The WBUR Festival

<a href="https://festival.wbur.org/?utm_source=the_boston_calendar&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;utm_campaign=festival_2026">The WBUR Festival</a> is back! Join us Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 for lively conversations, podcast tapings and musical performances at venues up and down Commonwealth Avenue.  2026 Festival speakers include:<ul><li>José Andrés — renowned chef, author and founder of World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit which provides meals in response to global crises. Andrés holds two Michelin stars and has also been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.</li><li>Sam Sanders — award-winning journalist, pop culture whisperer and host of KCRW’s "The Sam Sanders Show." Sanders also previously shared his hot takes as former host of other favorite shows including "Into It," "It’s Been a Minute," "Vibe Check" and "The NPR Politics Podcast."</li><li>Bryan Stevenson — public interest lawyer, founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and New York Times bestselling author of “Just Mercy.”</li><li>Samantha Power — journalist, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).</li><li>Public media friends including Jad Abumrad, musician, storyteller and founder of WNYC’s "Radiolab"; Allison Aubrey, NPR health and science correspondent and founding host of "Life Kit"; Mary Louise Kelly, co-host of NPR’s All Things Considered and host of the "Sources &amp; Methods" podcast; and Katherine Maher, NPR president and chief executive officer.</li></ul>Ticket options include one-day, two-day, VIP and student passes. Fans are encouraged to reserve their spot early to lock in the lowest prices — as they'll increase as the Festival date nears. WBUR Members receive special benefits, including Members-only Festival activities. You can <a href="https://www.wbur.org/membership">become a WBUR Member</a> today and discover all the possibilities, while also sustaining independent journalism. To keep up to date on Festival news, <a href="https://www.wbur.org/events/newsletter">sign up for the WBUR Events newsletter</a>. Want to get involved? Organizations interested in sponsoring The WBUR Festival can reach out to <a href="mailto:partnerships@wbur.org">partnerships@wbur.org</a> to learn more.

WBUR

WBUR CitySpace

Meredith 

Bing

Elyse Neubauer

Lior

Beeri

Jenna

Miriam

John

S22: conversations

Wondering what to do in Boston? Places to eat? Free activities? Good for a group? Date night spot? Girls night out? The best things to do? Ask Joyraft!

Best places to go in Boston? Things to do? Places to eat?

Questions & answers about things to do in Boston

Recs 💬

Community recs 💬

S4: top picks

The most fun, cool and unique things to do in Boston. Can’t miss events, shows and experiences. Concerts, restaurants, bars, free things in Boston and beyond.

The most fun and cool events happening around Boston

Hot and new things to do in Boston

Hot & new

Hot & new 🔥

S11: happening this weekend

What to do in Boston this weekend? From festivals, concerts, performances, free events, screenings and more, Joyraft has the best things to do in Boston.

25+ things to do in Boston/Cambridge/Somerville this weekend

Things to do in Boston this weekend

This wknd

This weekend for you

S16: editor picks

The most unique and can’t miss things coming up in Boston / Cambridge / Somerville and beyond. Festivals, food, drinks, fairs, concerts, art and free activities.

Unique and Can’t Miss Things to Do in Boston

Can’t-miss things to do in Boston 🚨

Can't-miss things to do 🚨

S21: roundups

Our top picks: outdoor dining, free events, spring festivals, best bars, upcoming concerts, museum parties - the latest in and around Boston.  Slug: joyraft-top-picks-best-things-to-do-boston-ma

Top picks of the best things to do in and around Boston

Joyraft picks: Boston’s best things to do

Roundups ⭐️

Curated by Joyraft ⭐️

S28: calendar experiences

This week in Boston

This week in Boston 📆

This week 📆

S20: c+d experiences

Discover new, unique events and experiences happening in and around Boston. Perfect for date night, good for a group or with a friend. Be the first to know.

The newest events happening in and around Boston

The newest events on Joyraft

Just added

Just added to Joyraft

S2 (A): top experiences

The most popular things to do on Joyraft. Concerts, restaurants, bars, events, parties, openings, kid friendly, date ideas, free things in Boston and beyond.

Top 20 things to do in Boston

Top 20: Joyraft’s most popular

Top 20

Top 20 on Joyraft

S3 (A): trending experiences

Discover can’t miss events and things to do in Boston. The most fun, unique and cool events coming to the Boston area this spring and summer.

The hottest events happening in Boston

Trending events on Joyraft

Trending 📈

S17: interest based

Your guide to everything free in and around Boston. From events, to fairs, to festivals, to outdoors. Joyraft has all the free events happening near you.

100+ free things to do in Boston and beyond

Free things to do in Boston

Free things to do

S19: interest based

Kid-friendly events in Boston

S18: interest based

Where to eat and drink in Boston? Joyraft has Boston’s newest bars, restaurants and specials. Drinks and pre fixe dinner menus. Cambridge & Somerville too.

Boston Bars and Restaurants: Events and Openings

Food & drink experiences in Boston

Food & drink experiences 

Where

The WBUR Festival

Website

Where?