PREVIEW: Kingston’s 16th Annual O+ Festival
10/09—10/11 in Kingston
For 16 years, the increasingly popular O+ Festival has set up shop in Kingston, and this year it returns in full force on October 9–11. As always, music, art, word, comedy, and health and wellness will be celebrated. With a rotating theme that asks attendees to consider larger systems at work, 2026 is focused on MO+NUMENTS, which considers who and what we choose to honor and why. What becomes possible when we change the systems we inherit?
O+ is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing equitable access to healthcare for artists. Through its initiatives, the organization also strives to show the healing power of art itself.
The Artists’ Clinic is the heart of O+ Festival, where participating artists, musicians, writers, performers, and volunteers may access a variety of healthcare services in exchange for their contributions on the stage. Services include body work, dental care, acupuncture, chiropractic, reiki, dermatology, nutrition counseling, physical exams, mental health resources, and more.
O+ also has public-facing wellness programming open to festival attendees that will offer opportunities to explore a range of topics and modalities throughout the weekend, including wellness workshops, movement, sound healing, presentations from health experts, hands-on activities, and more.
Memphis-based alt-American roots band, Lucero, will headline the music lineup. Other music artists include MC Lars, DJ Alexis Krauss of Sleigh Bells, Doug Gillard of Guided by Voices, SKORTS, Gerry Leonard’s Spooky Ghosts, and local artists Matt Pond PA, The Mammals, Gamelan Kingston, Blair Baldwin, Haunted Cat, RoseAnn Fino, Jared Saltiel, Mundy, Jack Maley, Shiloh the Messenger, Kate Prascher, and more.
There will be public artworks by Casey Inch, Hannah Williams, Sam Kirk, and Justin Lowe with Lon Clark that celebrate the natural resources of the Hudson Valley, the dignity of workers, and the feeling of finding a really good record digging through the stacks at a record store. Exhibitions of artwork by Lexa Walsh, Adriane Colburn, and Jacinta Bunnell will explore the impacts that technology, grief, connection, and nostalgia have on individuals and communities.
Film buffs can enjoy a screening of a short form documentary, Into The Dark, by Fiona Otway. This work explores Otway’s friendship with artist Pete Mauney and observes his unique connection with fireflies.
Basilica Hudson co-founder, Melissa Auf der Maur, will headline the literary lineup, reading from her new memoir Even the Good Girls Will Cry. The book explores her life in the ‘90s alternative rock scenes, bearing witness to the shift from the analog to the digital world, and asks what that experience can contribute to the world of artists today.
The comedy lineup is hosted by Sarah LaDuke of WAMC and Folk Alley and features musical comedy duo Griefcat, Beth Carestia, Gina Ginsberg, Gary Levitt, Sarah Mesler, Rachel Summers, and Tippy Topwell.
Finally, the BlO+ck Party will take place on Saturday, October 10 from 1–6 p.m. in Uptown Kingston on Wall Street. Part of the BlO+ck Party will remain open through 10 p.m., open to the general public and free for all attendees. The rain date for this portion is Sunday, October 11.
Festival wristbands can be purchased by-donation and proceeds directly support O+’s work in providing healthcare for artists. Visit https://opositivefestival.org/ for more information.