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How Boston gets ready for Marathon weekend — and everything you can do before and after the race
Parties, expos, and history, here's what Boston feels like during marathon weekend and the best things to do before, during and after the race.
Marathons are just sports events, right?
Not always.
The Boston Marathon is about so much more than just watching elite runners pound the pavement; it’s a citywide event that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
Beyond the 26.2-mile course, Boston comes alive with events, parties, food vendors, and festival-level street energy.
So, if you’re looking for a unique travel experience, read on. Here’s what Boston during marathon weekend really feels like and why it’s THE place to be, even if you’ve never put on a pair of running shoes.
What is Boston Marathon weekend, exactly?
The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s most beloved races, so you’ve surely heard of it. But what you may not know is why it’s so famous.
The marathon is held annually on Patriots’ Day, a Massachusetts public holiday when many people are off work, and schools are closed. So before the race begins, the city is already in high spirits.
The Boston Marathon is also the oldest marathon in the world. It began in 1897, so it has over a century of history, something no other race can compete with.
Running enthusiasts aspire to be part of this history, but getting into the Boston Marathon is not easy. Athletes must achieve specific qualifying times, and only the best are selected.
The result?
The Boston Marathon brings together 30,000 elite runners from over 100 countries, making it one of the most iconic major sporting events in the world.
Hundreds of thousands of spectators and visitors head to Boston to watch the athletes in action, but the race is just one layer of marathon weekend.
This year, the Boston Marathon is taking place on Monday, April 20, 2026. But the festivities start on the Friday before (April 17). Throughout the weekend, there are various fan events, including an official expo and a post-race party, creating an electric atmosphere both pre- and post-race.
Where to watch the race (and actually feel the energy)
The entire 26.2-mile course of the Boston Marathon is open to the public and free to attend. The route starts in Hopkinton and finishes on Boylston Street in downtown Boston.
As the finish line is in the city center, this spot sees the largest crowds, but there are some other particularly atmospheric Boston Marathon spots for spectators, such as:
- Wellesley College (the famous “scream tunnel”): Here, there is a long-standing tradition where hundreds of college students gather to scream and cheer on the runners, at such a high volume that it can be heard from a mile away.
- Heartbreak Hill in Newton: This is the most challenging and testing stretch of the course, so many spectators gather here to give the exhausted runners some much-needed encouragement.
If you do decide to head to the finish line, aim to arrive early (around 8 am) rather than when the first runners are expected to finish. Boylston Street gets very crowded, so if you want a good spot, go early, bring plenty of drinks and snacks, and maybe even a fold-up chair.
Most people choose one viewing spot and spend a few hours there, watching the different waves of runners pass through. However, it is possible to follow the route. The MBTA subway is the best way to move around Boston and between the main viewing points, but expect crowds at the stations.
Here’s a clear breakdown of where to watch the Boston Marathon, so you can decide whether to choose one spot or move between a few:
| Viewing Spot | Location | What makes it special |
|---|---|---|
| Wellesley College | Mile 13 | Famous “scream tunnel” created by college students |
| Newton / Heartbreak Hill | Miles 17–21 | Where the race is the most physically and emotionally challenging |
| Kenmore Square | Mile 25 | Where the energy builds as runners enter their last mile |
| Boylston Street finish line | Downtown Boston | The loudest, most electric stretch |
What the city feels like beyond the race
Marathon Monday is not a normal Monday by any means. As it’s also Patriots’ Day (a state holiday in Massachusetts), Boston already has a festive, communal atmosphere.
Combined with the race’s high energy, it feels like one huge citywide celebration.
Bars and restaurants along the route open early and stay packed all day. The food halls in the city center are buzzing, too, such as the historic Faneuil Hall, which serves a mix of local food Boston is known for, like lobster rolls and clam chowder, as well as endless international options.
Meanwhile, pubs across multiple Boston neighborhoods, like Back Bay, the South End, and Fenway, have a strong party vibe.
What’s more, as the Boston marathon is such a historic event, the weekend becomes a time when the city puts its local history on display.
The popular Freedom Trail walking tours are fully booked, and the museums are packed. Meanwhile, the Boston Marathon Memorial on Boylston Street is visible to runners and spectators alike, symbolizing the city’s resilience and fostering civic pride among residents.
The B.A.A. Health and Fitness Expo
The Boston Marathon is not just about standing on the sidelines. There are various events taking place over the weekend, including a health and fitness expo.
The expo runs from Friday to Sunday before the race at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, and is free and open to the public. Here you will find:
- A pop-up Adidas store
- Brand activations
- A range of talks and exhibitions, including conversations with past winners, stories from the marathon’s history, and even pre-race yoga flows.
Friday tends to be quieter and calmer, while Saturday can get extremely busy. Meanwhile, on Sunday, the runners pick up their bibs there, so expect an infectious pre-race atmosphere.
Boston Marathon Fan Fest
Another must-visit event is the Fan Fest at City Hall Plaza, a short walk from the expo. It’s free, open from Friday to Sunday, and features:
- Appearances by Boston Marathon champions
- Live music
- Interactives activities
- Local food vendors like Greco, The Sausage Guy, Central Cafe, and Cousins Maine Lobster
Mile 27 Post Race Party
Want to party with the winners after the race? Well, you can attend the post-race party at City Hall Plaza. It opens from midday on Monday, though the official party kicks off at 4 pm. Here you will find:
- A special beer garden
- Lots of local food vendors, including Carmelina’s, Modern Pastry, Legal Seafood, Sal’s, and Mr. H.
- Live DJs and music performances, including headliner COUCH
- An official toast to the champions
Tickets cost $10, and children under 12 can enter for free.
Is it too late to go this year? Here’s the honest answer
With the 2026 Boston Marathon taking place on Monday, April 20, the window is tight, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible to organize a trip.
Expect many hotels in downtown Boston and Back Bay to be sold out, and the ones that aren’t to have inflated prices. As a workaround, look for accommodation in nearby neighborhoods like Cambridge, Somerville, and South Boston, which are connected to the city center by the commuter rail lines.
While you don’t need a ticket to attend the Boston Marathon as a spectator, the popular viewing spots like the finish line get crowded early, so it’s key to arrive early, ideally around 8 am.
Of course, the marathon is the main attraction, but don’t leave without checking out some of the other awesome things to do in Boston, such as the historic Freedom Trail and Boston Tea Party Museum.
And if you can’t make it to the Boston marathon in 2026, there’s always next year. Hotel demand for the marathon weekend peaks between October and December, so set a reminder now to get in before everything sells out.
Your Boston Marathon weekend essential
With so much happening across the city, having reliable mobile data is one of the simplest ways to ensure your Boston Marathon weekend goes smoothly.
A Holafly eSIM gives you instant, unlimited mobile data, so you can access maps and transport apps and share your experience in real time, without changing SIM cards or searching for Wi-Fi hotspots.
Check out Holalfy’s eSIM for the USA to get set up before you go.
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Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.<br aria-hidden="true" />I'm also the founder of <a href="https://search-seoul.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Search SEOul</a>, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.
