Brite Winter Spotlights Waterloo as 2026 festival home

Cleveland’s iconic music and arts festival celebrates its 17th season with new neighborhood energy

Brite Winter, Cleveland’s premier winter music and arts festival, will bring its signature blend of fire, music and creativity to a new home in 2026. Celebrating its 17th year, Brite Winter will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, in the city’s vibrant Waterloo Arts District.

For nearly two decades, Brite has drawn thousands of devoted fans for an outdoor festival unlike any other. With at least five stages of local, regional and national acts, the event offers free or low-cost, high-quality arts experiences that strengthen one-of-a-kind community connections — no matter the weather.

“The new location offers Brite guests the opportunity to explore the Waterloo neighborhood, pop into a local bar or restaurant to grab a bite and hear bands on outdoor stages by a bonfire or inside at one of our indoor venues,” said Emily Hornack, co-founder and executive director of Brite Winter. “We get to bring all of Brite’s music and visual art programming and spotlight the amazing work being done in the neighborhood, making our February festival an even richer experience.”

“Hosting Brite will provide great exposure for our neighborhood’s businesses, residents and all we have to offer,” added Allison Lukacsy-Love, vice-president, Greater Collinwood Development Corporation Board of Directors. “We can’t wait to show off Waterloo in February.”

Brite has a strong track record of discovering great spaces and artists, and the Waterloo Arts District is one of Cleveland’s hidden gems. Six arts-packed blocks will surround the festival footprint with both large and small music venues, galleries and dozens of independent studios producing everything from glass and ceramics to textiles and prints.

“Bringing a festival built on art, music and creativity to a neighborhood defined by those same strengths is a win for everyone,” said Jessica Pinsky, executive director, Praxis Fiber Workshop. “Waterloo gets to showcase its vibrant spirit, and thousands of festivalgoers will experience it firsthand.”

Cleveland’s reputation as a rock and roll city is rooted in grit and authenticity, and an outdoor festival in February underscores that spirit. Brite fans brave the cold for more than 30 bands, supported by fire pits, warming stations, beer tents and family-friendly programming.

“Fans get a unique opportunity to wander between clubs, galleries and outdoor stages, catching more than 30 great bands in a single day without even missing a literal beat,” said musician & Brite Music Director Brent Kirby. “It’s important we highlight and strengthen ties to a neighborhood that is foundational to the Northeast Ohio music scene.”

Applications for interested musical acts are being accepted right now and close on October 1, 2026.

As always, Brite Winter remains committed to accessibility, inclusivity and creativity. Ticket details, lineup announcements and volunteer opportunities will be released in the coming months at britewinter.com.

“No matter the weather, Clevelanders turn out year after year to celebrate community, creativity and resilience,” added Hornack. “We can’t wait to welcome to Waterloo this February.”