Enjoy a variety of art at Harvard’s Arts First Festival

The annual festival returns in person this year, showcasing the art of Harvard’s students, staff, and alumni in this public event.

The Arts First Festival tent. Arts First Festival

1 minute to read

Harvard once again puts on its annual Arts First Festival, featuring hundreds of talented artists, this year in a hybrid format with both in-person and virtual events. The festival runs from April 28 through May 1 and showcases a variety of art — music, dance, theater, film, visual arts, and multidisciplinary arts.

Harvard alum and actor John Lithgow founded the Arts First Festival in 1994 to honor Harvard’s often overlooked artistic community. In 1995, Lithgow proposed the Harvard Arts Medal, given annually to a member of the Harvard community who has made significant contributions to the arts. Past Arts Medal honorees have included John Updike, Bonnie Raitt, Yo-Yo Ma, Matt Damon, and Margaret Atwood.

The Arts First Festival often involves up to 2,000 artists and over 100 performances over the span of four days in Harvard Square. The weekend includes performances of opera, international dance, stand-up comedy, improv, and theater — guests can also expect visual art installations, poetry, different genres of musical performance, and even some experimental art. Most of the festival is free and open to the public, intended to draw together the Harvard and surrounding community for a weekend of celebrating creativity.

The Office for the Arts at Harvard produces the festival, and more information can be found on its website.