What to do in Boston in febrero

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.

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.

Saint Anthony's Feast in the North End on the last weekend (Aug 27-30) — the largest Italian religious festival in New England, the 'Feast of all Feasts.'

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.