Unfolding for the 43rd time on a picturesque site north of Harbor Springs, last weekend’s Blissfest brought it all: international touring acts, Michigan favorites, family entertainment and more.
Beautiful Bliss: Magical moments abounded at the 2025 northern Michigan music festival. (Photo/Nicholas James Thomasma)
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As always, those attending the annual Blissfest celebration north of Harbor Springs come home with reams of fond memories — musical and otherwise — that make it difficult to single out the best of an entertainment-packed weekend.
The 43rd edition of this Michigan tradition last weekend made that all the more challenging with internationally acclaimed artists such as Trevor Hall and Ozomatli joining an impressive roster of Michigan favorites, many of whom have made this an annual pilgrimage to the north country.
And as always, despite some rainy conditions and beyond the headlining sets by the likes of Elephant Revival, Lindsay Lou, Dustbowl Revival and Steve Poltz were those special, under-the-radar, out-of-the-way collaborations that captivated the lucky attendees who managed to stumble across them.
Sunday Morning Serenade: Luke Winslow-King and Dominic John Davis (Photo/Nicholas James Thomasma)
Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nicholas James Thomasma reveled in one of those on the festival’s final day.
“Hard to pick a favorite moment of the weekend, but one big highlight was on Sunday morning, when festivalgoers were treated with a mesmerizing ‘secret set’ at the Song Tree from Luke Winslow-King, Dominic John Davis, Roberto Luti and Mike Lynch,” he said of the performance by Cadillac native and guitarist Winslow-King with his duo partner Luti, Nashville-based and Detroit-bred bassist Davis (Jack White) and Michigan keyboardist Mike Lynch.
Of course, there was much more. Local Spins writer Sean Miller — who also performed as part of The Real Ingredients duo over the weekend — shared five top highlights from Blissfest 2025.
1. MOLLY – Grand Rapids soul singer Molly and her band had multiple sets throughout the weekend, but their set at the Song Tree on Friday ended with a dance party and thunderous applause.
Kid Stuff: Blissfest’s family flavor. (Photo/Sean Miller)
2. CHILDREN’S AREA – As a parent to a little “blisster,” the kids’ area this year was a definite highlight with the various activities, arts and crafts and other happenings throughout the weekend. It was no doubt a highlight for my little one.
3. OZOMATLI – It was a wet weekend with rain on both Friday and Saturday. However, Ozomatli set up and performed through a downpour before the sun finally came out for a beautiful sunset Saturday night.
4. TREVOR HALL – Trevor Hall followed Ozomatli as Saturday night’s headliner. His set drew in the remaining crowd and celebrated both Blissfest and the rain that, while put a hamper on parts of the fest, was a blessing for the Earth and Blissfest forest.
5. MICHIGAN PERFORMERS – This year had great Michigan representation alongside the regional and national acts. Jen Sygit, Eric Engblade, Annie Capps, Nicholas James Thomasma, Rachael Davis, Lindsay Lou, Kevin Johnson and many others were sprinkled through this year’s festival and could be seen performing at stages all weekend long.
PHOTO GALLERY: Blissfest 2025
Photos by Nicholas James Thomasma and Sean Miller
