Now entering its third year, MidWest Friends Fest 2026 expands to a three day journey of music, community, and adventure at the inimitable Southgate House Revival in Newport, Kentucky.The event takes place from May 28 to May 30.
$25 Friday and $35 Saturday single-day tickets are available here, and here, until May 28. Prices increase day-of for each.
2-Day Passes are on sale for $50 until May 28. 3-Day Passes are on sale for $60 until May 27.
Daily lineups have been announced, featuring 80+ bands from Cincinnati, NKY, Dayton, Columbus, and across the country – Thursday, May 28, Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30.
Bev Rage and the Drinks, Toilet Rats, Box Elder, MK Naomi, Neckscars, Unseemlier, Little Low, Fat Heaven, Hit Like a Girl, Weak Daze, and Ghost Town Remedy are some of the featured national acts.
The Yugos, Lung, Bear The Moon, Lydia Shae, Knotts, Mango Tree, GrandAce, Tooth Lures A Fang, and LayLow are a few of the featured local acts.
Community partners instrumental to the fest include Start Today Harm Reduction, SofaBurn, Inc, 513 Hygiene Care, and Abortion Fund of Ohio, ACLU Ohio, and more.
“Midwest Friends Fest brings together 80+ like-minded, forward thinking, and incredibly talented bands and musicians for an energetic, inclusive, and positive weekend of music and community,” says Jared Bowers, MidWest Friends Fest 2026 showrunner. “Our team of volunteers reviewed over 900 artist submissions, and we couldn’t be more grateful to the musicians and friends – new and old – who are joining us this year.”
In addition to the bands who will make the fest such an exceptional experience, MidWest Friends Fest will be partnering with NKY non-profits SofaBurn, Inc and Start Today Harm Reduction, as well as new and returning community partners PFLAG Cincinnati, 513 Hygiene Care, ACLU Ohio, Abortion Fund of Ohio, and more. Since 2024, the fest has partnered with Start Today Harm Reduction on this event and many others. Since 2025, they have worked closely with SofaBurn, Inc., whose mission is to help cover healthcare costs for musicians and artists in need.
MidWest Friends Fest is excited to partner with Esoteric Brewing Company in Walnut Hills on both a collaborative beer release and a sponsored outdoor space for acoustic, solo, duo, and trio musicians, and will be welcoming SRO Prints to the fest for the first time for live screen printing with t-shirts and tote bags available in multiple designs.
Sweet Cheetah Records and Lo-Fi Recordings have also teamed with the Fest for a physical and digital compilation with 100 percent of proceeds going to Start Today. The compilation becomes available on the first day of the festival.
This is a volunteer driven event, with all proceeds going to the bands, musicians, and venue.
