Harvard Square Business Association

The Harvard Square Business Association, founded in 1910 and incorporated in 1936, represents the shops, restaurants, cultural venues and services of Harvard Square. Its founding purpose was to advance the Square’s commercial and public interests, share business information with members and promote fair principles of trade. Today it also acts as the Square’s promoter, guiding visitors to its restaurants, hotels, shops, performance venues and services, from banks to real estate.

The association promotes community events such as the 47th annual Oktoberfest with the HONK! Parade, for which it takes vendor applications, along with Salsa Squared and seasonal promotions such as Revival Month. Its website and social channels share news, business openings, construction notices and listings for exhibitions and talks around the Square. The organization also celebrates the area’s history and its long ties with printers, poets and booksellers.

What to Know

• More than 8 million people visit Harvard Square each year.
• The Square counts dozens of restaurants, shops and performance venues among its businesses.
• Harvard Square began in 1630 as Newtowne, the first planned town in English North America.