Jon Wtiz, organizer for Arts, Beats & Eats, samples edible insects during a press conference highlighting the 2026 festival. “Good high protein, low fat,” he said with a laugh. (Photo by Mark H. Stowers)

By Mark H. Stowers, For MediaNews Group

Royal Oak will be home to the Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats festival through Labor Day 2030.

That news was among the highlights from a press conference Tuesday at the Oakland Community College Culinary School in downtown Royal Oak. Organizers and sponsors also highlighted new foods and events for this year’s festival.

“This agreement reflects the strength of our partnership with the City of Royal Oak and the Royal Oak DDA, as well as our shared commitment to growing one of Michigan’s signature events,” said Jon Witz, the festival’s producer. “Together, we’re building on a tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and creates exciting new reasons to experience Arts,Beats & Eats year after year.”

Royal Oak Mayor Mike Fournier is happy to continue the partnership.

“Arts, Beats & Eats continues to celebrate the diversity, creativity and a community spirit that help drive our region forward,” he said. “This annual event has contributed $1.5 million into local Royal Oak charities and non-profits. We value the opportunity to partner with an event that provides quality of life to our region and local residents, drives regional engagement and local downtown impact, and delivers meaningful benefits to community organizations throughout Southeast Michigan.”

The band Coyote played during Tuesday's press conference highlighting the 2026 Arts, Beats & Eats festival in Royal Oak. (Photo by Mark H. Stowers) — The band Coyote played during Tuesday’s press conference highlighting the 2026 Arts, Beats & Eats festival in Royal Oak. (Photo by Mark H. Stowers)

The Soaring Eagle Casino Stage will host singer, rapper and songwriter Jelly Roll, rock band Shinedown, and the indie folk band The Lumineers among other musical acts, according to Tim McCullough, an executive at the casino and resort, a main sponsor. The full list ofentertainment will be released and finalized in July.

The festival drew more than 345,000 people last year and generated more than $400,000 to donate to local charities. More than $8.2 million has been raised by the festival for community and charitable organizations since 1998, when the event began in Pontiac.

Other sponsors have renewed their commitment for the 2026 festival as well, including cannabis company House of Dank helping sponsor a new Pride Stage and the Cranbrook Institute of Science offering several science encounters. The Pride Stage will be the 11th entertainment space celebrating inclusion, creativity and community. Located on the Pronto patio, Detroit jazz and soul artist Ben Sharkey is among the first performers confirmed for the stage with additional artists and programming to be announced in July.

Cranbrook’s towering Tyrannosaurus rex, fun experiments, live animal encounters and even edible insects will turn the festival into a playground for curious minds of all ages. Witz even sampled crickets and mealworms that will be available to festival goers.

“Good high protein, low fat,” Witz said with a laugh. “They are not bad, and if I ever get caught up in the U. P. and can’t get to a gas station, I will seek nature.”

Lucy Hale, director of the Cranbrook Institute of Science, said the festival provides the museum with a rare opportunity.

Arts, Beats & Eats will call Royal Oak home through 2023.

“Science is at its best when it sparks curiosity and invites people to participate,” Hale said. “Arts, Beats & Eats gives us an opportunity to bring discovery beyond museum walls and create memorable experiences that connect people with science in unexpected ways.”

Throughout the weekend, festivalgoers can experience Matter & Energy LIVE, where sound, motion and energy collide in a series of exciting demonstrations. The Dino-MITE! Dinosaur Science Show will feature a life-sized T. rex and explore the science behind Earth’s most legendary predator.

And the “Bugging Out: Meet, Make and Munch!” show will let guests interact with Madagascar hissing cockroaches, create bug-inspired crafts and discover the adaptations that help insects thrive around the globe. Like Witz, festivalgoers can sample edible insects which are among the world’s most sustainable food sources.

This year’s sponsors also include the Michigan Lottery, Flagstar Bank, Anheuser Busch, Baker College, Detroit Institute of Arts, Faygo, Jim Beam, Kamora, Kroger, Mike Morse Law Firm, Motown Museum, Oakland Community College, Tito’s Vodka and the University of Detroit Mercy.

In partnership with the Royal Oak Commission for the Arts, the festival is launching a Spirit of Royal Oak T-shirt design competition by inviting artists, designers and creative minds to showcase what makes Royal Oak unique through original T-shirt artwork. The six-week competition will award $1,500 for first place and $1,000 for second place, with both designs produced and sold during Arts, Beats & Eats and through select Royal Oak retailers. Produced by the Detroit T-Shirt Company, sales of shirts featuring the winning designs will benefit the arts commission and the Royal Oak Civic Foundation, which supports arts, cultural and community initiatives.

Culver’s will be also be onsite with one of its four nationwide ice cream tours. The Culver’s Blue Room Experience will offer free samples of its signature frozen custard.

The festival will also continue to support local veterans through booths highlighting food assistance, transportation services and other essential resources. The signature event is a concert on Sunday, Sept. 6, where 300 veterans will receive complimentary admission, reserved seating for Rumours, the Fleetwood Mac tribute band, food and beverage vouchers, dedicated parking and shuttle service.

Veterans will also be recognized during a special ceremony on the main stage honoring their service.

The Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank will be open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4, through Sunday, Sept. 6, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7.

Tickets are $7 in advance. Admission is free before 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 4, and $12 after 5 p.m. Admission other days is $10 before 3 p.m. and $12 after 3 p.m.

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