48th annual WAKE UP THE EARTH FESTIVAL and Parades

Name: 48th annual WAKE UP THE EARTH FESTIVAL and Parades
Start: 2026-05-02T12:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-05-02T17:00:00-04:00
Location: Stonybrook T station

Schedule

Sat May 02 2026 at 12:00 pm to 05:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Stonybrook T station | Jamaica Plain, MA

Spontaneous Celebrations community center presents the 48th annual WAKE UP THE EARTH FESTIVAL on Saturday May 2nd, 2026 from 12-5pm in the Southwest Corridor Park (across from the Stony Brook T Station)
MORE INFO at WakeUpTheEarth.org

•FEATURING•
Parades • Live Music + Dance Performances • Food • Local Artists, Vendors + Non-profits • Kids Activities • a Farmers Market + MORE!

•GET INVOLVED•
Vendor Info + Apps: https://www.spontaneouscelebrations.org/wake-up-the-earth-vendors
Become a Volunteer (day-of or leading up to the fest): Email Bob at [email protected]
Become a Sponsor: https://www.spontaneouscelebrations.org/wutestore/p/friend-of-the-festivals
Join the Organizing Team: Email [email protected]

•HISTORY OF THE FEST•
The first Wake Up the Earth Festival took place in 1979 on land that had been cleared for the Highway (I-95) during the late sixties but which fortunately was stopped by a strong grassroots movement embodied in the South-West Corridor Coalition. Close to Jackson Square along Lamartine Street, a community garden and greenhouse (The Farm) were built on the rubble left by the demolition that had already started and the Festival served as a celebration of the defeat of the highway. It was an attempt to bring together the different communities that lived on both sides of the (then) wall and railroad tracks, in celebration of spring and an appreciation of the piece of earth that was saved. The music, performances, banners, parades, and celebrations spring from the diversity of Roxbury and Jamaica Plain.
Today, approaching its 48th year, Wake Up the Earth Fest represents the beginning of Spring to the people of Jamaica Plain and brings out 7,500+ people every year to the South-West Corridor Park in celebration, together.