Know Before You Go
You've got questions, we've got answers!About
When does the Festival take place?
The 2026 WBUR Festival will take place May 29–30, 2026 in Boston, MA.
Where is the Festival located?
The Festival takes place at Boston University, 808 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215.
When will the list of all speakers and events be available?
The full schedule and our complete speaker list will be available at the end of April.
Is the Festival ADA accessible?
All venues are ADA accessible. Sign language interpreting is available in our main keynote venue and ADA accessible shuttle buses are available on site for those with mobility issues. Please email festival@wbur.org if you have specific ADA concerns.
Are there discounts available for WBUR Members?
Yes, WBUR Members receive 20% off tickets. Please email festival@wbur.org for the Member discount code.
Is there a rain date?
No, the Festival, including the street fair, is rain or shine.
Get Involved
How can I become a sponsor or media partner for the Festival?
If you're interested in sponsoring the Festival please email partnerships@wbur.org and a member of the team will be in touch.
Can I volunteer for the Festival?
Yes! If you're interested in volunteering at The WBUR Festival please fill out this form and a member of the Festival team will be in touch. All Festival volunteers are able to attend festival events for free outside of their scheduled working hours.
Know Before You Go
Where do I check in and get my badge?
All attendees will need to check in and receive their festival badge before attending any festival events. Check in is located at 808 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215.
What are check in hours?
Check in, located at 808 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215 opens at 8:30 AM on both Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30, 2026.
What should I wear?
The Festival takes place over a .5 mile area at Boston University and requires transit between venues. We suggest comfortable shoes and attire, including light layers.
How do I get to the Festival?
We recommend taking public transportation via the T (Boston University Central stop) or ridesharing as your primary form of transportation to the Festival. If you prefer to drive, we suggest parking in the Agganis Arena Lot, located at 925 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215 (enter behind the building).
When should I arrive?
We recommend arriving at least an hour before the first session you would like to attend to allow time for check in, exploring the Hub, and finding your way to the venue. All sessions are first come, first served.
Where is the Festival Hub?
The Festival Hub is located in the Howard Thurman Center at 808 Commonwealth Ave. Boston, MA 02215. The Hub is your home away from home during the festival and includes check in, food pop ups, activities, and more!
Where can I find the schedule?
The full schedule is available on our website and in the Festival app.
Is there a Festival app?
Yes! Plan your day with The WBUR Festival app! You can browse the schedule, build your personal agenda, and stay up to date on any real-time updates throughout the weekend.
Can I reserve seats at a session I really want to see?
All sessions are first come, first served. We recommend arriving early for anything you can’t miss.
Will there be food and drink available?
Yes! Stop by the Hub in the morning for complimentary snacks and coffee to help fuel your day. The Hub is also the home for all food pop ups, receptions, and giveaways.
Food trucks will be available at the street fair on Saturday, May 30 from 12:00 PM–6:00 PM.
Additionally, there are many local businesses in the vicinity of the Festival including Life Alive, Otto Pizza, Sunset Cantina, and more!
Check out the schedule for more information.
What safety precautions are in place?
The WBUR Festival’s highest priority is the safety of our guests, staff and speakers. To that end, we have implemented safety precautions to ensure everyone has a fun and safe experience.
The WBUR Festival reserves the right to remove any guests, without a refund, who do not abide by these safety precautions.
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS:
All guests will be required to go through metal detector and bag checks in order to access festival venues. Backpacks and bags larger than 16 1/2" W × 15" H are not permitted in the FitRec or Tsai Auditorium. Bag checks will be available in venue.
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
- Weapons and dangerous items of any kind (firearms, pepper spray, knives, bats, club, tasers, etc...)
- Signs, flags or banners of any kind
- Signs, posters or garments with offensive language, phrasing or symbols
- Unapproved pamphlets, handouts, etc...
- Alcohol, cannabis products, drugs, drug paraphernalia
- Laser pointers
- Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles
- Professional camera equipment
- Audio/video recording devices
- Fireworks, missile-like objects and any other form of projectiles
- Noisemakers, air horns, bells, bullhorns, whistles, etc...
- Pets, other than service animals
Have a question that isn’t listed? Email festival@wbur.org.