ADA ACCESS AND ACCOMMODATIONS (subject to updates)
We want to make sure that all music lovers enjoy the Boston Calling experience!
- Getting There
- Accessible Festival Entrances
- Access Center
- Wristbands and Accessible Viewing Areas
- Patrons with Mobility Limitations
- American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances
- Special Dietary Needs & Prescription Medicine
- Service Animals
- Family Services
- Have Questions About Our ADA Access & Accommodations?
1. Getting There
Public Transportation
The closest rail station to Boston Calling is the Harvard Sq Red Line and Bus Station, located 0.7 miles from the festival entrance. The closest bus dropoff is the 86 Bus stop at N Harvard St @ Gate 2 Harvard Stadium, located 0.3 miles from the festival entrance.
If using rideshare, please find any festival staff with a radio to call our ADA team if you require assistance. Our team may be able to transport you to the front entrance in an accessible golf cart.
Most MBTA bus lines and most rail stations are accessible. Visit https://www.mbta.com/accessibility to find out more about accessible services on public transportation.
Parking
All parking will be at the Platinum Parking lot, located at the Harvard Stadium entrance on N Harvard St. A state-issued placard / license plate required to park in accessible parking spaces, and all accessible parking will be first come first served. Please be aware that most of the neighboring area is street permit parking only.
2. Accessible Festival Entrance
There are specially designated lanes at the Festival entrances for patrons with disabilities. Look for the signs with the international symbol of access above the accessible entrance lanes or ask a staff member to direct you to the lanes.
3. ADA Accessibility Center (“Access Center”)
The Access Center will be located inside the festival, to the right side of the welcome arches. Our Access Center services include, but are not limited to:
- Answers to questions specific to the Accessibility Program
- Information relevant to our patrons with disabilities
- Requests for accessibility wristbands
- Power outlets for recharging powered mobility devices
- Assisted Listening Devices (ALDs)
4. Wristbands and Accessible Viewing Areas
All tickets to the Festival are general admission, purchasing a separate accessible ticket is not necessary.
Upon arrival, please visit the Access Center for information on the accessibility wristband program. Patrons with mobility impairments or Deaf/Hard of Hearing patrons can request an accessibility wristband at the Access Center. This wristband is to show Festival staff that the patron plus one companion is eligible to enter the accessible viewing areas or the Deaf and Hard of Hearing areas. The accessibility wristband is non-transferable.
Note: The wristband does not guarantee a spot in these areas. Please note that viewing areas have a limited capacity and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. We cannot save or reserve seats or areas on the platform. Once it’s determined that an accessible viewing area is filled to capacity (including adequate aisle space for entering and exiting the area), the area will not be available for additional entry.
Signage will be placed at the Festival identifying all viewing areas for patrons with mobility limitations and patrons who are Deaf / Hard of Hearing. Accessible viewing areas are marked with the International Symbol of Access on the Festival Map. To see the designated accessible viewing locations, please visit the Access Center for a map of the festival grounds, visit the map on the official Festival website, or the map on the official Festival app.
Viewing Area Wristband Policies
- ADA wristbands to access ADA seated viewing platforms and ASL viewing areas are good for the whole weekend.
- Do NOT remove your wristband for the entire duration of the event. If your ADA wristband is damaged or removed, it can be replaced at the Access Center.
- One companion wristband may be issued for each accessible guest.
- If an accessible guest wants to switch their companion, please bring the old companion wristband to the ADA kiosk to be reissued.
- All festival attendees must have an event ticket for admission into the festival.
- ADA seating viewing platform wristbands and ASL viewing areas have separate credentials to access the areas.
- There are viewing platforms at most stages (platforms can be located on the festival map, denoted with the wheelchair icon).
- ADA patrons can be accompanied by one companion at a time. If patrons are attending the festival with a large group, companions may be switched out at any time.
5. Patrons with Mobility Limitations
The Festival is wheelchair accessible but is a large venue with great distances between activities and attractions. It is outdoors and across fields and pathways. Some travel is over natural terrain and terrain designed for motor vehicles. If it should rain, there could be mud.
The Festival does not provide personal care, or push service of any kind or wheelchairs for rent or loan. Wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and three or four-wheeled scooters are allowed only for use by patrons with mobility disabilities. For safety reasons, requests to use other power-driven mobility devices will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Powered wheelchairs may also be charged at the Access Center. Patrons should bring all cords and accessories needed to charge their devices. Chargers must use a 110-volt, 20-amp circuit.
Accessible portable toilets are available at the ends of each bank of portable toilets throughout the Festival venue, as well as at the Access Center and main ADA platforms.
6. American Sign Language (ASL) Interpreted Performances
The Festival provides many American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted music performances for patrons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing. Please email ada@bostoncalling.com to request a specific performance be interpreted.
The deadline to request an interpretation is one month prior to the Festival to allow adequate time to prepare. We will make every effort to accommodate, but cannot guarantee, requests submitted very close to the Festival. Please email ada@bostoncalling.com.
A schedule of interpreted performances is available by reaching out to ada@bostoncalling.com or visiting our Access Center at the festival.
7. Special Dietary Needs and Prescription Medicine
Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside the Festival, but if a patron has special medical dietary restrictions, items will be allowed. Email ada@bostoncalling.com for more information.
Patrons are allowed to bring their medically necessary materials and medications into the Festival, provided that all medicine has a prescription label with the patron’s name. Our personnel at the entry gates will verify the contents of any medically necessary materials. Out of concern for the festival staff who handle the trash, please dispose of your medical waste and syringes in the proper disposal, which is located at the medical tent. Please see the official Festival map for the location of the medical tent. Please do not dispose of these items in other trash bins at the Festival.
8. Service Animals
Pets are not allowed within the Festival grounds. However, miniature horses and dogs, which have been trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability, are welcome. If accompanied by a service animal, you will be provided a Patron Notice of Responsibility for a Service Animal or you can request the form in advance from ada@bostoncalling.com. Please enter through the accessible lane at either entrance.
9. Family Services
Need a place to change a diaper? Or a place to sit and nurse? Please head over to the Access Center. They will direct you to our family services area located within the arena.
10. Have Questions About Our ADA Access & Accommodations?
For any questions, please email: ada@bostoncalling.com