The WBUR Festival: A Celebration of Ideas, Community, and Culture

Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, WBUR has announced the first wave of speakers for The WBUR Festival, set to take place on Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, 2026. This two-day extravaganza promises captivating conversations, podcast tapings, musical performances, and a vibrant street scene along Commonwealth Avenue, making it a must-attend event for Boston residents and visitors alike.

A Love Letter to Boston

Margaret Low, CEO of WBUR, expressed her enthusiasm for the upcoming festival, stating, “The WBUR Festival is serious stuff and wicked fun, too. Last year was such a smashing success, we couldn’t wait to do it again. We think of the Festival as our love letter to Boston and beyond — a chance to give back to the people, the city, and the region who fuel WBUR.” This sentiment encapsulates the festival’s mission: to foster community engagement and celebrate the rich tapestry of ideas that define Boston.

Star-Studded Speaker Lineup

The festival will feature an impressive roster of speakers, including WBUR hosts like Meghna Chakrabarti, Tiziana Dearing, Indira Lakshmanan, Lisa Mullins, and Robin Young. The first wave of confirmed speakers includes:

• José Andrés: Renowned chef and founder of World Central Kitchen, Andrés is a best-selling author whose new book, Spain My Way, will be released in May. He holds two Michelin stars and has been awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his humanitarian efforts.

• Marty Baron: The former executive editor of The Washington Post and The Boston Globe, Baron has led newsrooms to win 18 Pulitzer Prizes, including 11 at The Post.

• John Bolton: Former U.S. National Security Advisor and author of The Room Where It Happened, Bolton brings a wealth of experience in international relations.

• Katherine Maher: The current president and CEO of NPR, Maher previously served as the chief executive of the Wikimedia Foundation.

• Samantha Power: A Pulitzer Prize-winning author and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Power is known for her insightful commentary on global affairs.

• Bryan Stevenson: A public interest lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, Stevenson is the author of the bestselling memoir Just Mercy.

• Nicholas Thompson: CEO of The Atlantic and host of the podcast The Most Interesting Thing in AI, Thompson’s memoir was recognized as a Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year.

In addition to these prominent figures, the festival will feature public media friends such as musician and host Jad Abumrad, NPR health correspondent Allison Aubrey, and many others.

Community-Centered Activities

The WBUR Festival is not just about speakers; it also emphasizes community engagement. The free street fair on Saturday, May 30, will feature more space and vendors than ever before, including the Found Boston market, which will host 80 vintage sellers—double the number from last year. Families can look forward to an all-new Kids Zone, complete with live performances and dance lessons from Salsa y Control.

One of the festival’s highlights will be a collaborative art project: a massive mural that attendees can help create through a guided, paint-by-numbers experience. This initiative aims to foster a sense of community and shared creativity among festivalgoers.

A Look Back at 2025

The inaugural festival in 2025 attracted over 5,000 attendees and featured a lineup that included infectious disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, cookbook author Ina Garten, and This American Life host Ira Glass. Since the opening of its live events venue, CitySpace, in 2019, WBUR has expanded its programming to include regular series like Curated Cuisine and live podcast tapings. Other signature events include the new business-focused monthly series, The WBUR Breakfast Club, which launched with Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert in January.

Support and Sponsorship

The WBUR Festival is made possible through the generous support of various civic and cultural institutions. WBUR extends its gratitude to premier sponsors such as Takeda, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Supporting sponsors include The Huntington, The Mehrotra Institute, and many others. Boston University, WBUR’s enduring partner, plays a crucial role in making the festival a reality.

Additional support comes from generous donors and sustaining members who help fuel WBUR’s mission to produce high-quality journalism and enriching experiences. WBUR members enjoy special discounts and exclusive invitations to festival activities, encouraging community involvement and support for independent journalism.

Stay Connected

To stay updated on festival news, individuals can sign up for the WBUR Events newsletter. Organizations interested in sponsoring the festival can reach out to partnerships@wbur.org for more information.

About WBUR

Founded in 1950, WBUR is Boston’s NPR station and an award-winning producer of high-quality journalism. With one of the strongest local newsrooms in America, WBUR covers pressing issues in the city and region. Nationally, the station reaches over seven million people each week through programs like On Point and Here & Now, along with acclaimed podcasts such as Endless Thread and Circle Round.

The WBUR Festival is set to be a remarkable celebration of ideas, culture, and community, inviting everyone to participate in a weekend filled with inspiration and connection.