At BAMS Fest, we believe in the power of community, connection and mutual respect. For all of our events, including BAMS Festival, our event creed is that we tolerate no harassment of any kind! All of our BAMS fans are welcome regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, or pregnancy.
OUR CREED
TICKET BOX OFFICE: Open at 11am. (*Grapes & Hops pass holders will need to pick-up their wristband and drink tickets.) All other pass holders will receive a wristband.
STREET PARKING: Opens at 9am (park at your own risk). Playstead gates will be closed to the public. Only Franklin Park Zoo staff and authorized BAMS staff, crew and volunteers will be allowed to enter.
SOUL FOOD ROW - Friday (4:30 - 9pm), Saturday (12noon - 9pm)
VENDOR MARKET - Saturday (12noon - 7:30pm)
KIDS ZONE - Saturday (12noon - Dusk)
REP YOUR CITY LIVE ART & GRAFFITI - Saturday (12noon - Dusk)
ARTIST & FESTIVAL MERCH: 12noon - 9:00pm
MUSIC STAGES: Friday (5:00 - 9:00pm), Saturday (12noon - 9:00pm)
Times subject to change. Sign up for our email list to be notified of any changes.
FESTIVAL HOURS
TICKET BOX OFFICE: Open at 11am. (*Grapes & Hops pass holders will need to pick-up their wristband and drink tickets.) All other pass holders will receive a wristband.
STREET PARKING: Opens at 9am (park at your own risk). Playstead gates will be closed to the public. Only Franklin Park Zoo staff and authorized BAMS staff, crew and volunteers will be allowed to enter.
MUSIC STAGES: Friday (5:00 - 9:00pm), Saturday (12noon - 9:00pm)
Times subject to change. Sign up for our email list to be notified of any changes.
SOUL FOOD ROW - Friday (5:00 - 9:00pm), Saturday (12noon - 9:00pm)
VENDOR MARKET - Saturday (12noon - 7:30pm)
KIDS ZONE - Saturday (12noon - Dusk)
REP YOUR CITY LIVE ART & GRAFFITI - Saturday (12noon - Dusk)
ARTIST & FESTIVAL MERCH: 12noon - 9:00pm
WHAT IS ALLOWED ON THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS?
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Soft sided coolers only.
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Bags under 20” x 20”x10” will be permitted .
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An individual blanket (maximum size 6’x8′).
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Strollers that are reasonably sized and do not obstruct the view of others’
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Low-seat chairs (under 30″H) are preferred to ensure good viewing for your neighbors. Any chairs above 34″H will be allowed onsite but should be set up farthest from the stages.
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Small baby beach cabanas are allowed.
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No pop-up tents allowed.
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Pets are allowed. All pets must be on leashes at all times. All owners are required to pick-up their pet’s waste with their own supplies.
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In the event of rain, umbrellas are allowed and in seating areas but must be closed and stored during sets so as not to obstruct the views of others.
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Cameras are permitted but cannot be used to reproduce the event and must not interfere with other fans’ enjoyment of the event (NO AUDIO CAPTURING ALLOWED & NO PROFESSIONAL DETACHABLE LENSES).
WHAT IS PROHIBITED / NOT ALLOWED ON THE FESTIVAL GROUNDS?
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No harassment or hatred of any kind! The experiences of the Festival and Conference are centered in Blackness and belonging. All BAMS fans are welcome regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender presentation, sexual orientation, age, body size, disability, appearance, religion, citizenship, or pregnancy.
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Hard coolers, glass containers of any kind, alcoholic beverages, illegal substances of any kind, firearms, noise-making devices, laser pointers, knives, box cutters, tools of any kind (including Leathermen) pepper spray, Mace, or any kind of item that could be used as a weapon. Beverages in plastic bottles or cans must be factory-sealed.
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Flag poles
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Commercial audio visual equipment
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Bags larger than 20”X20”X10” may be subjected to a search by local law enforcement and/or event security.
