Columbia Festival of the Arts FREE Lakefest Weekend

The Merriweather Arts & Culture Center (MACC) is proud to present the Columbia Festival of the Arts annual FREE LakeFest Weekend June 12-14, 2026! We’re ready to jumpstart your summer with a free, three-day extravaganza featuring multiple performances from the vertical dance company EVENTI VERTICALI (Italy), live music on the new LakeStage, an invitational fine arts and crafts show, food trucks, a beer & wine garden, participatory workshops, and a variety of activities for all ages. 

View Lakefest Schedule
View Lakefest Map

Festival Hours:

Friday, June 12:

5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday, June 13:

11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Sunday, June 14:

11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Lakefest Weekend At a Glance

eVenti Verticali Presents SPHERE

After spellbinding performances at LakeFest 2018, the gravity-defying Italian aerialists return 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.

Performances Times:

  • Friday, June 12: 9:20 p.m. – 9:50 p.m.
  • Saturday, June 13: 12:55 p.m. – 1:25 p.m., & 9:20 p.m. – 9:50 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 14: 12:55 p.m. – 1:25 p.m.

LakeStage Music Lineup

Andrew Bell - Ariel Posen - Nik West - Wilde Lake HS Modern Music Collective - Rakish - Dogo Du Togo - Chris Pierce - Tartan Terrors - Garifuna Collective - Patuxent Jazz Band - Lost Mary - Pablo Antonio Y La Firma - Shayna Steele - Glenelg Jazz Ensemble 

View Lakestage Lineup

Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show

Friday, June 12: 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. • Saturday, June 13: 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. • Sunday, June 14: 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Our juried, invitational show returns with more than 50 extraordinary artisans displaying and selling their one-of-a-kind artwork representing a breadth of media including functional and wearable art at a wide range of prices. Booths located throughout the Festival grounds.​

View Gallery

Interactive Art Activities & Performances for All Ages

Throughout the weekend, enjoy a wide variety of interactive arts activities including coloring our Monster Mural, as well as hands on projects from KidzArt Howard County and Pinot’s Palette. Other highlights include the return of the Columbia Association Art Center’s Painted Umbrella Exhibit along the lake and Black Cherry Puppet Theater.

View Interactive Arts & Activities

Food Trucks & Specialty Foods

If you’ve already started daydreaming about eating your festival food favorites during LakeFest Free Weekend, it’s completely normal – we have too! We will have a variety of delicious packaged and made-to-order options. Check out the complete list of food trucks and specialty foods available!

List of Food Trucks & Specialties

Lakestage Schedule

Friday, June 12th

5:00pm - 5:45pm Andrew Bell
6:05pm - 7:20pm Ariel Posen
7:40pm - 9:10pm Nik West

Saturday, June 13th

Noon - 12:45pm Wilde Lake HS Modern Music Collective
1:25pm - 2:25pm Rakish
2:45pm - 3:45pm Dogo Du Togo
4:05pm - 5:30pm Chris Pierce
5:50pm - 7:20pm Tartan Terrors
7:40pm - 9:10pm Garifuna Collective

Sunday, June 14th

Noon - 12:45pm Patuxent Jazz Band
1:25pm - 2:10pm Lost Mary
2:30pm - 3:40pm Pablo Antonio Y La Firma
4:00pm - 5:20pm Shayna Steele
5:40pm - 7:00pm Glenelg Jazz Ensemble