Emberlight Festival 2026

This August, the Emberlight Festival returns to the Northwoods for two weekends of music and cinema — bringing world-class artists and global storytelling back to the Historic Ironwood Theatre, Theatre North, and the Hurley Auditorium.

Broadway conductor and pianist Adam Rothenberg returns for a powerful recital exploring the poetry and natural imagery that shape the musical imagination in Poets & Arborists. Featuring solo piano works and original compositions, Rothenberg’s artistry and insight promise an evening of virtuosity, intimacy, and discovery.

Festival founder and Metropolitan Opera tenor Miles Mykkanen returns home for Something Wonderful, a celebratory concert spanning opera, art song, American Songbook, and Broadway showtunes. Joined by Rothenberg and The Broadway Strings, this not-to-be-missed concert marks Emberlight’s return to the Historic Ironwood Theatre to close our season.

The Emberlight International Film Festival expands to five curated screenings featuring bold new films from around the world. Selected from submissions representing more than 80 countries and a highly competitive 3% acceptance rate, EIFF brings audiences a thrilling mix of animation, comedy, drama, and visionary storytelling. Screenings take place at The Ember Club at Theatre North, where audiences enjoy cinema in an intimate club setting with cabaret tables, craft beverages, and Emberlight’s signature hospitality.

Together, these performances form the centerpiece of the 2026 Emberlight season — a celebration of artistry, imagination, and the creative spark that brings people together each summer in Ironwood.