FRANKFORT — The Garden Theater in downtown Frankfort announced its full Summer 2026 season, featuring a diverse lineup of live music, film and community-centered events. The season is set to open on Sunday, May 17, with a free community concert, continuing the theater’s mission to foster connection and shared cultural experiences.
The nonprofit, volunteer-powered historic cinema aims to bring people together through these various programs and performances throughout the summer.
The Summer 2026 season highlights the Garden Theater’s dedication to inspiring connection, creativity and belonging within the community. As a volunteer-run organization, it focuses on providing accessible cultural opportunities for all ages.
The season starts on May 17 at 5:00 p.m. with the Stories That Heal Community Concert. This free, all-ages event focuses on the power of storytelling and music, originating from an intergenerational arts program designed to promote healing, empathy and resilience through songwriting and creative expression.
Later in May, the theater will host Songwriters in the Round on Thursday, May 21, at 7:30 p.m. This event will feature Grammy Award-winning musician Andrew Dost, who is a Frankfort native, alongside acclaimed singer-songwriter Joan Shelley, multi-instrumentalist Tim Jones and Interlochen Arts Academy leader Courtney Kaiser-Sandler. Audiences are invited to experience the creative process as artists share both their songs and the narratives behind them.
The Live at the Garden Summer Concert Series will begin in June, showcasing nationally and regionally recognized musicians. Performances include Daisy May and Little Dipper on June 20, Mason Via on July 10 and Cruz Contreras and The Black Lillies on Aug. 14. All concerts start at 7:30 p.m., with doors opening an hour earlier at 6:30 p.m., offering an intimate live music experience.
Film enthusiasts can participate in the 9th Annual Frankfort48 Film Contest from June 26–28. This event challenges filmmakers to complete a short film, including writing, shooting and editing, within 48 hours, based on specific prompts revealed at the kickoff. The contest concludes with a public screening and awards ceremony on Sunday, June 28, at 7:30 p.m., celebrating storytelling from Northern Michigan.
The second annual Summer Get Down Concert is scheduled for Aug. 28, inviting the community for a late-summer celebration with music and dancing. Additionally, throughout the season, the theater will screen summer blockbusters and continue its free movie series, which includes classic films such as “Dazed and Confused” and “Thelma and Louise.”
Many of the season’s events rely on the support of dedicated volunteers, with the greatest need during the busy summer period. Volunteer opportunities include ticketing, concessions and event support. Individuals interested in volunteering can find more information and sign up at gardentheater.org/volunteer.
For full event details, ticket purchases and ongoing updates, the public can visit gardentheater.org. To stay informed about new films and events, individuals can sign up for the theater’s email newsletter at gardentheater.org/newsletter. Updates are also available by following the Garden Theater on Facebook (TheGardenTheater) and Instagram (@thegardentheater).
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