Winter Carnival 2026 in Saranac Lake will mark a very special milestone for The Waterhole, as current owners Eric Munley & Kiki Sarko celebrate 10 years at the helm of the beloved North Country destination music venue. And to celebrate, they have an incredible lineup of shows throughout Winter Carnival, keeping locals and tourist warm each night with great music selections.
When Eric and Kiki initially opened their doors for a two day Carnival celebration in 2016, while waiting on permanent licensing, the community showed how much the Waterhole mattered. The big question at the time was, “Where will we go if the Waterhole isn’t open?” A decade later, the answer is still the same: right here!
Friday 2/6 & Saturday 2/7
The Blind Owl Band returns for a double-header to kick off Carnival weekend, bringing along their friends Jatoba and Folkfaces to open each night respectively. Expect two nights of rowdy, high-energy pickin’ and foot-stompin’fun. Last year’s Blind Owl Band show sold out in a flash, and we ended up adding a second night on the spot. This time around, we locked in two shows from day one—and there are still tickets left for both!
Sunday Funday 2/8
A FREE downstairs show from 2–6pm with Arthur Buezo & Tyler Wescott, setting the tone for a proper Super Bowl pre-party. Arthur—of The Blind Owl Band—has recently been pouring his energy into his solo project, a savage folk, one-man-band experience that’s raw, rowdy, and undeniably his own.
He’s joined by Tyler Wescott, frontman of Folkfaces, a singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist known for weaving great jokes and stories between songs. It’s the perfect mix of talent, chaos, and charm to warm up your Sunday Funday.
Wednesday 2/11 Come Back to Earth (Live Band Mac Miller Tribute)
The beloved live-band tribute to Mac Miller returns to the Waterhole stage. Their focus on authenticity and attention to detail means every note, every lyric, and every moment is crafted to capture the essence of Mac Miller’s unique artistry. It’s a powerful, emotional, and incredibly fun experience for fans old and new. Special guests Coyote Reverie—the genre-blending project from singer-songwriter Meadow Eliz and producer/emcee Stresselbee—will open the night with a mix of hip-hop, Americana, Neo-Soul, and Indie Pop. Their lush soundscapes and classic hip hop beats make for a perfect pairing.
Thursday 2/12 Annie in the Water + Double Tiger
Annie in the Water brings their signature compassionate, joyful, genre-traversing Americana/ Indie Rock back to Winter Carnival. Led by driving guitars, synths, and a powerhouse rhythm section, they’re known for taking listeners on a musical journey across genres and moods. Opening the night is Double Tiger, making their Winter Carnival debut with reggae rhythms, conscious lyrics, and guaranteed feel-good energy straight out of Ithaca.
Friday 2/13 Sophistafunk + New Planets
It’s Friday the 13th, and this lineup is scary good. New Planets kicks off the night with dance music that blends countless sonic perspectives—borderless, genre-defying, and always groovy. Then Sophistafunk takes over: the unstoppable funk/hip-hop/dance-party trio from Syracuse. Often described as “Rage Against the Machine meets The Roots dipped in P-Funk,”—and yes, many will recognize them as Guy Fieri’s house band.
Saturday Post-Parade Party + After-Fireworks Show
The Post-Parade Party at the Waterhole is the biggest dance party in all of Saranac Lake, and this year BOOYAH will be performing the ultimate live party playlist. The group features multiple members of West End Blend, a band with deep Waterhole & Winter Carnival roots.
Later that night, The Mallett Brothers Band and All Night Boogie Band keep the energy high and the good times rolling after the fireworks.
Bloody Mary Sunday 2/15
Bloody Mary Sunday is always a favorite tradition of Winter Carnival goers—the final day, the final party, and one last chance to celebrate together. A local favorite from Saranac Lake, Nubble has an alternative folk sound that is soaked in Adirondack spirit. Their songs are rich with local color and good vibes, and they always get people moving and smiling. It’s the perfect way to wrap up Carnival with one more free show downstairs.
To guarantee entry, it is strongly recommend purchasing tickets for all shows in advance. Tickets are available for purchase on the Waterhole website or in person at the bar (with zero ticketing fees). If a show is NOT sold out, tickets will also be available at the door. The Waterhole is a 21+ venue.
For more information, visit saranaclakewaterhole.com.
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