef on a stick. I was stuffed, but I wish I could have kept eating. Also saw some awesome drinks in the drink section- including one AAPI owned brand, and boozy boba that had an awesome presentation (it lit up!) The carnival games were also a hit. I secretly would have loved to win a snorlax or a two sided octopus. I was one bean bag away from winning! I guess it just wasn't my day, because at the MUJI tent I also only won a gel pen- they had a wheel that you spun. I preferred a past year, where they gave everyone notebooks. Loved those notebooks- sadness. Will just have to buy them at the store, lol.

Visiting from California and this was a great treat! At the end we snacked on Apple cider and…read moretoasted almonds!

First of all, THANK YOU Yelp! This was my first Beerfest at a Zoo experience and it was awesome! So…read moremany great local breweries were repped, many of which I hadn't tried before! My favorite beer of the night was hands down True North's Juicy New England IPA. I'm not even an IPA fan but this may be my gateway beer! There was delicious food available such as oatmeal stout pretzel marshmallows and yummy chicken wings! It was nice that all of the vendors were spread out so there wasn't one huge crowd in one spot. It got you to explore the zoo while sipping on beers. It was my first time to Stone Zoo. The otters took the show for me! They were "totes adorbs" as millennials would say with the jaguar momma and her playful cubs coming in at a close second. Sadly, and very unlike me, I didn't take many pictures cause I was just holding too much stuff, and when it's between holding beer and food or taking a pic, I will always go with beer/food! Again, thanks Yelp for the awesome tickets! My +1 and I had a great time and very appreciative!

What a waste of time .....small same food stands top-notch security police officers all over the…read moreplace did not feel safe. Trying to find a feast was almost impossible. Finally, we went online and it told exactly where it was.

It's so much fun! Many , many people with lots of food, games, music, and dessert. It's fun to…read morepeople watch. We really enjoy it!

I love this festival in Union Square Somerville celebrating local invention marshmallow Fluff…read more It's a mix of food vendors, business/nonprofits & lots of family friendly entertainment. The crowds can get a bit overwhelming but are still pretty polite if you ask to get through. I highly recommend checking out the Fluff Festival next year.

Even though Fluff is not vegan (why gelatin?!?), the idea of a huge crowd coming together to…read morecelebrate this strange white substance is pretty amusing. The festival has many tents and booths offering strange combinations of fluff with foods that don't quite seem to work (pierogis?), but people seemed to enjoy it nonetheless. Of course, there was also no deficit of fluffernutter sandwiches and rice krispies treats going around. I count myself privileged to have witnessed the 100th year anniversary version of the fluff festival, because clearly that's a momentous occasion for the fluff fanatics out there. But if you're in Union Square the next time the festival comes around, go check it out.

North End aka Little Italy is my favorite Boston neighborhood…read more It's lively and welcoming with bakeries, pizza shops, and Italian restaurants lining the cobblestone streets Paul Revere's house is in North End as are several other historical landmarks. You can't help but feel like you're in a small village in Italy when in the North End.

North End is a lovely urban neighborhood tucked into Boston, rich with history and charm. If you're…read moreused to constant motion, you'll love the slower, more intimate pace. After spending so much time out West where everything is expansive and spread out, wandering narrow streets, lingering over incredible pasta, and soaking in closeness and tradition is awesome. The juxtaposition is real and enlightening.

A wonderful annual Festival in the North end. They have the best live entertainment and food!!! Yes…read moreseafood and Italian. A lot of fun vendors which include games and local restaurants and products. Most importantly, buy a raffle ticket to support a great organization to make this fun neighborhood event.

