Sunday, October 6, 2024
11am – 6pm
(Rain date: Sunday, October 13, 2024)
The Harvard Square Business Association is excited to announce the return of the 45th Annual Oktoberfest and the fabulously madcap 19th Annual HONK! Parade on Sunday, October 6th, 2024. Come be a part of this unique, irreverent, family-friendly annual tradition where musicians and spectators “reclaim the streets for horns, bikes and feet”!
Joining us again this year: The Filipino American Festival – a celebration of Filipino music, food and culture!
Harvard Square’s Oktoberfest features food from all over the world, arts, crafts, vintage goods, free samples, and one-of-a-kind gifts. In addition, Oktoberfest boasts beer gardens hosted by Alden & Harlow, El Jefe’s Taqueria, Charlie’s Kitchen, and a wine garden presented by Commonwealth Wine School and Schmitt Sohne & Relax. New this year! Bring your four-legged friends to Oktoberfest’s Dog-Friendly Wine Garden presented by Momma’s Grocery + Wine and sponsored by Tandem Vet complete with the Mobile Vet Unit onsite.
This annual celebration of fall features live music, including a rock music stage and an all HONK! Review on the main stage. Dancing in the streets is encouraged!
Don’t let the parade pass you by! Street activists, horn aficionados and their comrades will strut straight down Massachusetts Avenue at approximately 1pm. In its 19th year, the HONK! movement has become a global phenomenon. This year, more than 25 HONK! bands from around the country will march from Davis Square to Harvard Square. Spectators will be treated to a horn-tooting, hand-clapping, foot-stomping, mind-blowing spectacle and everyone is welcome to join the back of the parade and make their way to Oktoberfest.
Traditionally held at our annual MayFair celebration, the Rotary Club of Cambridge’s “Chalk on the Walk” art installation will transform Church Street into a colorful display or artistry and creativity.
Oktoberfest in Harvard Square was started in 1978 by the late Frank Cardullo, a Square mover, shaker and owner of the renowned Wursthaus, which served up traditional German food from 1917 to 1996. The early festivals were in keeping with old world customs. Over the years, the festival has taken on a more discerningly Cambridge vibe to become an Oktoberfest unlike any other.
Oktoberfest 2024 partners include:
AARP, Alden & Harlow, Cambridge Trust, Capital One Café, Charlie’s Kitchen, Commonwealth Wine School, El Jefe’s Taqueria, HarborOne Bank, Harvard Federal Credit Union, Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance, Herbwell Cannabis, Irving House at Harvard, Momentum Solar, Momma’s Grocery + Wine, Schmitt Sohne & Relax, Sonata System by Gynesonics, Suzanna Krmzian / Lamacchia Realty, Tandem Vet and Veggie Grill
Entertainment Schedule
Main Stage
Sponsored by Herbwell Cannabis
(located directly in front of the Harvard Square Kiosk)
11:00am Squares in the Square
The Squares feature an array of guest singers, and a repertoire that easily switches from soul to swing, from pop to funk. The focus is on “accessible jazz” — no long, intellectual horn solos here. The band is expandable: basically a quintet, friends often join for a few numbers.
12:30pm A Sneak Peak Performance from Moonbox Productions of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Our friends at Moonbox Productions (the talented force behind two seasons of The Rocky Horror Show and Sweeney Todd in Harvard Square) have found a permanent home at Arrow Street Arts (former home of OBERON). Their latest production, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, runs through October 20th. Oktoberfest audiences will get a special sneak peak of a few of the best loved songs from this classic musical.
Tickets are $65 for preferred seating and $55 for regular seating with Pay-What-You-Wish options available for each performance, while supplies last. Tickets available here.
