The HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands brings the streets of Somerville alive with brass, percussion, dancing, creativity, and community. Founded in Somerville in 2006, HONK! has grown into an internationally connected movement of activist street bands, inspiring similar festivals around the world. The free, volunteer-led festival celebrates music as a way to build community, engage with important issues, and reclaim public space for everyone.
The City of Somerville and Somerville’s Arts & Culture Division are proud to support HONK!’s longstanding tradition of bringing free music and participatory arts experiences to Somerville’s neighborhoods and public spaces. The festival is made possible through the work of its volunteer organizers, local residents and businesses, community partners, and City support.
Poster design by artist Ruchika Mada
This year’s festivities include:
- Friday, October 9, 4 PM – Hodgkins Park- Curtin Field and Union Square: Lantern-making and neighborhood lantern parades, along with evening band showcases in Union Square.
- Saturday, October 10, 12 PM – Davis Square: More than 30 activist street bands take over Davis Square for a full day of free music, dancing, and community activities, including ArtHONK! and opportunities for audience participation.
- Sunday, October 11, 12 PM – Davis square: The festival culminates with the HONK! Parade, as bands, artists, community groups, and participants travel from Davis Square along Massachusetts Avenue toward Harvard Square.
HONK! is free and open to all.
Road Closure and Detours
For the activities on Saturday, October 10:
From 11 a.m. to 10 PM, the following road closures will be in place:
- Elm St., between Davis Square and Grove St.
- Holland St., between Davis Square and Winter St.
- Dover St., between Davis Square and Meacham Road
- Day St., between Davis Square and Herbert St.
- Chester St., between Elm St. and Herbert St.
- Meacham Road, between Dover St. and Buena Vista Road
- Detours and lane closures will also be in place on Highland Ave. and College Ave. near Davis Square. .
For the HONK! Parade on Sunday, October 11:
- The parade will begin at 12 p.m. on Day Street, heading down Elm Street to Beech Street, before crossing into Cambridge toward Harvard Square via Mass Ave.
- Day Street, from Orchard Street to Elm Street, will be closed to vehicles from 10 a.m. to approximately 1:00 p.m.
- Elm Street, from Day Street to Beech Street, and Beech Street, will be closed to vehicles beginning at approximately 11:30 a.m. until the parade moves out of Somerville.
Parking restrictions will be in place throughout broader Davis Square from Friday to Sunday. Please observe posted signage.
MBTA buses 87, 88, 89, 90, 94, and 96 will be rerouted during these closures. Please see mbta.com/bus for full detour information.
When
Friday, October 9, 2026
4:00pm – 2:00pm
Where
Map Unavailable
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