Harvard Square Bookish Ball

When:
Saturday, Jun 21, 2025 11:00a -
4:00p

Where:
Harvard Square
Harvard Square
Cambridge, MA

EventRescheduled OfflineEventAttendanceMode

Admission:
FREE

Categories:
Date Idea, Festivals & Fairs, Kid Friendly, Seasonal

Event website:
https://www.harvardsquare.com/the-return-of-harvard-squares-bookish-ball-a-celebration-of-books-bookstores-history-and-more/

UPDATE: Due to inclement weather forecasted for Saturday, Harvard Square Bookish Ball has been rescheduled for June 21st.


The Return of Harvard Square’s Bookish Ball

A Celebration of Books, Bookstores, History and More!


The Harvard Square Business Association, in partnership with the City of Cambridge as part of MA250 in Cambridge, is delighted to announce the return of the Bookish Ball, a celebration of Harvard Square’s bookstores complete with a Revolutionary theme, on Saturday, April 12th from 11am - 4pm! 


This free, family-friendly extravaganza features literary tours of Harvard Square, treats, live music, and special book-themed promotions in our businesses.

 

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of America's independence, City and state officials launched the Massachusetts 2050 campaign in September 2024. Throughout 2025 and 2026, Massachusetts 250 (or MA250) will commemorate the many battles across the City of Cambridge and the state that led to America's independence. 


The festivities begin at 11am on Harvard’s Smith Campus Plaza (located at 1350 Massachusetts Avenue) where you will be greeted by Elizabeth Glover, portrayed by Linda Peck. Glover established the first printing press in the Thirteen Colonies on Dunster Street, just around the corner! Enjoy some sweet treats and live music before grabbing your “Passport to Wisdom” and visiting Harvard Square’s five book stores:


Outside of each book store, HSBA staff will be on hand to stamp your Bookish Ball passport. Collect stamps from all five stores, return the passports to the Smith Campus Center plaza by 4pm and be entered to win our Grand Prize! One lucky book lover will be gifted a Harvard Book Store trip which includes:


One night stay at the Sheraton Commander Hotel

$300 Gift Certificate for The Hourly Oyster House

$50.00 Gift Certificates for each of the (5) bookstores


Special Literary Tours

11am, 1pm, 3pm (depart from the Smith Campus Center Plaza)



For 400 years, Harvard Square has been the epicenter of American literature, philosophy, and education. From the first printing press in North America to our beloved book stores today, the outstanding tradition of poetry and storytelling, from Anne Bradstreet to Allen Ginsberg, the Square has been home to all things book-related. Stroll between our current bookstores while hearing stories of the incredible literature that was written in and inspired by these streets. Acclaimed lawyer, author and politician, Richard Henry Dana Jr. (portrayed by Daniel Berger-Jones of Boston History Company) hosts these tours designed exclusively for the Bookish Ball.


We hope that you will join us for this celebration of Harvard Square as a place of books and bookstores, public learning, public discourse and a community that treasures the printed word.


Special thanks to the City of Cambridge and MA250 in Cambridge for their generous support of this event. 


For additional information about this event and all events in Harvard Square, please visit www.harvardsquare.com.

 Enjoy special in-store events, activities, refreshments, entertainment and shopping discounts at Harvard Square’s five bookstores and other participating businesses.


Book Stores


Grolier Poetry Book Shop

6 Plympton Street


Customers who spend a $100 or more on April 12th will receive a free tote bag or T-shirt.


Harvard Book Store

1256 Massachusetts Avenue 


Harvard Book Store will be signing up customers for our Frequent Buyer program, and have flyers out for our Warehouse Sale and upcoming sale for our Frequent Buyers on Sunday, April 27th.


Harvard COOP

1400 Massachusetts Avenue


The Harvard COOP will offer 20% on trade books (not text) from 11am – 4pm on April 12th.


Lovestruck Books

44 Brattle Street


Lovestruck Books will have a craft table set up for attendees to create something special to commemorate the Bookish Ball. 


Rodney’s Bookstore

23 Church Street


Rodney's bookstore books are priced so well, it is like they are always on sale!

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06/21/2025 11:00:00 06/21/2025 16:00:00 America/New_York Harvard Square Bookish Ball <p><strong>UPDATE: Due to inclement weather forecasted for Saturday, Harvard Square Bookish Ball has been rescheduled for&nbsp;June 21st.</strong></p><p><br></p><p>The Return of Harvard Square’s Bo...

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