ATHENS, Ohio — The Athens Community Arts and Music Festival (ACAMF), an annual celebration of arts and culture, is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated return to Union Street on Saturday, August 1, 2026. This free event promises a day filled with great music, amazing visual arts, and community involvement, catering to individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

Nestled in the heart of Athens, ACAMF has earned acclaim for its intimate outdoor ambiance and diverse lineup of live musical performances, showcasing both local talents and renowned artists from across the nation.

This year, legendary garage-rock icon and powerhouse vocalist Shannon Shaw will headline the main stage on Saturday, August 1st, backed by the Shannon Shaw Band. She’ll be bringing her signature blend of vintage pop, country-soul, and underground punk to the festival.

Best known as the magnetic frontwoman of Oakland’s garage-punk quartet Shannon & the Clams, Shaw’s solo work pushes her massive voice to cinematic new heights. Her live set marries those gritty basement punk roots with the soulful, heartbreaking depth of 1960s girl groups and doo-wop. Often compared to vocal titans like Dusty Springfield and Amy Winehouse, Shaw has a rare ability to turn deep personal grief into triumphant rock-and-roll. Expect an unforgettable, soul-baring performance featuring tracks from her critically acclaimed, Dan Auerbach-produced album, Shannon in Nashville, alongside timeless new hits.

Joining the lineup is an incredible mix of national and regional talent, including Chicago’s lo-fi power pop sensations, Sharp Pins, NYC’s Shilpa Ray, and Bloomington, IN’s Good Flying Birds. Ohio is well represented with Columbus standouts Golomb and Big Fat Head, alongside Athens favorites Adam Remnant & The Signs and Laughing Chimes. Bringing some traditional regional flavor to the festival, Hutchison’s Melody Makers will be on hand to deliver old time appalachian music.

Opening the festival will be two young bands from Stuart’s Opera House Afterschool Music Program: Summer Formal and Blue Suburbia.

Beyond the music, ACAMF offers a vibrant mix of activities, including a curated Art Market featuring unique, handmade work from local and regional makers, alongside interactive educational programs hosted by a variety of local non-profits and arts organizations to spark community connection.

Festival organizer Scott Winland highlights the spirit of the event, sharing, “We are super-excited to bring back the Athens Community Arts and Music Festival for another year (the 26th) of celebration and creativity. This event really captures the heart of our community, bringing together artists, musicians, and music lovers to celebrate everything that makes Athens so unique. We want to extend our sincere gratitude to the City of Athens and all of our sponsors. Their generous support is truly what makes this free event possible every year.”

Admission is entirely free, and everyone is welcome. For updates on the schedule, lineup, and volunteer opportunities, visit the official festival website at https://acamf.com/.