A Celebration of Peace and Love: October 9 2025 at Strawberry Fields

A Celebration of Peace and Love: October 9 at Strawberry Fields NY

Every year on October 9, fans, musicians, and peace advocates from around the world gather at Strawberry Fields in Central Park, New York City, to honor the birthday of John Lennon—the legendary musician, songwriter, and activist born on this date in 1940.

The heart of this tribute is the “Imagine” mosaic, a gift from the city of Naples, Italy, which has become an international symbol of hope, unity, and peace. On this day, the memorial transforms into a living stage where people of all ages and nationalities come together to celebrate Lennon’s legacy through music, reflection, and community.

From early in the morning until late into the night, singers and musicians fill the air with Beatles classics and Lennon’s solo works, creating an atmosphere of joy and remembrance. Visitors lay flowers, light candles, and leave messages of peace, turning the space into both a celebration and a vigil.

For many, the highlight of the day is the communal singing of Imagine. Its timeless message—of a world without borders, greed, or division, where humanity lives as one—resonates deeply in today’s turbulent times. The simple yet powerful lyrics continue to inspire tears, smiles, and a shared belief in the possibility of a more harmonious world.

The annual gathering is more than a birthday tribute. It is a celebration of peace, love, and the enduring power of music to unite people across cultures. In a city as diverse as New York, Strawberry Fields becomes, for one day, a true reflection of Lennon’s dream: a global community brought together by the universal language of music and the hope for a better tomorrow.

Imagine – John Lennon

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us, only sky

Imagine all the people
Livin’ for today
Ah

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too

Imagine all the people
Livin’ life in peace
You

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one