What the Fluff? Festival 2024 in Boston

Locals love it slathered on white bread with peanut butter, but this sweet, gooey treat known as marshmallow fluff is so much more than that. Everyone can discover its delicious versatility in a variety of desserts at the Fluff Festival, happening in late September.

Festival Highlights

The festival celebrates the invention of Marshmallow Fluff by Archibald Query in Somerville in 1917 and embraces the city's innovative spirit. Fluff recipe competitions showcase this sweet delicacy, with dozens of fluff-topped doughnuts often selling out early. What the Fluff? typically features two main venues: Fluff'n Jam Stage offers live music, while Shenanigans Stage hosts sticky activities like Fluff Musical Chairs, Fluff Limbo, and others.

Activities

Guests can enjoy a range of old-school, boardwalk-style games like Fluff Bowling and Fluff Ring Toss at the Midway Games Area. Innovation Alley showcases youth inventors and a bot that makes S'MOREs, while there are also open mic performances, face painting, and more for everyone to be inspired by.

Vendors

Visitors can explore over a dozen vendors offering a variety of sweet and savory Fluff-inspired dishes, along with Fluff-themed items, crafts, and community groups. Additionally, local businesses will be showcasing limited edition Fluff goodies and offering special deals for festival attendees to indulge in.

Admission & Hours

Guests are invited to Union Square on Saturday, September 21, from 2 to 6 pm (with a rain date of Sunday, September 22). Admission is free.

Getting There

Due to limited parking availability, it's advisable for attendees to walk, bike, or utilize public transportation to reach the Festival at Union Square. For those driving, parking on the outskirts is recommended. Festival venues are just a 25-minute walk from Lechmere, Porter, Harvard, Central, or Sullivan Squares.

Festival History

In 1917, Archibald Query whipped up this delightful invention in Somerville, just a 16-minute drive from Boston. For a century, Fluff has been delighting taste buds across the nation. This year, the festival celebrates its 19th edition, returning to the birthplace of this sweet delicacy—Somerville's Union Square. This location holds a special place in the hearts of Fluff enthusiasts everywhere, earning its spot among the top 10 things to do in Boston.