Passport Music Festival Returns to Creative Cauldron

Creative Cauldron is kicking off 2026 with a musical trip around the world—no passport required. The beloved Passport Music Festival returns to Falls Church for its 15th year, bringing a month of genre-hopping concerts to the intimate Creative Cauldron Stage at ArtSpace. Running January 9 through February 1, 2026, the festival is curated by Wammie Award-winning artists Ken Avis and Lynn Veronneau, and it’s built for music fans who love discovering something new while still getting that warm, live-performance glow.

Passport Music Festival at Creative Cauldron

What makes Passport such a winter favorite is the variety. Over four packed weeks, audiences can expect everything from folk and rockabilly to Latin rhythms, soulful tributes, jazz ensembles, blues legends, and global traditions—often in the span of a single weekend. It’s the kind of series where you can come for a guitar-driven roots night, return for a dance-party salute to disco royalty, and then wrap it all up with a Mardi Gras-style finale that practically demands you leave your seat.

The festival opens with a “guitar heroes and roots legends” weekend that sets the tone right away. Dave Chappell & Anthony Pirog launch the series on Friday, January 9, with a tribute inspired by the iconic sounds of Danny Gatton and Roy Buchanan, followed by The Kennedys on Saturday, January 10, returning with their signature harmony-rich, high-energy folk-pop charm. Sunday, January 11, brings a doubleheader: first, The Nighthawks, longtime DC blues and roots favorites led by harpmaster Mark Wenner, then The Rock-A-Sonics closing the day with a rockabilly celebration timed to Elvis Presley’s birthday.

Week two leans into “global alchemy and soulful tributes,” highlighted by VERONNEAU on Friday, January 16, featuring vocalist Lynn Veronneau and music from their album Blue Tapestry. On Saturday, January 17, Wammie-winning artist Cecily turns the Cauldron into a 70s-inspired dance party with “The Queens of Disco,” and the weekend continues with the Blues Alley Youth Orchestra on Sunday afternoon, January 18, followed that evening by Abbie Palmer, whose harp-driven set travels across Celtic, African, New Age, and Hip-Hop influences.

Week three is a standout for blues lovers and storytelling fans alike. Carly Harvey, often hailed as “DC’s Queen of the Blues,” takes the stage on Friday, January 23, bringing the powerhouse presence that’s made her a must-see performer. Spyros Koliavasilis follows on Saturday, January 24, blending Greek rebetiko traditions with modern ethno-jazz. Sunday, January 25, offers another two-part day: Generations of Vocal Jazz unites Capital City Voices with the Ballou High School Vocal Ensemble in a collaboration led by directors Alison Crockett and Barry Moton, and Grey Jacks closes the evening with an exclusive album fan-release concert rooted in Americana, family ties, and intergenerational stories.

The festival wraps up with a “quiet storm” vibe and a full-on celebration. IO The Singer headlines Saturday, January 31, paying tribute to the smooth, soulful era of “Quiet Storm” with beloved hits associated with artists like Sade, Anita Baker, and Marvin Gaye. On Sunday, February 1, audiences can catch Raymi in the afternoon, featuring the traditional sounds of the Andes brought to life with zampoñas and quenas, then toast the grand finale at 7:30 PM with Little Red and the Renegades, a Mardi Gras closing party filled with Zydeco, New Orleans R&B, and irresistible accordion-led grooves.

For longtime fans, Passport is a tradition; for first-timers, it’s one of the easiest ways to sample an incredible range of artists in a welcoming, up-close setting. Creative Cauldron—an award-winning nonprofit founded in 2002—has spent more than two decades building a reputation for adventurous programming, education, and community-driven arts experiences, and the festival is a perfect snapshot of that spirit. If you’re looking for a bright, music-filled escape in the heart of winter, Passport Music Festival is ready to take you there.