What to do in Boston in agosto

The Boston Wine & Food Festival opens January 23 at the Boston Harbor Hotel — the country's longest-running wine-and-food festival, with pairing dinners through late March.

Lunar New Year in Chinatown — the Lion Dance Parade and Cultural Village land on February 17, with lion dances winding down Beach Street.

South Boston's St. Patrick's Day and Evacuation Day Parade on the Sunday nearest March 17 — one of the largest in the US, rolling down Broadway in Southie.

The Boston Marathon on April 20 (Patriots' Day) — the 130th running, some 32,000 runners from Hopkinton to Copley Square as the whole city turns out.

Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum on May 10 (Mother's Day) — over 400 lilac plants in bloom and the only day all year picnicking is allowed.

Boston Pride for the People on June 6 — the relaunched org's parade from Copley Square to Boston Common, moved a week earlier for the World Cup.

The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular at the Hatch Shell on July 4 — Keith Lockhart's free concert and fireworks over the Charles, 7:00 to 9:30 pm.

The Boston Arts Festival at Christopher Columbus Park (Sept 12-13) — a free festival of local artists and musicians on the harbor, right after Labor Day.

The Head of the Charles Regatta from October 16 to 18 — the world's largest two-day rowing regatta, some 11,000 athletes between Boston and Cambridge.

Thanksgiving on November 26 at Plimoth Patuxet (Plymouth) — a living-history museum recreating the 1621 First Thanksgiving, 40 miles south.

The Boston Common tree lighting in early December — around 7:55 pm, followed by the lighting of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.