Today’s festival scene is oftentimes saturated with sameness. If you only enjoy live music and camping under the stars, then this formula is a recipe for success ad infinitum. Like many of the friendly faces attending this year’s MAYfest, however, I often find myself in search of more – more variety, more meaningful connections, and a more holistic experience of forming a temporary community of like-minded folk. If you too share this desire, consider attending MAYfest over the upcoming Memorial Day weekend.

Held May 26th-28th at Surprise Lake Camp in Cold Spring, NY, MAYfest – both an acronym of music, arts, and yoga as well as a pun for the timing of this annual gathering – is a truly unique and immersive experience. Designed to blur the lines between music, community, art, yoga, creative expression, and a shared sense of self, MAYfest is as unique a festive jamboree as they come.

The musical lineup is equally as diverse: with headliners Rusted Root, Ozomatli, and Dar Williams, there is no shortage of variety. Other featured musicians and bands include DJ Drez, Dustin Thomas, Will Evans with Rising Tide, The Garcia Project, Upstate Rubdown, Hayley Jane and the Primates, Srikala, The Breakneck Boys, and more!

For the painters, photographers, sculptors, and dreamers among us, MAYfest has partnered with the Garrison Art Center to once again provide an endless array of opportunities for self-expression throughout the entire weekend. Professional artists-in-residence include: Jaanika Peerna, Christina DiMarco, and Robert Sturman, to name just a few.

Tying the entire weekend together through flow, relaxation, and breath, MAYfest will also feature an extensive array of interactive classes and workshops exploring a variety of yogic styles for participants at all levels. Each and every program will be taught by some of the region’s absolute best yogis: Elena Brower, Sadie Nardini, Amy Pearce-Hayden, Jessica Bellofatto, and many others from the Catskills and Hudson Valley regions.

MAYfest is also deeply family focused, offering fun workshops for children and their parents throughout the weekend. In the spirit of inclusion and service, MAYfest is also partnering with the Veterans Yoga Project (VYP), a non-profit organization that works to bring the healing powers of yoga to our veterans and their families. A nationwide Memorial Day campaign to honor fallen troops will culminate on Sunday afternoon during VYP’s Introduction to Mindful Resilience Yoga. And for anyone who has served in the US armed forces, MAYfest is proud to offer a 20% discount.

From the folks who brought you the immensely popular Catskill Chill Music Festival, MAYfest is sure to offer you and your family a warm and friendly weekend gathering for community-minded folks in search of programming variety in an inclusive environment. Tickets are currently available for the entire weekend, with additional options for single-class tickets and day passes. Discount tickets are available for children under 12, while children under 5 are admitted free with an adult.