The Levitt Family Foundation is thrilled to announce 55 nonprofits have been awarded festival grants in 2026—representing a range of organizations from regions throughout the United States!

This year’s festival grantees were selected from a pool of more than 600 applicants to receive grants of up to $5,000 and hail from over 30 states across the country. Lighting up small-town main streets to major city parks, urban trails, and even waterfront docks, this year’s grantees offer a vibrant array of community festivals celebrating music, culture, local traditions, and creativity in public spaces.

With free, live music at Levitt venues, Levitt Music Series locations, and nonprofit festivals, the Levitt Family Foundation is supporting more than 1,000 free outdoor concerts nationwide in 100+ towns and cities across all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, bringing joy to over one million people of all ages and backgrounds—highlighting the dynamic impact of Levitt’s mission to strengthen the social fabric of America one city, and one concert, at a time.

Check out the list of grant recipients and festivals below.

 

2026 Festival Grantees

BPM Drum Festival
Presented by Bayside Neighborhood Association
August 1, 2026 | Portland, ME
Set along an expansive urban trail in the neighborhood of Bayside, BPM Drum Festival spotlights the powerful energy of open-air, synchronized group drumming.

Brainerd Block Party: Celebrating the 250
Presented by Lakes Area Music Festival
August 8, 2026 | Brainerd, MN
Showcasing a 65-piece orchestra of classical musicians from across the U.S., transforming Brainerd’s riverfront into a place of pride, connection, and joy in honor of America.

Brushstrokes of Community
Presented by California Center for the Arts, Escondido Foundation
May 24, 2026 | Escondido, CA
A participatory mural project brought to life by the broader community, culminating in a full-day, outdoor music festival celebrating shared effort and collective achievement.

Camden’s Juneteenth Independence Day Celebration
Presented by Pasha Arts
June 21, 2026 | Camden, NJ
The 24th annual Camden Juneteenth Festival celebrates freedom, culture, and community in South Jersey’s Farnham Park through the artistic expressions of local creatives.

Cave City Watermelon Festival
Presented by Cave City Watermelon Festival
July 23–25, 2026 | Cave City, AR
Celebrating proud agricultural heritage in the “home of the world’s sweetest watermelons,” with community gathering through music and raising funds for local food programs.

Celebrate AMERI’KANA Music & Arts Festival
Presented by Arts as Mentorship
August 1, 2026 | Kansas City, MO
Bringing the city together in a beloved neighborhood park for an all-day celebration of the arts through performances spotlighting the multicultural roots of American music.

Celebrating Words: Written, Performed, Sung
Presented by Tia Chucha’s Centro Cultural & Bookstore
May 30, 2026 | Pacoima, CA
Amplifying the power of words across all forms of artistic expression including music performances, along with workshops in the arts and cultural practices.

Common Ground Gathering
Presented by Southwest Roots Music
July 11 & 12, 2026 | Santa Fe, NM
Featuring musicians from New Mexico’s Indigenous, Hispanic, and Anglo cultures for pop-up performances across Santa Fe’s central Railyard Park.

Community Fest
Presented by The Center
June 19, 2026 | Bartlesville, OK
Celebrating the people, stories, music, and traditions that make up the evolving cultural fabric of Bartlesville through free, live performances in Unity Square.

Culturefest World Music & Arts Festival
Presented by RiffRaff Arts Collective
September 10–13, 2026 | Princetown, WV
A weekend-long immersive arts festival in Princeton’s town square showcasing Appalachian culture alongside music, dance, and arts from around the world.

Día de los Muertos en Ogden
Presented by Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music
October 10 or 11, 2026 | Ogden, UT
Honoring Día de los Muertos through a range of Latin music performances with student art, traditional dance, and a community altar for remembrance and cultural celebration.

Fenway Porchfest
Presented by Fenway Forward
June 20, 2026 | Boston, MA
Across 15 outdoor sites, bringing music directly to residents by platforming the artists and performers who live, work, and study in Boston’s historic Fenway neighborhood.

From the ‘Go Fest
Presented by True Star
July 25, 2026 | Chicago, IL
A youth-led arts, music, and community festival showcasing emerging music and visual artists in the DuSable Black History Museum courtyard within Chicago’s historic Washington Park.

Funky Junk
Presented by David Street Station
May 16 & September 19, 2026 | Casper, WY
Seasonal festival spotlighting local musicians, artisan creators, small businesses, and food trucks at Davis Street Station in the heart of downtown Casper.

Future Roots Fest
Presented by Maker Park Radio
June 20, 2026 | Staten Island, NY
Celebrating the Afro-future music movement and Afro-punk pioneers through live performances in Maker Park, Staten Island’s unique industrial-lot-turned-sculpture-garden.

Galvanized Music Festival
Presented by Galvanized Community Foundation
July 17 & 18, 2026 | Three Forks, MT
Broadening access to live music experiences by presenting local favorites alongside emerging artists in a joyful showcase of the small-town spirit of this Missouri River basin town.

