Longfellow Summer Festival

Keyboard set up outdoors — 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.

WE (too) THE PEOPLE

The Many Voices of American Poetry

From the beginning, the founders set the nation on a path of ongoing work toward a more perfect union. As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of its independence, the New England Poetry Club, National Park Service, and the Friends of the Longfellow House–Washington’s Headquarters, Inc., are launching on a two-year outdoor poetry series entitled WE (too) THE PEOPLE. The series theme reflects on the legacy of America’s founding documents and acknowledges those omitted from the framers’ original vision of liberty, yet who have profoundly shaped and enriched the American democratic journey across generations.

2025 Lineup

June 1
Longfellow Student Poetry Awards

The Longfellow Student Poetry Contest is an annual competition of original poetry, grades 3-12.
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.
June 22
Juneteenth Gathering

Gather for Juneteenth to honor those who endured slavery and seized freedom on Brattle Street 250 years ago.
July 5
250: Headquarters of a Revolution

Explore the people, ideas, and questions that shaped General George Washington’s first revolutionary headquarters.
July 6
Poetry: Robert Pinsky

Three-term U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky will kick off the Summer Poetry Festival, with a special musical performance by Stan Strickland.
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.
July 20
Poetry: Diannely Antigua, Stephanie Burt

Antigua is the former Poet Laureate of Portsmouth NH and an educator; Burt is a poet, literary critic, and professor.
July 27
Concert: Peter Smith

New York City-based guitarist and Henry Longfellow descendant Pete Smith returns to the Longfellow House for an afternoon of jazz.
August 3
Poetry: Richard Blanco

Richard Blanco is the first-ever Poet Laureate of Miami-Dade County and fifth Presidential Inaugural Poet in U.S. history
August 10
Golden Rose Poetry Award: Martha Collins

The Golden Rose, one of America’s oldest literary prizes, will be presented to poet and translator Martha Collins.
August 17
Concert: Bedroom Blindness

Violinist and producer Omer Kochba performs on electric violin and pedalboard, presenting original compositions and improvisations.
August 24
Concert: Luke Walker

Luke Walker is an award-winning cellist whose distinctive sound blends technical mastery with creative expression.
September 7
Concert: Juventas New Music Ensemble

Juventas New Music Ensemble is a dynamic contemporary chamber group with a special focus on emerging voices.