1:00pm HONK! Parade
All HONK! Review
2:00p The Ultimate Jam Session with Boston Music Project and the Summer Street Brass Band lead by Chris Schroeder
2:08p Leftist Marching Band
2:16p The Party Band
2:24p The J.P. HONK Band
2:32p Forward! Marching Band
2:40p Rara Bel Poze
2:48p Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band
2:56p The Brass Balagan
3:04p Hungry March Band
3:12p Brass Solidarity
3:20p Good Trouble Brass Band
3:28p Extraordinary Rendition Band
3:36p Undertow Brass Band
3:44p Providence Drum Troupe
3:52p Funkrust Brass Band
4:00p Dirty Water Brass Band
4:08p Rude Mechanical Orchestra
4:16p HONK! Family Band
4:24p Yes Ma’am Brass Band
4:32p Young Fellaz Brass Band
4:40p New Orleans Musicians 4 Palestine
4:48p Artesian Rumble Arkestra
4:56p The Filthy Femcorps
5:04p Mayday Marching Band
5:12p Babadan Banda de Rua
5:20p School of HONK
5:28p Blowcomotion
Eliot Triangle Stage
2:00 Hungry March Band
2:30 Dirty Water Brass Band
3:00 The J.P. HONK Band
3:30 The Party Band
4:00 Babadan Banda de Rua
4:30 The Brass Balagan
5:00 Forward! Marching Band
5:30 Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band
Charlie’s Kitchen Stage
(10 Eliot Street)
2:00 HONK! Family Band
2:30 School of HONK
3:00 New Orleans Musicians 4 Palestine
3:30 Artesian Rumble Arkestra
4:00 The Filthy Femcorps
4:30 Providence Drum Troupe
5:00 Extraordinary Rendition Band
5:30 Undertow Brass Band
Church Street Stage
(at the intersection of Church Street and Massachusetts Avenue)
2:00 Brass Solidarity
2:30 Yes Ma’am Brass Band
3:00 Rude Mechanical Orchestra
3:30 Blowcomotion
4:00 Mayday Marching Band
4:30 Good Trouble Brass Band
5:00 Funkrust Brass Band
5:30 Young Fellaz Brass Band
Rachael Solem Memorial Stage
Sponsored by Irving House
Curated by Dan Nicklin
(at the intersection of Brattle & Church Streets)
2pm Other Brother Darryl
Other Brother Darryl are a Boston-based alt-country supergroup made up of singer-songwriters Dan Nicklin, Nate Leavitt, Dave Mirabella and Dan Cedarholm. The cosmic canyon rock band is rounded off by prominent local fixtures Jim Collins, Derek Feeney, Dave Lieb and Chad Raleigh. First coming together over a love of big folk harmonies, inspired by bands like The Jayhawks and Wilco, and the television series Newhart, the seeds of Other Brother Darryl were first conceptualized back in 2012 at the defunct Somerville rock club Radio, where each member would perform frequently with their respective projects. An endless string of conversations, local Boston rock shows, and beers would line the next several years, and in 2019, Other Brother Darryl would make good on a promise to each other to bring their collective creative vision to life and write and record the album they were always meant to. In November 2022, Other Brother Darryl released debut single, “Until I Do,” b/w “The Ballad of Joni & Graham,” the same night they would perform live at Underwater Sunshine Fest in New York City. New single “Drive” arrived a year later, followed by February 2024’s “Gypsy Girl”; debut record Roll Shine Roll, recorded at Nicklin’s Henley Row Studios, is set for release later this year. It is dedicated to fallen bandmate and close friend Dave Mirabella, who passed away suddenly in April 2022.
3pm Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections
With a catalog that ranges from pop effervescence to alt-country grit—with plenty of rock in between—Magen Tracy & the Missed Connections are a Boston-area favorite known for earworm, melodies, sharp lyrical play, and fun, often mischievous live shows. Led by songwriter Tracy, a three-time Boston Music Award nominee, the band’s piano-driven songs, tight harmonies, and feminist edge take inspiration from acts like Jenny Lewis, Brandi Carlile, and Fleetwood Mac—all backed by a top-notch band that includes Stud Green on violin and guitar, Tamora Gooding on drums, Mike Oram on guitar, and Sam Spencer on bass. Tracy (keys, guitar) has also played in other notable acts, including Letters to Cleo, Kay Hanley, Juliana Hatfield, and Band of Their Own. Her latest single, “At My Age,” is garnering rave reviews, with Tanya Donelly (Belly, Throwing Muses) calling it “powerful and brave”.
4pm Airport
Jangly, hooky, kinda yacht rock-y, 70’s-inspired rock. It’s AM Gold.
5pm The Rationales
Lush, finely crafted American songwriting, swirling with hooks, harmonies and raw emotion from a 5 piece band brimming with heart, excitement and guitars! For fans of Wilco, Nada Surf and Radiohead!
