Boston Mayor's Office and OYEA Announce 2026 Youth Summit

Annual citywide celebration of young people's contributions to Boston's culture returns with live performances, awards, and more

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston's Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA) have announced free tickets are now available for the 2026 Mayor's Youth Summit (MYS), an annual event celebrating the contributions of young people to Boston's culture. The 2026 Summit will be held on February 21 at the Artists For Humanity EpiCenter in South Boston, featuring live performances, youth awards, and opportunities for attendees to engage with city leaders and participate in activities.

Why it matters

The Mayor's Youth Summit is an important platform for empowering and celebrating Boston's youth, who play a vital role in shaping the city's culture and civic life. By centering young people's voices and talents, the event helps foster youth engagement and leadership development.

The details

The 2026 Summit will offer free tickets for both youth and youth-serving community partners, with an anticipated 600 attendees. The event will feature live performances showcasing the talents of local youth organizations, the announcement of the Youth Leader Award and Youth Organization Award, and opportunities for attendees to participate in activities like airbrush tattoos, a collaborative mural, and submitting ideas for the Youth Lead the Change participatory budgeting program.

  • The 2026 Mayor's Youth Summit will be held on Saturday, February 21 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.
  • The 2025 Mayor's Youth Summit marked the second time this event has been held since being re-established as an annual occurrence in 2024 following a 20-year hiatus.

The players

Mayor Michelle Wu

The mayor of Boston who is hosting the 2026 Mayor's Youth Summit.

Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA)

The City of Boston department organizing the 2026 Mayor's Youth Summit.

Pedro Cruz

The Executive Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement.

José F. Massó

The Chief of Human Services for the City of Boston.

Shari Nethersole, MD

The Vice President for Community Health and Engagement at Boston Children's Hospital, which is collaborating with the city on the event.

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What they’re saying

“Boston's youth shape the culture and energy of our city, and the Mayor's Youth Summit is an opportunity to celebrate all they contribute.”

— Mayor Michelle Wu (Beacon Hill Times)

“The Mayor's Youth Summit is a powerful celebration of the creativity, leadership, and voice of young people across Boston.”

— Pedro Cruz, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (Beacon Hill Times)

“Young people contribute so much to the culture and civic life of our City. I am grateful to be part of a team that creates this space to celebrate the incredible talent, skills and brilliance of Boston's youth and look forward to another fun, exciting Youth Summit.”

— José F. Massó, Chief of Human Services (Beacon Hill Times)

“Boston Children's Hospital is proud to collaborate with the City and invest in our young people. We support the Mayor's Youth Summit because it puts youth at the center of its platform, which encourages civic engagement and creates opportunities for youth to thrive in Boston.”

— Shari Nethersole, MD, Vice President for Community Health and Engagement at Boston Children's Hospital (Beacon Hill Times)

What’s next

The City will present the Youth Leader Award and Youth Organization Award at the 2026 Mayor's Youth Summit.

The takeaway

The Mayor's Youth Summit is an important annual event that celebrates the vital contributions of Boston's young people to the city's culture and civic life, empowering youth through performance opportunities, leadership awards, and engagement with city leaders.