The Water is Life Festival

06/13/2026

🎶 LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT 🎶

The lineup keeps growing, and we’re excited to welcome Jon Hayes to the 2026 Water is Life Festival!

Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jon Hayes has built a reputation for crafting acoustic indie music filled with soulful vocals, thoughtful songwriting, and guitar-driven melodies. Drawing inspiration from artists like John Mayer, Jon Foreman, and Bon Iver, Jon creates songs that are both deeply personal and universally relatable.

With heartfelt lyrics and an authentic approach to storytelling, Jon’s music invites listeners to slow down, reflect, and connect — making him a perfect addition to a festival centered on community, culture, and our shared responsibility to protect the waters that sustain us.

Whether you’re already a fan or discovering his music for the first time, Jon Hayes is an artist you won’t want to miss.

Join us as we celebrate music, community, and the power of water.

More lineup announcements are on the way!

06/13/2026

See you at the festival Nick!

06/13/2026

Good news! Spoke with Nick to secure these folks as one of our FOOD TRUCKS for the festival!! Thanks Nick for agreeing to bring some scrumptious food to our attendees! You come highly recommended! See you SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 05, 2026 at Petoskey’s beautiful lakefront!

05/23/2026

05/12/2026

🎶 LINEUP ANNOUNCEMENT 🎶

Let’s announce another artist in this year’s Water is Life Festival lineup to help kick off the week!

Next up is Petoskey’s own Kevin Johnson, performing in a special in-the-round set alongside three other Michigan songwriters (one still to be announced)!

Raised on the music of legendary songwriters like John Prine, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, James Taylor, and Kris Kristofferson, Kevin’s love for storytelling has shaped the heart of his music from the very beginning. Today, that passion continues through songs inspired by master lyricists like Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Sturgill Simpson, William Prince, and beyond.

Once described as an “observational philosopher,” Kevin writes songs that cut straight to the heart — exploring love, loss, human connection, and the world around us with honesty and soul. Whether deeply personal or quietly reflective, his music captures the feeling of a moment in a way that stays with you long after the song ends.

We’re honored to have one of Northern Michigan’s finest songwriters joining us for this year’s celebration of music, community, and the water that connects us all.

05/09/2026

We’re excited to welcome Northern Michigan singer-songwriter Eliza Thorp to the 2026 Water is Life Festival lineup!

With songs rooted in home, heart, changing seasons, and the landscapes of the Mitten, Eliza Thorp brings a warmth and honesty that feels deeply connected to the spirit of this festival. Inspired by artists like Carole King, James Taylor, and Simon & Garfunkel, her music carries the comfort of familiar places while carving out a voice entirely her own.

From long walks through Northern Michigan trails with her dog Holmes to sharing stories through song, Eliza’s music reflects a deep love for community, nature, and connection. In 2023, she was nominated as a finalist at the legendary Telluride Bluegrass Festival’s Troubadour Contest — a testament to the power and authenticity of her songwriting.

We’re honored to have her join us for a weekend celebrating music, water, community, and the Earth.

🎶 More lineup announcements coming soon.

05/08/2026

We’re honored to announce the first artist joining the 2026 Water is Life Festival lineup — SUNNI’i 🌎💧

A musician, storyteller, and advocate for water and Earth rights, Sunni Leilani has spent years traveling across Turtle Island and the Hawaiian Islands, connecting with Indigenous communities, water protectors, land defenders, and guardians of sacred places. Her music and message are rooted in love, resilience, healing, and the ongoing fight to protect our planet and one another.

After spending months at Standing Rock, Sunni’ began a self-funded journey to document, witness, and share stories from Indigenous peoples and communities across Mother Earth — carrying those experiences into powerful songs and performances that inspire connection and action.

We cannot wait to welcome SUNNI’i to the Water is Life Festival. This is only the beginning…

🎶 More lineup announcements coming soon.

04/23/2026

Water is life. It connects us, sustains us, and deserves to be protected.

Join us for the Water Is Life Festival this year on Saturday, Sept. 5 for a celebration of community, culture, and our shared responsibility to care for the waters that care for us.

Music. Art. Education. Connection.

Stay tuned for the release of our music lineup, activities, and more!