For Boston Calling, bring a clear bag no bigger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches (or a clutch or fanny pack up to 6 by 9 inches with one pocket), an empty reusable water bottle, non-aerosol sunscreen of 3.4 ounces or less, a portable battery pack, a rain jacket and a payment card, because the festival is cashless. Leave behind chairs, blankets, umbrellas, outside food and drink, aerosols, coolers and vapes. The festival is taking 2026 off and returns June 4 to 6, 2027, at the Harvard Athletic Complex in Allston.
Everything below comes from the festival's own help center, which says its lists are subject to change, so check them again in the weeks before the 2027 festival.
When and where is Boston Calling 2027?
Boston Calling is a three-day, multi-stage outdoor festival held along the Charles River at the Harvard Athletic Complex, 65 North Harvard Street in Allston, which is part of the City of Boston. There is no 2026 edition. The festival's site lists June 4 to 6, 2027 for its return, a move from its usual Memorial Day weekend dates.
What is the Boston Calling bag policy?
| Bag | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Clear bag smaller than 12 x 6 x 12 inches | Yes |
| Clutch or fanny pack up to 6 x 9 inches, one pocket | Yes, does not need to be clear |
| Hydration pack, empty, two main compartments and one small one | Yes, does not need to be clear |
| Any other bag, including backpacks | No |
Every bag is searched at the gate, and the festival says the fastest way in is with no bag at all.
What can you bring to Boston Calling?
- An empty reusable water bottle or hydration pack, or a plastic or aluminum water bottle
- Sunscreen in a non-aerosol container of 3.4 ounces or less
- Personal-size hand sanitizer
- A portable battery pack for your phone
- A basic point-and-shoot camera without a detachable lens
- A personal misting fan, with its bottle empty at entry and no larger than 1.5 liters
- Factory-sealed single-serving electrolyte packets and a factory-sealed naloxone kit
- Baby carriers
Prescription medicine must be in its pharmacy-labeled container showing the prescription, dosage and your name, and is checked by medical staff at the gate; bring only a day's supply. Over-the-counter medicine is allowed in a day's supply too.
What is not allowed at Boston Calling?
The prohibited list is long. The items visitors most often pack by mistake are:
- Outside food or drink of any kind, including snacks
- Chairs, blankets, sheets and towels
- Umbrellas, tents and shade structures
- Aerosol cans, including aerosol sunscreen
- Coolers, glass containers and inflatables
- Cigarettes, lighters, vapes and Juuls: it is a no-smoking festival
- Selfie sticks, professional cameras, detachable lenses, tripods and any video recording
- Strollers, wagons, scooters, skateboards and bicycles inside the grounds
- Pets, except service animals
What to wear to Boston Calling
Dress for a long day on grass in early June. NOAA's averages for Logan Airport put a June day at about 76°F with nights near 60°F, and the month averages nearly 4 inches of rain, so a light rain jacket or poncho is the safe call, since umbrellas are banned. Wear closed shoes you can stand in for hours, add a hat and sunglasses, and bring a layer for after sunset. A zip-top bag keeps your phone dry in a shower.
How do you get to Boston Calling?
By T. Take the Red Line to Harvard station, then walk about 10 minutes down JFK Street and across the Charles River to Gate 1 on North Harvard Street. Note that Harvard Square itself is in Cambridge; the festival grounds across the river are in Boston. MBTA buses 66 and 86 stop at Harvard Stadium, and the Worcester Line Commuter Rail stops at Boston Landing, about 1.1 miles away. There is no parking at the site and no street parking nearby, and the festival warns that ticketing and towing are strict. Rideshare drivers can drop you near the main entrance, with a dedicated pickup lot at night. Our guide to the T covers fares and passes.
Paying, re-entry and the rest of the weekend
The festival has gone fully cashless and pays by a tap of the wristband, so register your wristband and bring a card. Its help center says unlimited same-day re-entry is allowed with your wristband. There is no camping on site, so book a place to stay. For the rest of your trip, see things to do in Boston in June and things to do in Boston at night.
Sources: Boston Calling; allowed and prohibited items; bag policy; getting there; re-entry; cashless; NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Logan. Checked October 1, 2026.