Longfellow Summer Festival

NPS/Sam DiMatteo

 

Free Music, Poetry, and Community on the Lawn

The Longfellow Summer Arts Festival brings music, poetry, and community to the East Lawn of the Longfellow House on Sunday afternoons through the summer. All events are free and open to the public. In the case of inclement weather, poetry readings will be moved indoors. Concerts will be rescheduled to September.

The series is made possible with support from the Friends of Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters, New England Poetry Club, and the Berklee College of Music.

 

Tips to Enjoy the Summer Festival

• Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair: Limited seating provided, first-come first-served.
• Bring a friend, family, or come solo: All are welcome, including families with kids. Picnics are welcome, too.
• Plan your trip: Parking is not available on site. See Directions for more information.
• Access the Festival: The East Lawn is wheelchair accessible via gravel pathways. Accessible parking spaces are located at the end of the driveway. Learn more about site accessibility here.

 

2025 Lineup

• 

  June 1

  Longfellow Student Poetry Awards

  The Longfellow Student Poetry Contest is an annual competition of original poetry, grades 3-12.

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  June 8

  Dance: The Skeleton in Armor

  Experience Henry Longfellow’s The Skeleton in Armor come to life with a performance and workshop blending dance, music, poetry and history.

• 

  June 15

  Concert: Finesse Duo

  Finesse is a vibrant duo made up of Gabriela Joya and Maria Medina, known for their dynamic blend of Latin jazz and Cuban music.

• 

  July 13

  Concert: Yu Chun Chan

  Yu Chun Chan is an erhu player and composer who studies Chinese traditional music and its intersections with other genres.

• 

  August 24

  Concert: Luke Walker

  Luke Walker is an award-winning cellist whose distinctive sound blends technical mastery with creative expression.

• 

  August 17

  Concert: Bedroom Blindness

  Violinist and producer Omer Kochba performs on electric violin and pedalboard, presenting original compositions and improvisations.

 

This series is supported by the National Park Service, Friends of the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters, New England Poetry Club, and Berklee College of Music.