This June In Boston: The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series Makes Its Annual Return

Renowned for its high-end dining scene, sophisticated hotels and world-renowned higher education institutions, Boston offers a particularly idyllic escape on the eastern edge of New England—but this historic city is no stranger to high-speed thrills as well. This June, Boston is set to welcome the return of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, an annual event that unites 24 individuals in an effort to achieve the maximum amount of points and earn the coveted King Kahekili Trophy. And while Boston is in good company with its fellow participating cities, it serves as the sole host in all of the United States, providing visitors with an opportunity to witness a truly unique event taking place right on New England soil.

After a successful debut in the Greek capital of Athens on May 26th, Boston residents can swing by the Seaport’s Institute of Contemporary Art to celebrate the American leg of the event, with June 7th kicking off with a practice round and continuing into the 8th with the main event. This lauded competition will see 24 participants in total, with 12 male divers and 12 female divers taking the plunge across both days—and while the diving platforms span from 27 meters for males to 21 meters for females, all participants are certain to reach incredible speeds as they make their way into the water, with previous entries clocking in at over fifty miles per hour.

On both the 7th and 8th, guests are welcome to reserve their spectator spot beginning at 12:00 PM and catch an hour’s worth of practice dives, with the official festivities taking place at 1:00 PM. On both days, the competition kicks off with the female divers, with each individual participant making their leap between 1:37 PM and 2:20 PM, while male divers follow with a session spanning from 2:20 PM to 2:50 PM. Each day culminates with its own dedicated award ceremony, and for those who still haven’t had their fill of diving, further events are scheduled to take place all across the globe, with future destinations ranging from Oslo to Montreal to the Turkish city of Antalya.

After catching the competition, the surrounding Seaport serves as the perfect drinking and dining destination for a well-earned meal. Just a few steps away from the museum, Woods Hill Pier 4 has earned abundant acclaim for its fresh, locally-sourced produce and animal protein, with all manner of ingredients coming straight from the restaurant’s New Hampshire farm. For meat lovers, the lobster-loaded squid ink casarecce and grass-fed lamb shoulder serve as two must-try dishes, while the sunflower risotto is a favorite for plant-forward diners thanks to its rich notes of sweet potato and oyster mushroom. Further east, Legal Sea Foods’ Harborside location is a must-visit for seafood fans hoping to gain some insight into Boston’s most notable dishes, with lobster rolls, New England clam chowder and crab cakes all gracing the menu.

While Boston doesn’t boast the same elevation of cities like Denver or Bogotá, the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series provides visitors with an annual opportunity to enjoy the city from a truly elevated perspective. The Seaport is a top springtime destination in general thanks to its high concentration of bars and restaurants, but June brings an added edge of excitement to the neighborhood, allowing guests to catch a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle just steps away from the water’s edge. If you’re heading to Boston in the near future, be sure to save some room on your itinerary to catch this awe-inspiring event.