The WBUR Festival: Full Schedule

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9:00am EDT

Friday May 29, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT

The Hub @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Stop by the merch table in the Hub to grab your festival gear...and catch the action while it’s being made! Between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM we’re offering live screenprinting on tote bags featuring a limited-edition festival design, created right before your eyes. Each piece is printed on-site, so you can walk away with something truly one-of-a-kind (and maybe even still warm from the press). Quantities are limited, so don’t miss your chance to take home a fresh, portable piece of the festival.

Friday May 29, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Pop-up Bookstore

Friday May 29, 2026 9:00am - 5:00pm EDT

The Hub @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Browse the ideas behind the voices at our pop-up bookstore from Porter Square Books. Featuring titles by this year’s festival speakers, the shop offers a chance to dive deeper into the conversations happening on stage. Pick up a copy from your favorite festival speaker before a session or discover something new to take home.

Friday May 29, 2026 9:00am - 5:00pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Pop-up Merch Store

Friday May 29, 2026 9:00am - 5:00pm EDT

The Hub @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Take home a piece of the festival at our pop-up merch store, featuring a limited-edition screenprinted poster from local artist James Weinberg and festival tote bags designed just for this year. Bold, collectible, and only available on-site, each piece captures the spirit of the weekend. Quantities are limited so stop by early to snag yours before they’re gone.

Friday May 29, 2026 9:00am - 5:00pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Check In & Badge Pickup

Friday May 29, 2026 9:00am - 5:30pm EDT

The Hub @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

All festival guests are required to check in and receive a badge before admission to any festival activities. Your badge is your ticket to entry for all sessions and events. We look forward to seeing you at the Festival Hub for the start of your festival experience!

Friday May 29, 2026 9:00am - 5:30pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

12:00pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: La QChara Food Truck Pop-up

Friday May 29, 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

The Hub @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Grab a bite on us! La QCara is pulling up for a special festival pop-up with their Central and South American cuisine. Swing by the truck parked just outside the Hub to enjoy bold, flavorful dishes made with heart, all completely free for attendees (with a Festival badge). Come early, bring your appetite, and don’t miss the chance to taste one of the city’s standout food trucks before heading back into the action. Limited quantity. First come, first served.

Sponsored by:

Friday May 29, 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

1:00pm EDT

Performance by Nadia Washington

Friday May 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT

The Hub @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Vivo Performing Arts presents a lunchtime performance by a jazz trio led by Nadia Washington, an award-winning singer-songwriter and Berklee College of Music professor.

Sponsored by:

Speakers

Nadia Washington

Award-winning Artist & Faculty Member, Berklee College of Music

Nadia Washington is a faculty member in the Ear Training and Voice department at Berklee College of Music and a prolific, award-winning multi-genre artist.

Friday May 29, 2026 1:00pm - 1:30pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

2:30pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Have a Beer with Mary Louise Kelly

Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT

The Hub @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Bring your questions, grab a beer and join the All Things Considered co-host and former NPR national security correspondent as she shares frontline stories and reporting lessons from covering conflict zones like North Korea and the West Bank.

Sponsored by:

Speakers

Mary Louise Kelly

Host, NPR's All Things Considered & Sources & Methods

Mary Louise Kelly is host of NPR’s All Things Considered and the national security podcast Sources & Methods. Her assignments have included North Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Israel, Iran and beyond. Kelly’s writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Str... Read More →

Indira Lakshmanan

Co-Host, Here & Now, WBUR

Indira Lakshmanan is a co-host of Here & Now.

Friday May 29, 2026 2:30pm - 3:15pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

4:00pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Mix & Mingle

Friday May 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

The Hub @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Unwind, connect and spark new conversations at this relaxed networking happy hour. Whether you’re catching up with colleagues or meeting someone new, this mini party invites you to spend quality time with fellow festival-goers over complimentary snacks and drinks.

Sponsored by:

Friday May 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

The WBUR Festival

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

12:00pm EDT

1:00pm EDT

Nadia Washington

2:30pm EDT

Mary Louise Kelly

Indira Lakshmanan

4:00pm EDT

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