Free LakeFest Weekend 2026

The 39th annual Columbia Festival of the Arts’ Free LakeFest Weekend returns to the Downtown Columbia Lakefront, June 12-14, 2026! Produced by the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center, this FREE three-day extravaganza features live music, performances by vertical dance company EVENTI VERTICALI, an Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show with more than 50 artists, kids’ entertainment and crafts, food trucks, a beer & wine garden, participatory workshops, and a variety of activities for all ages. This year’s performer lineup is made up of dynamic, genre-bending artists from around the world, including powerhouse vocalist and bassist NIK WEST, Canadian Rock Artist of the Year nominee and Guitar Virtuoso ARIEL POSEN, and BBC World Music Award recipient THE GARIFUNA COLLECTIVE. Event Hours are: Friday, June 12: 5 pm - 10 pm; Saturday, June 13: 11 am - 10 pm; Sunday, June 14: 11 am - 7 pm. Visit columbiafestival.org for more details and a complete festival schedule.