Heard It Here First

Pretty Lights is curating something truly time bending for Yahn Dawn 2026, a thoughtfully crafted music and arts festival nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Located in Buena Vista, Colorado, the backdrop speaks directly to the theme of Yahn Dawn 2026, A Trip Thru Time.

If you like journey sets and embarking on a musical odyssey, Yahn Dawn is for you. Pretty Lights has magnified a journey set and scaled it into a whole weekend of magic. PL will walk us through his progression as an artist over the years and how the project has transformed. A project that has been in progress for over a decade has amassed a deep catalog.

This September, many fans, old and new, will be jumping aboard the Soundship bus to experience the evolution of Pretty Lights and get a taste of some of their favorite tracks!

The people have spoken, and two nights at Yahn Dawn last year were not enough. In 2026, the festival expands into a three day experience with a preparty, compared to Yahn Dawn’s debut last year, which was only two days.

Thursday night, September 17th, is the date to save. Early Arrival pass holders will cruise into Meadow Creek for the Opening Ceremony, symbolizing the birth of the Pretty Lights universe. This moment will be especially special for longtime listeners, being led by founding members Derek Vincent Smith and Michal Menert. They will showcase the foundations that eventually became Pretty Lights.

Night one is not holding back with its originality. LP Giobbi, Femme House creator, is giving us a treat. She is mixing some timeless Grateful Dead cuts with the essence of house for a groovy psychedelic adventure. Other acts to look forward to on Friday include Faceplant, MADHAUS, Maddy O’Neal’s alias, Midicinal, R!AHT, and TheBusiness.

Saturday kicks off at 10 AM with the Horizon 5K Sprint. If you sign up, you’ll get a race bib and a free T shirt, and if you start to work up a sweat, no problem. The creek running through the festival grounds is the perfect spot to cool off afterward.

Saturday’s music rolls in full throttle. Coming in as some well known local powerhouses are Thought Process, Pheel, and WeSelects. Thought Process has a special liquid drum and bass set queued up for the folks.

Saturday will be a night to remember with Emancipator’s hypnotic ensemble. Underground bass is more prevalent in the lineup for Saturday, as Dark City Agent, Parrott, Shooka, and Underlux take the stage, showcasing their low end soundscapes.

Sunday comes in with some standout sets to finish up the weekend. Electronic icon Gramatik will be joining us Sunday, along with RJD2 and Saturna. Holding true to the journey of the weekend, Sunday being the last day, symbolizes a new chapter of the PL project. A new dawn is upon us for many, not just PL.

For those of you who have not visited a Colorado festival or Meadow Creek Campgrounds before, here are a few recommendations to keep in mind.

The question is always, when spending a weekend surrounded by nature and music, what does the weather look like out there? Colorado temperatures can be all over the place. During the day, it can reach 85 degrees and feel hot, while nighttime temperatures can drop into the 50s and get pretty chilly. With that in mind, I would pack for all seasons. A late night chilly fit is always a good idea. Additionally, with the creek running through the festival grounds, I would not forget your swim trunks. This little slice of heaven can be the perfect way to cool off during those hot Colorado days. Last year’s attendees had plenty to say about spending time by the creek, dipping in, cooling off, and enjoying the laid back atmosphere.

Between the themed lineup, the music, and the beautiful festival grounds, Pretty Lights is creating something very special with Yahn Dawn.

I’m not sure who asked for a full rinsing of the Pretty Lights catalog, but geez, thank you!

Still need tickets? They are available here with options for whatever kind of weekend you are looking for, including weekend passes and single day tickets. Yahn Dawn is also accommodating RVs, glamping, and VIP packages. VIP gets you a little more of the Yahn Dawn experience, including an exclusive merch package and first entry into the venue. If you want to take it up another notch, the VIP Total Fascination Package comes with a pre set Luna Bell tent, complimentary Thursday Early Arrival, and access to an exclusive campsite with easy access to the festival grounds.

Which time period in the Pretty Lights project are you most looking forward  to experiencing at Yahn Dawn? Let us know on socials and in the comments below.  We hope to see you there!

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