Community Events

Sponsored by: Boston Main Streets, CVS, Duncan Donuts, Sisters of St. Joseph

Photos by Danita Jo

CHECK out Brighton and the Boston Bruins practice ice, all in one evening.

Come for the Black and Yellow Tie Gala and enjoy an evening of food, music, & drink. Taste the local flavor, as Devlin’s Restaurant serves delicious bites and libations while being entertained by the skaters on the rink during the event. Or skate on the ice with the Community Skate Night. But why choose? There's time to do both!

6-9pm : Gala tickets are $75, and includes food and cash bar. Guests are encouraged to wear black and yellow festive attire.

8-10pm: Community Skate is $10 (available at the door only).

100% of all Gala ticket sales are put directly back into the community due to the generous event sponsorship from New Balance.

Buy Tickets

Thank you to our sponsors!

Make a difference! Get involved!

Come learn about upcoming events & opportunities to volunteer, right here in our neighborhood. Grab some food and drink. Meet other like-minded community members.  Join us at The Green Briar, 304 Washington Street, Brighton. 

Let's make Brighton a better place to work, play, and shop.

Click this link to RSVP!

Every year, hundreds of children ages 2-10 gather in Brighton to scoop up Easter eggs.  This tradition was started over 50 years ago by the McCarthy family, and it is continued today by Steve McCarthy and his daughter Molly.  No one goes home empty handed. The day is never complete without a visit from the Easter Bunny himself.  

Gather in the parking lot at Sisters of St. Joseph, 637 Cambridge Street, Brighton.  Festivities start at 11am, and the egg hunt is promptly at 11:30am! 

Brighton Main Streets has made this event possible in past years with cooperation of Boston Main Streets, CVS, Dunkin Donuts, Sisters of St. Joseph and of course the McCarthy family.

We'll be looking for you this year.  Don't forget to bring your basket.  

Sponsored by Rockland Trust.

Disney/Pixar's Up! is centers on an elderly widower named Carl Fredricksen (Ed Asner) and an earnest young "Wilderness Explorer" (a fictional youth group similar to the Boy Scouts) named Russell (Jordan Nagai). By tying thousands of balloons to his home, 78-year-old Carl sets out to fulfill his dream to see the wilds of South America and complete a promise made to his late wife, Ellie.

Presented by Brighton Main Streets, Boston Police Station D14, the Presentation Foundation School Community Center, and ABCD's Brighton Neighborhood Opportunity Center.

Join us to celebrate America's Night Out against crime!
3:00 pm: Free BBQ, ice cream, kids' activities, and music. Meet Mayor Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner Evans.
8:00 pm (dusk): Outdoor showing of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. 

Sponsored by Rockland Trust.

Enjoy a classic movie and a cold beverage outdoors.

The story is a tale of redemption for paroled convict Jake and his brother Elwood, who set out on "a mission from God" to save from foreclosure the Catholic orphanage in which they were raised. To do so, they must reunite their R&B band and organize a performance to earn $5,000 needed to pay the orphanage's property tax bill.

Beverage service for 21+ (with a family-friendly general admission policy for those with supervised children).

Presented by Brighton Main Streets, Boston Police Station D14, the Presentation School Foundation Community Center, and ABCD's Brighton Neighborhood Opportunity Center.

Sponsored by Rockland Trust.

When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy and her dog, Toto, are whisked away to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard. On the way, they meet a Scarecrow who needs a brain, a Tin Man missing a heart, and a Cowardly Lion who wants courage. The wizard agrees to help Dorothy get back home but only if she can bring him the magical broom of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Presented by Brighton Main Streets, Boston Police Station D14, the Presentation School Foundation Community Center, and ABCD's Brighton Neighborhood Opportunity Center.

Come and show your Brighton Pride at one of the great events on Sunday, September 24.

14th Annual Brian Honan 5K Run/Walk  - 12:00 pm

Runners will start off from Tavern in the Square, Allston. Everyone is welcome, from competitive runners, recreational runners and walkers, children, families, and friends of the beloved councilor. The run/walk supports and fosters local and national programs that contribute to education, recreation, housing and healthcare. To register, please visit: https://racewire.com/register.php?id=8021

Allston Brighton Parade 1:00 pm

The parade leaves from Allston Village at 1:00 and makes its way down Washington Street through Brighton Center to Oak Square.

Representative Michael Moran's Annual Party in the Park

Following the parade, State Representative Michael Moran hosts the Party in the Park at Hardiman Park in Oak Square with bounce houses, food, games, DJ, and face painting for families.

This Nov 25, we want to share Small Business Saturday® with you! It’s a holiday shopping tradition that celebrates small businesses like the ones in our district. And it wouldn’t be a celebration without customers like you joining us.

