Columbia Festival of the Arts

05/23/2025

Novalima brings their Afro-Peruvian sound to Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend on Saturday, June 21 at 6pm!

This Latin GRAMMY-nominated group fuses deep Afro-Peruvian roots with contemporary global sounds. Known for their boundary-pushing collaborations and bold innovation, Novalima has earned praise from NPR, The Guardian, and Billboard.

Watch their official video for their song, "La Danza": www.youtube.com/watch?v=taV8xgO3Kpk

There's live music, art, food, family-fun, and more happening at LakeFest Weekend! Visit columbiafestival.org for more details.

05/21/2025

With music that "suggests a three-way fusion of Stevie Wonder, Bobby McFerrin and José Feliciano” (New York Times), Raul Midón joins the Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend LakeStage lineup on Saturday, June 21 at 4:30pm! This blind singer-songwriter and guitarist is nothing if not prolific; his 14th and latest album, Lost & Found, is a blend of what he calls “smooth folk,” “alt-pop,” and “jazz.”

Watch his NPR Tiny Desk performance of "Bad Ass and Blind": www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrN9OMWEOnw

Want to see the full LakeFest schedule? Check it out at columbiafestival.org.

Welcome to LakeFest, Columbia’s family festival for arts & entertainment at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront this summer!

05/19/2025

The juried, Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show is BACK at Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend, June 20 - 22! Over 50 talented artisans will be showcasing and selling original creations across a breadth of media, including functional and wearable art, at price points for all shoppers. Start previewing their work now on our online gallery, and plan to visit the artists in-person at LakeFest! https://columbiafestival.org/cfa-gallery/

05/16/2025

Don't miss Zach Person when he hits the stage at Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend on Friday, June 20th at 9:15pm! Emerging out of Austin, Texas, Person brings a gritty blend of rock and blues with raw energy and undeniable swagger. With a sound likened to Elmore James, The Black Keys, and Jack White, he’s known for electrifying live performances that command an audience in seconds.

Watch his official music video for "Wild": www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnVunnXxedo

Check out the full LakeStage lineup at columbiafestival.org.

Welcome to LakeFest, Columbia’s family festival for arts & entertainment at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront this summer!

05/14/2025

GRAMMY-winning artist Gaby Moreno takes the stage at Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend on Friday, June 20th at 7:30pm! Known for her soulful blend of blues, jazz, folk, and Latin rhythms, Moreno delivers every song with powerful vocals and emotional depth. Since moving to Los Angeles from her native Guatemala, she’s released nine albums, co-written the Parks and Recreation theme song, and shared stages with legends like Bono and Andrea Bocelli.

Watch her performance of "Solid Ground" on Jimmy Kimmel Live: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFsE3BxQOlE

See the full lineup at columbiafestival.org.

Welcome to LakeFest, Columbia’s family festival for arts & entertainment at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront this summer!

05/13/2025

Emerging from Chicago’s flourishing indie music scene, Half Gringa is performing at the Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend on Friday, June 20th at 6pm! Half Gringa creates music informed by contemporary indie-rock and Latin American and Midwestern folk, with a name that is both a tribute to and study of her legacy; stemming from a childhood term of endearment as “la Gringa” in her Venezuelan family and her bicultural experience growing up in the United States.

Watch her official video for her song, "Miranda": www.youtube.com/watch?v=42UqZ5mBwTc

Visit columbiafestival.org for the full lineup and festival schedule.

Welcome to LakeFest, Columbia’s family festival for arts & entertainment at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront this summer!

05/08/2025

Family-friendly fun is everywhere at Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend! Get ready for:
- Hands-on arts & crafts with KidzArt Howard County
- A life-size Monster Mural coloring wall
- Performances by Black Cherry Puppet Theater
- Caricature Artist Drawings
- Fairy Hair in Maryland..And more!
Bring the whole family and check out the full schedule at columbiafestival.org

05/06/2025

Our juried, Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show returns to Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend, June 20-22! Discover extraordinary artisans showcasing one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted artwork across a variety of media - from wearable art to functional pieces - with prices for every budget. Visit the online artist gallery for a preview and plan your visit: https://columbiafestival.org/cfa-gallery/

05/01/2025

T-minus 50 days until the start of the summer...at the Columbia Festival of the Arts - Free LakeFest Weekend! 🎶🎨

From June 20 - 22, 2025, enjoy 3 days of live music, a juried fine arts & crafts show, kid-friendly fun, hands-on activities, and an amazing lineup of food trucks. Produced by Merriweather Arts and Culture Center, this vibrant weekend is FREE and open to all! 🎉

Visit columbiafestival.org for event details and the full festival schedule.

04/14/2025

Spring is the perfect time to indulge in artistic pursuits. So we hope you'll participate in the annual Lakefest Painted Umbrella Exhibition - presented in partnership with the Columbia Association Art Center. Starting 4/15, you can request an umbrella from Columbia Association to use as your canvas for the 2025 theme, 'Bringing Unity to CommUNITY through the Sounds of Music.' All details are available on these images. You can also email [email protected] to register!

04/08/2025

The Columbia Festival of the Arts LakeFest Weekend arrives again June 20-22! We’re ready to jumpstart your summer with a free, three-day extravaganza featuring live music, an invitational fine arts and crafts show, kids’ entertainment and crafts, festive food, a beer & wine garden, participatory workshops, and a variety of activities for all ages.

THREE DAYS OF LAKESTAGE MUSIC

This year’s performer lineup includes dynamic, genre-bending artists from around the world. 2024 Grammy-winning singer-songwriter GABY MORENO visits Columbia for the first time with her soulful blend of blues, jazz, folk, and Latin rhythms. The weekend also includes the pioneering sounds of NOVALIMA bringing their hypnotic fusion of Afro-Peruvian rhythms and cutting-edge beats from Peru. The dance party continues with a powerful set from Sudanese American artist SINKANE. The full lineup is now available at columbiafestival.org

LakeFest is Produced by Merriweather Arts and Culture Center

02/18/2025

LakeFest 2025 is coming together, and we need your help! 🎉

We’re in full prep mode for this year’s festival, and volunteers like you make it all possible. Whether you want to lend a hand behind the scenes or be part of the action, there are plenty of ways to get involved.

Check out the opportunities here and sign up today! 👉 https://columbiafestival.org/become-a-volunteer

Let’s make LakeFest 2025 one to remember! 🌊🎶✨