GroundUP Music Festival

The GroundUP Music Festival returns to the Miami Beach Bandshell in North Beach March 13 to 15, 2026 for a weekend of eclectic live music, an intimate benefit party, masterclasses, workshops and late-night after-party jams.

Founded in 2017 by local arts veteran Paul Lehr and Snarky Puppy bandleader Michael League, GroundUP has been named one of the “top 10 definitive music moments of the decade” by the New York Times. It’s beloved for its relaxed, intimate atmosphere, wildly dynamic lineups and collaborative jam sessions, routinely drawing musicians and music-lovers and from all 50 states and more than 50 countries.

GroundUP Music Festival Lineup

The main event takes place on Saturday from 1 to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m., featuring stacked lineups from day to night. Both days are headlined by Snarky Puppy’s Family Dinner sessions, a live extension of the instrumental collective’s Grammy-winning Family Dinner recordings. During these sessions, Snarky Puppy jams with a rotating lineup of guest artists.

The Saturday night Family Dinner session includes Bilal, Rickie Lee Jones and Varijashree Venugopal, while Sunday night’s jam will include Flying Lotus, Patrice Rushen and Arooj Aftab. These make for one-of-a-kind, not-to-be-missed performances.

Each afternoon’s lineup kicks off with a solo set by Snarky Puppy, followed by a groovy lineup of artists, from Patrice Rushen and Alain Perez to Isaiah Sharkey and Julian Lage.

GroundUP Foundation Benefit

The GroundUP Music Festival kicks off on Friday with the exclusive GroundUP Foundation Benefit, an event supporting the foundation’s mission to provide educational resources, mentorship and performance opportunities for emerging and underserved musicians.

Limited to just 150 guests, the benefit includes food, drinks and exclusive performances by Snarky Puppy and other festival musicians. The location and time are TBA, but past benefits have taken place at a private waterfront residence on Miami Beach. Benefit ticket holders also receive access to closed rehearsals with Snarky Puppy and festival artists all day Friday.

Late Night Jams

The festival winds down around 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday night, but the party is far from over. Late Night Jams continue into the wee hours at Lakou in Little Haiti, where you never know who might get up and jam.

Workshops & Masterclasses

The GroundUP Music Festival hosts interactive workshops, masterclasses and panel discussions throughout the weekend led by members of Snarky Puppy and featured guest artists. These sessions explore musicianship, improvisation, composition and collaboration, offering audiences direct access to the creative process.

Tickets

Single day general admission tickets start at $109, while weekend passes go for $199 plus fees. Tax-deductible tickets to the GroundUP Foundation Benefit are $479 plus fees. Premium passes, private cabanas, all-in passes and late night passes are also available.

Tips for Attending

Public parking is available in the lot across from the Miami Beach Bandshell, as well as in several nearby lots and street parking. The venue is easily accessible via the pedestrian- and bike-friendly City of Miami Beach Beachwalk.

By: Shayne Benowitz | March 6, 2026