The Boston Arts Festival takes place on the second weekend of September, from 11am – 6:00 pm, at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. This annual event is designed to showcase the visual and performing arts in Boston. Affectionately dubbed (ähts), it began in 2003 by Mayor Thomas M. Menino and the City of Boston’s Office of Arts, Tourism and Special Events with the mission of promoting the Open Studios happening throughout the Fall in Boston’s neighborhoods.