The Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF) and Ann Arbor District Library (AADL) are proud to co-present a vibrant, diverse, family-friendly lineup of free programs during the 43rd season, taking place June 12-28, 2026. All events are free and open to the public at Top of the Park, while The Crossword Show and The Kif-Kif Sisters: Returns Department are free at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre with advance reserved seating available online.
A2SF and AADL have partnered for more than two decades to create unique arts experiences for Ann Arbor Summer Festival audiences and Ann Arbor District Library cardholders during the summer season and throughout the year. Activities have ranged from workshops at library branches and hosting visiting artists, to co-presenting large-scale, outdoor street performance and commissioned public art projects.
Together, A2SF and AADL have launched Kids Rock, a series featuring indie musicians performing family-friendly sets; presented Monuments by Craig Walsh as part of the A200 Celebration, hosted engaging talks from artists such as Reggie Watts; and collaborated on dozens of creative projects serving residents and visitors alike.
Through a shared commitment to community access and engagement, the organizations continue to collaborate on experiences that celebrate creativity, strengthen connections, and help ensure the arts remain welcoming and accessible to all.
FREE TICKETED EVENTS
The Crossword Show
Thursday, June 18 • 7:00PM | Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
Host Zach Sherwin presides as two guest comedians solve a crossword puzzle live on stage, with everything displayed on a big screen so you can follow along. As the solvers decipher the clues, Zach takes the show down rabbit holes of comedy, music, wordplay, and trivia, all inspired by the answer words. Everything ties together at the end for a grand finale that’s as satisfying as it is mind-blowing. Whether you’re a daily solver or have never attempted a crossword puzzle in your life, you’ll be dazzled by this joyful, nerdy, one-of-a-kind comedy wordplay extravaganza.
The Kif-Kif Sisters: Returns Department
June 20 & 21 • Various Times | Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre
A2SF is thrilled to welcome the Kif-Kif Sisters back for a second season, this time with their stage show, Returns Department.
Twin sisters welcome you to the Returns Department, where merchandise returned to the store by disgruntled customers is inspected. They discover all sorts of dysfunctional objects and manufacturing defects on their conveyor belt. For them, dealing with complaints is like opening a box of chocolates. Little by little, the temptation to play with the merchandise takes hold, but the objects themselves play some tricks of their own!
The Kif-Kif Sisters, identical twin sisters from Montréal, Canada, have been captivating audiences worldwide since 2007 with their innovative visual shows for both stage and outdoor public spaces. Renowned for their tender yet intelligent humor, their performances resonate with both children and adults alike. Their unique blend of physical theater, circus arts, music, puppetry, and performance art has been showcased over 1,000 times across 20 countries.
Run time is approximately 55 minutes.
All audiences ages 4+
Schedule
Saturday, June 20 at 4:00PM – Reserve your free seat
Sunday, June 21 at 4:00PM – Reserve your free seat
Sunday, June 21 at 6:00PM – Reserve your free seat
FREE EVENTS AT TOP OF THE PARK
Kids Rock: The Shake Ups
Sunday, June 14 • 6:15PM | Rackham Stage
Award-winning Midwestern-based power pop group the Shake Ups are back at A2SF this summer! Inspired by pop culture and cartoons, both classic and new, their ultra-fun combination of co-ed vocals, danceable hooks, and catchy melodies makes for a live experience easily enjoyed by audiences of all ages. The band has released several collections of critically acclaimed original music tributes to animated series, from Scooby Doo and Voltron to Steven Universe and My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. It’s little wonder that their concerts are often described as Saturday morning cartoon-fueled extravaganzas. The band recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with the release of a new album titled In Orbit. The Shake Ups are professional crowd pleasers…and the Midwest’s most animated band! Come shake it up with the Shake Ups at Top of the Park this summer!
Great Lakes Taiko Center
Tuesday, June 16 • 5:30PM | Lawn
Great Lakes Taiko Center (GLTC) is an arts and culture collective based in Southeast Michigan USA, dedicated to sharing Taiko arts experiences through education and performances since 2009. Taiko, meaning drum in Japanese, is rooted in the ancestral wisdom and cultural history of Japanese music traditions. Today, it continues to grow as a global cultural arts movement that amplifies imagination, uplifts spirits, and builds community. Through the art of Taiko, GLTC members and supporters embody practices of collective care and creative connection in their communities as they drum, dance, and dream together. Audiences won’t want to miss this dynamic, joyous experience live at A2SF this summer!
