2nd Annual WBUR Festival 2026
| Dates: | Friday, May 29, 2026 - Saturday, May 30, 2026 |
| Hours: | Hours Vary see below |
| Ages: | Kids, Teens, Adults |
| In/Outdoor: | Indoor, Outdoor |
| Cost: | see below |
| Category: | Fairs & Festivals |
The WBUR Festival returns to Boston for its second year, taking over venues up and down Commonwealth Avenue on the Boston University campus for two days of lively conversations, podcast tapings, musical performances, and surprises.Produced by WBUR, Boston's NPR news station, the festival promises serious stuff and wicked fun, just like year one.
The 2026 lineup features a roster of nationally recognized voices, including chef and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés, Emmy-winning actor and comedian David Cross, bestselling author Celeste Ng (Little Fires Everywhere), civil rights attorney and Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson, NPR CEO Katherine Maher, and former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy.
Last year's inaugural event featured more than 200 speakers, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, Ina Garten, Roxane Gay, Ira Glass, Kara Swisher, and friends from WBUR and NPR shows like On Point and Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me!
FREE Family-Friendly Street Fair (Saturday Only):
The WBUR Festival Street Fair is open to everyone, no ticket required.
Taking place Saturday, 5/30 from 12 to 6 PM at BU Beach (270 Bay State Road), the outdoor celebration features live music, food trucks, local vendors, dance lessons, and an all-new Kids Zone with friendship bracelet making, hair tinseling, and face painting.
Families can also help paint a giant community mural by Bullseye Mural Co. and shop the FOUND Market with 60 vintage sellers (one source lists 80, see notes below).
The Librero Pop-Up Bookstore powered by El Planeta will also be on site.
Street Fair Performance Schedule:
12 PM: Jake Blount (live music)
1 PM: Line Dancing Queens (line dancing lessons)
2 PM: Kimaya Diggs (live music)
3 PM: Salsa y Control (salsa lessons)
4 PM: Jonathan Suazo (live music)
WBUR Festival Schedule:
Friday, 5/29: Festival sessions and events, 10 AM to 5 PM | Member and VIP special event, 5:30 to 8 PM Saturday, 5/30: Festival sessions and events, 10 AM to 6 PM | Free Street Fair at BU Beach, 12 to 6 PM | Closing party at Sunset Cantina, 6 to 8 PM
Check in opens at 8:30 AM both days at 808 Commonwealth Ave.
The Festival Hub is located in the Howard Thurman Center and offers complimentary morning snacks and coffee, food pop ups, and activities throughout the weekend.
All sessions are first come, first served.
Ticket Options (required for festival sessions, not for street fair):
VIP: $349 (all events, complimentary parking both days, VIP lounge with food and drink, early access and premium seating for keynotes, VIP swag)
Two-Day: $249 (access to events Friday and Saturday)
One-Day: $149 (access to events on either Friday or Saturday)
Student: $29 with a valid student email address
Boston University students can request free tickets with a BU email address and RSVP.
WBUR Members receive 20 percent off ticket prices and access to Members Only events; email festival@wbur.org for the Member discount code.
Ticket prices do not include transaction fees.
Getting There: The festival recommends taking the T to the Boston University Central stop or using rideshare.
Drivers can park in the Agganis Arena Lot at 925 Commonwealth Ave.
(enter behind the building).
The festival spans roughly a half-mile area at BU and requires walking between venues, so comfortable shoes and light layers are recommended.
Rain or shine.
Accessibility: All venues are ADA accessible.
Sign language interpreting is available in the main keynote venue, and ADA accessible shuttle buses are available on site.
Email festival@wbur.org with specific concerns.
Festival App: Available for iPhone and Android for schedule browsing and personal agenda building.
Tickets and More Info: festival.wbur.org
| HOURS | ↑ top |
Friday, 5/29: Festival sessions and events, 10 AM to 5 PM | Member and VIP special event, 5:30 to 8 PM
Saturday, 5/30: Festival sessions and events, 10 AM to 6 PM | Free Street Fair at BU Beach, 12 to 6 PM | Closing party at Sunset Cantina, 6 to 8 PM
| COST | ↑ top |
VIP: $349 (all events, complimentary parking both days, VIP lounge with food and drink, early access and premium seating for keynotes, VIP swag) Two-Day: $249 (access to events Friday and Saturday) One-Day: $149 (access to events on either Friday or Saturday) Student: $29 (with a valid student email address)
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
Boston University, 808 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA, 02215 map
Boston University
808 Commonwealth Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
- Profiles
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- 2nd Annual WBUR Festival 2026, 5/29/26-5/30/26
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