Article Contributed by Big Hassle Media
Published on 2026-09-17
The second annual Smalltown Gathering is gearing up for a fall weekend filled with music, yoga and community in the Colorado mountains. The family-friendly festival returns to Riverside Park in downtown Salida from September 25–27, 2026.
This year’s music lineup is led by The California Honeydrops, Fruition, Moontricks, Lindsay Lou and Magoo. The weekend also marks one of Fruition’s final festival performances as part of the band’s farewell tour.
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Smalltown Gathering is known for its intimate, family-friendly atmosphere and commitment to community and conscious living. Riverside Park, located along the Arkansas River under the cottonwoods, provides the backdrop for a weekend immersed in music, community and nature.
Unlike large-scale commercial festivals, Smalltown Gathering aims to remain intimate and intentional, integrating the fabric of the Salida community into all aspects of the gathering. Quality over quantity is a guiding principle, and the festival has earned praise for leaving its event spaces cleaner than it found them.
Along with performances on two stages, the festival will feature yoga sessions and workshops led by world-class instructors, a Kids Zone with arts and crafts and children’s yoga, locally created goods from 15 craft vendors, food trucks and more.
All yoga and workshops will take place at Riverside Park, with offerings led by featured instructors Gina Caputo, Mary Beth LaRue, Steph Winsor and Tyler Traficanti, along with host studio Yoga Olas. The weekend will conclude Sunday with gospel yoga and live music continuing through 3 p.m.
The California Honeydrops
Fruition
Moontricks
Lindsay Lou
Magoo
Daniel Rodriguez
Yasmin Williams
Slap Dragon
LowDown Brass Band
Pickin’ on the Dead
LVDY
Bonfire Dub
Silas Herman & The Tone Unit
Ramona
Megan Letts
DJ Sleepy
Floodgate Operators
Gina Caputo
Mary Beth LaRue
Steph Winsor
Tyler Traficanti
Host studio: Yoga Olas
After the main stage closes each night at Riverside Park, music will continue at several venues around Salida. Late-night tickets start at $10, and a $27 Hall Pass provides access to all participating venues. All After Dark shows begin at 10 p.m. and are limited to guests ages 21 and older.
Tres Litros
Friday — LowDown Brass Band
Saturday — Silas Herman’s Pickin’ Party
The Velveteen
Friday — Nash Grass Unit
Saturday — Megan Letts Hosts EVERYONE!
The Vic Salida
Saturday — Ramona Wouters
View Smalltown After Dark information
Camp Coletrain will bring its community-driven music education programming to Smalltown Gathering, giving festivalgoers an opportunity to move beyond the audience and make music of their own.
Camp Coletrain will offer separate workshops for adults and teens and for children ages 6–12. Designed for beginner through intermediate musicians, the workshops will be led by professional touring musicians and educators, including Coleman Smith of Yonder Mountain String Band, David Lawrence of David Lawrence & the Spoonful, Grace Easley and Gordon Lewis of Roma Ransom, and Coletrain Music Academy instructor Kevin Graf.
Beyond the workshops, Camp Coletrain will host free public picks on Friday and Saturday, open to festivalgoers and the greater community. These informal community jams invite musicians to bring an instrument, join the circle and make music together.
The weekend will culminate Sunday with a performance on the Cottonwood Stage showcasing Camp Coletrain teachers and students and bringing the spirit of music education, collaboration and community to the festival stage.
View Camp Coletrain information
Smalltown Gathering
September 25–27, 2026
Riverside Park
Salida, Colorado
Family-friendly
Single-day and weekend tickets are on sale now.
