Summer Events in Boston – 2025 Guide

Planning a summer event in Boston for your company isn’t just about good food and fun in the sun. Done right, these events can offer major ROI in terms of team cohesion, employee retention, and workplace morale.

Benefits of Hosting a Company Summer Event:

• Team Building: Shared activities help foster stronger relationships and break down silos between departments. But remember – team building doesn’t necessarily mean required or organized activities, so think about your goals and needs for mandates as you plan.
• Employee Retention: Meaningful, well-executed events make employees feel valued, improving engagement and loyalty. Allowing employees to bring family members or friends can reinforce these benefits even more.
• Company Culture: Reinforces your brand and values in a social, memorable way. Especially important for companies with hybrid or significant remote workforces.
• Networking: Gives employees across departments and locations the chance to connect. Even better, inviting clients or potential customers can allow for relationship building outside of a formal sales process.
• Recognition: Use the event as a moment to celebrate milestones or shout out top performers. With an environment of celebration, there’s no better time to add shout outs and recognition.

Common “Fails” to Avoid for Summer Event Planning in Boston:

• Waiting too long to book: Summer venues fill up quickly in Boston, and especially potential retreat locations where you’ll compete with summer vacationers.
• Not accounting for weather: Always have an indoor backup or shade/rain plan, but even better – make sure things like umbrellas, sunscreen, comfortable seating, water, and more are available. Summers in Boston are hot!
• Failing to consider accessibility: Ensure transportation and accommodations work for everyone. Especially for locations outside of the city, providing buses, Metra passes, Uber rides, etc. can help boost attendance.
• Overplanning: Leave room for downtime; not every moment needs to be scheduled. Since corporate outings often involve fun, scheduling every moment can become self-defeating!
• Missing dietary needs: Offer diverse menu options or dietary accommodations in advance. Also, consider choosing catering or food options that aren’t a norm at the office already!

Top 5 Tips to Maximize Summer Event Attendance

• Early and Clear Communication: Announce the event well in advance with all necessary details. Be clear about the ability to bring family or friends, travel logistics, agenda or scheduled activities, and send confirmations and reminders as needed.
• Engaging Invitations: Use creative and personalized invites to generate interest. This is a great time to go beyond an Outlook or Google calendar invite and add a little excitement to the event with a custom invite.
• Incentivize Participation: Offer perks like raffles, giveaways, or recognition to encourage attendance. Make sure to highlight the venue itself – if you choose the right one, venues can be incentive enough.
• Flexible Scheduling: Choose dates and times that accommodate the majority of your team. One pro tip? Propose multiple dates or times to find the right date for the majority of potential attendees.
• Solicit Feedback: Involve employees in the planning process to ensure the event meets their interests. Ask for preferences on potential venues, activities, and times/dates to design a summer event that makes the majority of your company or team happy.

Top Boston Summer Corporate Event Venues for 2025

For Large/Full Company Outings

• Fenway Park – Event Spaces: Host your team at one of America’s most iconic stadiums. Fenway Park offers event spaces that overlook the field, along with suite rentals and private tours.
  Best for: All-staff parties, milestone celebrations, or VIP client outings.
• Boston Harbor Hotel – Waterfront Events: A luxurious venue with unmatched harbor views. Great for a formal summer celebration.
  Best for: Full-company dinners or brand-facing summer events.
• Lawn On D Powered by Citizens: Interactive lighting, games, and music. One of the city’s most fun outdoor venues.
  Best for: Creative, culture-driven teams.
• Six Flags New England (Agawam, MA): Perfect for full-company or family-friendly events. Private pavilions and group packages available.
  Best for: Fun-first, all-day summer outings.

For Smaller Companies or Team Outings

• Boston Harbor Islands – Georges or Spectacle: Take a ferry to an island picnic. Includes beaches, grills, and shelter rentals.
  Best for: Casual, wellness-focused team days.
• Harpoon Brewery: Private beer hall experiences and brewery tours.
  Best for: Happy hours, mixers, or offsite socials.
• Charles Riverboat Company: Private boat cruises with skyline views and optional drinks/catering.
  Best for: Smaller groups or leadership events.
• Boston Common or Esplanade Lawn Games: Classic public park day with lawn games and light catering.
  Best for: Budget-friendly, central meetups.
• Kings Dining & Entertainment (Back Bay or Seaport): Bowling, billiards, food, and drink packages in a fun retro setting.
  Best for: Department-level outings.
• Tanglewood Summer Series (Lenox, MA): Outdoor cultural experience with picnic-friendly lawns.
  Best for: Appreciation events or relaxing cultural days.

For Company Retreats

• Cape Cod (Falmouth, Hyannis): Lodges, beaches, and retreat houses
• Newport, RI: Harbor town with sailing, dining, and luxurious stays
• The Berkshires: Scenic, quiet, ideal for strategic sessions or team wellness