HONK! is a free, family-friendly, grassroots festival!

All HONK! events listed below are FREE and open to the public. This is the rough schedule of events for the weekend.

Special Presentation by Banda Rim Bam Bum at the Cambridge Public Library

6:30p-8:00p, Cambridge Public Library, Main Library, Lecture Hall

Join Banda Rim Bam Bum from Santiago, Chile, for an evening of conversation and music. They will perform and then discuss the recent constitutional process and the political evolution of the country since the revolt of October 2019. Registration is not required but is encouraged. Register here.

Pre-HONK! Brass Band Blowout

7:00p – 10:00p, outdoors in Union Square Somerville

The semi-official Pre-HONK performances return to Union Square!.

Young Fellaz Brass Band Workshops in Watertown Public Schools

11:00a – 2:00p

Young Fellaz Brass Band Workshops in Watertown Public Schools. These workshops will feature a collaboration between this amazing band from New Orleans and music students from Watertown, focusing on music-making that inspires and informs, and aligns with Watertown’s goals of experiencing and participating in music that promotes cultural relevance and joy.

Hoot Pick-Up Band rehearsal

3:00p-5:00p, Dilboy VFW

Please join this google group if you are interested in participating.

Lantern-making workshops

4:00p-6:00p, Hodgkins-Curtin Park, Holland Street between Paulina St. and Simpson Ave in Somerville

Free and open to the public. People of all ages will join Puppeteers Coop, Spontaneous Celebrations, and Parts & Crafts to make their own lanterns, and then meet us in the park before parades step off at 6:30 pm.

Lantern parades

6:30p – 7:30p, stepping off from and returning to Hodgkins-Curtin Park, Somerville

These nighttime parades are small-scale processions, leaving from and returning to Hodgkins-Curtin Park and traversing the surrounding neighborhoods. We are inviting local artists and families to bring their own illuminations, and we also invite musicians to build lanterns, wear bike lights, glow sticks, any kind of blinking-glittering-glowing ornaments you like.

Poor People’s Campaign Justice Jam

5:30-7:30p, Seven Hills Park in Davis Square, Somerville

The Justice Jam will be an opportunity for people to come together, sing/play/rap, get inspired, have fun, build power and spread the word about the Poor People’s Campaign. There will be song sheets (and also song sheets with chords for anybody who has an instrument and wants to play along). Anybody is welcome and no RSVP is needed. Just come!

HONK! Showcase at Aeronaut Brewery

7:00p – 11:00p, Aeronaut Brewery at 14 Tyler Street, Somerville

Don’t miss these fabulous HONK! Bands:

• 7:15p-8:00p – Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band
• 8:00p-8:45p – The Party Band
• 8:45p-9:30p – Banda Rim Bam Bum
• 9:30p-10:15p – Young Fellaz Brass Band

HONK! in Davis Square

Opening ceremonies at noon in Seven Hills Park.
Bands play all afternoon from 1p to 8p in locations around Davis Square. Full schedule available here.

Elm Street Interactive Area

12p – 5p

We’re closing Elm Street to cars and turning it into a dynamic arena for interactive art making and activism. Please join in — work with our amazing HONK! artists to create something for yourself or for the Sunday Parade. Learn about some urgent issues with the grass roots volunteers and organizers working on community issues. Help amplify messages for positive change and activist causes with art! Full details here.

The HONK! Parade

12pm – 2pm down Mass. Ave. from Davis Square to Harvard Square

Full info (including parade route and street closings) can be found here.

Performances on the Main Stage and other performance venues at Oktoberfest 2p to 6p.
Full schedule available here.