festival OVERVIEW

Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats presented by Flagstar Bank was founded to celebrate the quality of life in Oakland County by offering a culturally unique presentation of artists, musicians and food exhibits, from the Metro Detroit area and throughout the United States.

Michigan Lottery Arts, Beats & Eats Presented by Flagstar Bank was Founded in downtown Pontiac in 1998. In November of 2009, Arts, Beats & Eats announced it would be moving from its former location in the City of Pontiac to Downtown Royal Oak. In 2010, Arts, Beats & Eats celebrated its most successful year to date, hosting more than 400,000 people over four days and raising over $350,000 for local charities. The economic impact to the region was measured at $39 million. In 2023, the festival celebrated its 26th Anniversary.

The festival has generated more than $8.1 million through the Arts, Beats & Eats Foundation for community organizations and local non-profits. In 2026, the ABE Foundation raised more than $400,000 for such organizations.

Arts, Beats and Eats continues to hit major milestones each year, including attracting large crowds, earning top rankings for its juried fine arts show, securing top national entertainment, providing unique interactive programs for the family, and raising funds for local community groups.

Past music performers at Arts, Beats & Eats have included Stone Temple Pilots, Third Eye Blind, Justin Moore, Cole Swindell, Flo Rida, Fitz & the Tantrums, Chase Rice, 311, Brian McKnight, Montgomery Gentry, Live, The B52's, Wilco, The Isley Brothers, Collective Soul, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Martina McBride, G Love & Special Sauce, Jodee Messina, Blues Traveler, Rick Springfield, and many more.

The festival has something to offer to everyone in a child-friendly, safe and secure environment.