The annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival returns Saturday, bringing a lineup of soulful tunes, artisan vendors and local bites amid the start of summer.
Preparing for its 29th year, the festival will take place from noon to 8 p.m. at a new location, Penrose Square (2597 Columbia Pike), hosting several regional and nationally recognized music acts.
More than 50 vendors — about three-quarters of which are Pike-based businesses — are expected to sell handcrafted items, alongside refreshments from restaurants like Los Chamacos, Saboras Tapas Bar, City Kabob and the Rossana coffee truck. Kids can also partake in a moon bounce and face painting.
This year, the stage will be located near the Hair Cuttery at S. Barton Street and 9th Road S., with nearly all vendors and kids’ activities located in the adjacent former CVS parking lot.
If previous years are any indication, Columbia Pike Partnership President Andrew Schneider told ARLnow he’s expecting a crowded festival under sunny skies.
“There will be some space for people to bring their own chairs, and we are providing additional seating in addition to the seating that already exists in the park,” Schneider said. “We imagine that prime seating spots will fill up pretty early, given the popularity of the festival.”
This Saturday’s music lineup is available below, courtesy of the Columbia Pike Partnership.
- Arlington’s own The Curbfeelers kick things off at noon
- Guy Bouchie and Bobby Carrillo-Thompson (frontman of the Bobby Thompson Trio) — two of the D.C. area’s finest, teaming up for a celebration of West Side Blues from 1:30-2:30 p.m.
- Stacy Brooks and the Stacy Brooks Band — past DC Battle of the Bands winner and popular DC Blues superstar from 3-4:15 p.m.
- Ethiopian-born, Connecticut-based, social media rocking, and amazingly talented Amani Burnham from 4:45-6 p.m.
- Electric high-energy and awesome Joslyn and the Sweet Compression close out the festival at 6:30pm
“We are not resting on our laurels after being voted the best festival in Arlington in 2025 by Arlington Magazine readers,” Schneider said. “Our new location at Penrose Square gives us an opportunity to showcase one of our best public spaces on the Pike, highlight dozens of Pike businesses and restaurants, and join together as a community.”
No major road closures are being planned to accommodate this year’s festival, which, in recent years, closed a portion of S. Walter Reed Drive. The only planned closures on Saturday are Penrose Square’s internal roads, located at S. Barton Street and 9th Road S.
The festival is still in need of volunteers. Those who are interested can reach out to Schneider at [email protected].
The Columbia Pike Partnership will continue to host a variety of community programs this season, including Saturday movie nights. This summer’s flicks include “Miss Congeniality” on July 18, “GOAT” on July 25, and “I Know What You Did Last Summer” on Aug. 1.
The Columbia Pike Farmers Market is also continuing to operate from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday at Pike Park, with an expanded vendor list, more seating and live music.
