June Fest Previews

Previews of Local Arts & Music Festivals

June 2025

At least what remains of June. The summer season officially kicks off June 20.

---

6/21

Cambridge Arts River Festival

Memorial Drive (between JFK Street and Western Avenue), Cambridge

A time-honored tradition without the stuffiness at this free annual arts festival that began in the early 1970s. If you can remember the first one, you weren’t there. A cool breeze will be blowing off the Charles while folk, jazz, and world musicians tune up at their respective stages. Look for a theatre stage as well, offering storytelling, clownery, and more. Come properly attired to take part in the Mermaid Promenade, kicking off the day at 11:30.

6/21

Outloud Music Festival

The Stage at Suffolk Downs, Boston

A pop spectacle amplifying LGBTQIA+ artists and allies at the former racetrack, arriving just in time for Pride Month. Kim Petras takes the cake as the top-of-bill headliner. The German-born, L.A.-adopted artist broke new ground as the first transgender artist to win a Grammy for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, in honor of a collab with Sam Smith on “Unholy.” There might be more sizzle than steak with a DJ set by drag queen and reality TV star Trixie Mattel, but go ask any Outlouders if they care. Sizzle slaps, and this lineup is ready to party.

6/21 (and 7/27, 9/3 at other locations)

Willie Fest

The Jungle, Somerville

Off the grid, on the Gritty. Art and politics can make for awkward bedfellows. To wit, Donald Trump anointing himself Chairman of the Kennedy Center Board. But when the marriage of art and politics is blessed by the power of the people, who can gainsay it? DSA mayoral candidate for Somerville, Willie Burnley, Jr., has teamed up with local chiptuners Battlemode to organize a summer series of fundraising art bashes, spotlighting local music, film events, comedy, crafts and more. The first of three Willie Fests takes place at The Jungle. It’s going to be a “Hot Willie Summer.” You heard it here first, folks.

6/20-22

Green River Festival

Franklin County Fairgrounds, Greenfield

The festival that started life in 1986 as a hot balloon fair has evolved into a first-class music showcase in the bucolic surroundings of the Franklin County Fairgrounds. The bill has always skewed “rustic,” but this is Pioneer Valley we’re talking about, so the down-home flavor comes as edgy and artsy as you can handle. Headliners for the three nights – Mt. Joy, Courtney Barnett, and Waxahatchee – knock it out of the park with indie music takes on rock, Americana, and country. If you’re passing through Greenfield, get your beer at People’s Pint, your pizza at Magpie, and your pot at Smokey Leaf.

6/28

BAMS Festival

Franklin Park, Boston

The largest park in Boston plays host to headliner Lalah Hathaway, a multi Grammy-winning RnB artist who’s collaborated, recorded, and shared a stage with the biggest names in the business, from Kendrick Lamar to Herbie Hancock. Her latest album Vantablack is a throwback soul stunner. Along with the relentless experimentation of Durand Bernarr and the hip hop of Little Brother, that’s a top half of the bill that would be worth the price of admission, if there was a price of admission. The fest is free with registration (though the purchase of a “solidarity ticket” is encouraged). And don’t sleep on the local talent, with appearances by Ed O.G., Haasan Barclay, DJ WhySham, to name a few.

6/28

New England Americana Fest

Bellforge Arts Center, Medfield

America is struggling right now. Americana, on the other hand, is doing just fine. The genre embraces various dimensions of country, bluegrass, folk, and blues. The festival brings together more than a dozen acts, including the cosmic country of Other Brother Darryl, the mandolin-led mayhem of Jimmy Ryan’s Wooden Leg, and the melodic folk rock of Zion Rodman. If the flamenco stylings of Fauxmenco feel like an outlier, it’s just a reminder that Americana has always saved a seat at the table for the outsider. RSVP for free admission to a day of sweet sounds at the beautiful grounds of the former insane asylum.

---