Cambridge Carnival, Feast Of St. Cosmos & Damian, Port Pride

CAMBRIDGE, MA — If you're looking for something to do this weekend, Cambridge is where it's at. There are three major festivals happening in town: Cambridge Carnival, the Feast of St. Cosmos And Damian, and of course, Port Pride.

Expect some traffic this weekend because of the events which start with the Feast of St. Cosmos and Damian on Sept. 7 and go until Sept. 9 when Cambridge Carnival parades through town. and the feast also has its last day. Port Pride Day will be held on Sept. 8, smack in the middle of those two.

Feast of St. Cosmos and Damian Sept. 7-9. 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Street Closures include Warren St, Porter St from Warren to Bedford, Macarelli Way (all day). There will also be several parades on Cambridge St.

Expect thousands to join the Cambridge, Somerville Italian feast as they do every year. The weekend festival celebrates the traditions of Italy and recognizes Saints Cosmas and Damian, also known as "The Healing Saints."

The event begins 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7 when the statues of the two Saints are taken out of their chapel. Watch for music, fireworks and confetti and a crowd during a candlelit procession. Music, food, carnival rides, and games continue throughout the evening.

Saturday the event continues with music and carnival stuff at 1 p.m.

Sunday starts at 8:30 a.m. with another procession the statues are taken back to their chapel on Porter Street. and at 1 p.m. the "Grand Procession" begins and doesn't end for hours.

• View parade routes, which will lead to brief delays in the area.

Port Pride Day Saturday, Sept. 8, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Street Closures include Columbia St. from Bishop Allen Dr. to Washington St. (in front of Clement G Morgan Park).

This is the 16th Annual Port Community Pride Day, which sets out to celebrate the culture and diversity of Cambridge. Located Clement Morgan Park, residents participate in family-friendly events like basketball, face-painting, and more.

Watch for music and food at the park from 9 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. put together by the Margaret Fuller House at 617.547.4680.

Cambridge Carnival Sunday, Sept. 9, 12 - 6 p.m.

Cambridge Carnival is a colorful and festive celebration rooted in African traditions. This free festival is celebrating 26 years this year and is considered a Cambridge Institution — the largest festival in Cambridge with thousands of attendees expected.

The highlight of the festival is a grand costume parade accompanied by rich rhythmic musicality promoting all types of cultures. Participants can be seen as revelers masquerading through the streets in dazzling handmade costumes, dancing to the beat of the Carnival. The festival is also an opportunity to celebrate Cambridge’s diversity, enjoy international foods, and purchase multicultural crafts from around the world.

Traffic will be impacted because of this event in Kendall Square on Main Street, between Portland St. and Ames St. Additional traffic impacts will result from a parade which starts at 12:30 p.m. and spans 1.3 miles on Blackstone Street between Western Avenue and River Street near the Charles River. The parade runs up River Street, passes through Central Square along Massachusetts Avenue, continues up Main Street and ends in Kendall Square near MIT, Cambridge. Street Closures include Main St. between Galilei Way and Wadsworth, and Ames St between Amherst and Broadway. View the complete schedule.

Photo courtesy Cambridge Police