“Textured melodic rock, fizzing with an energy difficult not to wholeheartedly sink into.” – Americana UK
“Pure, powerful rock beautifully interspersed with more rootsy tunes.” – Rootstime, Belgium
Mt Auburn Street Stage
2pm The Squares in the Square
Jazzy vocals, funky blues, and Georgia on My Mind! The Squares feature an array of guest singers, and a repertoire that easily switches from soul to swing, from pop to funk. The focus is on “accessible jazz” — no long, intellectual horn solos here. The band is expandable: basically a quintet, friends often join for a few numbers.
3rd Annual Filipino American Festival
(in the Church Street Parking Lot)
The 3rd annual Filipino American Festival returns to the Church Street Parking Lot for a day packed with live performances, cultural exhibits, and authentic Filipino cuisine. A key highlight of the festival will be the first-ever Filipino Beer Garden in New England, offering iconic brews like San Miguel and Red Horse.
“We’re thrilled to bring this celebration of Filipino heritage to Harvard Square once again,” said Catherine Uy, President of the Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance (HSPAA ). “It’s an opportunity to share the rich traditions, food, music, and art of the Filipino community with the broader New England audience.”
This year’s event will feature:
Cultural Performances: from traditional dances like tinikling to modern acts, showcasing the diversity of Filipino talent
Filipino Cuisine: vendors offering popular dishes like lechon, adobo, and halo-halo
Fashion Show: highlighting sustainable fabrics such as piña and abaca from Filipino designers
Adobo Workshop: led by special guest Chef Valerie Castillo-Archer, the first Filipino-American head of Catering Operations at Philippine Airlines
Balut Eating and Sipa Contest: hosted by Harvard’s Filipino Preceptor Lady Aileen Orsal
Philippine Jeepney Exhibit: showcasing the iconic “Auto Calesa,” a symbol of Filipino culture
Harvard Peabody Museum Collaboration: featuring a special exhibit of Filipino artifacts dating back to the 1800s
The event is free and open to the public, and all are encouraged to join in the festivities.
About HSPAA:
The Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance (HSPAA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering community engagement through cultural events that celebrate the heritage of the Filipino people. In partnership with local businesses, organizations, and community leaders, HSPAA organizes the annual Filipino American Festival and other events aimed at promoting Filipino culture.
For more information or to RSVP, visit: 3rd Filipino American Festival Facebook Event
One Reason Garden Bar Oktoberfest Celebration at the Charles Hotel
2pm – 4pm DJ Nate Bluhm
At The Charles Hotel Stage, on the lower courtyard of the hotel, DJ Nate Bluhm (@begbick) will be spinning an eclectic mix of international beats, including African, Brazilian, Latin, Hip-Hop, Top 40, house, and nostalgic throwbacks.
When you need a break from the dance floor, head over to Noir Bar for a bite and a refreshing cocktail or indulge in delicious Mexican Cuisine from Taqueria El Barrio.
For more drink options and games, check out One Reason Garden Bar, the Charles Hotel’s come-as-you-are bar. Soak in the bustling atmosphere of Harvard Square while enjoying $5 beer specials and sampling a selection of natural wines, including the highly sought-after Octoberfest from Trillium Brewery. With vibrant music, tasty food, and a lively atmosphere, this year’s Oktoberfest promises to be an unforgettable celebration for everyone!
Oktoberfest is for Families & Fun
@ First Parish in Cambridge
First Parish in Cambridge welcomes our Harvard Square neighbors to learn about our community services and invites children to participate in a fun fall project – decorating your own mini-pumpkin! Volunteers will greet Oktoberfest visitors in our courtyard, located at the corner of Church Street and Mass Ave. From 12-2pm, there will be tables and workspaces for each child to choose colorful markers and make their own pumpkin. Information on the church’s history and its many social justice and community service activities, along with religious education programs will be available.
Grendel’s Den Oktoberfest After Party
Grendel’s Den Restaurant & Bar celebrates Oktoberfest again!
Lederhosen, busty dresses, German beer, food, and music all day on Sunday October 6th. After the Harvard Square Oktoberfest at 6 pm (ish) we will tap a ceremonial keg of Weihenstephaner Festbier and hold our TWENTY SECOND annual toast. Come find out who’s wearing the short, suede pants this year!
First come first served, no reservations.