Brite Winter, Cleveland's annual wintertime music festival, will make a big shift in 2026, moving from the Flats and into the East Side of town. The well-attended event will take over Waterloo Arts District on Saturday, Feb. 21.
The lineup hasn't been announced yet.
The festival will likely make use of local music venues like the Beachland Ballroom and Tavern and The Treelawn, along with numerous local art galleries, eateries and shops. It will also utilize outdoor spaces on the street.
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“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,” says Emily Hornack, co-founder and executive director of Brite Winter, in a news release. “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.”
The 2026 festival will be Brite Winter's 17th, and will feature at least 30 bands and five stages, according to a news release. Expect fire pits, warming stations and beer tents to return as well.
This isn't the first time Brite Winter has changed neighborhoods. In 2016, it moved from the Ohio City neighborhood to the Flats — and in 2025, it moved from the West Bank to the East Bank of the Flats.
Now, the festival will bring its blend of arts, music and dining to Waterloo for one day of winter fun.
“Hosting Brite will provide great exposure for our neighborhood’s businesses, residents and all we have to offer,” says Allison Lukacsy-Love, vice-president of Greater Collinwood Development Corporation's board of directors, in a news release. “We can’t wait to show off Waterloo in February.”
Ticket details and the festival lineup will be announced in the coming months at Brite Winter's website. Find more details at britewinter.com.
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