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.

The Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show is back at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront as part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts’ Free LakeFest Weekend, June 12-14, 2026! Discover more than 50 juried artisans showcasing their one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted artwork – from wearable art to functional pieces – with prices for every budget. Don’t miss their booths located throughout the Festival grounds during the FREE outdoor three-day LakeFest event, presented by the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center.

Ariel Posen has become a well-respected guitarist since joining the Canadian roots-rockers the Bros. Landreth in 2013. Along the way, he has received standing ovations not only from his audiences but also from outlets such as Rolling Stone; Music Radar, the readers of which voted him among the top rock guitarists of 2019. He currently tours as a trio and with Bros. Landreth. See Ariel Posen perform as part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts' Free LakeFest Weekend presented by the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center, June 12-14, at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.

Nik West has been hailed by Prince as a force in modern funk, celebrated for her collaborations with Quincy Jones, and known for opening shows for Lenny Kravitz (2024), George Clinton (2019), and Joss Stone (2024). Nik West is a powerhouse bassist, vocalist, and songwriter celebrated for her electrifying stage presence, thunderous grooves, and unmistakable look—complete with her signature mohawk shaped like a bass clef. She has carved out her own genre-defying lane by blending funk, rock, and soul.

After spellbinding performances at LakeFest 2018, the gravity-defying Italian aerialists return to LakeFest with SPHERE, a thrilling new spectacle featuring dancers suspended 60 feet above the ground. Combining street theater and vertical dance, SPHERE takes the audience on a unique journey of hope, destruction, and rebirth, prompting reflection on the fragility of life and our impact on Earth.

Pierce gained global attention when he was personally invited by Neil Young to serve as special guest opener on Young’s tour. Pierce has sharing stages with B.B. King, Neil Young, Al Green, Steve Earle, Seal, Aaron Neville, Jill Scott, Allison Russell, and Blind Boys of Alabama. Recent highlights include Pierce’s rendition of “Southern Man” on Heart of Gold, a Neil Young tribute album also featuring Eddie Vedder, Brandi Carlile, Fiona Apple, and Steve Earle.

The Tartan Terrors are celebrating 30 years of bringing high-energy Celtic music to the world! With 11 albums, numerous live recordings, and thousands of live shows, this dynamic group has performed at such iconic venues as the Iridium on Broadway, Dublin Irish Festival, Loon Mountain, New Hampshire, and Good Morning America. Having performed for Queen Elizabeth as well as President Clinton‘s inauguration, their award-winning sound blends traditional Celtic music with rock 'n' roll.

For more than a decade The Garifuna Collective has pushed the boundaries of their dynamic, centuries-old musical traditions, breaking new ground with performances that show why UNESCO has proclaimed the language, dance, and music of the Garifuna people of Central America as a “Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity”. The collective has been part of the most celebrated Garifuna albums of all time, recipient of the WOMEX and BBC World Music Award and voted by Amazon as the Number One World Music Album of All Time.

This dynamic vocalist got her start on Broadway in shows like Rent and Hairspray and has sung backup for artists such as Bette Midler, Rihanna, and Kelly Clarkson. Shayna’s effortless execution of both soul and jazz has grabbed the attention of audiences globally, from the Monterey Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival with Snarky Puppy, to hundreds of Symphony Orchestras throughout North America. Shayna’s creative abilities explode in multiple genres and her original signature sound.