Spontaneous Celebrations

Jamaica Plain’s Community Arts Headquarters

Día de los Muertos

Sunday, November 1st

at Spontaneous Celebrations community center

9AM-5PM Build Your Altar

5PM Celebration Begins

Join La Piñata in their annual Day of the Dead ceremony and celebration at the Spontaneous Celebrations’ community center

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.