The Festival is located at City Hall Plaza, the last stop on the Parade route. Here you will find the stage (for entertainment!), the Beer and Wine Lounge (for the 21+ crowd!), over 130 vendors, and the Family Fun Zone (All ages are welcome!).

Directions

It is strongly recommended that you arrive at the Boston Pride Festival by “T”. Given the large amount of people present in the city for the day’s events, traffic will likely be highly congested and parking will be limited.

By T: Take the Green or Blue lines to Government Center. Upon exiting the train station, the Festival is straight ahead on City Hall Plaza.

Stage/Entertainment

Boston Pride Festival hosts an array of entertainment on its main stage. This year, Boston Pride is delighted to welcome Karmin, with hits such as “Hello” and “Brokenhearted,” as headliners on the Pride Stage! Click here for the full line-up.

Vendors

In 2012, over 75,000 people visited our venders, and there are over 130 vendors in 2013. Exhibitors include health services organizations, advocacy groups, LGBT-Friendly companies, cultural institutions, adoption agencies, pride merchandisers and more!

Beer and Wine Garden

Cool off with a cold beer or a glass of wine with your friends while enjoying a fabulous view of the stage at the Beer & Wine Garden. Have your ID ready as this is for the 21+ crowd only. Enter by JFK Side near the trees at the top of the steps in front of the stage.

Food

Several food vendors will be located throughout the plaza. Just follow your nose!

Family Zone

Boston Pride Festival is a family-friendly event that welcomes families of all types. We encourage visitors of all ages to join in the fun. For our younger visitors, we offer a safe space with activities that showcase Pride! Come visit a critter from Zoo New England or Water creatures from the New England Aquarium. Face Painting is available as well! (fees apply). If your organization would like to sponsor or otherwise participate in this year’s Family Zone, please contact festival@bostonpride.org (and see your organization’s name here!).

Parade

The Boston Pride Festival is the last stop on the Parade route, leaving you with no excuse not to join us! Parade marchers begin arriving at the Festival at 12:45 pm and continue arriving through 3:00 pm.

Advice for Visitors

Pack appropriately! The Boston Pride Festival is a rain or shine event, so plan accordingly for the forecast weather conditions. Consider bringing sunscreen, plenty of bottled water, and an umbrella or raincoat.
Have fun!
Watch out for (your) kids – Make sure children are safe. As the crowds pour in from the Parade it may become difficult to keep an eye on the little ones. Consider moving to the Family Zone until the Parade is complete.
Respect the instructions from the Festival Staff and Volunteers – These individuals will be clearly distinguishable from the crowd. They are only doing their job and enforcing safety measures for the benefit of everyone.

Rules and Regulations

All Rules and Regulations pertaining to the Boston Pride Festival are available in this document. Please contact festival@bostonpride.org for more information.

Vehicle Regulations

Registered vendors will be provided with a check-in time for the Festival. During this time they will be allowed one vehicle on to Boston City Hall Plaza to assist with transport of set-up necessities for their space. If interested in drive-on access, please contact festival@bostonpride.org prior to the Festival.

Access is restricted to 2-axle vehicles only. There are no exceptions to this rule.
At check-in, registrants are provided with a 15 minute vehicle access pass. Additional time will not be permitted as other registrants will need access to the plaza for their own set-up purposes.
Please enter the Plaza from Cambridge Street and exit only via Court Street. Posted signage, as well as Festival Staff, will be available to assist you directionally.

Food Regulations

Please note that NO FOOD OR BEVERAGE GIVEAWAYS will be permitted on the Festival plaza per City of Boston regulations. If you would like to be a food or beverage vendor, please contact festival@bostonpride.org.

Insurance

All Vendors are required to provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI) in order to participate in the Festival.
Complete, updated insurance certificates must be received by May 24, 2013. It is each vendor’s responsibility to ensure that an acceptable certificate was received. Please contact festival@bostonpride.org prior to this date to ensure your certificate was received.
Alternatively, insurance may be purchased from Casswood Insurance, by downloading and filling out this application.
All COIs must name the City of Boston and the Boston Pride Committee as additionally insured for Saturday, June 8, 2013 only.

Insurance certificates should be mailed to:

The Boston Pride Committee
ATTN: Festival Operations
398 Columbus Ave. #285
Boston, MA 02116

Or may be provided digitally by sending an email to festival@bostonpride.org.

Advice for Vendors

Arrive on time! You will be assigned a check-in time during which you will be granted vehicle access to City Hall Plaza (see Vehicle Regulations above). Arriving within your assigned timeframe will ensure that all vendors are given adequate time for set up.
Respect the instructions from the Festival Staff and Volunteers – These individuals will be clearly distinguishable from the crowd. They are only doing their job and enforcing safety measures for the benefit of everyone.
Have fun! That is one of the reasons you chose to participate, after all. Visitors, other vendors, and Festival staff and volunteers alike are present to showcase their Pride and show support!