Longest Night Music Festival Returns Sunday, December 21

Free Community Celebration of Music, Light, and Connections

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center invites the community to gather for one of its most cherished annual traditions: the Longest Night Music Festival, held this year on Sunday, December 21, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. 

This free Winter Solstice celebration features an eclectic lineup of local and regional musicians, cozy atmosphere, and an evening of connection on the longest night of the year.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and music begins at 7:00 p.m. in the Cultural Center’s warm and intimate gallery listening-room setting. Admission is free, and all are welcome. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available throughout the evening.

Since 2009, the Longest Night has brought neighbors and friends together for an informal, joy-filled gathering—an opportunity to pause, listen, and celebrate the creativity and generosity that brighten our community at the height of winter. The event is also the Cultural Center’s way of saying thank you to the community for its ongoing support of the arts.

2025 Music Line-Up

This year’s festival features a diverse and talented group of returning favorites and exciting new performers:

• Kevin Mastel (NYM) — A lifelong musician whose influences span the 1970s classics to modern folk, bluegrass, and gospel.
  
• Dave Virnala (NYM) — A Longest Night tradition himself, Dave has performed at every festival to date, sharing heartfelt stories and songs inspired by John Prine and Guy Clark.
  
• Ken Waldman (Alaska) — Known as “Alaska’s Fiddling Poet,” Waldman brings four decades of performance, 12 recordings, and 24 books. A celebrated touring artist and the Cultural Center’s current artist-in-residence.
  
• Amanda Standalone (Crosby) — A fan favorite whose soulful blend of folk and blues, rich vocals, and multi-instrumental talent have captivated Cultural Center audiences for years.
  
• Nick Bordwell, Aaron Johnson & Keith Johnson (Moorhead & Henning) — A trio blending guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and tight harmonies.
  
• Zac & Sarah Harding (Ottertail roots) — A new duo sharing a heartfelt performance grounded in deep local roots and fresh musical chemistry.
  
• Elliot Frost (NYM) — Known by some as “Dude Central,” Elliot brings enthusiasm, versatility, and youthful charm to the stage in his return to the festival.
  
• Kip Peltoniemi (NYM) — A genre-defying accordionist with a career spanning international performances, Finnish recordings, and award-winning albums—and the Cultural Center’s own Building Supervisor.
  

“This festival is all about celebrating light, warmth, and the creative spirit that strengthens our community,” said Executive Director Betsy Roder. “Whether you stay for the whole evening or stop in for a song or two, you’ll be welcomed.”

Support the Longest Night

While admission is free to ensure accessibility for all, the event is not without cost. Community members who wish to support this tradition or sponsor a Longest Night artist are invited to do so by donating online (https://kulcher.networkforgood.com/events/93181-2025-longest-night-music-festival) or by contributing at the event.

Event Details: Longest Night Music Festival 2025 @ NYMRCC

• Sunday, December 21, 2025
• Doors Open 6:30 PM | Music Begins 7:00 PM
• New York Mills Regional Cultural Center, 24 N Main Ave, NYMills
• Free to attend & open to all | No reservations required
• Cash bar + refreshments available

This marks the final Cultural Center concert of 2025 and a wonderful opportunity to pause and connect during the busy holiday season. All are welcome to join in celebrating local creativity and community spirit.

This activity is made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Lake Region Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

For more information, call 218-385-3339 or visit https://www.kulcher.org/longest-night-music-festival-2025/

About the Cultural Center

The New York Mills Regional Cultural Center is a rural hub for creativity, community vitality, and lifelong learning in the arts. The Center offers visitors intimate opportunities to encounter art and artists in its 80-seat concert listening room, visual art gallery in a historic building, gift shop featuring local artists, artist residency program, sculpture park, and a variety of opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Since its incorporation in 1990, the Cultural Center has been passionate about connecting people to artists and rich cultural experiences in rural Minnesota, celebrating the local and being a window to the world. For more information, call 218-385-3339, or visit www.kulcher.org.