Photo Exhibit at Somerville City Hall: Looking Back at 20 Years of HONK!

Curated by the HONK! organizing committee, the exhibit captures two decades of music, community, and activism. Now in its 21st year, HONK! brings bands from across the country and around the world to Somerville, turning streets and public spaces into places to gather, dance, and speak up. Through photographs ,and posters, quotes of musicians and participants, and a playlist, visitors can revisit favorite festival memories and explore how a celebration rooted in Davis Square grew into an international movement.

“Come by and find a favorite memory or discover a new reason to love this festival,” invites Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson.

All are invited to an opening reception on Thursday, October 8, from 5 to 7 p.m. on the second floor of Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. The reception is free, and light refreshments will be served.

Pre-HONK! Brass Band Blowout in Union Square, Somerville

The semi-official Pre-HONK performances return to Union Square!
See HONK! bands play at multiple locations in Union Square, both within walking distance!

Outside – Union Sq plaza

• 7:00 Fly By
• 7:30 School of HONK! Mentors
• 8:00 JP HONK!
• 8:30 Brass Solidarity
• 9:00 Brassterisk
• 9:30 Magnificent Danger

Inside – The Jungle Community Music Club

• 8:00 The Party Band
• 8:45 Conical Cacophony
• 9:30 Yes Ma’am Brass Band
• 10:15 Emperor Norton Stationary Marching Band

Lantern-making workshops

4:00 pm – 6:00pm, 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 Cooperative, Spontaneous Celebrations, and Extinction Rebellion to make their own lanterns, and then meet us in the park before parades step off at 6:30 pm. More info can be found here.

Lantern parades

6:30 pm – 7:30 pm, 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. More info can be found here.

Friday Night in Union Square, Somerville

Aeronaut

• 6:20-7:00pm: Brass Balagan
• 7:00-7:40pm: Party Band
• 7:40-8:20pm: Funkrust Brass Band
• 8:20-9:00pm: Undertow Brass Band

Bow Market

• 7:00-7:55pm: Brass Solidarity
• 8:00-8:55pm: All for One Brass Band

HONK! in Davis Square

Opening ceremonies at noon in Seven Hills Park.
Bands play all afternoon from 1pm to 9pm in locations around Davis Square rain or shine. The full Saturday schedule can be found here.

ArtHONK!

1pm – 5pm

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! ParadeThe HONK! Parade

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

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

Sunday in Harvard Square

Performances on the Main Stage and other performance venues at Oktoberfest 2pm to 6pm.
The full Sunday schedule can be found here.