Governor Maura Healey announced at the Old South Meeting House that the Commonwealth will provide $2.5 million to the Boston Symphony Orchestra to help produce a "signature" Boston Pops Independence Day event on the Esplanade on July 4, 2026, and said the state has devoted $6,000,000 in grants to support Massachusetts 2 50 programming across the commonwealth.

"It is going to be an incredible, memorable, unforgettable blockbuster of an event on the Esplanade this summer on July 4," Governor Maura Healey said, describing plans for a nationally televised concert, fireworks and tributes to veterans.

The governor and MA 2 50 leaders said the July 4 centerpiece will be produced in partnership with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and will be broadcast nationally. Chad Smith, CEO and president of the BSO, said the orchestra will work with state and local agencies and a national media partner to expand the event's reach. "This will allow us to engage the broadest and most diverse audiences across our city, across our state, and indeed, across the country," Smith said.

Bob Rivers, executive chair of Eastern Bank and chair of the MA 2 50 executive committee, said the private sector is contributing to the campaign and that the committee aims to raise at least an additional $8,000,000 to support events. Rivers announced corporate commitments led by Takeda ($1,000,000) and Vertex ($500,000), and named Biogen and a group of other companies that have pledged $250,000 or more. Rivers listed Amazon, Bank of America, Eastern, Fidelity Investments, Liberty Mutual, M&T Bank, Meet Boston, New Balance, Optum, Sanofi and private donors Tom and Winnie Faust among sponsors at or above the $250,000 level.

"To do this, the MA 2 50 executive committee aims to raise at least an additional $8,000,000 to support this year's events," Rivers said.

Chad Smith said production partnerships will include the Department of Conservation and Recreation and Massachusetts State Police for site access and public-safety planning. Smith said the State Police would coordinate "dozens of local state and federal agencies" to ensure security for large crowds on the Esplanade.

Eric Paley, secretary of economic development, framed the effort as an economic driver for tourism and hospitality: "Our tourism industry is a big industry for Massachusetts. It's over $24,000,000,000 in revenue every year to the state. It employs about a 150,000 people in the state. It brings 52,000,000 visitors a year to Massachusetts." He said MA 2 50 should increase visitation in 2026.

Speakers stressed that the state-level investment is intended to amplify programming statewide. Governor Healey named several grant recipients and cultural partners, and emphasized that events and commemorations will involve all 351 cities and towns in the commonwealth.

Revolutionary Spaces President and CEO Nat Scheidley announced a new immersive, multi-sensory Freedom Trail experience that will preview in December and open during the 2026 commemoration; he said the project received early support through destination-development grant programs.

Organizers said the July 4 program will remain free to the public in its tradition and that the production will include national talent, storytelling elements, and local youth performers. Officials repeatedly described the event as nonpartisan and as a moment to honor active-duty service members and veterans.

The announcements at Old South Meeting House were largely programmatic: the administration described planned funding commitments and private fundraising goals but did not report a legislative vote or ordinance authorizing the grants during the event. Several speakers encouraged broader business and community participation in sponsorship and programming.

What was announced

- State grants: Governor Healey said the Commonwealth "has devoted $6,000,000 to support ongoing events and programming."
- BSO partnership and state contribution: Healey announced the Commonwealth will provide "2 and a half million" dollars to the Boston Symphony Orchestra to produce the July 4, 2026 centerpiece.
- Private fundraising and sponsors: Bob Rivers said the MA 2 50 executive committee aims to raise an additional $8,000,000; corporate commitments announced included Takeda ($1,000,000), Vertex ($500,000), Biogen (amount described as significant but not specified), and a group of companies each committing at least $250,000.

Context and next steps

Organizers said further programming and performer announcements will follow in coming months. The BSO indicated it has secured national media partnerships to broadcast the July 4 program; Chad Smith named CNN as a national partner and WHDH (channel 7) as a regional partner. Revolutionary Spaces said it will stage a preview of its immersive experience in December.

Funding details not specified or pending

- Exact contract terms and execution plans for the state's $2.5 million to the BSO were not specified at the event.
- Biogen's exact pledge amount was described as "significant" but not given in dollars during the announcement.
- Several sponsors were listed as committing "at least $250,000," but the total dollar figure from private sponsors beyond the named commitments was not provided.

Speakers

Governor Maura Healey, Governor of Massachusetts; Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism; Reggie Gibson, poet laureate of the Commonwealth; Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll; Chad Smith, CEO and president, Boston Symphony Orchestra; Bob Rivers, executive chair of Eastern Bank and chair, MA 2 50 executive committee; Mayor Michelle Wu; Nat Scheidley, president and CEO, Revolutionary Spaces; Eric Paley, secretary of economic development; Keith Lockhart, conductor, Boston Pops.

Ending

Organizers framed the announcements as the start of a multi-year commemoration that combines public funding, private sponsorship and community programming. Officials said they will unveil additional programming details and operational plans in the months ahead.