The Wake Up the Earth Festival began in 1979 when a group of local neighbors and activists banded together to stop the Interstate 95 expansion into Jamaica Plain. The festival began as, and still is, a celebration of what can be accomplished when people of all traditions, cultures, ages, and beliefs come together.
The annual Wake Up the Earth Festival (WUTE) takes place each year on the first Saturday in May and is currently attended by well over 10,000 individuals of all ages. The event features four stages that include:

• music and dance performances
• popular theater
• the Youth Stage, and
• story telling for all ages.

In addition to performances, WUTE features over more than 50 craft, non-profit, and food vendors. The festival is anchored by a massive parade (with branches that start in JP Center and Roxbury) with several thousand people marching. A great many individuals, local artists, community groups, and schools join forces every year to create this unique community collaboration.

Hear from executive director Madeleine Steczynski about this transformation. This event is part of the Livable Streets Alliance Series, "Churches, Cafes & Community Centers: Historic Preservation for Boston's Neighborhoods." 

The talk is free for Old South members, otherwise there is a $6 fee.

The Neighborhood Coffee Hours give residents a unique opportunity to speak directly with Mayor Walsh about open space and other needs in their neighborhoods.

For more information and updates on possible weather cancelations, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505. There's also a full schedule of Mayor Walsh's 2017 Neighborhood Coffee Hours.

Rain location: If there is heavy rain, ADA Day events will be moved inside to the 5th floor of City Hall.

A free event for children, families, and individuals of all abilities!

ADA Celebration Day is a yearly celebration of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is held in Boston around the last week of July near the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act signing. Each year, we honor a local organization that has made an impact on accessibility or inclusion in Boston. ADA Celebration Day is an event for people of all ages and all abilities to come together and celebrate a milestone in the disability community. 

The public is invited to join us for: 

• food  
• music
• a resource fair
• friends, and
• fun.

ASL and CART provided. For additional accommodation requests, call 617-635-3682 or e-mail disability@boston.gov.

Children and families are invited to help lure the magical creatures by building homes for them. This free family event will include storytelling and books from ReadBoston along with face painting. Children are encouraged to wear their favorite fairy and elf costumes. Natural materials will be provided.

Schoolmaster Hill is located on Circuit Drive between the William Devine Golf Course Clubhouse and Shattuck Hospital. For more information, please call 617-961-3047.

Bring your camera on a search for unique features in Boston's Parks, led by a photography instructor. Select photos will be highlighted in a Boston City Hall photo gallery.  

This workshop will take place at Jamaica Pond Park in Jamaica Plain. To RSVP for this workshop, please email Mavick Afonso at mavrick.afonso@boston.gov.

Bring your camera on a search for unique features in Boston's Parks, led by a photography instructor. Select photos will be highlighted in a Boston City Hall photo gallery.  

To RSVP for this workshop, please email Mavick Afonso at mavrick.afonso@boston.gov. 

Bring your camera on a search for unique features in Boston's Parks, led by a photography instructor. Select photos will be highlighted in a Boston City Hall photo gallery.  

To RSVP for this workshop, please email Mavick Afonso at mavrick.afonso@boston.gov.