HONK!fest is an awesome annual 3-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community, and activism. 

Organized entirely by volunteers and now in its 19th year, the festival kicks off on Friday night (10/4) with a lantern parade in Davis Square neighborhoods and a band showcase. On Saturday (10/5), more than 33 bands take over Davis Square for a giant music and dance party. On Sunday (10/6), local community groups, artists, and activists working for a variety of progressive causes — economic justice, protecting the environment, world peace, an end to racism — join the brass bands to make a spectacular parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square along Mass Avenue. 

Other HONK!fest activities include a Day of Action, when bands convene to play on behalf of a cause, and roundtable discussions for participating musicians and organizers of other HONK! festivals around the country to gather and share experiences.  HONK! in Somerville has inspired festivals near – Providence, Brooklyn, Seattle, Austin, Detroit, and far – Australia and Brazil.