So mark your calendar for Nov 25 — the Saturday after Thanksgiving — and get ready to Shop Small® with us. Grab a friend or family member and head over to Washington Street on the big day.

You can help get the word out and celebrate Small Business Saturday by using #shopsmall and #BrightonMA on Facebook and all your social networks. Thank you for all your support, and see you Saturday, Nov 25!

Join Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Brighton Main Streets, and Oak Square friends & neighbors as we kick off the holiday season. Mayor Walsh will light the tree, and Santa arrives on a trolley with gifts for children and hears their holiday wishes. Free hot cocoa and cookies from Shawmut Century 21 Properties round out the celebration. 

Sponsored in part by: Mayor's Office of Special Events, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Department of Public Works, Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, and Old Town Trolley.

Channel 5/WCVB's newsmagazine, Chronicle, aired an episode about Brighton on Thursday, January 18. If you missed the live broadcast, the episode is also available on the show's website, http://www.wcvb.com/article/brighton-buzz-looking-local/15394193. 

Come in out of the cold! Grab a "Bri-Tai"—our neighborhood's signature tropical drink—and a bite to eat. Meet and mingle with our staff and current volunteers as well as board and committee members.

We'll be talking about the events and programs that we are planning for Brighton in 2018, and sharing big & small ways you can get involved.

Complimentary appetizers and a cash bar will be provided.

This event is free & open to the public, but please RSVP so we can get a head count!

RSVP

Our Economic Development committee is recruiting new members! Current members include Brighton residents and local business owners who are interested in strengthening existing businesses and recruiting new ones--as well as finding new uses for vacancies.

All are welcome, but we could especially use new members with expertise in restaurants, retail, real estate, commercial leasing and market research.

In 2016, Boston Voters approved the Community Preservation Act.

https://www.boston.gov/community-preservation-act

Our Public Space and Beautification Committee is recruiting new members! Current members include Brighton residents and local business owners who are interested in improving the physical landscape of the Main Streets district.

Potential projects include grants to businesses to improve their storefronts and signage, as well as streetscape improvements such as murals, lightpole banners, wayfinding signage, planters and more.

All are welcome, but we could especially use new members with expertise in urban planning, architecture, preservation, and landscaping.

Join us as we give the Brighton Main Streets business district (Oak Square to St. Elizabeth's Medical Center) a thorough spring cleaning.

We provide gloves and trash bags; you provide the elbow grease! You will receive further instructions & your assignment via email after signing up.

We'll be starting in the afternoon, but feel free to come out after work. This event is rain or shine. Preferably shine! Meet at the Brighton Main Streets office.

RSVP TODAY!

The Boston Public Health Commission, the Boston Parks & Recreation Department, and Blue Cross Blue Shield MA are partnering to provide the Boston Parks Summer Fitness Series - FREE fitness programming in Boston Parks this summer. The Fitness Series will activate Boston parks while increasing opportunities for physical activity across Boston's neighborhoods. Promotional support for Brighton Common events provided by Brighton Main Streets.

National Night Out is a celebration of police-community partnerships. Come out early and enjoy free food & drink, the Boston Police Hoodsie truck, community partner awards, bands, and a dance troupe. At dusk, the inflatable screen goes up for a showing of The Muppet Movie.

Pack your picnic basket, grab a blanket or chair, and join us at Brighton Common for some bluesy, funky reggae featuring Johnny Trama and Dub Apocalypse.

The band has appeared at many clubs and festivals throughout New England. They've won a Boston Music Award, were named "One of 10 Local Acts You Need To Hear Now" by The Improper Bostonian, and have one of the most popular and longest running weekly residencies in Boston.

Presented by Brighton Main Streets.

City on a Hill Church presents a back-to-school movie night: The Lion King.

Spread out your blanket, set up your chair and get ready to be transported to the savannah, where Simba, a young lion, is to succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of the Pride Lands.

Promotional support for Brighton Common events provided by Brighton Main Streets.

Presented by:

An afternoon in the park with two local favorite bands:

The Love Dogs with Eddie Scheer will be rockin' the house, and singin' the rhythm & blues.  This septet is from Boston, MA with 4 critically acclaimed CDs and one of the best live shows you will ever see! http://www.thelovedogs.com/

Eddie has also lined up the Racky Thomas band as a special guest. http://www.rackythomas.com/
 

AllBright Art Crawl is a relaxed group bike ride covering about 5 miles during the afternoon of October 13. This free, family-friendly event will link the two neighborhoods of Allston and Brighton through a guided cycling tour along with 10 free pedicabs. The afternoon’s activities will be rounded out by a variety of arts events planned for the weekend.

