Boston Calling Music Festival to Skip 2026, Returns in 2027
Organizers announced Friday that the Boston Calling music festival will not take place in 2026. When it resumes in 2027, the event will shift to a different weekend than its traditional Memorial Day slot.
Typically hosted at the Harvard Athletic Complex, the festival has become a staple of the Memorial Day weekend calendar. The 2025 edition featured prominent acts such as Luke Combs, Fall Out Boy, and the Dave Matthews Band.
A statement shared on social media expressed gratitude to attendees: "Thank you for making this year's Boston Calling such a wonderful experience; your energy, passion, and support mean the world to us."
Looking ahead, the festival will take a brief hiatus in 2026, with plans to return on June 4-6, 2027. "Stay tuned for updates and thank you again for making the festival a cherished summer tradition," the statement continued.
Fans reacted with disappointment across social media platforms. One user lamented, "It's been a tradition with my girls. What will we do over Memorial Day weekend now?" Another echoed similar sentiments, urging organizers to maintain the holiday weekend schedule: "Don't do this to us, don't skip a year. Keep it on Memorial Day weekend; it's excellent to have the day after off to rest and relax on the holiday."
Concerns about overcrowding marred the 2024 festival, leading to complaints about safety issues among attendees. In response, Boston Calling implemented significant changes for 2025, including a rotating stage designed to enhance space and comfort for concertgoers.
This year's festival saw a noticeable reduction in crowd density, even amid rain-soaked conditions. One attendee remarked, "I feel like festivals sometimes have too many people, too rowdy. And this is such a chill atmosphere."
Neal J. Riley serves as a digital producer and has been with WBZ-TV since 2014. His work has also appeared in various publications, including The Boston Globe and The San Francisco Chronicle. A graduate of Boston University, Riley continues to cover local events and culture.
