The WBUR Festival: Full Schedule

9:00am EDT

Boston Press Photographer's Association: Pictures of the Year Exhibit

Friday May 30, 2025 9:00am - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm EDT

George Sherman Union Pavillion @ 775 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA

The Boston Press Photographers Association is thrilled to announce that this year’s annual Pictures of the Year exhibit will be on display during the WBUR Festival in front of the George Sherman Union at 775 Commonwealth Avenue from May 23 - June 7, featuring the award-winning images from the 2024 Pictures of the Year Contest. This is the BPPA’s fifth year of giving their work back to the public, allowing people to explore the award-winning work of New England area photojournalists from 2024.

Friday May 30, 2025 9:00am - Saturday May 31, 2025 11:30pm EDT
George Sherman Union Pavillion

Experience

12:00pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Otto Pizza Pop-Up

Friday May 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT

Join us in the Howard Thurman Center from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM (or while supplies last!) for complimentary pizza, provided by our sponsor Otto Pizza!

Friday May 30, 2025 12:00pm - 1:30pm EDT

Experience

1:00pm EDT

The NY Times Spelling Bee Buzzes Into Boston

Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

WBUR CitySpace (890 Commonwealth Ave) @ 890 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Join us for a live puzzle solve with The New York Times' Games.

In partnership with

Speakers

Everdeen Mason

Editorial Director, NY Times Games

Everdeen Mason is the editorial director of the New York Times Games team, overseeing the editorial direction and strategy of games such as The Crossword and Connections. Before working on games, Everdeen worked in Audience for nearly a decade, most recently conducting editorial... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
WBUR CitySpace (890 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience

2:30pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Have a Beer with Joe Castiglione

Friday May 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT

Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave) @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Join us in the festival Hub for a Q+A with the former announcer for The Boston Red Sox.

One complimentary beer (or non-alcoholic drink) per person, first come, first served.

Sponsored by

Speakers

Joe Castiglione

Fmr. Announcer, The Boston Red Sox

The 2015 season marked Joe Castiglione’s 33rd season broadcasting the play-by-play on the Red Sox Radio Network and his 36th season broadcasting Major League Baseball. Joe previously called games on TV for the Cleveland Indians (1979, 1982) and the Milwaukee Brewers (1981). Joe... Read More →

Anthony Brooks

Senior Political Reporter, WBUR

Anthony Brooks brings more than 30 years of experience in public radio, working as a producer, editor, reporter and host for WBUR and NPR.Before becoming WBUR’s senior political reporter, Brooks was co-host of Radio Boston, WBUR’s local news and talk show. For many years, Brooks... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience

5:00pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Happy Hour with WBUR's Newsletters Team & Grist

Friday May 30, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave) @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Join us in the festival Hub for a happy hour with the WBUR Newsletters team and Grist.

Complimentary refreshments provided.

Speakers

Nikhil Swaminathan

CEO, Grist

Nikhil Swaminathan is the CEO of Grist. Previously, he led the newsroom for five years. Prior to that, he was a digital producer for “Fault Lines,” a current affairs documentary film program that airs on Al Jazeera America and Al Jazeera English. Prior to that, he was a senior... Read More →

Rachel Bouton

Senior Manager, Grist

Rachel Bouton (she/her) is the Senior Manager for Networks and Events at Grist, a nonprofit, independent media organization dedicated to telling stories of climate solutions and a just future. At Grist Rachel leads strategy, design and production for a robust lineup of events focused... Read More →

Tik Root

Senior Staff Writer, Grist

Tik Root covers the economics of climate change at Grist. He started his career as a freelance journalist in Yemen, and has since covered everything from Al Qaeda to the Olympics for outlets such as National Geographic, The New York Times, and The Atlantic, among others. He previously... Read More →

Zoya Teirstein

Staff Writer, Grist

Zoya Teirstein is a staff writer covering the impacts of climate change on human health. Her work can also be found in Rolling Stone, Wired, and the Associated Press. She has received awards from the Indigenous Journalists Association, the SEAL Awards, and the Society of Environmental... Read More →

Kat Bagley

Editor-in-Chief, Grist

Katherine (Kat) Bagley is the editor-in-chief of Grist, a nonprofit media organization covering climate, environmental justice, and solutions. She is a journalism leader with more than 18 years of experience covering climate change and the environment, and more than a decade working... Read More →

Frida Garza

Staff Writer, Food and Agriculture, Grist

Frida Garza is a staff writer covering food and agriculture at Grist. Previously, she has worked as an editor at the Guardian US where she launched America's Dirty Divide, a series on environmental and climate justice, and as a senior staff writer at Jezebel. She lives in Brooklyn... Read More →

Meagan McGinnes-Bessey

Managing Editor, Digital Audience & Community Engagement, WBUR

Meagan is the managing editor of digital audience & community engagement at WBUR, Boston's largest NPR newsroom. She oversees the newsletter and social media teams.Her mouthful of a title really means thinking about the ways and places WBUR can bring its local journalism to more communities... Read More →