Why is this policeman band playing the same some over and over again? Why are there little girls…read morechanting in Italian? One is suspended over the crowd from a wire. AND SO MANY DOLLA BILLS. On ribbons and banners. Being passed through the streets and wrapped around a statue of the Virgin Mary. I'm confused. But admittedly intrigued. The Fisherman's Feast is an interesting cultural festival that you should experience at least once in your life. There's food and music and bursts of confetti fill the air (I don't envy the street cleaners the next morning). But the repetitive, drawn-out ceremony and crowded North End streets don't make me yearn to return next year. As with your typical North End festival, this Fishy Feast boasts the standard (overpriced) arancini/pizza/cannoli stands, some games for kids, and musical performances on the main stage. But if you want something unique, stick around for the closing ceremony. Sunday night is when the real action happens, as a statue of the Virgin Mary is processed through the streets of the North End. The statue is hoisted up and carried by some large, polo-wearing men who are accompanied by a band (playing the same song again and again and again). About an hour after commencing her journey in front of a church, Mary ends up in the middle of the festival where ribbons of money are rolled out of windows and wrapped around her. I'm not about to ask where these Italians obtained all the $1 bills, but those ribbons sure are long. The band's still playing. Some other ceremonial happenings take place (an old woman needed to go touch the statue for some reason). It takes a while. Then two girls in balconies on opposite sides of the street (lovingly called "side angels") begin chanting in Italian, complete with corresponding arm movements. Although we had no idea what they were saying, the "Marias" and "Reginas" made it pretty clear that Mary was the focus of their long, repetitive diatribes. Now it's time to fly! The band finally begins playing a different song as the smiling, air kiss-blowing main angel appears on her balcony and is hoisted into the air on a wire. She dangles above the crowd and is slowly moved to a position in front of the statue, where she too (amidst even more confetti) speaks to her for a while in Italian. And that's pretty much it! I have to admit I was impressed by these girls' memories, and they looked so happy and honored to be part of the ceremony (what little girl doesn't want to dress up like an angel and fly, after all?). The North End locals really drive the festival; their immense pride and sense of community is palpable. For that reason alone I would recommend checking it out. The Italian food and funny dollar bill obsession also help.

This might have not been one the greatest festivals I've attended but it did give me something to…read moredo on Saturday evening. Most importantly, it was FREE and Chicago was performing! Still humming, Your the Inspiration.. Yep, my soul is old lol. Warren Street, such a small side street... They do provide carnival games, a few kid friendly rides and plenty of food. I did treat myself to some little neck and cherry stone clams. 6 for $8, why not?!? I also grabbed a sweet Italian sausage with peppers and onions for $8. If you are curious about food prices in general, what else can you expect from festivals besides overpriced? The performance stage is located all the way towards the end, where it was heavily congested. You basically had to push your way through.. Also, adjacent to the stage is where you'd find the roped off beer and wine stand. I did notice the older attendees who brought camping chairs. I didn't know where to stand as I did not want to obstruct their view. Awkward! I you decide to go, I would recommend looking over the the event details beforehand. You would think I was smart enough to do so! I didn't realize Chicago would be out at 9pm. After being there for roughly 1.5 hours, I was ready to leave... Ooh! And parking is free at the lot, follow the signs! Street parking is free after 6pm as well.

A MUST DO! A FREE EVENT! FREE ADMISSION, FREE PARKING & FREE TOP NAME ENTERTAINMENT FOR 3 DAYS &…read moreNIGHTS! The City of Cambridge MA. announces the 94th Annual Italian Feast of Cosmas & Damien September 6, 7, 8, 2019. This Feast is known for their GIANT SING ALONG at NIGHT - the whole audience sings along to the hit songs. BE PREPARED TO COME HERE & SING ALONG. If you don't know the groups or the songs go on YouTube & learn them. The FREE ENTERTAINMENT includes all groups who had huge hits on the radio over the decades. All-4-One ( I Swear, I Can Love You Like That, So Much in Love), Peaches & Herb (Shake Your Groove Thing, Reunited, I Pledge My Love), The Drifters ( Under the Boardwalk, This Magic Moment, Save The Last Dance for Me), The Manhattans (Kiss & Say Goodbye, Shining Star, It Feels Do Good to be Loved), Bonnie Pointer ( Heaven Must Have Sent You, Heaven, I Can't Help Myself). There is also Vinyl Groove, World Premiere, & others as well. Check the website for times & dates. There is a lot of Italian Food & Pastries you can buy, Carnival Rides & Trinkets. It is a smaller feast than the feasts in The North End Boston but they bring in Top Name Entertainment for Free. They shut down the streets & it is packed with People. FUN FUN FUN! It used to be, you had to have mega bucks & be really rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!