Columbia Festival of the Arts

Columbia Festival of the Arts Your Summer Starts Here! The Columbia Festival of the Arts is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit.

Founded in 1987, the Festival’s popularity and growth has transformed it into one of the Baltimore/Washington Corridor’s premiere summer arts events. Each summer the Festival presents a brand new season of world-class events, including gala performances, exhibitions, free concerts, family activities, master classes, workshops and community dialogues. The Festival brings together the arts community

, businesses, local schools, and individuals to create an annual event that shines a spotlight, not only on the arts, but on the Howard County community as a Maryland showplace. The Festival is dependent upon a variety of funding sources, including grants, corporate sponsorships and individual donations. The funds are used to subsidize Festival programming costs in order to make the arts accessible for people across a broad spectrum of social, cultural and economic strata. The Festival’s focus is on reaching out and embracing the vast and diverse community that exists in the region. Now in its 36th year, the Festival continues to thrive thanks to our ecosystem of artists, stagehands, volunteers, community partners, donors, and sponsors who are committed to its success.

Calling all food trucks! Here’s your chance to be part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts' LakeFest three-day outdoor ...
01/27/2025

Calling all food trucks! Here’s your chance to be part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts' LakeFest three-day outdoor celebration.

We’re looking for food trucks to join the excitement and serve up delicious eats at the Columbia Lakefront, June 20-22, 2025. In addition to festival foods, the free weekend event features an Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show, live performances on the LakeStage, activities for all ages, and much more!

Don’t miss your chance to submit an entry! Applications close Monday, March 10, 2025.

Apply now at: https://form.jotform.com/Columbia_Festival_Of_The_Arts/lakefest-food-truck-2025

Columbia Festival of the Arts’ LakeFest event is returning to the Columbia Lakefront June 20-22, 2025, for a spectacular...
01/22/2025

Columbia Festival of the Arts’ LakeFest event is returning to the Columbia Lakefront June 20-22, 2025, for a spectacular celebration. Included in this not-to-be-missed free outdoor weekend is our Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show along with the live performances from national, regional and local artists on the LakeStage, interactive children’s activities, festival foods, and fun for the entire family!

Our juried, Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show is currently seeking artisans with original work, representing a breadth of media including functional and wearable art, to participate in this June 20-22, 2025, free outdoor weekend in Columbia, Maryland. DON’T MISS this opportunity to showcase your original artwork. Deadline to submit your entry is Monday, March 3, 2025.

Apply now at https://form.jotform.com/Columbia_Festival_Of_The_Arts/call-for-entries-2025

06/19/2024

Thank you to everyone who came out to see us for this year's LakeFest! It was an incredible time and we are thrilled to be ushering in the summer season for the community.

LEFT SOMETHING BEHIND AT THE FESTIVAL? We have a small collection of Lost & Find items collected by the amazing finder-elves in our volunteer team. You can reach out to our volunteer coordinator at [email protected] if you're looking for one of your little treasures.

Keep an eye out here for more events in the meantime. Here's to another amazing summer!

It’s the final day of the Free LakeFest Weekend, and we’re ending it strong! From 12pm – 7pm, see performances from Song...
06/16/2024

It’s the final day of the Free LakeFest Weekend, and we’re ending it strong! From 12pm – 7pm, see performances from Song Riot, Washington Chinese Traditional Orchestra, Swapdog Clark (Anthony Clark), The Po' Ramblin' Boys, and the Glenelg High School Bands and Marching Unit Jazz Ensemble. Starting at 11am, you can go shopping through the juried, invitational art show, indulge in delicious festival foods, and show off your artistic skills with interactive exhibits. For more details, visit our website at columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend. Come celebrate Father's Day with us!

Tonight at Free LakeFest Weekend, it's a party - rain or shine! Grab some dinner from our food vendors, a drink in the b...
06/15/2024

Tonight at Free LakeFest Weekend, it's a party - rain or shine! Grab some dinner from our food vendors, a drink in the beer & wine garden, and stick around for performances by Brass Queens, Everyday Everybody, Bywater Call and Oh He Dead. Plus, you can shop the fine arts & crafts show until 8pm. Will you be there?

The Free LakeFest Weekend is in full-swing, and our Saturday performance lineup is jam-packed! Come out rain or shine to...
06/15/2024

The Free LakeFest Weekend is in full-swing, and our Saturday performance lineup is jam-packed! Come out rain or shine to see live music performances by Wilde Lake Steel Drum Band, Patuxent Jazz Band, Percussion Discussion Africa, Tap Band, Brass Queens, Everyday Everybody, Bywater Call and Oh He Dead from 12pm to 10:30pm. The festival opens at 11am, so get here early to shop the over 50 talented artisans, participate in interactive arts activities for all ages, and enjoy the tasty festival fare. For all festival details like parking, hours, and performance times, visit columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend.

We have an incredible performance lineup to kick off the Free LakeFest Weekend! Bring your chair and from 5pm to 10:30pm...
06/14/2024

We have an incredible performance lineup to kick off the Free LakeFest Weekend! Bring your chair and from 5pm to 10:30pm, enjoy a night of lively tunes and soulful grooves featuring performances by tenacious pop-rock artist LJR , indie-jazz duo Deerlady, Cuban rapper and poet Telmary Diaz, and the incomparable Bette Smith. Plus, shop from over 50 amazing artisans and enjoy a variety of festival foods. Explore the full schedule of events on our website at columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend.

