The WBUR Festival: Full Schedule

3:00pm EDT

Thursday May 28, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT

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

Skip the lines and start your festival weekend smoothly with early badge pickup, available the day before the festivities begin. Stop by to check in, grab your badge, and get set, so when the festival kicks off, you can head straight to the sessions, performances, and experiences you’re most excited about.

Thursday May 28, 2026 3:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Live Screenprinting

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

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Union Square Donuts Pop-up

Saturday May 30, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT

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

Treat yourself to a fan-favorite pop-up from Union Square Donuts, serving up their famously indulgent, made-from-scratch donuts. Come early: these go fast, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Sponsored by:

Saturday May 30, 2026 9:00am - 11:00am EDT
The Hub

Experience

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Live Screenprinting

Saturday May 30, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT

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

Saturday May 30, 2026 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Pop-up Bookstore

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

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

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

Experience

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Pop-up Merch Store

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

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

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

Experience

9:00am EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Check In & Badge Pickup

Saturday May 30, 2026 9:00am - 6:00pm EDT

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

Saturday May 30, 2026 9:00am - 6:00pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

11:15am EDT

BOOK SIGNING: Amb. Samantha Power

Saturday May 30, 2026 11:15am - 11:45am EDT

Tsai Performance Center @ 685 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Join us for a special book signing with Amb. Samantha Power featuring her memoir "The Education of an Idealist". Meet the author, have your book signed, and continue the conversation after her talk. A limited number of copies will be available on site while supplies last.

Speakers

Amb. Samantha Power

Former United States Ambassador to the United Nations

Samantha Power is an Irish-American journalist, diplomat, and government official. She was the United States Ambassador to the United Nations from 2013 to 2017, and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development from 2021 to 2025.

Saturday May 30, 2026 11:15am - 11:45am EDT
Tsai Performance Center

Experience

12:00pm EDT

Street Fair

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

BU Beach @ 270 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215

Join us at The WBUR Festival Street Fair! Catch live performances on the music stage, join a lively salsa dance class, and browse FOUND Market featuring 60 unique vendors. With a dedicated Kids Zone and activities around every corner, it’s a vibrant, all-ages experience that brings the community together.

Thank you to our street fair stage sponsor:

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
BU Beach

Experience

12:00pm EDT

STREET FAIR: FOUND Market Pop-up

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

BU Beach @ 270 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215

Step into a curated vintage pop-up from FOUND Market, where every rack tells a story. Sourced from across eras and styles, the collection features one-of-a-kind pieces, timeless staples, and standout finds you won’t see anywhere else. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect worn-in denim, a statement jacket, or an unexpected gem, FOUND Market brings the thrill of the search, and the satisfaction of a great find, right to the festival.

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
BU Beach

Experience

12:00pm EDT

STREET FAIR: The WBUR Festival Community Mural

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

BU Beach @ 270 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215

Be a part of WBUR history! Bullseye Mural Co. and WBUR invite you to join us at the Street Fair to help create The WBUR Festival Community Mural.

Grab some paint pens (we'll provide them!) and help bring this collaborative work of art to life. Together, we’ll make a vibrant, lasting piece that celebrates the Fetsival and the voices of the community. No experience needed!

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
BU Beach

Experience

12:30pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Otto Pizza Pop-Up

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT

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

Join us in the Howard Thurman Center from 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM (or while supplies last!) for a complimentary pizza party, provided by our sponsor Otto Pizza.

Sponsored by:

Saturday May 30, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

4:00pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Last Call

Saturday May 30, 2026 4:00pm - 5:30pm EDT

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

Wrap up The WBUR Festival in style at our closing happy hour. A lively, feel-good gathering to celebrate a weekend of big ideas and new connections. Come raise a glass, swap stories and close out the festival on a high note.

Sponsored by:

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

Experience

5:00pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Word Play: Scrabble Frenzy

Saturday May 30, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT

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

Grab a beer and join the author of “Unabridged” and “Word Freak” for a lively celebration of words and the people who love them. Then, watch as he faces off against five challengers in simultaneous Scrabble matches that put wordplay in the spotlight.

Sponsored by:

Speakers

Eve Zuckoff

City Reporter, WBUR

Eve Zuckoff is WBUR's city reporter, covering Boston politics, breaking news, and enterprise stories. She’s covering City Hall and the mayoral race, and keeping an eye on all things Boston, from neighborhood issues to the cost of living and policies that affect the lives of res... Read More →

Stefan Fatsis

Author, Unabridged & Word Freak

Stefan Fatsis is the author of Unabridged: The Thrill of (and Threat to) the Modern Dictionary (October 2025) and three previous books: A Few Seconds of Panic, about life in the NFL (2008); Word Freak, about the world of competitive Scrabble (2001); and Wild and Outside, about minor league baseball (1... Read More →

Saturday May 30, 2026 5:00pm - 5:45pm EDT
The Hub

Experience

5:30pm EDT

After Party at Sunset Cantina

Saturday May 30, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT

Sunset Cantina @ 916 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

After Hours at Sunset Cantina – Drinks, bites, and live music as the sun sets. Mingle, unwind, and keep the festival vibes going!

Saturday May 30, 2026 5:30pm - 7:00pm EDT
Sunset Cantina

Experience

The WBUR Festival

3:00pm EDT

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

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

9:00am EDT

11:15am EDT

Amb. Samantha Power

12:00pm EDT

12:00pm EDT

12:00pm EDT

12:30pm EDT

4:00pm EDT

5:00pm EDT

Eve Zuckoff

Stefan Fatsis

5:30pm EDT

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