It’s been a while since we’ve hosted a live event, and we wager it’s been a while since you’ve attended one! You probably have a lot of questions about how Lit Crawl will work on June 10; we’ve done our best to anticipate some of them here, but if you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out via email to info@bostonbookfest.org. Can’t wait to “crawl” with you on June 10!

What’s new about Lit Crawl this year?

Well, first of all, the location is brand new! We’ve moved across the Charles River to Cambridge and are hosting Lit Crawl in a variety of locations in Central Square. Our map of venues will be available online soon. Other changes are in response to safe gathering guidelines and include hosting all Lit Crawl events outdoors and requiring registration or ticketing for most Lit Crawl events. Lit Crawl might not be quite the free-wheeling experience it’s been in the past, but it will still offer all the same fun and whimsy you expect from this event.

How is Lit Crawl organized?

Lit Crawl is organized into three “Phases” at 6:00, 7:00, and 8:00pm with your choice of four or five different activities happening during each phase. With the exception of drop-in activities, you will need to register for each activity you want to attend.

How does registration work, and why is it required this year?

With the exception of a handful of activities tagged as “drop in” on our schedule, advance registration is required for all Lit Crawl Boston events this year. This requirement is largely to help us stay within the gathering guidelines set by the state and by the city of Cambridge, but also so that we can manage attendee expectations and so that we can more readily assist with contact tracing if needed. All events taking place at Starlight Square and Popportunity are free to attend but still require registration (with the exception of those drop-in activities). All events taking place at restaurant venues (Area Four, Artifact Cider Project, The Dial, and Naco Taco) require a $15 ticket per person per session but come with complimentary snacks and maybe some fun surprises! Links to register are included in each session description on our website. Registration for Starlight Square mainstage events will take place on Eventbrite (links on schedule); all other pre-registration will take place directly within our website and schedule.

Do I need to print out my ticket(s) before arriving?

Presenting the proof of purchase/registration on your phone should be fine! For all events not happening on the Starlight Square mainstage, your name will be on a list kept by one of our volunteers.

Why are you charging for some sessions this year?

As you know, the past 14 months have been exceptionally challenging for restaurant owners and workers. We want to do our part to support our Central Square restaurant neighbors, so $12 of each $15 ticket will go directly to the restaurants in exchange for letting us use their valuable patio spaces for our Lit Crawl programs. The remainder of the ticket price goes to cover our expenses related to ticketing and credit card processing. We hope you’ll join us in supporting our host restaurants by buying drinks, tipping your servers, and making the most of your night out!

Will you maintain a waiting list for sold-out sessions?

The box office at Starlight Square may maintain a waiting list for any sold-out mainstage sessions and will notify people earlier in the day if a spot has opened up. In order to manage crowds, we discourage people from coming to Starlight Square in the hopes of snagging a seat to a sold-out show—though you are of course welcome to participate in any of the free activities available on a drop-in basis. We will not be maintaining waiting lists for the restaurant-hosted events.

Is there a rain date?

Yes, since our event is outdoors, we are holding Wednesday, June 16 as a rain date for events at Starlight Square. Rescheduling of restaurant events will be at the discretion of the host venue; ticket-holders for any events that cannot be rescheduled will be refunded. We will make decisions regarding weather-related cancellations in consultation with our host venues and will post any updates or postponements on our website and social media by noon on June 10.

Will books be available for sale?

Yes! We are partnering with Somerville’s All She Wrote Books to provide book sales and signings after many events. This year has been challenging for booksellers, too, so we hope you will patronize All She Wrote and support local authors and a brand-new local bookseller!

Are masks required to attend Lit Crawl Boston?

We ask Lit Crawl Boston attendees to follow the protocol at each host venue and the directions of our volunteers. In most cases, that means attendees will be asked to wear a mask except when seated and eating or drinking.

What other precautions are you taking to ensure attendee safety at this event?

We have added many extra measures this year to create a fun and safe event for all. At all venues, we will adhere to capacity limits as well as the current state and city guidelines to ensure proper social distancing and the safety of our performers and guests. Extra masks and hand sanitizer will be available at all venues. We’ll also have volunteers stationed throughout Central Square and at each Lit Crawl site to ensure guests and performers are adhering to guidelines for the event.

If we receive notification of a positive case of COVID by a Lit Crawl ticket holder or a guest at one of our venues (a non–Lit Crawl restaurant guest, for example), we will pass Lit Crawl ticket holder emails on to the Massachusetts Contract Tracing Collaborative for contact tracing purposes. Individual names related to positive cases will not be released publicly.  

What’s the best way to get to Lit Crawl Boston?

Cambridge’s Central Square is well served by public transportation, including the MBTA’s Red Line and several bus routes. There’s also bike parking available at Starlight Square and near several other venues. There is no car parking at Starlight Square; parking is available in several nearby garages and parking lots (see Starlight website for details) as well as in metered street spaces. Unless you are a Cambridge resident, please don’t park in residential permit spaces on the street.

Will food and drink be available at the venues?

Yes, food and alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages will be available for purchase from Comfort Kitchen at Starlight Square and at all the restaurant venues. Tickets to restaurant-hosted Lit Crawl sessions include complimentary snacks, which vary from venue to venue.

Will any of Lit Crawl be live-streamed if I don’t feel comfortable coming in person?

Yes, events taking place on Starlight’s mainstage will be live-streamed to Starlight’s website and can be watched at home free of charge.