Somerville 10th Annual Honk! Festival Returns

Honk! Festival, an annual three-day event, that attracts brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville, will kickoff Friday in the city’s Union Square.

Organized entirely by volunteers and now in its 10th year, the celebration of music, community and activism, will begin with a lantern parade in Davis Square neighborhoods and a band showcase at Johnny D’s for a celebration of music, community and activism.

On Saturday more than 25 bands will take over Davis Square for a giant music and dance party.

On Sunday, local community groups, artists, and activists working for a variety of progressive causes — economic justice, protecting the environment, world peace, an end to racism — will join the brass bands to make a spectacular parade from Davis Square to Harvard Square along Mass Avenue.

Other HONK! Fest activities include a Day of Action, when bands convene to play on behalf of a cause, and roundtable discussions for participating musicians and organizers of other HONK! festivals around the country to gather and share experiences.

HONK! in Somerville has inspired festivals near – Providence, Brooklyn, Seattle, Austin, Detroit, and far – Australia and Brazil.

Boston Magazine recognized HONK! with a “2015 Best of Boston” award, writing “The music pounds in your chest. The activism moves your soul.”