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No beach umbrellas or beach balls (because they could end up in the bay and hurt the wildlife)
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No chairs over 34″H are allowed at BAMS Festival. No recliners or foot rests allowed.
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No pop-up tents
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Please leave your selfie sticks at home.
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NO DRONES. Any use of drones/UAS in the vicinity of any public open air event would violate Massachusetts Aeronautics Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), constituting a misdemeanor. Please leave them at home for the safety of all our event-goers.
Enhance Your Experience
BEER & WINE GARDENS
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All patrons must be 21+ to enter our Grapes & Hops gardens. IDs will be checked at entrances and over 21 wristbands and drink tickets will be issued. No cash or credit card transactions are allowed inside the gardens. Read all signs carefully.
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The Public Grapes & Hops (Beer & Wine) Garden Hours: 12:30 – 7:30PM
OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE
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Bring a piece of BAMS Festival home with you! Stop by our 2023 merch booth near the music stages to grab your official gear.
COMING WITH CHILDREN?
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Children 12 & under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
SEATING
General Public
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All non-pass holders patrons may bring blankets or low-backed lawn chairs (max 30”) for uncovered, lawn seating areas. No tents, chair roofs, umbrellas or shade structures are allowed in lawn seating areas. Lawn seating is first-come, first-served in these locations.
Pass Holders
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Best Seat in the House and All Access Pass Holders have priority seating in front of both music stages on Friday (evening) and Saturday (all day). These areas are uncovered and include temporary seating (chairs) and an ADA area. Seating is first-come, first-served in these locations with a wristband. No outside chairs, tents, chair roofs, umbrellas or shade structures will be allowed in these seating areas.
ADA ACCESSIBILITY
GENERAL ADMISSION & ADA SEATING
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An area at the music stages is reserved for disabled patrons. This section is located in a roped off area to the side of the sound board. This area is accessible by a paved road from the event entrance. Because space is limited, each disabled patron is allowed one guest to accompany. Seating is not provided in this area so guests should bring lawn chairs.
PASS HOLDERS & ADA SEATING
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A designated seating area for pass and ticket holders near the music stages is reserved for disabled patrons on a first-come first-served basis. This area is accessible by Festival golf carts from Pierpont Road. Because space is limited, each disabled patron is allowed one guest to accompany.
ADA PARKING
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Free parking (available on a first-come first-served basis) for all patrons with disabilities will located in a designated lot between Playstead Field and the Giraffe entrance of Franklin Park Zoo. When entering the Event site, vehicles with patrons needing access to this lot must show their up-to-date handicapped license plate or placard, or other state-issued identification. The holder of the placard or identification MUST BE a passenger in the vehicle. Violation of any ADA placard or license carries a fine of up to $500.
GENERAL POLICIES
1) All ticket sales are final; no refunds or exchanges for any reason.
2) All artists, set times and stages are subject to change.
3) Events take place rain or shine. If severe weather becomes an issue and we need to interrupt programming, announcements will be made regarding safety procedures. Programming will resume when deemed safe.
4) All persons, bags and personal items are subject to random inspection by law enforcement and/or event security.
5) Any pass or ticket holders that directly or indirectly interferes with the enjoyment of the event may be asked to leave the venue and may be subject to arrest and prosecution by State/Local Authorities.
6) The event will continue to make every effort to ensure socially acceptable behavior in order to allow ticket holders to enjoy the event.
7) BAMS Festival encourages a smoke-free environment and asks that you respect the health of your neighbors at the event and refrain from smoking in any area where it may affect someone else. Smoking is prohibited under all tents and inside buildings. Please find an isolated area if you must smoke, and dispose of your butts properly.
8) BAMS Festival allows ADA* recognized service animals trained specifically to assist a person with disabilities at all events. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not permitted at events. If you have a certified service animal, you’ll be required to have your service animal with you at all times. Under the ADA, service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices.
*Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the definition of “service animal” is limited to a dog (or pony) that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability who is in attendance. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. Under the ADA, “comfort,” “therapy,” or “emotional support animals” do not meet the definition of a service animal – U.S. Dept. of Justice