Nik DeCosta-Klipa

Senior Editor, Newsletters

Nik wakes up early each morning to write WBUR's flagship newsletter, WBUR Today. He runs the day-to-day of all things email. He joined WBUR in 2022 from Boston.com, where he was a staff writer covering local news, politics, and transportation. Nik holds bachelor's degrees in journalism... Read More →

Hanna Ali

Associate Producer, Newsletters, WBUR

Hanna Ali is an associate producer for newsletters at WBUR, and is the host of WBUR's Weekender newsletter.Before joining WBUR, Hanna worked as a digital editor at the PBS science documentary series NOVA, writing articles for NOVA Next and managing the show’s newsletters and social... Read More →

Friday May 30, 2025 5:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience

12:00pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Nan's Kitchen Pop-Up

Saturday May 31, 2025 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT

Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave) @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Join us in the Howard Thurman Center from 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM (or while supplies last!) for complimentary fried chicken and lemonade, provided by our partner Nan's Kitchen!

Saturday May 31, 2025 12:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience, Sponsored

12:00pm EDT

STREET FAIR (food trucks, games, music and more!)

Saturday May 31, 2025 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Street Fair (270 Bay State Rd) @ BU Beach, 270 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Join us throughout the day at the street fair for food trucks, music, games, and much more!

Saturday May 31, 2025 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Street Fair (270 Bay State Rd)

Experience

12:00pm EDT

STREET FAIR: FOUND Market Pop-Up

Saturday May 31, 2025 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT

Street Fair (270 Bay State Rd) @ BU Beach, 270 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Launched in 2023 by husband and wife team of Megan Fehling-Singh and Rob Singh, FOUND is a creative and marketing studio working primarily in the fields of vintage and sustainable fashion. FOUND Vintage Markets pop up monthly at some of the coolest locations in Boston. FOUND also operates two vintage clothing stores in Central Square Cambridge.

Saturday May 31, 2025 12:00pm - 6:00pm EDT
Street Fair (270 Bay State Rd)

Experience

12:30pm EDT

Street Fair: Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums

Saturday May 31, 2025 12:30pm - 1:00pm EDT

Street Fair (270 Bay State Rd) @ BU Beach, 270 Bay State Rd, Boston, MA 02215, USA

The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums (MCV) is Boston's premier fife and drum ensemble, performing music from the 19th century to modern compositions.

Speakers

The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums

The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums (MCV) is Boston's premier fife and drum ensemble, performing music from the 19th century to modern compositions.

Saturday May 31, 2025 12:30pm - 1:00pm EDT
Street Fair (270 Bay State Rd)

Experience

1:30pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Have a Beer with Boston Legacy's Domènec Guasch

Saturday May 31, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT

Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave) @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Grab your game face and a beer in the festival Hub as the General Manager of Boston Legacy FC, takes you behind the scenes of Boston’s new National Women’s Soccer League team.

One complimentary beer (or non-alcoholic drink) per person, first come, first served.

Sponsored by

Speakers

Cloe Axelson

Senior Editor, Cognoscenti, WBUR

Cloe Axelson is the senior editor of WBUR’s opinion page, Cognoscenti.Cloe first came to WBUR in 2015, as a contributor — her very first piece for Cog was an essay about women’s soccer. Two years later, in 2017, she joined Cog’s staff as an editor. Since then, she’s wo... Read More →

Domènec Guasch

GM, Boston Legacy Football Club

Domènec Guasch is the former head of management for Barcelona women's football, where he was in charge of the women’s first team and academy, player negotiations, and relationships with UEFA, Liga F and the Spanish Federation. He has also overseen youth projects for Barça Academy... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 1:30pm - 2:00pm EDT
Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience

2:30pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Have a Beer with Host Bob Oakes

Saturday May 31, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT

Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave) @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Join us in the festival Hub for a Q+A with the beloved former host of WBUR’s Morning Edition.

One complimentary beer (or non-alcoholic drink) per person, first come, first served.

Sponsored by

Speakers

Robin Young

Co-Host, Here & Now, WBUR

Robin Young brings more than 25 years of broadcast experience to her role as host of Here & Now. She is a Peabody Award-winning documentary filmmaker who has also reported for NBC, CBS and ABC television and for several years was substitute host and correspondent for "The Today S... Read More →

Bob Oakes

Former Host, Morning Edition, WBUR

Bob Oakes was a senior correspondent in the WBUR newsroom, a role he took on in 2021 after nearly three decades hosting WBUR's Morning Edition. He is one of the most well-known and respected news people in New England, with a long career in radio broadcasting, including 10 years... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 2:30pm - 3:00pm EDT
Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience

3:30pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Have a Beer with Jeopardy Champ Amy Schneider

Saturday May 31, 2025 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT

Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave) @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Grab a beer in the festival Hub and get ready to “answer in the form of a question” with the woman who holds the second-longest winning streak in “Jeopardy” history!

