Boston Marathon Fan Fest returns to City Hall Plaza with festivity filled weekend

Hawkes recommends kids check out the Citgo Road to Boston Fun Zone—an activity course with cheer-card decorating, crafts, and mini fitness stations. Balloon artists, face painting, henna tattoos, and other family-friendly activities will also be available throughout the venue.
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The festivities start
at 3:30 p.m. Friday with a set from
the Big Party Orchestra, followed at 6 p.m.
by the Felix Brown Band from Sharon, Mass., known for covering everything from rock to funk to pop hits.
Saturday's lineup starts at 10 a.m. with a half-hour-long yoga class led by marathon runner and instructor Adina Crawford. The rest of the day's activities include the Flutie Foundation's STARS of the Spectrum, a musical group composed of neurodiverse performers, meet-and-greets with marathon runners, and the musical acts The 1999, Legends of Summer, and The Femmes.
Related
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On Sunday, acts include Different StrokeZ and DJ-band combo Beach Nights. More pro runners, including 2014 Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi, will appear for photos and autographs 2-3:30 p.m.The weekend wraps with a 4 p.m. set by Boston rapper KR Dorsey.
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More information about Fan Fest is available on the
How to get there
Taking the T? The Green and Blue lines both stop at Government Center, just steps from City Hall Plaza. Coming via the Orange Line? Get off at State Street for a short walk.
Driving instead? Several nearby garages offer parking, typically around $30 per hour. However, some — like Center Plaza and 60 State Street — offer weekend specials with all-day rates of $20.
'We always encourage people to take the T, especially over race weekend,' said Hawkes. 'Traffic and parking can be really challenging with so many road closures and people in the city, so taking the MBTA is just the simplest, most efficient way to get around—especially between the finish line in the Back Bay and City Hall Plaza.'
Bonus: Mile 27 Post-Race Party
After the race on Monday, the Fan Fest venue at City Hall Plaza transforms into the Mile 27 Post-Race Party, . For just $5, spectators and runners alike can enjoy food, drinks, a live DJ and a performance by local country band Dalton & the Sheriffs. The party runs from noon to 8 p.m. Tickets and more information are available on the
Nathan Metcalf can be reached at

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MADAM (5A: "___ Secretary" (TV drama)) MADAM Secretary is a TV series that originally aired from 2014 to 2019. Téa Leoni portrays the title character, Elizabeth McCord, a former CIA analyst and political science professor who becomes the U.S. Secretary of State. ANYA (14A: "The Gorge" actress Taylor-Joy) The Gorge is a 2025 sci-fi action movie. ANYA Taylor-Joy and Miles Teller portray elite snipers who are ordered to guard opposite sides of a gorge, without being told what the gorge contains. LYNN (17A: Country singer Loretta) We saw Loretta LYNN as a theme answer just two days ago, which is a fun coincidence. Loretta LYNN's country music career has spanned six decades; she has had 24 number one hits and 11 number-one albums. LIDS (19A: Retailer that sells hats) There are currently over 1100 LIDS stores, mostly located in malls and factory outlets. AERO (35A: European chocolate bar with bubbles) AERO chocolate bars are manufactured using a process that was patented in 1935. 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Burning Man aims to facilitate a network of people interested in the "pursuit of a more creative and connected existence in the world." The name of the event comes from the burning of a large wooden effigy each year on the Saturday evening before Labor Day. Burning Man is held in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, and DUST STORMs are common. SALE (10D: Square transaction) Square is a system that helps merchants accept credit card payments for SALEs. GOD (12D: Allah or Ganesha, e.g.) Allah is an Arabic term for GOD. It is used by followers of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Ganesha is a Hindu GOD whose image is recognizable by his elephant head and four arms. Ganesha is a widely revered and worshipped deity who is thought to bring good luck. ELTON (21D: NBA All-Star Brand) ELTON Brand is currently the general manager of the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers. He is a former NBA player. During his playing career he played for the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, Dallas Mavericks, and Atlanta Hawks, and he was a two-time NBA All Star. MED (34D: "Chicago ___" (NBC drama)) The medical drama Chicago MED premiered in 2015. Set in the emergency department of a Chicago hospital, the show is part of the Chicago franchise, along with Chicago Fire, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Justice. ATTILA (47D: Hun ruler) The Huns were a nomadic people in Central Asia between the 4th and 6th centuries. Little is known of their culture. Perhaps the most widely known Hun was King ATTILA. Under the leadership of King ATTILA, the Huns made frequent raids on other peoples. ORE (59D: Rock smelted in Stardew Valley) Stardew Valley is a role-playing video game first released in 2016. Players assume the role of a character taking over their grandfather's farm in the titular Stardew Valley. Players can socialize with townspeople, grow crops, raise livestock, smelt ORE, and participate in activities such as cooking, crafting, and fishing. LOTTERY TICKET (20A: Purchase for someone who's feeling lucky) VINYL RECORD (36A: Item in a DJ's collection) MOSQUITO BITE (54A: Itchy "souvenir" from a warm summer night, perhaps) SCRATCH THAT: Each of the theme answers is something that can be SCRATCHed. An exclamation point in a crossword clue is an indication to solvers that there is a bit of trickiness going on, and the clue should be interpreted literally. The exclamation point in today's title is serving a similar purpose. Each of the theme answers is literally something that might be SCRATCHed. (We all know we're not supposed to SCRATCH a MOSQUITO BITE, but it happens.) I really enjoyed this theme. Thank you, Emily and Sala, for this delightful puzzle. 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