WORCESTER – The Out to Lunch Festival and Farmers Market announced the headliners performing at the weekly, mid-day festivals over the summer of 2026.
The joint production of the Downtown Worcester Business Improvement District (BID) and the City of Worcester runs from 11 AM to 3 PM on the Worcester Common Oval each Wednesday from June 24 through August 26.
Each week, the festival features a variety of food vendors, shop with local artists and crafters, connect with community organizations, and explore a weekly farmers’ market featuring fresh produce, baked goods, and locally made products.
Fabian Barracks, Cultural Development Officer for the City of Worcester, said: “The Out to Lunch Festival & Farmers’ Market has become one of those defining summer experiences in Worcester. The 2026 headliner lineup reflects that. There’s a great mix of sounds, styles, and artists that give people a reason to come Downtown every single week, stick around, and feel part of something.”
2026 Out to Lunch Headliners:
- June 24: MINKA | A bold, genre-blending band with a theatrical edge—think Bowie meets Prince with a touch of Talking Heads.
- July 1: Honeycomb | Beatboxer, musician, and viral performer Gable Johnson III delivers high-energy, genre-crossing sets backed by co-signs from artists like T-Pain and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
- July 8: Brown Eyed Women | The world’s only all-female Grateful Dead tribute band, bringing top-tier musicianship and a soulful, jam-driven take on the Dead’s iconic catalog.
- July 15 (Disability Pride Month): Flame | A returning headliner and crowd favorite, delivering beloved hits and originals with global performance experience and undeniable energy.
- July 22: Polyrhythmics featuring Adryon DeLeon | A nationally touring powerhouse blending funk, soul, Afrobeat, and psychedelic rock into groove-heavy, high-energy performances.
- July 29: Acoustic Winos | A Worcester favorite, this acoustic classic rock group brings a fun, crowd-pleasing mix of familiar hits and personality.
- August 5 (National Farmers’ Market Week): Agua Fresca, Tributo a la Sonora Ponceña | Led by renowned percussionist Miguel Martinez, this high-energy ensemble delivers a vibrant tribute to salsa legends Sonora Ponceña with infectious rhythms and nonstop dance energy.
- August 12: Niki Luparelli and the Born to Die Orchestra | With old Hollywood glamour and a sharp, theatrical edge, Niki Luparelli leads this Lana Del Rey tribute blending cinematic sound, dark pop, and bold stage presence.
- August 19: K Fingers Band | Led by New England musician and producer Keith “K Fingers” Muhammad, this groove-driven band blends jazz-funk, R&B, and instrumental soul with sax, guitar, and synth-forward sound.
- August 26: Crocodile River Music Presents Abluno Mbie | A globally inspired performance featuring Mozambican artist Abluno Mbie, blending Afro-soul, jazz, and traditional rhythms into a rich, dynamic sound.
Image Courtesy of the City of Worcester
