Somerville’s Ignite: Global Street Food & Fire Festival Returns 9/27

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council invite the community to Ignite: A Global Street Food & Fire Festival on Saturday, September 27, from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Union Square Plaza (rain date Sunday, September 28). This free community celebration will feature a unique selection of global foods, cultural performances, interactive activities, and the excitement of fire artistry.

“Ignite is one of Somerville’s most vibrant celebrations of culture, food, and creativity,” said Mayor Ballantyne. “It showcases the incredible talent, entrepreneurship, and diversity of our community while also bringing neighbors together for an unforgettable experience.”

This year’s festival has been reimagined to offer more opportunities for hands-on engagement. Attendees can take part in free micro-cooking classes from 4 to 5:30 p.m., led by instructors representing Bangladesh, Puerto Rico, Laos, and Haiti. Interactive activities include flag-making, tarot readings with Madame Anderson, Arabic calligraphy, face painting, and more.

The festival’s diverse food vendors include MOLU Ghanaian Cuisine, Dos Manos Kitchen, Matki Artisanal Khulfi, Sinta Filipino, Masala Square, Siam Ginger, Gracie’s Ice Cream, and Arepa La Mazorca. Festival goers can also “test your nose” at the Nibble table, add to a Global Food Map, and cheer on (or join in) the popular curry-eating contest hosted by Masala Square.

Live performances throughout the day will highlight cultures from around the world. The schedule includes Brinca Piranga’s joyful Bumba Meu Boi dance from Brazil, Pumawari Tusuy (Peruvian folk dance), KS Dance Studio (Haitian dance), Tierra del Sol (Mexican folk dance), and global dance sets with DJ Philip Tan. The Boston Circus Guild will close the night with its dazzling fire-throwing and fire-twirling spectacle, joined by roving dancers, circus artists, and towering bird puppets.

About Nibble

Ignite is produced by Nibble, a Somerville Arts Council initiative that includes Nibble Kitchen Restaurant at Bow Market and the Nibble Culinary Entrepreneurship Program. Nibble provides opportunities for predominantly female and immigrant food entrepreneurs to test restaurant concepts in a supportive, low-risk environment while fostering cultural exchange and economic development.

Logistics

Parking is limited; attendees are encouraged to take public transportation. Entry is free, but festivalgoers are encouraged to support food vendors and local businesses.

For more information, please visit somervilleartscouncil.org/artsunion/ignite.

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov. 

The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter in your language for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days in advance of this event.