SWANZEY, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) Thousands of music fans are expected to return to the Cheshire Fairgrounds next month as Northlands Live celebrates its fifth year with an expanded festival experience that combines live music, camping, visual arts and community activities.

Scheduled for June 19-21, the three-day event will feature more than 30 musical acts across multiple stages while introducing new camping options, additional wellness activities and enhanced opportunities for attendees to interact with local artists and vendors.

Festival organizers say the event has continued to gain momentum in recent years, drawing larger crowds while maintaining the smaller-scale atmosphere that has become a hallmark of the gathering.

Headliners for the 2026 festival include Joe Russo’s Almost Dead, Dirty Heads and The Disco Biscuits. The lineup also features performances by Dogs in a Pile, Little Stranger, Andy Frasco, Lotus, Yonder Mountain String Band and several other nationally touring acts.

A distinctive feature of the festival remains its collaborative performances. Returning artist-at-large Kanika Moore is expected to appear with multiple artists throughout the weekend, creating unique sets that organizers say cannot be replicated elsewhere.

This year’s event also includes the debut of an expanded Sunset Ridge camping section intended to improve access between campsites and performance areas. The campground’s secondary stage will once again host late-night performances and special collaborations after the main stage schedule concludes.

Festival co-founder Seth McNally said independent festivals have become increasingly uncommon across the country, making community-centered events like Northlands especially important for artists and fans alike.

In addition to music, the festival will showcase regional food vendors, artisans and small businesses from across New England. Live mural painting, interactive art installations and other visual arts programming are planned throughout the weekend.

Organizers are also expanding wellness offerings in 2026 with activities such as yoga classes, mindfulness sessions and hands-on creative workshops. Sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing waste and encouraging reusable materials will continue as part of the festival’s environmental efforts.

Festival producer Jennifer Meyerhardt said the event’s smaller capacity helps create a more personal atmosphere while still providing many of the amenities associated with larger music festivals.

Families are also encouraged to attend, with a dedicated children’s activity area offering arts and crafts and other hands-on programming throughout the weekend.

Tickets start at $129, with both single-day and weekend passes available. Camping packages ranging from standard car camping to upgraded options are also being offered.

Northlands Live is held annually at the Cheshire Fairgrounds and combines live music, camping, arts programming and local vendors in the Monadnock Region.

For tickets and more information: www.northlandslive.com