Hippie Christmas Fest

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Sandra Schoen

The Moonboot at sunset.

The Moonboot

This new event, coordinated by Madison Tenant Power, local community leaders and activists, and Arts + Literature Lab’s LAB^4 curators, marks Madison’s odd tradition of many rental leases ending on Aug. 14, leaving many with a situation of needing to be out that day but unable to move in to new housing until Aug. 15. Along with info on housing resources, talks on tenant and moving rights, and water and snacks, there is also a chance for tired movers to wind down with music by Blasfemme, Sapsucker and The Moonboot. Rain date: Aug. 22. More info at instagram.com/madtenantpower.

media release: Friday, August 15, 2025, 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM, James Madison Park

This August, as Madison braces for the annual chaos of student move-outs and mass apartment turnovers, Hippie Christmas Fest is a creative strategy session, community festival, and mutual aid hub that brings Madison together to share resources.

WHO: Madison Tenant Power, Art Lit Lab, Dane County Homeless Justice Initiative, Housing activists, College students and unhoused neighbors, Madison community leaders and electeds, and many more…

PROGRAM

3 pm strategic brainstorm + banner and art making

4 pm introduction + housing chant workshop

Blasfemme 

5 pm “How Scott Walker Stole Our Tenant Rights”

Sapsucker (introduced by Heidi Wegleitner)

6 pm - organizational roll call

THE MOONBOOT (introduced by Francesca Hong)

7 pm - final brainstorm + call to action

MUTUAL AID - housing resources, water, and snacks for movers - with Madison Mutual Aid Network, Madison Anarchist League, and 50501-Madison.

WORKSHOPS - Fun sessions on tenant defense, mover rights, and how to plug in to local groups - with Madison Tenant Power, Disability Pride Madison, and Dane County Homeless Justice Initiative.

MUSIC & CULTURE - Live bands, upcycled art and fiber art - with Occupy Madison, Slower Drawings, and musical acts Sapsucker, THE MOONBOOT, Blasfemme.

WHY

“Hippie Christmas” is what locals call the mad scramble of lease turnovers on August 15, when furniture piles up on the curb and student renters are displaced. 

In a city where August 15 marks a peak in housing precarity (what students call the “day of homelessness”), we are drawing attention to the waste created by Madison’s annual rental churn.

OUR GOALS

Mobilize tenants, students, and unhoused residents around self-defense and rent control

Bring the joy through free resources, hands-on skill-shares, and radical cultural programming

We’re still looking for volunteers, tabling organizations, and supply donors! Next planning meeting: Wednesday, July 16 @ 6:00 PM. Email mtp@madisontenantpower.org for more info.