City Splash 2026

City Splash is a community event that provides the public the rare opportunity to swim in the Charles River and raise awareness to bring river swimming back to Boston! This annual state-sanctioned swim, hosted by the Charles River Conservancy, allows the public to experience the joy of swimming in the Charles River—one of the cleanest urban rivers in the United States!<ul><li>On-land activities free and open to public throughout event (for all ages)</li><li>Swimming in 25-minute pre-registered slots (for adults 18+ and older) - swimmers must be registered through <a href="https://thecharles.org/city-splash/">https://thecharles.org/city-splash/</a> </li></ul>We will have an exciting vendor village, food trucks, and plenty of fun activities for all ages in the park. All are welcome to swing by at any time for a glorious summer afternoon on the Esplanade. Our event partner, MWRA, is generously providing free, clean, chilled drinking water with their roving water fountain! Be sure to pack your reusable water bottle for free refills all day.   Food Trucks: <a href="https://www.freshfoodgeneration.com/">Fresh Food Generation</a>, <a href="https://www.stuffedbypapi.com/">Papi’s Stuffed Sopapillas</a> Vendor Village: <a href="https://tamcc.org/">The American City Coalition</a>, <a href="https://www.biglittlepie.com/">Big Little Pies</a>, <a href="https://www.crwa.org/">Charles River Watershed Association</a>, <a href="https://shop.mtwyouth.org/">More Than Words</a>, <a href="https://nussli118.com/">Nüssli 118º</a>, <a href="https://www.stylehouseeventrental.com/slushy-bars">Slushy Lady</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/subtlynx/">Subtlynx</a>, <a href="https://swimfreedom54.org/">Swim Freedom</a>, <a href="https://www.thetespa.com/">TheTéSpa</a>, <a href="https://www.tree-yoga-west-roxbury.com/">Tree Yoga Studio</a> In partnership with <a href="https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-conservation-recreation">DCR</a>, <a href="https://www.community-boating.org/">Community Boating, Inc</a>., <a href="https://ymcaboston.org/">YMCA of Greater Boston</a>, and the <a href="https://esplanade.org/">Esplanade Association</a>. The event is held in a demarcated deep-water area off the Fiedler Dock on the DCR Esplanade in Boston. Due to important safety considerations, swimming in the Charles River is only allowed if a permit is obtained from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (MassDCR) and we work in partnership with MassDCR to obtain a Special Use Permit for this unique event. The CRC has a vision for a swimmable river, but does not encourage swimming in the Charles outside of permitted events.

Charles River Esplanade

Charles River Conservancy

Ridhi Sharma

Graydon Paul

Jenn

Christina 

Aurelia

Anthony Poulin

Becky

Rachel

@TheSocialMedusa

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The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

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Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

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S19: interest based

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City Splash 2026

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