CAMBRIDGE
Cambridge sits directly across the Charles River from Boston and operates as a parallel music universe. The city's three main squares — Harvard, Central, and Inman — each sustain distinct music ecosystems fed by the university population and a deeply rooted local arts community.
Central Square is the axis. The Middle East complex (Downstairs, Upstairs, and Zuzu) has been the metro area's defining rock club since 1987, launching acts from the Pixies to Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Sonia, adjacent to the Middle East, adds another room to the cluster. The Cantab Lounge runs live music seven nights a week. In Harvard Square, Club Passim has anchored the folk and singer-songwriter world since 1958, while The Sinclair books national indie and rock tours. Regattabar at the Charles Hotel is a jazz institution. Sanders Theatre at Harvard hosts classical and world music. The Lilypad in Inman Square specializes in experimental and avant-garde jazz. Brattle Theatre and Harvard Film Archive round out the cultural calendar.
Cambridge rewards the attentive listener. You can catch a free-jazz set at The Lilypad, a touring indie band at The Sinclair, and a bluegrass night at Plough & Stars all within a mile. The academic influence creates audiences that listen closely and tip well.
Tip: Central Square is the densest cluster. The Red Line connects all three squares in minutes. Weeknight shows often feature better lineups than you would expect at lower prices.
Neighborhoods: Harvard Square • Central Square • Inman Square • Porter Square • Kendall Square
WEEK OF FEBRUARY 23, 2026
MONDAY - 2/23
- Sub Rosa Songwriting Retreat Songs from Three Mile Island at 7:00pm write songs
- Elan Mehler Trio at 7:00pm, 8:00pm jazz vibes
- Jerry Bergonzi Quartet at 8:30pm, 10:00pm get loud
- The Fringe at 10:00pm avant-garde
TUESDAY - 2/24
- Bruce Gertz Quintet at 7:00pm, 9:30pm jazz vibes
- Community Care fundraiser at 10:00pm support local
- Johnny Trama and the B3 Kings at 10:00pm rock out
WEDNESDAY - 2/25
- Noah G. Fowler, Ben Wetherbee, and Hunter Peebles at 7:00pm country tunes
- Jonatha Brooke at Arrow Street Arts at 7:30pm get cozy
- Viva el Arte Trio at 7:00pm jazz vibes
- The Barr Brothers at 7:00pm get loud
- An Evening with Lyle Brewer at 8:00pm chill vibes
- Gill Aharon Trio at 8:15pm, 10:00pm jazz vibes
- The Lilypad Variety Show at 10:00pm open mic
THURSDAY - 2/26
- Owen Leeuwis Quintet at 7:00pm get loud
- The Barr Brothers at 7:00pm rock out
- Jon Nolan & Good Co/Sneaky Miles at 8:00pm get down
- Lissa Schneckenburger Trio at 8:00pm folk vibes
- Fenno Street Jazz at 10:00pm jazz night
- Folk Storytellers Showcase at 10:15pm storytellers
FRIDAY - 2/27
- Midnight at the Mad Monkfish w/Mikayla Shirley at 12:00am late night
- Yoko Miwa Trio let's go
- After-Hours w/Andy Voelker (Jam) jam session
- Earlybirds Club at 6:00pm let's go
- The Glitter Boys at 9:30pm jazz vibes
- Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer with Chao Tian "From China to Appalachia" at 7:00pm cultural mix
- Moviola / Sleepyhead / Thalia Zedek at 7:00pm, 10:00pm indie night
- WasiaFest at 10:00pm party time
- Jen Kearney “Gas Station Poet Vinyl Release- The Real Deal” at 8:00pm celebrate
- The Attractors at 10:00pm mix it up
SATURDAY - 2/28
- Midnight at the Mad Monkfish w/Camila Quintero at 12:00am come chill
- April Hall Quintet let's jam
- Jonathan Bean Late Night Jam Session join in
- Ratboys at 7:00pm join the fun
- hyperlinked: an inter-planetary girl edm + hyperpop party at 9:00pm dance all night
- Blue Ribbons/Detroit Angels Live at the Lizard Lounge at 8:00pm rock on
SUNDAY - 3/1
- Briscoe at 7:00pm get down
No shows listed.