44th Annual Oktoberfest to Be Held in Harvard Square Next Weekend

The Harvard Square Business Association is has announced the return of the 44th Annual Oktoberfest and the fabulously madcap 18th Annual HONK! Parade on Sunday, October 8th, 2023. 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 Oktoberfest 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 and El Jefe's Taqueria and wine gardens presented by Commonwealth Wine School and Bonde Fine Wine. 

This annual celebration of fall features live music, including a Passim 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 18th year, the HONK! movement has become a global phenomenon. This year, more than 30 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 the 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 Wurtshaus, 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.

 

Entertainment Schedule

 

Main Stage

(located directly in front of the Harvard Square Kiosk)

10:45am Lumanyano Mzi

Come early! Performance starts at 10:45am!

By the age of 14, Lumanyano Mzi was already a sought-after session musician in his hometown of Cape Town, South Africa, eventually pursuing a formal education in jazz performance at the prestigious South African College of Music. It was here that Lumanyano formed his award-winning band, The Unity Band, whose debut album "Fabric" earned them the Best-Newcomers in Jazz Award at the 2019 Mzanzi Jazz Awards.

With a wide range of musical experiences under his belt, including performances with an impressive list of local and International Artists, Lumanyano's journey continues to evolve. Currently furthering his studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, he remains a passionate and collaborative force in the world of music, always eager to explore new sounds and connect with fellow artists.

11:30am A Sneak Peak Performance from the Moonbox Production of Sweeney Todd

Our friends at Moonbox Productions (the talented force behind two seasons of The Rocky Horror Show in Harvard Square) have found a permanent home at Arrow Street Arts (former home of OBERON). Their first production, Sweeney Todd, hits the stage from October 13th – November 5th. Oktoberfest audiences will get a special sneak peak of a few of the best loved songs from this classic Sondheim musical. For tickets and information, click here.

12:00pm Vibe Check

Returning this year is Vibe Check, a dynamic funk/rock/pop band of teenage multi-instrumentalists, songwriters and producers located in the Boston area. They play a wide range of originals and covers across many different genres. They got their start busking as 12 year-olds in Harvard Square, which earned them a feature in the Boston Globe. They have since played regionally and internationally, including the Rock in Rio festival in Lisbon, Portugal.

 

1:00pm HONK! Parade

 

All HONK! Review

 

2:00pm               HS Band

2:08pm               JP Honk

2:16pm               LMB

2:24pm               Party Band

2:32pm               Expandable

2:40pm               Undertow

2:48pm               Seed & Feed

2:56pm               Forward!

3:04pm               MAG

3:12pm               Nasty Woman

3:20pm               Bread & Puppet

3:28pm               School of Honk

3:36pm               Good Trouble

3:44pm               EE

3:52pm               BABAM

4:00pm              Rara Bel Poze

4:08pm               Dirty Water

4:16pm               Brass Solidarity

4:24pm               DPMB

4:32pm               Chaotic Noise

4:40pm               ENSMB

4:48pm               Yes Ma'am

4:56pm               HONK Family Band

5:04pm               RMO

5:12pm               Clamor & Lace

5:20pm               ERB

5:28pm               Brass Balagan

5:36pm               TMB

5:44pm               Young Fellaz

 

Eliot Triangle Stage

 

2:00pm               TMB

2:30pm               Bread & Puppet

3:00pm               RMO

3:30pm               Expandable

4:00pm               MAG

4:30pm               Good Trouble

5:00pm               Brass Solidarity

5:30pm               DPMB



Charlie's Kitchen Stage

(10 Eliot Street)

 

2:00pm               ERB

2:30pm               School of Honk

3:00pm               JP Honk

3:30pm               Seed & Feed

4:00pm               Clamor & Lace

4:30pm               Brass Balagan

5:00pm               Chaotic Noise

5:30pm               Party Band

 

Church Street Stage

(at the intersection of Church Street and Massachusetts Avenue)

 

2:00pm               Gora Gora

2:30pm               Yes Ma'am

3:00pm               Dirty Water

3:30pm               ENSMB

4:00pm               Forward!

4:30pm               Young Fellaz

5:00pm               Undertow

5:30pm               EE

 

Passim Stage – Sponsored by Irving House

(at the intersection of Brattle & Church Streets)

 

11:00am           Colin McGovern

12:00pm           Spirit 47              

1:00pm             Almira Ara          

2:00pm             Chrysalis              

3:00pm             Goodnight Mooonshine

4:00pm             Nicolas Emden  

5:00pm             Peryle   

 

Mt Auburn Street Stage

(at the intersection of Mt Auburn and JFK Streets and adjacent to Winthrop Park)

11:00am – 1:00pm Rumboat Chili

Rumboat Chili is an original, classic style rock band based out of New Hampshire. The band takes pride in its classic roots, harkening back to original, raw, rock and roll. With hard-hitting riffage to soulful melodies, Rumboat Chili's music is unique unto itself. Combining layers of Organ, Piano, dual Lead Guitars, tight rhythmic Bass, and powerful Drums, the band's music is driven by two distinct, smooth, and harmonizing lead Vocalists. Rumboat Chili is a collection of five individuals, musically influenced, driven, and inclined to create music from the heart and soul. Journey with us once again with our upcoming sophomore album. Release TBA.

Charlie's Kitchen Stage

11am – 1:00pm Chica Fuego & The Gringos

An irresistible eclectic mashup of American rock, folk and standards with an infusion of Latin influence and originals. Lead by veteran performer Jenny Juggler (Chica Fuego) on ukulele/vocals and mentor Mario “Mambo” Santiago on guitar/rhythms/vocals, Chica Fuego &The Gringos is blessed to be assisted by many incredible musician friends.

The Filipino American Festival

(in the Church Street Parking Lot)

The Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance enthusiastically welcomes you to the Filipino American Festival held in the Church Street Parking Lot during Oktoberfest!

The Filipino American Festival, organized by the Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance (HSPAA ) in partnership with The Harvard Square Business Associations, boasts of artisan and craft vendors, live music, cultural performances and Filipino food vendors. This honors and celebrates Filipino American History month.

The Filipino American Festival headliner includes performance by Jocelyn Enriquez, a Filipino American dance-pop singer born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area; with featured artist Rachel Anne Wolfe will be joined by Raynn and Mark “Bayani” Teodosio , DJ Luv, and cultural groups Iskwelahang Pilipino, NaFFAA MA Dance Troupe, Tribu Cebuano, Cebu Inc., Philippine Dance and Culture Organization, Harvard Philippine Forum, Hoy! Pinoy! UMass Boston, and BUFSA.

The HSPAA participation in the HONK! Parade will be led by 2023 HSPAA Hermana Mayor Dr. Dely Po Go, DNP, RN, LNHA of New Jersey. Confirmed participation includes the return of the NaFFAA MA Dance Troupe and Tribu Cebuano, Cebu Inc. First time participants include the Philippine Dance and Culture Organization, Harvard Philippine Forum, Hoy! Pinoy! UMass Boston, and BUFSA (Boston University Filipino Student association).

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