Music and Movement - The Esplanade Association

Boston Music Project (BMP) is a creative youth development nonprofit offering before, after, and in-school music programming to elementary, middle, and high school youth throughout Boston. Their vision is to give every child an engaging and fun musical experience, performance opportunities to develop confidence and self-efficacy, high levels of musical proficiency, and a passion for learning that transcends all subjects. Visit www.bostonmusicproject.org to learn more!

Founded in 2017, Abilities Dance Boston (ADB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to dismantling ableist barriers and advancing disability justice throughout Greater Boston and beyond. ADB provides intersectional disability rights lectures and movement workshops for all ages. The organization partners with community groups to consult on inclusive practices, ensuring its mission extends beyond performances and into everyday spaces. To learn more and read success stories, visit abilitiesdanceboston.org.

This youth program could not be possible without the support of Tom Brady and his family.

Join the Esplanade Association for Music & Movement, a free, interactive summer program for children and their caregivers at the Esplanade Playspace located on the Charles River Esplanade, featuring our long-time partner Boston Music Project and, NEW this year, Abilities Dance Boston!

Each week, children will sing songs, dance to music, and enjoy storytime led by trained Boston Music Project teaching artists, while Abilities Dance Boston will offer inclusive dance classes centered around a ballet approach that prioritizes physical, social, and emotional wellness over rigid technique. Families are welcome to participate in either activity, or enjoy both, as they take place simultaneously each Friday.

Children must be accompanied and supervised by a caregiver at all times and are encouraged to join in as well!

When registering, please reserve tickets for both caregivers and children. If your child requires accommodations to participate fully, please let us know during registration or email programs@esplanade.org.

Music & Movement takes place on Fridays from July 24 through August 28, with two 45-minute sessions offered from 10:00–10:45am. and 11:00–11:45am. Beginning July 31, Abilities Dance Boston’s 10:00am session is designed for PreK–2nd grade, and the 11:00am session is for 3rd–5th grade, though all are welcome to join at any point as the instructor can make modifications!

Location Information & Directions

Questions about Accessibility? Please visit our Know Before You Go page.

NOTE: There is NO PARKING on the Esplanade. Please plan to arrive via one of the options below:

WALKING
If entering by foot, you can take one of many footbridges to enter the park. They are all noted on this map. The Playspace is closest to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge which is located between Beacon Street and Beaver Place, adjacent to David G Mugar Way. Once in the Esplanade, continue walking straight along the path and the playground will be on your left!

MBTA
The Playspace is a ten-minute walk from the Arlington MBTA Station (Green Line) and a ten minute walk from the Charles / MGH MBTA Station (Red Line). Find all of the nearby stations on this map.

BLUE BIKES
Pick up a Bluebike at any station around Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville and return to a station located conveniently near the Hatch Shell. Find locations on the System Map or mobile app. The closest Blue Bikes station is located where Beacon Street meets David Mugar Way, in front of Beacon Street access to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge.

PARKING (outside of park)
Recommended parking locations include Newbury Street lots or the Boston Common Garage.

RIDE SHARE
Please direct rideshare vehicles to drop you off on Beacon Street near Arlington Street. Cheers is a good reference spot. Once you’ve been dropped off, enter the park on foot via the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge, located between Beacon Street and Beaver Place, adjacent to David G Mugar Way.

CLASS CANCELLATION POLICY

If a class needs to be canceled for any reason, you will:

Be contacted via email if you registered
See all class cancellations on EA Instagram (@EsplanadeInBoston) and Facebook (@EsplanadeBoston)

If you have questions, please contact us at programs@esplanade.org.