FLIP Fabrique: Summer Break
June 17 & 18 • Various Times | Top of the Park
Remember your first summer camp? Campfires, sticky marshmallows, late-night laughter, and that pillow fight that ended in the infirmary?
FLIP Fabrique brings it all back with Summer Break, a high-energy circus experience bursting with nostalgia, acrobatics, and playful surprises. Jump on the Vacation Bus as it rolls into Top of the Park for a joyful celebration of summer freedom, friendship, and adventure.
A2SF continues our proud tradition of presenting dazzling international spectacles and contemporary circus feats. This outdoor sensation at Top of the Park is free for everyone. Come early, bring a blanket, and be part of the magic.
Run time is approximately 30 minutes.
With support from the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.
Schedule:
Wednesday, June 17 at 5:45PM & 7:30PM
Thursday, June 18 at 5:45PM & 7:30PM
Nerd Nite with AADL
Wednesday, June 17 • 7:00PM | The Annex
Gather ‘round for an evening of informed and informal talks from a friendly neighborhood expert! We’ll have three speakers, each presenting on a different topic and sharing interesting facts that you never knew you never knew! Past Nerd Nite speakers have led deep dives into topics from the legacy of Louis Pasteur, to the origin of elements, to how a trumpet works, to a dissection of romance novel tropes. So bring a friend, grab a drink, and enjoy an evening among fellow nerds. Be there and be square!
AADL World Famous Trivia
Friday, June 19 • 5:30PM | The Annex
Join AADL for this adult-oriented trivia event at the Annex. Compete in two rounds of exciting trivia action for big prizes, AADL swag, and glory!
For more trivial info, follow this link: https://aadl.org/worldfamoustrivia
Sousapalooza: Make Music Day
Sunday, June 21 • 4:30PM | Top of the Park
What’s Make Music Day without America’s most famous marches? AADL welcomes wind band players of all levels of skill and experience to join us and our esteemed conductor, Colonel (Rtd.) Jason Fettig, former director of the United States Marine Band, and Director of Bands at the University of Michigan, for SOUSAPALOOZA! With just one rehearsal, we’ll perform John Philip Sousa’s greatest hits and more at Top of the Park.
Kids Rock: Go Banana Go!
Sunday, June 21 • 6:30PM | Rackham Stage
A2SF is pleased to welcome family-friendly comedy band Go Banana Go! Making their Top of the Park debut, the duo is composed of Emmy Award-winning songwriter/producer Jim Roach and Brian Wecht. Both fathers, with a delightfully offbeat sense of humor, began the band in 2019 after working together on numerous other projects, including Wecht’s other comedy bands NSP and Starbomb. Since then, the duo has released four full-length albums, one EP, and several singles, including collaborations with the actor, comedian, and techno DJ Flula Borg. Bring your dancing shoes and get the kiddos ready to bop, laugh, and have tremendous amounts of fun with Go Banana Go!
Printmaking with AADL
Tuesday, June 23 • 5:30PM | The Annex
Get ready to get crafty! Drop in for a fun, hands-on printmaking session. Bring your creativity, bring your friends, and leave with something totally unique. It’s fun, it’s free, and it’s all about A2! See you there! No experience needed and all supplies are provided.
A2SF events are supported by a generous community of individuals, foundations, and businesses. The 2026 Title Sponsors are the Ann Arbor District Library, City of Ann Arbor, Destination Ann Arbor, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, Muth Law, O&W, the University of Michigan, and Washtenaw County.
Events at Top of the Park will take place between June 12-28, 2026.
A2SF champions performing arts, outdoor entertainment, and community spirit. In addition to a multi-week festival each June that attracts a diverse audience of thousands of people and offers over 200 concerts, art exhibitions, kids’ activities, spectacles, and film screenings, A2SF presents compelling experiences throughout the year on the campus of the University of Michigan and throughout Washtenaw County.
The mission of A2SF is to present a world-class celebration of arts and entertainment that enriches the cultural, economic, and social vitality of the region. A2SF was founded as a partnership between the University of Michigan and the City of Ann Arbor and produced its first season in 1984. For more information on all events, please visit A2SF.ORG.
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Press Photos:
Press Photo – The Crossword Show
Press Photo – The Kif-Kif Sisters: Returns Department
Press Photo – The Shake Ups
Press Photo – Great Lakes Taiko Center
Press Photo – FLIP Fabrique: Summer Break
Press Photo – Nerd Nite with AADL
Press Photo – AADL World Famous Trivia
Press Photo – Sousapalooza: Make Music Day
Press Photo – Go Banana Go!
Press Photo – Printmaking with AADL