Presented by Brighton Main Streets and Allston Village Main Streets with funding provided by the Boston Main Streets Foundation.

Art Crawl Website & Map

Come out and meet your neighbors while tidying up Brighton's common areas, streetscape, and traffic islands in preparation for winter. Email director@brightonmainstreets.org to sign up.

Dressed in costume, local children visit each business that displays the orange “trick or treat” sign from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Wednesday, October 31. The route starts at Boston Police Station D14 and heads down Washington Street toward Oak Square where the YMCA will host a pizza party for neighborhood families.

Brighton Main Streets and the Brighton Board of Trade sponsor the 23nd Annual Business District Trick or Treat in partnership with Boston College, Boston University, the Oak Square YMCA and Boston Police Station D14 (Allston-Brighton).

You're Invited to our Roaring Twentieth Party!

Join us in celebrating our 20th Anniversary.

It'll be a rip ROARING, raging, hootenanny, box social of a good time. Test Lady Luck at a casual blackjack or poker table (there'll be roulette and craps too if you find that the bees knees). And of course, it wouldn't be a true Prohibition party without plenty of local eats, and a sip or two of some giggle water.

Even though we're telling you where to find our speakeasy, you'll need to RSVP for the password to get in.

RSVP HERE!

Gala Tickets: $75.00 (includes "funny money" for casino games, music, a small-plate style dinner, and a drink at our speakeasy)

HOW TO FIND THE PARTY.

Head up the street where the A line trolley tracks used to be. Hang a Louie and head down the old cattle path. But don't lollygag too much, you'll want to get there in time to cut a rug.

And did we mention, you can store your Model A in the parking garage next door for FREE?

HERE'S THE DEAL...

100% of your donation will go directly into the community.

Your donations are critical, providing revitalization projects needed to make Brighton an even better place to live, dine, shop, and play. Programs such as storefront improvements, free concerts in the park, and new innovative wayfinding signage are only possible with your support. Through the generosity of New Balance, the event's Premier Sponsor, your donation will power the work of our volunteer based organization.

Event Premier Sponsor

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A SPONSOR?

As a sponsor, your partnership will make a greater impact helping to bring community programs into our neighborhood throughout the year. Programs such as Brighton Sounds concerts in the park, holiday lights along Washington Street, outdoor movies as well as business assistance, like exterior signs & free legal advice. There are 4 levels of sponsorship available, each with its own benefits. Choose the one that's right for you.

SIGN UP HERE!

or download the sponsorship form and return it to us.

Enjoy an evening of holiday cheer, networking, and celebration with the Allston and Brighton business community. Appetizers, dessert and a cash bar will all be available!

There is no cost to attend but we kindly ask that you bring an unwrapped toy which will be donated to help a local family this holiday season.

This event is co-sponsored by Brighton Main Streets, Allston Village Main Streets, Allston Board of Trade, and Brighton Board of Trade.

Join Brighton friends & neighbors as we kick off the holiday season. Local elected officials will light the tree with help from the smallest children in the crowd. Santa arrives on a fire truck with candy canes and hears holiday wishes. A troop of Girl Scouts will lead the crowd in singing traditional carols. Free hot cocoa from the Brighton Lodge of Elks rounds out the celebration.

Sponsored in part by: Brighton Lodge of Elks, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, Brighton Main Streets, Boston Police Department, Boston Fire Department, Office of Special Events, and Department of Public Works.

Every year, hundreds of children ages 2-10 gather in Brighton to scoop up Easter eggs. This tradition was started over 50 years ago by the McCarthy family, and today Steve McCarthy and his daughter Molly work with Brighton Main Streets to continue this family friendly event.

This FREE Egg Hunt is open to the public. No one goes home empty-handed. The day is never complete without a visit from the Easter Bunny himself.

Touch-a-truck provided by Armstrong Ambulance, Boston Police, and Boston Fire. Facepainting by City on a Hill Church. Thank you to our community partners!

Brighton Main Streets makes this event possible with support of Boston Main Streets, Comcast Xfinity, Presentation Rehab & Skilled Care, Franciscan Childrens, Caffe Nero, Sisters of St. Joseph, and of course the McCarthy family.

We'll be looking for you this year. Don't forget to bring your basket.

(Check out some pictures from past years.)

Pitch in for our annual neighborhood clean up day. Come and meet other Brighton neighbors. Or volunteer as a team, representing your group or business. Last year we had 25 volunteers who planted over 500 flower bulbs. More than 30 bags were filled with leaves, cleaning up our parks. Show your Brighton pride. Love your block!

All groups and individuals must register! After registering, your neighborhood contact will reach out to you with more information.

More information and registration page (available after March 1) is on the City of Boston Love Your Block site: https://www.boston.gov/calendar/love-your-block-spring-cleanup-05-11-19.

