Arts & Entertainment
Club Passim’s Campfire Festival Returns for Memorial Day Weekend
Nearly 70 artists will take the stage in Harvard Square for a four-day celebration of songwriting and discovery.
A Memorial Day tradition returns to Harvard Square this month as Club Passim hosts its 28th annual Campfire Festival. Running from Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25, the semi-annual event will feature nearly 70 artists from across New England and beyond.
The festival has long served as a cornerstone of the Cambridge music scene, blending "in-the-round" sessions—where songwriters swap stories and collaborate in real-time—with solo sets and full-band performances.
"Campfire is always a special weekend for us at Passim. So many great memories as we have seen artists grow and develop year after year," said Matt Smith, Managing Director at Club Passim. "You can see the connections made onstage that will shape young artists' careers as they craft their unique sound."
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A Legacy of Discovery
What started in 1998 as a creative way to fill a holiday booking gap has evolved into one of the region's premier platforms for talent discovery. The festival’s alumni list reads like a "who’s who" of folk and indie music, including:
- Anais Mitchell
- Lake Street Dive
- Lori McKenna
- Josh Ritter
- Regina Spektor
For local music fans, the weekend offers a chance to catch "the next big thing" in an intimate, seated setting before they move on to larger theaters and national tours.
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Event Details & Schedule
The music kicks off Friday evening and continues throughout the day on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
- Friday, May 22: Starts at 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday, May 23 – Monday, May 25: Starts at 2:00 p.m. daily.
Location: Club Passim, 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA 02138.
Tickets and Admission
Passim continues its mission of accessibility by offering affordable ticket tiers and free entry for students:
- Single-Day Pass: $20
- Full Weekend Pass: $35
- Students: Free (with a valid student ID)
Tickets and the complete 2026 artist lineup are available at passim.org.
About Club Passim A nonprofit institution since 1994, Passim carries on the heritage of the historic Club 47. Located in the heart of Harvard Square, it provides interactive live musical experiences, a music school, and artist grants to nurture the local community.