Havertown Irish Festival
Presented by Kelly Music for Life
June 7, 2026 | Havertown, PA
Highlighting traditional Irish music and dance, featuring top bands from the U.S. and Ireland, in the Pennsylvania community named “the 33rd County of Ireland.”

High Street Fest
Presented by PortsEvents
June 19–22 & October 10, 2026 | Portsmouth, VA
Celebrating culture, downtown vitality, and civic pride by bringing a diverse range of free, live music performances to a five-block corridor of Portsmouth’s historic Olde Towne.

Hispanic Heritage Festival at PCCC
Presented by Passaic County Community College Foundation
September 17 & 18, 2026 | Paterson, NJ
Activating the new Wellness Courtyard with live music performances and Hispanic cultural programs, inviting students, city residents, and surrounding communities to come together.

Home Rule Music Festival
Presented by Home Rule Music & Film Preservation Foundation
June 20 & October 3, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
A community-centered celebration of D.C.’s musical and cultural legacy, with world-class jazz, go-go performances, and a Youth Showcase spotlighting the city’s emerging artists.

Inclusion Festival
Presented by Whatcom Center for Early Learning
July 26, 2026 | Bellingham, WA
Raising awareness for disability rights and access needs through inclusive arts, music performances, activities, and resources in the Port of Bellingham’s maritime harbor.

Iron Horse Music Festival
Presented by Historic Colfax Downtown Association
September 5, 2026 | Colfax, CA
Transforming this former railroad town into a place where live music invites locals and visitors alike to come and discover Colfax’s first and only free music festival lighting up Depot Park.

Jazz Under the Stars
Presented by Pop’s House, Inc.
July 18, 2026 | Harrisburg, PA
Celebrating jazz as an American art form and expanding access to live music by welcoming the capital city’s diverse community to come together for outdoor performances in Reservoir Park.

Juneteenth Celebration
Presented by Treasure Coast Barbers United, Inc.
June 19, 2026 | Fort Pierce, FL
Transforming Fort Pierce’s waterfront park into a vibrant gathering space where free, live music celebrates Black cultural heritage while building bridges across this diverse community.

Juneteenth Jubilee
Presented by Cool Spring Downtown District
June 19, 2026 | Fayetteville, NC
Bringing together residents of all backgrounds in the town’s Festival Park to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and cultural contributions of the city’s Black community.

King of the Streets Parade
Presented by San Francisco Lowrider Council
September 19, 2026 | San Francisco, CA
Elevating music and lowriding culture for cultural expression, intergenerational connection, and civic joy, amplifying the artists and traditions of the city’s Mission District.

Leimert Park Jazz Festival
Presented by Leimert Park Jazz Festival
August 29, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
Championing the creative and cultural heritage of South Los Angeles’ Leimert Park by showcasing emerging and established jazz artists in the neighborhood’s central outdoor plaza.

Living Traditions Festival
Presented by Salt Lake Arts Council Foundation
May 15–17, 2026 | Salt Lake City, UT
Showcasing 90+ multicultural, performing arts traditions in the city’s central public square, inviting festival-goers to learn about their neighbors while exploring their own cultural histories.

Los Angeles Korean Festival
Presented by LA Korean Festival Foundation
October 1–4, 2026 | Los Angeles, CA
A mile-long parade and outdoor festival offering people of all backgrounds an inclusive space to experience Korean traditions, food, music, and art in the heart of Los Angeles’ Koreatown.

MaFest
Presented by Columbus Jazz Society
April 25, 2026 | Columbus, GA
Reintroducing the town’s historic Liberty Theater District as a cultural destination for music and art through a festival tribute to Ma Rainey—the “Mother of the Blues.”

Mayfaire
Presented by Heartsong Living Arts
May 2, 2026 | White Salmon, WA
In the scenic Rheingarten Park, Mayfaire welcomes springtime by bringing children and families together for a joyful day of music, dancing, and hands-on art.

Mendota Sweet Corn Festival
Presented by Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce
August 6–9, 2026 | Mendota, IL
Celebrating agriculture, tradition, and local pride by transforming streets across Mendota’s downtown district into a destination for live music, hand-made crafts, and free sweet corn.

MIKIZTLI: Día de los Muertos Festival
Presented by Cultural Coalition
October 24, 2026 | Phoenix, AZ
Celebrating this ancestral Indigenous holiday through live music, dance, storytelling, and visual arts at Arizona Center in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

Mile of Music
Presented by Appleton Community Music, Inc.
July 30–August 2, 2026 | Appleton, WI
Live music performances by 200+ up-and-coming artists—plus dozens of hands-on interactive music education workshops—taking place in a one-mile stretch of downtown Appleton.

National Folk Festival
Presented by National Folk Festival Mississippi Fund
November 13–15, 2026 | Jackson, MS
Activating outdoor public spaces across Mississippi’s state capital and honoring the many artistic genres that comprise folk in the birthplace of America’s music.

New York City Poetry Festival
Presented by the Poetry Society of New York
July 18 & 19, 2026 | New York, NY
Providing a lively forum for poets and their work at the greenspace of Nolan Park on NYC’s Governors Island, alongside musicians, local artists, bookmakers, and more.

