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Yardfest

Each April, the entire Harvard College community gathers in Tercentenary Theatre for a giant cookout and festival-style concert.

The two winning student bands from Battle for Yardfest, held in February or March, are granted an amazing opportunity to open for the exciting professional headliner. Past performers include Kiiara, Bazzi, Lil Yachty, and Wale. This annual spring concert is sponsored by the Harvard College Events Board (CEB), Harvard's premier programming board.

Yardfest 2024

Featuring Tinashe & NOTD

Sunday, April 7
4:00–8:00pm

Your Harvard SOCO App ID is your ticket to Yardfest

  • Bring your Harvard ID: You should have your ID with you during the events
  • The Harvard SOCO App is required for entry (Download for iOS | Download for Android). If you have questions about the app, please contact studentengagement@fas.harvard.edu. 
  • Guest tickets are not available
  • No re-entry if you choose to leave before the event concludes

Prohibited Items:

  • No outside food and drinks (dinner will be provided)
  • No water bottles (water stations will be set up throughout the event to keep you hydrated) 
  • No bags of any kind: no fanny packs, backpacks, purses, etc.  
  • No umbrellas: Yardfest will be held rain or shine and we are expecting rain and colder temperatures on Sunday. Please dress for the weather as there is no re-entry once you leave the event. 

A lost and found will be available at the College Events Board (CEB) tent in front of University Hall should you need to leave any items behind during the concert.

You can enter Yardfest from any of the following locations:

  • Between Weld Hall and Widener Library
  • Between University Hall and Weld Hall
  • Between Thayer Hall and University Hall

Dining and Hydration

  • Water will be available to ensure that you are staying hydrated 
  • The Burger Bash dinner will be served in the Yard from 4:30pm to 7:30pm and various dietary options will be available, including kosher and halal options.  
  • All dining halls and Hillel will be closed, except for Currier and Dunster 

Share the fun on social media with #YRDFST2024. Follow the Harvard College Events Board on Instagram for the latest updates!

Yardfest 2024 Event Details

Residential Community Block Parties 

Before the concert begins, we hope to see you at one of the Block Parties. Join these events for an exclusive Yardfest t-shirt while supplies last.  

Block Parties will be held from 2:00 pm–4:00 pm at the following locations: 

  • Quad (Pforzheimer, Currier, Cabot, and Dudley): Quad Lawn- 60 Linnaean Street 
  • River East (Dunster, Leverett, Mather): Leverett Towers Courtyard- 28 Dewolfe Street 
  • River West (Eliot, Kirkland, Winthrop): Kirkland Courtyard- 95 Dunster Street 
  • River Central (Adams, Lowell, Quincy): Randolph Courtyard- 53 Bow Street 

If you are a first-year student, you are encouraged to attend the block party associated with your future house! 

Once the Block Parties end at 4:00pm, we encourage you to go to the Yard for the concert and dinner. 

Poster of Tinashe and NOTDFeaturing Tinashe

with NOTD

and student openers Boom Boom Sauce & Beacon Street

CEB announcement on Instagram

Yardfest 2024 Burger Bash Menu

Food will be served from 4:30 to 7:30pm. Kosher options will be available. 

Salads

  • Baby Kale Caesar w/ gluten free croutons & grated parmesan cheese
  • Spinach salad with mandarin oranges & Apple cider vinaigrette
  • Coleslaw

Burger bar

  • Grilled Halal beef burger
  • Garder broiler veggie burger
  • Hot dogs
  • Baked beans. Vgn
  • Soft Burger buns
  • Hot dog rolls

Topping Bar

  • Shredded lettuce
  • Sliced tomato
  • Sliced red onion
  • Sliced pickles
  • Sliced American
  • Guacamole
  • Bacon
  • Individual Bags Chips

Bulk Dispensers

  • Ketchup
  • Mustard
  • Mayo
  • BBQ sauce

Dessert

  • Selection of prewrapped Ice Cream novelties

Beverages

  • Water dispensers
  • Portable bathrooms will be available once you enter the concert area 
  • No access will be permitted to bathrooms in adjacent buildings 
Contact the Student Engagement team at studentengagement@fas.harvard.edu if you have accessibility needs. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Yardfest 2024 Event Map


 

What can you expect at Yardfest? 

Check out the video below for an inside look. 


Battle for Yardfest

Join CEB for a night of music. This annual battle of the bands is one of the coolest showdowns of musical talent on campus. Talented student performers compete for the chance to open for the Yardfest headliner! But wait there's more! The student audience gets the opportunity to decide the winners! If that is cool enough, sit back and enjoy the vibe as you're entertained by a professional comedian host. Most importantly, the big Yardfest headliner is revealed at the end of the show!

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