On John Lennon’s birthday, fans from around the world gather at Strawberry Fields to sing Beatles songs together and celebrate his music.
What to expect
Every year on October 9, people come together around the Imagine mosaic in Central Park. Musicians bring their instruments, visitors join in with Beatles songs, and fans leave flowers, messages and small gifts at the memorial. Everyone is welcome to sing along or simply listen. The shared love of the music brings people from different countries and generations together, creating a warm sense of community.
This is an informal gathering, not an officially organized event with a fixed program. People usually come and go throughout the day, so there is no set start or finish time. Joining is free and no ticket is needed.
Strawberry Fields was dedicated on October 9, 1985, what would have been John Lennon’s 45th birthday. The memorial lies near West 72nd Street, across from the Dakota building where Lennon and Yoko Ono lived.
Good to know
- Enter Central Park at West 72nd Street for a short walk to the Imagine mosaic.
- The gathering is outdoors. Dress for the weather and expect attendance and music to vary during the day.
- Be considerate of other visitors and leave space for people to pass around the memorial.
