After an unexpected hiatus for reasons we don’t need to mention, the annual, free Honk! Festival returns to the confines of Somerville’s Davis Square and Cambridge’s Harvard Square October 7–9 for an honest-to-goodness, in-person extravaganza of activist street bands from across the nation. Friday night starts off the proceedings with a band showcase and lantern parade in Davis Square, while the next day sees that same location host art-making activities and a giant music and dance party featuring more than 25 raucous brass bands from 1–8 p.m. The centerpiece parade down Massachusetts Avenue—which begins in Davis Square around noon and ends in Harvard Square at about 2 p.m. and features both joyous music along with colorful and creative puppets, costumes and more—acts as the grand finale on Sunday. Expect a showcase performance by the bands—all of whom highlight a variety of progressive causes—on the main stage of Harvard Square’s Oktoberfest celebration from 2–6 p.m. Longer sets by some of the outfits can also be experienced at spots all over the square. There are even several satellite events before and during the festival, so be sure to check the online schedule for details.