Columbia Festival of the Arts and Lakefest

A Tradition of Arts, Music, and Community

For more than three decades, the  Columbia Festival of the Arts (CFA) has been a centerpiece of cultural life in Columbia and Howard County. Founded in 1987, the Festival has welcomed world-class performers, emerging artists, and community voices to celebrate creativity in all its forms. Its flagship event, Lakefest, has drawn generations of residents and visitors to the Downtown Columbia Lakefront for a free weekend of music, art, and family activities that showcase the very best of our community.

A New Chapter with MACC

In 2025, the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center proudly assumed responsibility for the Festival’s programs and assets, ensuring that its legacy will continue to thrive for years to come. This transition builds on years of collaboration, including MACC’s leadership of Lakefest in recent seasons. 

MACC will preserve the Festival’s beloved traditions while also exploring ways to expand and enhance them. A new  Columbia Festival of the Arts Committee, made up of longtime CFA supporters and community leaders, has been established by MACC’s Board of Directors to guide programming, fundraising, and community engagement. Together, we are committed to honoring CFA’s rich history while nurturing new opportunities for growth. 

Why It Matters

The Festival was created as more than a series of performances — it has always been a gathering place. Each June, thousands come together at Lakefest to enjoy live music, discover new artists, shop the crafts market, enjoy delicious food and drink offerings, and connect with neighbors. This iconic event reflects Columbia’s founding values: that art should be accessible to all, and that shared cultural experiences can strengthen community bonds. 

Over the years, CFA has become a source of pride for Columbia, shining a spotlight on the region’s diversity and creative spirit while also fostering local talent. Its impact can be seen, not only in the memories made at Lakefest, but in the countless friendships, collaborations, and opportunities the organization has inspired. 

Looking Ahead

The Festival’s future is bright. With MACC’s support and the community’s continued involvement, Lakefest will remain a free and welcoming celebration at the Lakefront each summer — one that uplifts local artists, introduces audiences to world-class performers, and deepens Columbia’s identity as a hub for arts and culture. 

We invite you to join us in celebrating the next chapter of this remarkable tradition. Mark your calendars for Lakefest 2026,  and be part of Columbia’s living legacy of art, music, and community. 

Archival Photos

Press Release

Merriweather Arts and Culture Center and Columbia Festival of the Arts Announce Merger

COLUMBIA, MD — [September 25, 2025] — The Merriweather Arts and Culture Center (MACC) today announced that it has formally assumed the programs and assets of the Columbia Festival of the Arts (CFA), uniting two organizations that have long worked in partnership to bring arts and culture to the greater Howard County community.

This move builds on a long-standing partnership between the two organizations, including MACC’s production of CFA’s signature event, Lakefest, for the past two years. The agreement ensures the continuation of free community arts programming bringing premiere music, art and culture to the region.

“We are excited to honor the legacy of the Columbia Festival of the Arts, while ensuring its spirit continues to thrive. Together, we’ll be able to expand access, deepen community connections, and create even more opportunities for people to experience the transformative power of the arts,” said Ian Kennedy, Executive Director, Merriweather Arts and Culture Center.

MACC, based at the historic Merriweather Post Pavilion, was established to expand cultural programming and community events in Downtown Columbia. Its leadership and infrastructure make it a natural steward of CFA’s mission and programs.

To guide the transition, Jennifer Jones, former Vice Chair of CFA, has joined the MACC Board of Directors. In addition, a new Columbia Festival of the Arts Committee has been established as a standing committee by MACC’s Board to steward the Festival’s future and advise on programming, fundraising, and community engagement.

MACC will collaborate with the Festival Committee, long-standing CFA volunteers, donors, sponsors, and community stakeholders to sustain and grow Columbia’s summer Festival tradition. Together, they will strengthen Columbia’s identity as a hub for community-driven arts and culture.

“The Columbia Festival of the Arts has been a cornerstone of arts, music, and culture in Columbia for over 30 years,” said Philip Maher, Chair of the Columbia Festival of the Arts Board of Trustees. “The partnership with the Merriweather Arts and Culture Center is going to ensure that the Festival’s legacy and impact live on in our community for many years to come.”                                                                  

About Merriweather Arts and Culture Center

The Merriweather Arts and Culture Center is a nonprofit organization committed to providing free and low-cost arts programming for the community. As stewards of Merriweather Post Pavilion, MACC fosters creative partnerships, champions arts education, and ensures that the arts remain accessible for all. By presenting uplifting and entertaining family-friendly events and in-school arts residencies, MACC continues to celebrate the transformative power of the arts, and their ability to inspire and unite.