One complimentary beer (or non-alcoholic drink) per person, first come, first served.

Sponsored by

Speakers

Lisa Mullins

Host, All Things Considered, WBUR

Lisa Mullins is the voice of WBUR’s All Things Considered. She anchors the program, conducts interviews, and reports from the field. Mullins is also guest anchor of the WBUR and NPR midday show Here & Now.

Amy Schneider

Jeopardy Champion & Author

Like Kim Deal, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and one of the two Wright Brothers, Amy Schneider was born in Dayton, Ohio. In 2021, she made her first appearance on the syndicated quiz show "Jeopardy!", where she would go on to win 40 consecutive games, the second most in the show's history... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience

4:30pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Have a Beer with Author Hannah Selinger

Saturday May 31, 2025 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT

Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave) @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Have a beer with the author of "Cellar Rat: My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly."

One complimentary beer per person, first come, first served. Must be 21+ to attend.

Sponsored by

Speakers

Tania Ralli

Managing Editor, Arts & Culture, WBUR

Tania Ralli is managing editor of arts and culture at WBUR.

Hannah Selinger

Author, "Cellar Rat - My Life in the Restaurant Underbelly"

Hannah Selinger is a James Beard Award-nominated lifestyle writer and mother of two based in Boxford, MA. Her print and digital work has appeared in the New YorkTimes Magazine, the Boston Globe, the Washington Post, Eater, Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, the Wall Street Journal, the... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 4:30pm - 5:00pm EDT
Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience, Have a beer with

5:00pm EDT

Happy Hour/Dance Party with Con Salsa

Saturday May 31, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT

Sunset Cantina (916 Commonwealth Ave) @ 916 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA

Join José Massó to celebrate 50 years of Con Salsa on WBUR with a Con Salsa dance party at The Sunset Cantina including complimentary snacks and music provided by José Massó himself.

The first 75 guests will receive a ticket for a complimentary drink.

Speakers

José Massó

Host, WBUR's Con Salsa

Hosted by José C. Massó III for nearly five decades, the weekly program features the very best in Afro-Latin music, spoken word, history and commentary. In 1999, Boston Globe Magazine described the show as, “Part music show, part party, part community center, the program is a... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 5:00pm - 7:00pm EDT
Sunset Cantina (916 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience

5:30pm EDT

FESTIVAL HUB: Have a Beer with Screenwriter Chuck Hogan

Saturday May 31, 2025 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave) @ 808 Commonwealth Avenue, 808 Commonwealth Ave, Brookline, MA 02446, USA

Calling all fans of The Town – this one’s for you. Join us in the festival Hub for a conversation with the man who wrote Boston’s most iconic heist film. We’ll even debate the very best scenes (Fenway finale, anyone?).

One complimentary beer (or non-alcoholic drink) per person, first come, first served.

Sponsored by

Speakers

Amory Sivertson

Host & Senior Producer, WBUR Podcasts

Amory Sivertson is the host/reporter of Beyond All Repair and the co-host and senior producer of Endless Thread. She's one of the founding producers of Modern Love: The Podcast and the former producer of Dear Sugar Radio (now called Dear Sugars).Previously, Amory was the studio... Read More →

Chuck Hogan

Novelist & Screenwriter

Chuck Hogan is a New York Times bestselling novelist, screenwriter, and television producer. His best-known novel THE TOWN was awarded the Hammett Prize for "literary excellence in the field of crime writing," and was adapted into the hit feature film starring Ben Affleck, Jeremy... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
Festival Hub (808 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience

6:30pm EDT

The Crossword Show

Saturday May 31, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT

WBUR CitySpace (890 Commonwealth Ave) @ 890 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA

While the guest solves a crossword live on stage, you’ll follow Sherwin down rabbit holes of comedy, music, wordplay and trivia. Be ready for a grand finale that promises to be astonishing. No crossword expertise required!

Speakers

Meghna Chakrabarti

Host, On Point, WBUR

Meghna Chakrabarti is the award-winning host and editor of On Point. Based in Boston, she is on the air Monday through Friday.On Point has been frequently recognized for excellence in journalism under Meghna's leadership.Chakrabarti is the former host of Radio Boston, WBUR’s acclaimed... Read More →

Zach Sherwin

Host, The Crossword Show

Zach Sherwin is a Los Angeles-based comedian and the creator and host of The Crossword Show, in which a panel of comedians and other luminaries solves a crossword puzzle live onstage. His writing for the web series “Epic Rap Battles of History” has received numerous Emmy and Streamy... Read More →

Saturday May 31, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
WBUR CitySpace (890 Commonwealth Ave)

Experience