Meet at the Corrib Restaurant 396 Market St, Brighton, MA. We will have gardening tools, gloves, and trash bags for volunteers to use.

Ever wonder about how Brighton transformed from a rural farming community to today’s bustling city streets? Much of our neighborhood’s earliest history occurred in the streets and blocks around Brighton Center, a rich legacy just waiting to be discovered!

Join the Brighton Allston Historical Society for a walking tour co-hosted by the Allston-Brighton CDC and Brighton Main Streets, led by BAHS volunteers on a beautiful spring morning!

The tour is free, and will last approximately 1 1⁄2 to 2 hours. Brighton Center Meet in front of the Veronica Smith Senior Center 20 Chestnut Hill Ave.

Rain date: Saturday, June 1.

We have had to cancel this workshop. We apologize for any inconvenience.

8:00-8:30 am Breakfast & Networking

8:30-10:00 am Workshop Presentation

Having trouble finding quality employees to help your run your business? Spending too much time on recruiting? 

At this workshop, you'll learn how to:

• Produce crafty job descriptions
• Plan advertising and social media strategies
• Attract quality and loyal small business talent
• Become a "talent acquisition whiz"!

Due to funding restrictions, this workshop is reserved for small businesses located in a Main Streets district.

Coffee hours give residents the chance to speak with Mayor Walsh and staff from City departments.

Through these discussions, Mayor Walsh looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon local parks, public areas, and City services.

We'll also have a suggestion box set up at each site. We'll have free coffee and breakfast treats provided by Dunkin', as well as fresh fruit from Star Market. Each family will receive a flowering plant grown in the City's greenhouses as a gift from Mayor Walsh. Also, there will be a raffle with prizes from Dunkin'.

More info here: https://www.boston.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/neighborhood-coffee-hours
 

Help us kick off the summer as we honor our community volunteers!

Our work would not be possible without neighbors like you! Come raise a glass, celebrate the shared success of the good work happening here in your neighborhood, and find out how you can get involved. We'll be presenting awards in the following categories:

• Business of the Year, John J. Ryan Insurance Agency
• Volunteer of the Year, Andrea Kalsow

It is our great pleasure to recognize organizations and individuals who help make Brighton a great place to live, work and play.

Learn about community programs as well as business resources available right here in Brighton. But most importantly, show your B.RIGHT.ON pride!

This event is FREE! RSVP requested.

The Allston Brighton Health Collaborative is bringing you fresh food every Wednesday throughout the summer!

• We have tons of great vendors on board, so come get your locally grown produce, grass fed and organic meats, fresh fish and so much more.
• Contact our Market Manager to reserve a table for your organization or sell your products.
• Check us out at our NEW location on Brighton Common.
• Wednesdays June 19 - September 26, 3-7pm 30 Chestnut Hill Ave

Thanks so much to our sponsors, Presentation School Foundation, Brighton Main Streets, Franciscan Children's, Harvard Ed Portal, and St. Elizabeth's Medical Center for supporting this access to healthy food.

We accept SNAP/EBT, HIP, WIC, Senior Coupons, and Veggie Vouchers. We'll see you rain or shine at Brighton Common!

Presented by the Allston Brighton Health Collaborative and the Presentation School Foundation Community Center

Brighton Main Streets is able to do the work it does because of supportive volunteers. Come help the new Executive Director for Brighton Main Streets, Aidan McDonough, and members of our board celebrate their hard work!

Join us at The Circle, located on Chestnut Hill Ave in Cleveland Circle, from 6pm - 8pm and learn about ways you can get more involved and future volunteer opportunities.

LEARN MORE

Kick off your summer with Brighton Sounds Live Stream.  Four Boston-based musicians who have each traveled the world on tour making music and spreading good vibes are coming together to make a little summer music, right here in Brighton. 

• Eddie Scheer, Drums
• Willie J Laws, Guitar
• Johnny Juxo, Keyboard
• Ksenia Vaslieva, Bass Guitar

Tune in on Brighton Main Streets' Facebook Page.

They'll be playing at the Corrib, but you can catch them right here filling our Facebook page with the sounds of summer.  There'll be give-aways throughout the virtual happy hour in the chat. Sit back and enjoy a little music and a lot of summer.

Join us for Brighton Sounds Live Stream.  You know Patch of Grass from Three Piece Suite Football or you might have heard them at The Green Briar or The Bus Stop Pub, here in Brighton.  Now you can hear them from the comfort of your own backyard.  Tune in on Brighton Main Streets' Facebook Page.

There'll be give-aways throughout the virtual happy hour in the chat. Sit back and grab a Patch of Grass.