NOMAFEST
Presented by NOMA
August 15, 2026 | Omaha, NE
Honoring the inspiring legacy of jazz in shaping cultural identity and fostering innovation across music with performances in downtown Omaha’s premier park, the Gene Leahy Mall.

Oak Grove Fest
Presented by Historic Downtown Oak Grove
June 27, 2026 | Oak Grove, OR
A community-powered festival, creating a lively music scene, spotlighting local vendors, and fostering community connection for neighbors across Clackamas County in metro Portland.

Open Stages
Presented by Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
May 9, 2026 | Brooklyn, NY
Transforming sidewalks, plazas, and stoops across Park Slope into 15+ pop-up stages that provide neighbors, newcomers, and families with live performances by over 80 local artists.

Pride by the Beach
Presented by North County LGBTQ Resource Center
June 6, 2026 | Oceanside, CA
North County San Diego’s premier free, all-ages Pride Month festival, with performances that offer belonging, visibility, and joy for LGBTQIA+ communities and people of all backgrounds.

Raleigh Wide Open
Presented by PineCone, The Piedmont Council of Traditional Music
October 1–3, 2026 | Raleigh, NC
A dynamic showcase of Raleigh’s live music and arts community—taking over downtown with stages, food trucks, an art market, and a big street square dance each night.

Rice Street Block Party
Presented by Rice Street Business Association
October 24, 2026 | Lihue, HI
Reclaiming a walkable stretch of public spaces for a community celebration of Native Hawaiian culture and talent, including outdoor stages that come alive with music.

SailFest Cape Charles
Presented by Cape Charles Main Street
June 19–21, 2026 | Cape Charles, VA
A global gathering of ship crews, cadets, and visitors along Virginia’s Eastern Shore for a maritime celebration of America’s 250th, with live performances at the town dock’s bandshell.

Salem Arts Festival
Presented Salem Main Streets
June 6–8, 2026 | Salem, MA
Activating public squares, parks, and streets across historic Salem for an immersive, all-ages celebration of the arts, culture, music, and creativity in all forms.

Selby Ave JazzFest
Presented by Selby Ave JazzFest
September 12, 2026 | St. Paul, MN
Showcasing award-winning local, national, and international jazz artists in a community block party atmosphere on historic Selby Avenue, plus a Village Marketplace featuring local artists.

Seldovia Songs on the Slough
Presented by Seldovia Arts Council
July 17 & 18, 2026 | Seldovia, AK
Transforming the small town of Seldovia’s tidal waterway into a temporary music venue as the community gathers in boats, kayaks, and paddleboards for concerts timed to the tides.

Spokane’s Asian Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Festival
Presented by The Family Guide
May 8 & 9, 2026 | Spokane, WA
A celebration of the visual, performing, and culinary arts traditions of Eastern Washington’s growing AANHPI population, taking place in May during AAPI Heritage Month.

Symphony in the Park
Presented by Valley Symphony Orchestra
October 10, 2026 | Mcallen, TX
Bringing the Valley Symphony Orchestra beyond the concert hall to Mcallen’s Oval Park, welcoming community members of all backgrounds to gather and experience live orchestral music.

The Great American Brass Band Festival
Presented by Great American Brass Band Festival
June 25–27, 2026 | Danville, KY
Highlighting the cultural roots and impact of brass band music through education and performances by the world’s foremost brass musicians and celebrated brass bands.

Vinita Route 66 Centennial Celebration
Presented by the City of Vinita
June 5 & 6, 2026 | Vinita, OK
Celebrating 100 years as the oldest Oklahoma city along Route 66 and the cultural roots of Vinita with stages featuring an array of music, street dancing, vendors, a car show, and more.

Walls Between Waters
Presented by North Country Rural Development
June 6, 2026 | Ticonderoga, NY
Unveiling a series of public murals and art installations throughout Ticonderoga, blending the visual arts and live music performances into one powerful showcase of the arts.

Women’s Festival
Presented by NewBo City Market
May 30, 2026 | Cedar Rapids, IA
A celebration of women, including over 100 women-owned businesses and performances by women-led bands and female headliners on the stage at NewBo City Market in Eastern Iowa.

Woodstock PrideFest
Presented by Woodstock Pride
June 13 & 14, 2026 | Woodstock, IL
An all-ages celebration of community and LGBTQ+ pride—using music as a unifying force to connect people of all backgrounds and identities—in the city’s Historic Woodstock Square.

World Village
Presented by Global Lounge
September 11 & 12, 2026 | Boise, ID
Building connections through cultural expression of the city’s diverse communities with global music, art, dance, and folklife, creating a more inclusive and culturally vibrant Boise.

Yellow Pine Harmonica Festival
Presented by Yellow Pine Area Coalition
July 31–August 2, 2026 | Yellow Pine, ID
A weekend-long festival preserving the roots of this former mining town through free outdoor concerts, music education, storytelling, activities, and a whole lot of harmonica playing.