It's finally here! Starting at 5pm, come join us for the first day of the LakeFest Free Weekend at the Columbia Downtown...
06/14/2024

It's finally here! Starting at 5pm, come join us for the first day of the LakeFest Free Weekend at the Columbia Downtown Lakefront. Come out rain or shine, and make sure to bring chairs to watch your favorite live music performances on the LakeStage. There is free parking (including Handicap Parking) available nearby at the Wincopin Circle parking garages. Visitors can also park at the Sterrett Place lot located at 5575 Sterrett Place. We're excited to see you soon! For more details and a complete festival schedule, visit columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend.

There’s lots to do at the Free LakeFest Weekend starting TOMORROW, June 14-16! Check out this map to help you get around...
06/13/2024

There’s lots to do at the Free LakeFest Weekend starting TOMORROW, June 14-16! Check out this map to help you get around the festival. Looking for a particular artist? Check out the full list on our website. https://columbiafestival.org/lakefest-map-booth-info/

Don't forget - the juried, invitational fine arts & crafts show is back THIS weekend at the Free LakeFest Weekend! Shop ...
06/13/2024

Don't forget - the juried, invitational fine arts & crafts show is back THIS weekend at the Free LakeFest Weekend! Shop over 50 incredible artisans representing a variety of media, including functional and wearable art at price ranges that fits everyone's budget. Get a preview of their work on our online gallery and come shop from them in person! columbiafestival.org/LakeFest-free-weekend

Free LakeFest Weekend is almost here, and our stomachs are grumbling! Check out this full food lineup that you can enjoy...
06/12/2024

Free LakeFest Weekend is almost here, and our stomachs are grumbling! Check out this full food lineup that you can enjoy this weekend. It’s not too late to grab a friend and plan to join us at the Lakefront! Check out our website at columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend for all the details.

This year's Umbrellas Abound contest was inspired by the theme Community, Connection, and Culture. Stop by Free LakeFest...
06/11/2024

This year's Umbrellas Abound contest was inspired by the theme Community, Connection, and Culture. Stop by Free LakeFest Weekend and vote for your favorite while you spend the day enjoying live music, shopping the fine arts & crafts show, and eating delicious festival fare. Learn more about the FREE weekend, June 14-16, at columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend.

Free LakeFest Weekend has the treats! Besides delicious savory options, we have snacks, drinks and desserts all weekend ...
06/06/2024

Free LakeFest Weekend has the treats! Besides delicious savory options, we have snacks, drinks and desserts all weekend long, June 14-16, for you to try! Make sure you stop by Bmore Mochichi, Kona Ice of Howard County, AppleCore's Bake Shoppe, Pretzelphoria , Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee of Columbia, Maryland, Wight Tea Company, Nina's Cookies Explosion, and Firenzes Gelato. See the full line up of vendors at columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend.

Show off your own artistic talents all day at the Free LakeFest Weekend with three interactive exhibits! Start on Friday...
06/05/2024

Show off your own artistic talents all day at the Free LakeFest Weekend with three interactive exhibits! Start on Friday night by making your own tie dye reusable napkin. Next, paint your memories, thoughts, and images of the LakeFest festival on a large canvas board to help create a collaborate work of art, put on by Pinot's Palette Ellicott City. Then, place a color-coded plaque with a personal phrase on an "emotional support human" figure while reflecting on the importance of personal mental wellness, sponsored by the Horizon Foundation. For more details and a complete list of festival events, visit columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend.

Sunday, June 16th, Free LakeFest Weekend LakeStage lineup features Song Riot, Washington Chinese Traditional Orchestra, ...
06/04/2024

Sunday, June 16th, Free LakeFest Weekend LakeStage lineup features Song Riot, Washington Chinese Traditional Orchestra, Swampdog Clark (Anthony Clark), The Po' Ramblin' Boys, and the Glenelg High School Bands and Marching Unit Jazz Ensemble to round things out. It's the perfect main event for your Father's Day or background sound while you check out the free family-friendly kids activities! See the full schedule now on our website. columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend

Where can you hear local musicians, Ugandan drummers, R&B, retro groove, and southern rock (just to name a few) all in o...
05/30/2024

Where can you hear local musicians, Ugandan drummers, R&B, retro groove, and southern rock (just to name a few) all in one day? The Free LakeFest Weekend LakeStage! Join us on Saturday, June 15th from 12pm to 10:30pm for an all-day array of live music, including performances by Centennial & Wilde Lake Steel Bands, Patuxent Jazz Band, Percussion Discussion Africa, Tap Band, Brass Queens, Everyday Everybody, Bywater Call and Oh He Dead. For a full lineup of the FREE festival, visit our website. columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend

Free LakeFest Weekend kicks off Friday, June 14th with a dynamic live music lineup on the LakeStage! From 5pm to 10:30pm...
05/29/2024

Free LakeFest Weekend kicks off Friday, June 14th with a dynamic live music lineup on the LakeStage! From 5pm to 10:30pm, you'll be captivated by tenacious pop-rock artist LJR, indie-jazz duo Deerlady, Cuban rapper and poet Telmary Diaz, and the incomparable Bette Smith. Check out our full weekend lineup now on our website columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend.

We think one of the BEST parts about the Free LakeFest Weekend is the lineup of food trucks and vendors! There's enough ...
05/28/2024

We think one of the BEST parts about the Free LakeFest Weekend is the lineup of food trucks and vendors! There's enough to have every meal, June 14-16th! Plan your orders for Ekiben, Althea's Almost Famous, Blowfish Poke & Grill, Cousins Maine Lobster (Sunday), Koshary Corner (Friday/Saturday), Roaming Burger, and TacoJoint_MD Food Truck. Check out the rest of what LakeFest has to offer at columbiafestival.org/lakefest-free-weekend.

Address

Office: 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, MD
21044

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+14107153044

Website

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