Event Celebrates Mental Health & Community For Its 13th Year
Boulder, CO [October 2, 2025] - Founded by Scott Johnson in Boulder in 2012, World Singing Day (WSD) invites people around the world to share a positive human experience by singing together. This year’s WSD will highlight the importance of mental health and community as people come together in songs within their communities on Saturday, October 18, 2025. Participation on October 18 can range from singing with friends and family in pubs, parks and homes, to singing with the whole community in the center of town. The event in Boulder - an extension of the Roots Music Festival - will take place on the 1300 block of the Pearl Street Mall from 2:00 - 3:30 pm.
This year’s WSD Song-of-the-Year that everyone is invited to sing, is called “All Of Us” by Scott Johnson. For an hour and a half, attendees in Boulder will also sing along to the original recordings of songs ranging in genre from the Beatles to Taylor Swift. Lyric booklets are provided free of charge both physically and digitally.
“Every day from the media, we see stories of what’s wrong with the world,” says WSD founder Scott Johnson. “It’s stressful and depressing. Yes, there are problems but there are a lot more things going right. Our focus on the worst of humanity often disconnects us from one another and blinds us to the fact that we’re all part of a global family sharing the same planet, doing the best we can. Unlike politics and religion, music has the unique power to bring people together of all ages and backgrounds. And it just feels good.”
Nearly one billion people worldwide suffer from some form of mental health condition, according to the United Nations. An estimated one in four people globally will experience a mental health issue in their lifetime. Almost one million people die due to suicide every year. We are experiencing a pandemic of loneliness and isolation. Studies have shown that feelings of depression and loneliness lessen when singing with others. Endorphins, a hormone that is released by singing, is associated with feelings of pleasure. Oxytocin is also released while singing, which can alleviate anxiety and stress. Oxytocin also enhances feelings of trust and bonding.
In 2025, Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives has partnered with Johnson to take over the event production of WSD Boulder. “We were honored to be asked to produce Boulder’s World Singing Day event,” says Anna Salim, Vice-President of Operations & Programming for the Downtown Boulder Partnership. “The celebration aligns perfectly with our mission to create inclusive, community-driven experiences in the heart of downtown. Having it coincide with the inaugural Roots Music Festival is especially meaningful, as it allows us to introduce World Singing Day to an even broader audience.”
WSD is free to attend and made possible by the generous sponsorship from Allo Fiber Colorado, The City of Boulder, Lifetime Home Remodeling, Tebo Properties, The Camera, Eldorado Natural Springs Water. Details can be found at WorldSingingDayBoulder.com.
(Please note that the No Kings movement in Boulder begins at 3:30 pm on October 18. Information about that event can be found at: https://www.nokings.org/.)
For More Information:
General Public: 303-449-3774 | events@downtownboulder.org
Press Contact:
Terri Takata-Smith, VP of Marketing & Communications
303-449-3774 | terri@downtownboulder.org
###
About Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives (DBCI)
Downtown Boulder Community Initiatives is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2017. DBCI’s mission is to engage both visitors and locals through arts, culture, innovation, and inclusive, community-driven experiences in downtown Boulder. Learn more at DBCIBoulder.org. DBCI operates under the umbrella of the Downtown Boulder Partnership, alongside the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District.