Levitate has officially announced their highly anticipated lineup for its 14th annual Music & Arts Festival, returning to the Marshfield Fairgrounds in Massachusetts on July 18 and 19, 2026. With a bill that blends festival staples, local favorites, and genre-crossing newcomers, this year’s festival looks poised to be one of the strongest in Levitate’s growing history.
Headlining the weekend is global alt-rock icon Alanis Morissette, a booking that immediately catches the eyes of anyone casually browsing the new poster. Decades into her career, Morissette remains one of the most influential voices in modern music, and her presence at Levitate feels like a big win for the local festival. Alongside her, Americana-folk heavyweights Caamp, reggae royalty Ziggy Marley, and New Orleans powerhouse Trombone Shorty bring a depth of catalog and performance experience that fits perfectly with Levitate’s laid-back but ambitious identity.
For New England fans, one of the most exciting additions is Sammy Rae & The Friends. The band has become something close to hometown heroes over the last few years, building an almost-cultlike following across Boston, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. And if you’ve seen Sammy Rae perform live you get the hype for the infectious brand of onstage joy. Their return to Levitate feels inevitable, and their inclusion near the top of the lineup signals just how far they have come.
The festival also welcomes festival favorites The Elovaters, jam-band favorites Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, and the recently grammy-nominated Larkin Poe, rounding out a lineup that touches nearly every corner of Levitate’s musical universe. Acts like Hans Williams, Bebe Stockwell, Surfer Girl, and Jammy Buffet continue the festival’s tradition of spotlighting emerging voices, quietly the best part of Levitate year after year.
Beyond the music, Levitate continues to double down on creativity and community. The Levitate Foundation will bring back the Songwriter’s Stage for a second year, giving four unsigned artists the opportunity to perform and receive funding toward a professionally produced album. New for 2026 is the Visual Artist Showcase, a two-day gallery experience featuring the work of ten emerging visual artists selected by fans and an industry panel.
Daniel Hassett, Founder of Levitate, says, “Last year’s Songwriter’s Stage was such a hit – it was amazing to see fans gather around and experience deserving emerging artists, the same artists just might become headliners one day. Even better than that, was the Levitate Foundation getting to work with these musicians and be a resource, both financially and personally, to help them reach their goals and record their next album. This year, we’re excited to bring this same concept to the visual arts, setting the stage to bring the work from little-known emerging artists to a huge “gallery opening” concept for tens of thousands. How fun does it sound to hang out at a giant gallery of emerging artists at a music festival?!”
Set against the coastal backdrop of Marshfield, Levitate remains one of New England’s most family-friendly and environmentally conscious festivals. From the Kids Zone to the food truck village and the artisan marketplace, Levitate always feels less like a typical music festival and more like a community gathering. At this point, it’s one of Massachusetts’ best summer traditions.
Tickets go on sale Friday, January 9 at 12 PM ET. With a lineup anchored by Alanis Morissette and bolstered by the local favorites, Levitate 2026 looks like a must-mark weekend on your New England summer calendar.
Nathan Smith is a Providence-based music photographer and journalist focusing on capturing the special moments and unfiltered magic of live performances. Whether he’s shooting established artists at sold-out TD Garden shows or documenting the rise of emerging local bands, his goal is the same: to pull viewers directly into the heart of the moment.
His writing spotlights rising artists and local scenes, with a focus on telling the stories that often get overlooked. A lifelong music fan and musician himself, Nathan approaches interviews and portraits as conversations rather than transactions, building trust with artists so their genuine personalities can shine through. Whether he’s backstage, in the photo pit, or at home in front of the keyboard, he brings the same curiosity and care to every assignment.
Outside of his press work with Juice Box Press, Nathan works regularly as a photographer with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, as well as numerous bands in the Boston and Providence area. Nathan also plays violin with a local orchestra, follows Celtics basketball almost religiously, and is an avid fantasy reader.