THE 48TH ANNUAL
WAKE UP THE EARTH FESTIVAL
SATURDAY MAY 2ND, 2026
12-6PM SOUTHWEST CORRIDOR PARK @ STONYBROOK T
10:30AM @ CURTIS HALL - CENTER ST PARADE
11:00AM @ ROBERT LAWSON PARK - EGLESTON ST PARADE
β¨ Created by: Spontaneous Celebrations β¨
βThe Heart is Made to Moveβ
"Β‘El CorazoΜn estaΜ Hecho para Moverse!"
Migration Is Natural - Migration is a Human Right - Migration Builds Global Community
La migraciΓ³n es natural - La migraciΓ³n es un derecho humano - La migraciΓ³n construye comunidad global
π This yearβs festival is dedicated to our beloved Roxana, long time member and creative of Spontaneous and Wake Up The Earth π
THE MOVEMENT THAT STOPPED A HIGHWAY
γ°οΈ
THE MOVEMENT THAT STOPPED A HIGHWAY γ°οΈ
WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR 2026 FESTIVAL SPONSORS!
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The Wake Up the Earth Festival was born on land that was cleared for a highway. When the communities of Jamaica Plain and Roxbury started a grassroots movement with the South-West Corridor Coalition to stop Interstate 95 from cutting through their neighborhoods, they reclaimed that cleared earth and turned it into a farm, a festival, and a tradition now 48 years strong. Every first Saturday in May, thousands return to this space to dance, parade, create, and celebrate our neighborhood's history of activism, expression, and inclusion. Art is how we build and empower our community.
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Jamaica Plainβs Community Arts Headquarters who created Wake Up The Earth Festival!
Website: www.SpontaneousCelebrations.org
Located at 45 Danforth Street, Jamaica Plain, MA
Spontaneous Celebrations grew out of the grassroots movement that stopped a raised highway from cutting through Roxbury and Jamaica Plain β an act of climate justice that reclaimed the land for the community. The founders built not just a space, but a set of values: that art is how communities build resilience, find their voice, and empower the people. That vision lives on today in everything Spontaneous Celebrations does β from the Wake Up The Earth Festival and Lantern Parade, to weekly community classes, to a year-round gathering place for everyone in the community to meet, support, and grow.
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Wake Up The Earth Festival Art Workshops are most Friday nights at Spontaneous Celebrations art and community center leading up to the festival on May 2nd 2026. Spontaneous Celebrations hosts Friday night potlucks, art workshops, dance parties, and other events with the intention to strengthen and empower our neighborhoods. Bring a dish or treat to share, get to know your neighbors, create festival art, and be part of a 48 year tradition of creativity, activism, and community.
JOIN THE TEAM!
WAKE UP THE EARTH IS VOLUNTEER RUN AND WE NEED MORE VOLUNTEERS LIKE YOU!π·π§βπ¨
Create art for the festival and parades, glow up our festival puppets, paint and sew festival banners
Volunteer for the parade- parade marshal, puppet carrier, parade leader supporter
Volunteer to staff the festival - setup and breakdown, run kids and art activities, trash bandits, stage support, vendor support
Join the outreach team to help get the word out with flyers and digital content.
Become a super hero and join the core volunteer and coordination team to run the festival.
Sign up for day of,day before, and lead up to the festival activities and roles!
