The 39th Annual MayFair hits the streets of Harvard Square on May 5th from 11am–6pm (rain date, Sunday, May 19th). Experience food inspired by cultures from all over the world, unique one-of-a-kind gifts and crafts, al fresco beer gardens, music, entertainment and dance! MayFair is the region’s premiere family-friendly celebration of spring.
Harvard Square is the place to experience some of the best musicians, dancers and artists in New England. Our lineup this year includes an eclectic array of musical genres including folk, americana, hip hop, funk, rock and roll and blues.
To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, Mariachi Boston, one of the most sought-after ensembles in the area, will perform on the main stage at 12pm.
Within and beyond the festival grounds, Harvard Square’s favorite restaurants have taken to the streets with outdoor dining patios. Deliciousness awaits you, from casual to high-end and everything in between!
MAIN STAGE
At the Super Crosswalk
2nd ASIAN STREET FOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL
3rd ANNUAL FILIPINO AMERICAN FESTIVAL
Church Street Parking Lot
The Church Street Parking Lot will come alive with the sights, sounds and tastes of Asia with the 2nd Annual Asian Street Food and Music Festival and the 3rd Annual Filipino American Festival, produced by the Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance.
Prepare your taste buds for an unforgettable culinary journey! Savor mouthwatering delicacies from across Asia – from bánh mì to takoyaki, dim sum to new bubble tea lechon to lumpia. Our curated selection of food vendors will transport you to the bustling markets of Bangkok, Tokyo, Nepal, Delhi, Seoul and Manila. Quench your thirst with refreshing brews from both local breweries and international favorites in their beer garden. Raise your glass to unity and good times!
This year’s Cultural Show from the Chinese American Association of Cambridge features:
11:30AM – 01:00PM
Cultural Dance Group
Bolly Beatz, Iskwelahang Pilipino, Boston Dulcimer & Drums Ensemble, CW Taekwondo School, Eternal Lion Dance Team, Indian Bollywood Songs – Sulagne, Kathakali, Tamrochura Dance Studio Bangladeshi dance, Lauren Florek & Carlo Bunyi
01:00PM – 02:00PM
Chinese American Association of Cambridge
Boston Chinese Folk Dance – “Echappe – Children’s ballet”
Yi Zhiyin GuZheng Ensemble – “Forest Rhapsody – Guzheng”
Yi Zhiyin GuZheng Ensemble – “Upwards to the Moon – Guzheng”
Cambridge biolog panda daycare – preschool class – “Molihua – Chinese poem and Chinese traditional song”
Students from MLK school in Cambridge – “Snow – Children’s Violin”
Artisan Dancer Academy – “Melody of Blossoming Spring – Children’s classical dance group dance”
Wu An Martial Arts Lion Dance – “Lion Dance”
Boston Girls Singing group – “Love you – Singing”
Ethan M. – “Chinese Yoyo”
Antony Z. – “blue and white porcelain – Singing”
02:00PM – 03:30PM
Paul Sapiera
Aztech
Denise Kim
03:30PM – 04:30PM
Asian Live Bands
The Singits, Cometa, Tambiotics, Ten Mocha
04:30PM – 06:00PM
Asian Artists
including Asian Celebrity DJ Phou, Mona Sharma, Gon Hills, Kold Kwan, Ally Minju, SAANE, Ally Minju, Betty Ding, Christian Bono Thompson and many more
Proud Sponsors: Our heartfelt gratitude to our partner Harvard Business Associate, our sponsors the Philippine Heritage Living Initiative, Harvard Asia Central, AAPI Commission, Yoma Burmese Restaurant, Hong Kong Restaurant, Felipe’s Taqueria – local businesses, community leaders and organizations – who make this event possible. Your support fuels our mission to celebrate diversity and foster connections.
IRVING HOUSE PASSIM STAGE
Intersection of Brattle and Church Streets
| This year, the Passim Stage features artists from the Folk Collective. The Folk Collective is a quarterly gathering of twelve select artists, musicians, and cultural thought leaders. Through an active exchange of ideas and conversation, Passim aims to collaborate with The Folk Collective to present inclusive and equitable events that welcome and invite diverse audiences and artists to the Passim stage. |
| 12:00 PM Audrey Pearl 12:50 PM Cliff Notez 01:40 PM Maxfield Anderson 02:30 PM Stephanie Mckay 03:20 PM Alastair Moock 04:10 PM Gabriella Simpkins 05:00 PM Lydia Harrell |
DEBORAH MASON DANCE STAGE
Intersection of Mt. Auburn and Eliot Streets
MOUNT AUBURN STAGE
By Winthrop Park at the corner of Mt. Auburn and JFK Streets
Join Barre & Soul Vinyasa Yoga instructor for an energetic 60 minute yoga flow outside in Winthrop Park as part of the annual MayFair!
All levels are welcome and options will be given to make your practice your own. This class is free to the public, but you will need to bring your own mat.
Sign up here.
| 1pm School of Rock |
| 2pm YAK DANCE CREW |
| Our programs, workshops, and events create an environment where young people acquire essential life skills, embrace diversity, and develop self-confidence. YAK DANCE CREW is more than just a dance project; it’s a movement that inspires personal growth and builds lasting connections. We are passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of our youth, helping them discover their potential, and instilling valuable life skills that will serve them well into the future. |
CINCO DE MAYO OPENING DAY
ONE REASON GARDEN BAR X EL BARRIO TAQUERIA
At the Charles Hotel Patio
Drinks, Tacos and Music!
| Nestled in the heart of Cambridge, One Reason Garden Bar (named to honor the 90’s artists that performed in the streets of Harvard Square) is an outdoor “come as you are” bar surrounded by greenery and a view of the square. The bar itself is influenced by the cottages of Cape Cod, where you can sit seaside and enjoy a beverage and the view. Offering natural wines, New England beers that include hard to find names such as Trillium and Bissel Brothers, frozen drinks, and live music, starting on May 5th we will be adding one more reason to visit: we are partnering with El Barrio Taqueria to bring authentic Mexican street food to our corner of the square! Opening Sunday from 12pm to 9pm, with live music from 4pm to 7pm. Taqueria El Barrio is a beloved family run, traditional-style Taqueria by restaurateurs Servio Garcia and Chef Alex Saenz. Their menu draws inspiration from Garcia’s home of Sonora, in Northern Mexico, an area known for its handmade flour tortillas which are now a staple at Taqueria El Barrio. “Our retail tortillas have gained a cult-like following, and we often hear of people driving 30+ minutes to go buy 6 packs of our tortillas to stock their freezers,” and El Barrio is bringing these vibrant flavors right to Harvard Square this May! The special Garden Bar menu will feature favorites from Taqueria El Barrio’s full menu, including Pollo, Birria, Carnitas, and Veggie tacos, all served with their signature homemade ‘Mi Tierra’ corn tortillas; the infamous ‘Torta Del Dia’, a loaded Mexican sandwich on toasted Telera Bread; and sliced watermelon with tajin and lime. |
| BEER GARDENS/PATIOS WITHIN THE FESTIVAL |
| EATERIES/PATIOS WITHIN THE FESTIVAL |
| This event is made possible by our generous partners: Alden & Harlow The Boston Globe El Jefe’s Taqueria Shant Banosian, Guaranteed Rate Irving House Suzanna Krmzian,Realtor, Lamacchia Realty Momentum Solar Passim T-Mobile Veggie Grill Verizon |