Mass. announces $2.5 million for Boston Pops July 4 centerpiece, $6 million in statewide MA 2 50 grants; private sponsors pledge support

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,…