In episode 63 of the Music Festivals Podcast, we shine the spotlight on the 2026 Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival, a thoughtfully curated early-season gathering coming to Florida Sand Music Ranch in Brooksville, Florida.
To pull back the curtain on what makes Whippersnap tick, I’m joined by Shane LaVigne and Dylan Conway, the creative forces behind this now Florida-based festival. We dig into the inner workings of the event, from Shane’s hands-on approach to top-tier lighting design, to the emphasis on family-friendly activities, immersive art installations, and a music lineup that pushes well beyond the expected.
Watch the episode or listen on your favorite platform, and be sure to subscribe for festival previews, venue tours, and conversations with the folks shaping the scene. See you in Florida.
Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival returns to Florida Sand Music Ranch from February 19–21, 2026, and it’s shaping up to be one of those early-season weekends that rewards a little planning ahead.
Tickets and camping passes for Whippersnap are available through the festival’s official website, with multiple options depending on how you want to experience the weekend. General admission tickets include access to all performances and on-site activities, while RV and car camping passes allow you to settle in under the live oaks and make the ranch home for the duration of the festival. RV camping at Florida Sand Music Ranch is limited and tends to sell out early, so securing those passes sooner rather than later is strongly recommended.
Headliners & Featured Acts
This year's festival is anchored by a powerful group of headliners and featured acts that define the festival’s groove-forward identity.
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe brings deep funk roots and explosive live energy, while Spafford delivers their signature brand of exploratory, high-octane improvisation. Thumpasaurus adds a left-of-center flair with their genre-defying, performance-driven sound, balanced by the slick funk stylings of Eddie Roberts & The Lucky Strokes.
Rising jam-electronic favorites Dizgo and MiniM push dancefloor momentum into late-night territory, while Ajeva and Guavatron round out the top tier with soulful grooves and synth-heavy jamtronica textures. Together, these acts set the tone for a weekend built on movement, rhythm, and musical risk-taking.
Supporting & Regional Bands
Acts like The Heavy Pets, Greenhouse Lounge, and Flow Tribe bring seasoned road-tested energy, while Tru Phonic, Sauce Pocket, and Brain Emoji blur the lines between jam, funk, and electronic music. Cope, Tire Fire, and Antelope add depth with dynamic songwriting and improvisation, while S.P.O.R.E., Sooza, and ZENZI expand the sonic palette with brass-forward and genre-bending approaches.
Artists like Road to Nowhere, Whale Feral, Light The Wire, The Low Heavies, and risKay ensure that every set of the weekend offers something distinct, reinforcing Whippersnap’s commitment to discovery and diversity.
Adding another layer of spontaneity to the weekend, Whippersnap 2026 features a rotating cast of Artists at Large and sit-in performers who help keep sets fluid and unpredictable.
Kanika Moore’s powerhouse vocals bring soul and fire wherever she steps on stage, while Joe Marcinek and Alex Steele contribute guitar-driven versatility that seamlessly fits across genres. The Sooza Horns elevate late-night jams and funk-heavy moments with punchy brass arrangements, creating the kind of collaborative moments that festival memories are made of. These artists embody Whippersnap’s emphasis on connection, collaboration, and the magic that happens when musicians share the stage without a script.
Whippersnap is More than Just the Music
Beyond the stages, Whippersnap offers a full weekend experience, including immersive art installations, family-friendly activities, and late-night programming that keeps the energy moving without feeling overwhelming. The natural layout of Florida Sand Music Ranch allows for easy navigation between stages, campsites, and activity areas, making it an approachable festival for both first-timers and seasoned campers.
For the most up-to-date information on tickets, camping options, lineup announcements, and festival updates, visit the official Whippersnap Music & Arts Festival website and follow the festival’s social channels as new details roll out.
If you’re looking for a relaxed but musically adventurous way to kick off the 2026 festival season, Whippersnap is well worth a spot on your calendar.
I was able to shoot this short video during the Road to Whippersnap Fest stop at Bayboro Brewing in St. Petersburg, Florida on January 10, 2026, capturing a standout keys solo from Delvon Lamarr. These events, promoted by Unusual Noise
The Road to Whippersnap series brings the festival’s musical ethos into intimate rooms across Florida, spotlighting artists who thrive on groove, improvisation, and connection. That night’s lineup reflected the heart of Whippersnap: musicians built for both small stages and festival crowds, where feel matters more than flash.
This moment says everything about what Whippersnap is about. 👀 🫠
Hit play below to watch Delvon Lamarr lock into the groove and bring the room with him — a perfect snapshot of the sound and spirit that defines the festival.
Video Credit: @musicfestivalspodcast — AMAZING KEYS SOLO in St. Pete #florida at the Road to @Whippernsapfest #floridamusic