Revolving along a one-mile stretch on the banks of the Charles River, the 27th annual Cambridge River Festival will celebrate the city’s cultural diversity through music, dance, and the arts. Captivating people of all ages and backgrounds, nationally recognized musicians and visual artists will entertain at this lively outdoor celebration. Free to the public and produced by the Cambridge Arts Council, this summertime event brings the Greater Boston community together to enjoy the talents of performers and artists.
Revolve Spinning Wheel (requires Flash)

This year’s theme – REVOLVE – will commemorate past traditions, while discovering the wow of the new. The Cambridge River Festival encourages all to examine the artistic evolution that revolves and moves forward in our personal lives and the community in which we live.


On a mile-long stretch of Memorial Drive between JFK Street (three blocks from the Harvard Square subway station) and Western Avenue.

REVOLVING ACTIVITIES:

MUSIC STAGES - All Day Performances!
Musical performances, programmed by eminent Cambridge venues Regattabar and Club Passim, will highlight the two main stages throughout the day. Regattabar, located at The Charles Hotel in Harvard Square, is the leading jazz club in New England. The legendary Club Passim has charmed audiences for over 48 years in their dedication to cultivating and preserving folk music. Each hour a different performer will take the stage entertaining audiences with a variety of Jazz, Folk, Latin, and World music. Learn more about the music stages!




PUBLIC ART PROJECT – The Institute for Infinitely Small Things
A collaboration of local artists, presents a series of 13 public renaming expeditions. Cambridge residents will rename the streets, neighborhoods, squares and parks of the city of Cambridge. The result will be published as a new map of The City Formerly Known As Cambridge, MA.



KIDS AREA
The Kids Area will offer a variety of art-making projects and experiences. Kids will have the opportunity to enjoy performances by Great Small Works and Uncle Monsterface while making their own puppets at the Puppet Factory. The award winning improvisational group, ImprovBoston will coach kids in Puppet Karaoke, a chance to try out their newly crafted creations in playful theatre games. The puppets (and their creators) can join the Grand Puppet Parade!



PUPPET PARADE – At 5:00PM
Kids that have made puppets throughout the day will be invited to show off their works during a Grand Puppet Parade in the Kids Area!



ROLLING ALONG THE RIVER: BICYCLE RIDE AND PARADE – Starting at 12:00 NOON
At 12:00 Noon, a bicycle ride will begin at Herter Park on the Boston side of the Charles River from the JFK intersection to Flagg Street on Memorial Drive. At 1:00 PM, the street band Second Line Social Aid and Pleasure Society will conclude the ride with a mini-parade of bikes. The ride is organized by Hub on Wheels, a program that increases public awareness and the appreciation of cycling by involving children and their parents in the healthy activity of bicycle riding. Participants can visit their website at www.hubonwheels.org.



World of Food
The World of Food is one of the most popular attractions at the festival. It features international cuisines, healthy choices, and festival favorites. Come see what’s cooking!

International Bazaar
The International Bazaar is a marketplace for a wide range of items both domestically made and imported from around the world and representative of the many ethnic and cultural backgrounds of Cambridge residents.



Community Tables
Get involved in the community! At the festival site, there is a designated area for local arts and cultural organizations, community groups, and other Cambridge-based nonprofit organizations to come and promote their programs and events.




SPONSORS - Thank you to all our sponsors who support this annual event!



VENDOR OPPORTUNITIES: Sorry- No Longer Accepting Applications

International foods and beautiful crafts are an important part of the Cambridge River Festival If you are an artisan, restaurant, or community group that would like a chance to sell your wares to our festival crowds, check out the applications to learn more!

World of Food Application

World of Food Inspection Form

International Bazaar Application

Volunteer - You Make It Happen!

We need help to make this one-of-a-kind arts and culture event a success.
Learn More!

Past Years

Click on the links below for information and images of the 25th anniversary festival in 2003 and the ripples throughout Cambridge in 2005:

Overview of 2005 Cambridge River Festival

Snapshots of the 2005 Cambridge River Festival

Art Up Front 2005

Performances and Activities in June 2003

Snapshots of the 2003 Cambridge River Festival

SplashDance at the 2003 Festival

Art Attacks at the 2003 Festival


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Special Thanks To:

Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
Bertucci's
BJ's Wholesale
Peets Coffee & Tea, Inc.
Whole Foods

Cambridge Arts Council is supported in part by the City of Cambridge, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

© 2002-2003 Cambridge Arts Council
Contact our webmaster@cambridgema.gov