Boston Music Awards FAQ

The Boston Music Awards (BMAs) is one of the longest-running regional music award shows in the U.S. Since 1987, the BMAs have recognized and celebrated local musicians across all genres.

The 2026 Boston Music Awards will take place this December at Big Night Live.

Yes. The BMAs is the biggest annual celebration of local music — featuring multiple live performances and plenty of opportunities to connect with the people who shape our scene.

General Admission and VIP tickets go on sale September 1, 2026, exclusively through this website.

General Admission
VIP
Nominee tickets (available Sept 25th)

No. Tickets will not be available at the door. Tickets must be purchased in advance.

Yes. Beginning September 25, once the nominees are announced, nominees can claim a complimentary ticket here. Tickets are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Once all complimentary tickets have been claimed, nominees can purchase tickets at a reduced price.

Yes. Committee members who submitted a ballot will receive one complimentary ticket.

No. Due to limited capacity, complimentary tickets are for the individual only.

Nominees are chosen by our Nomination Committee (Nom Com). Each year, members receive an open ballot to submit their picks across all categories. The 10 names with the most write-ins in each category become that year’s nominees.

About 400 industry professionals, including music editors and journalists, promoters, agents, DJs, radio programmers, producers, managers, label reps, publicists, professors, and more.

Yes. Since 2015, we’ve welcomed new members each year to ensure the committee remains diverse and representative of Boston’s evolving music scene. Applications for the 2026 committee are now open.

Ballots are sent to committee members on August 31, 2026 and must be completed by September 14, 2026 at 11:59pm.

Nominees for the 2026 Boston Music Awards will be revealed on Friday, September 25, 2026 at noon.

Voting opens to the public once nominees are announced. Each person can cast one vote. Public voting counts for 50%, and the Nomination Committee vote counts for the other 50%. The nominee with the highest combined total wins.

Public voting runs from September 25, 2026 at 12:00pm until November 6, 2026 at 11:59pm.

All winners will be announced at the Boston Music Awards in December at Big Night Live.