WBUR CitySpace announces first events of the 2026 season

WBUR CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center is pleased to announce its winter/spring 2026 season lineup, featuring a vibrant mix of conversations, live podcast tapings, culinary events and cultural experiences. This season welcomes back fan favorites while introducing exciting new events that explore culture, community and creativity in Boston and beyond.

Season highlights include former Columbia University president Lee Bollinger on the state of higher education during the Trump administration; Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson on America’s racial history; former “American Idol” contestant David Archuleta on coming out after leaving the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe on his investigation into the death of a teenager who had been living a dangerous double life; and running phenom Mary Cain sharing her story of resilience in the wake of abuse as part of Nike’s Oregon Project.

The season also marks the return of beloved series, including Curated Cuisine conversations with chef Diane Kochilas, cookbook author Joan Nathan, Boston’s leading voices in coffee culture and The Diaspora Spice Co. founder and CEO Sana Javeri Kadri; Lovers Week with events focused on love lost, found and everything that happens in between; and a heavy slate of hit podcast tapings including Vibe Check, Articles of Interest, What Next, Planet Money, The Sporkful, as well as the return of The Mega Awesome Super Huge Wicked Fun Podcast Playdate, our two-day podcast festival for kids.

To cap off the spring, we’re bringing back The WBUR Festival. The two-day lineup, to be held Friday, May 29 through Saturday, May 30 at CitySpace and venues along Commonwealth Avenue. Just like last year, we’ll bring together big speakers, captivating conversations, musical performances, multiple stages and a vibrant street scene.

Here’s a look at the winter/spring season:

Jan. 9 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Dry January: A sober-curious conversation and beverage tasting

Jan. 12 | 7:00–9:00 p.m.
“Mr. Nobody Against Putin” screening and conversation

Jan. 13 | 7:30–9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: NEW LEAF (First-Timers Night)

Jan. 22 | 7:30–9:00 a.m.
The WBUR Breakfast Club: Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert in conversation with Ari Shapiro

Jan. 22 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
University: A Reckoning — Former Columbia University President Lee Bollinger on why universities matter

Jan. 23 | 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Jack the Whipper with special guest Ses Carny (Livestream Redux)

Jan. 26 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Curated Cuisine: Diane Kochilas on the greatest dishes from Athens

Jan. 27 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Cognoscenti Presents: The phenomenon of Taylor Swift

Jan. 28 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
“Vibe Check” Live with special guest Carlos Simon

Jan. 30 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.
“Articles of Interest” Live

Feb. 4 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: Eugene Robinson traces America’s racial history through his family’s story

Feb. 10 | 7:30–9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: LOVE HURTS

Feb. 11 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Cognoscenti Presents: Recovering from Divorce

Feb. 12 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
The B-Side and ‘Love Letters’ present: Matchmaker, matchmaker

Feb. 13 | 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Mortified Live: Valentine’s Day Edition

Feb. 17 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Mahjong on a Mission: WBUR edition

Feb. 18 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Devout: Singer David Archuleta on his journey to live authentically

Mar. 5 | 6:00–8:00 p.m.
WBUR Member Night: How WBUR’s chart-topping podcasts come to life

Mar. 9 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Curated Cuisine: Boston’s booming coffee culture

Mar. 20 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.
“What Next” Live

Mar. 24 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
Curated Cuisine: The Diaspora Spice Co. brings recipes from India and Sri Lanka’s spice farms to your table

Mar. 27 | 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Daughters: A conversation on family, incarceration and resilience

Apr. 6 | 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Curated Cuisine: Joan Nathan on her favorite Jewish recipes from her family history

Apr. 9 | 7:30–9:00 p.m.
“Planet Money” Live

Apr. 15 | 7:30–9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: SUS

Apr. 16 | 7:00–8:00 p.m.
The Running Game Show with host Laura Green

Apr. 21 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
London Falling: New Yorker writer Patrick Radden Keefe on his investigation into a mysterious death and a transformed city

Apr. 25–26 | 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The Mega Awesome Super Huge Wicked Fun Podcast Playdate

Apr. 30 | 6:30–8:00 p.m.
This Is Not About Running: Mary Cain tells her story

May 1 | 7:00–8:30 p.m.
“The Sporkful” Live

May 8 | 7:00–9:00 p.m.
FOUND Magazine’s 25th Anniversary Tour with Davy Rothbart and Peter Rothbart

May 12 | 7:30–9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: I GOT IT FROM MY MAMA

May 29–30
The WBUR Festival

Jun. 9 | 7:30–9:30 p.m.
The Moth StorySLAM: AMERICAN DREAMS

Jun. 18 | 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Historically Black Phrases Live! starring Jarrett Hill and Tre’vell Anderson

We're proud to present a wide-ranging season of events that inform, entertain and build community. From conversations with bestselling authors to food demonstrations, live podcasts and game shows, there is something for everyone.

Amy Macdonald, director of CitySpace