Spontaneous Celebrations

Jamaica Plain’s Community Arts Headquarters

Building Calendar

Our 42nd annual

LANTERN PARADE

Dusk at JAMAICA POND

OCTOBER 17th + 18th

Come make a lantern at the Spontaneous Celebrations’ community center or buy one day-of!

LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOPS

Friday, Sept 11th 6-9PM POTLUCK + LANTERN MAKING

Friday, Sept 18th 6-9PM POTLUCK + LANTERN MAKING

Friday, Sept 25th 6-9PM POTLUCK + LANTERN MAKING + DANCE PARTY

Friday, Oct 2nd 6-9PM POTLUCK + LANTERN MAKING

Tuesday, Oct 6th 6-8PM LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP

Friday, Oct 9th 6-9PM POTLUCK + LANTERN MAKING

Tuesday, Oct 13th 6-8PM LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP

Wesday, Oct 14th 6-8PM LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP

Thursday, Oct 15th 6-8PM LANTERN MAKING WORKSHOP

Thanks to EVERYONE who was

part of our 48th annual

WAKE UP THE EARTH FEST!

History of the Fest

The first Wake Up the Earth Festival took place in 1979 on land that had been cleared for the Highway (I-95) during the late sixties but which fortunately was stopped by a strong grassroots movement embodied in the South-West Corridor Coalition. Close to Jackson Square along Lamartine Street, a community garden and greenhouse (The Farm) were built on the rubble left by the demolition that had already started and the Festival served as a celebration of the defeat of the highway. It was an attempt to bring together the different communities that lived on both sides of the (then) wall and railroad tracks, in celebration of spring and an appreciation of the piece of earth that was saved. The music, performances, banners, parades, and celebrations spring from the diversity of Roxbury and Jamaica Plain.

Today, approaching its 48th year, Wake Up the Earth Fest represents the beginning of Spring to the people of Jamaica Plain and brings out 7,500+ people every year to the South-West Corridor Park in celebration, together.