Heard It Here First

Get your dancing shoes on because the sophomore year of Yahn Dawn, Pretty Lights’ curated festival, is not holding back. Taking place in Buena Vista, Colorado, Yahn Dawn is once again calling Meadow Creek home. Tucked cozily amidst the Rocky Mountains, Yahn Dawn 2026 is shaping up to be one of the top curated events of this year’s festival season.

A Trip Thru Time

With the weekend themed “A Trip Thru Time,” some may expect a time machine…or even hot tub time machine… Making music across two separate decades, Pretty Lights’ music not only physically but metaphysically transcends time, so he has no need for either. September 18th to 20th, the whole weekend, PL will be guiding festival goers through his timeless catalog, closing out each night at the mainstage with a three hour sonic journey.

The three night experience will explore different eras, sounds, fan favorites, deep cuts, and unknown material from the Pretty Lights catalog, giving fans the opportunity to experience the music in a setting built around , discovery, connection, and community.

Starting Thursday, the Prismatic Playa will feature performances from Pretty Lights founding members Derek and Michal Menert, alongside Mikey Thunder, Mossy Projects, and special guests.

Continuing through the weekend there’s a stacked lineup of some well known acts and some more underground favorites. Some performances of the weekend include Saturna, Dark City Agent, Mondo Koosh, MADHAUS (Maddy O’Neal),Thought Process, Shooka, Emancipator, Gramatik, Mondo Koosh, RJD2, Pants, TF MARZ, and more.

I encourage festival goers to turn on and trust their internal magnet, allowing their heart and ears to lead the weekend. I have found that this often allows for the discovery of new workshops, new connections, and new artists.

Although I want you to trust your internal compass, there are always a few acts of the weekend you simply cannot miss. Check them out under the daily schedules below.

Don’t have a ticket yet? No problem. Tickets are still available, so grab yours here.

Our Can’t Miss Artists at Yahn Dawn 2026

LP Giobbi

LP Giobbi is starting up the party Friday on the Main Stage, and is gifting Yahn Dawn deadhead attendees a surprise gift – her Dead House set!

These sets integrate classic Grateful Dead tracks and pair them with LP Giobbi’s house grooves. With the theme being “A Trip Thru Time,” I find this being on night one on the Main Stage truly a flash from the past. Giobbi’s Dead House is a head nod to a creative project that has and will continue to influence music.

Based on her previous Dead House sets, festival goers can anticipate vocals, piano, and guitar riffs throughout this set. The symbiosis of her vocals and piano is something I personally really enjoy. It adds a soulful element that digs deep into the listener’s being.

Take me to church, LP Giobbi!!!

Pheel.

It is to no one’s surprise that both Pheel and Thought Process are on the lineup for Yahn Dawn. Both representing the fan-favorite label all:Lo, these two have been a huge influence in the local Denver experimental bass scene.

Bring your swimmies because Pheel will be taking the stage at the Prismatic Playa on Saturday. I am praying Pheel will have some fresh tunes from his newest LP, Siuslaw, dropped. I could see him slapping down his new track, “leg diamond,” toward the end of his set to fluidly flow into Thought Process’  Liquid Drum and Bass set for Yahn Dawn 2026.

Thought Process

Fresh off his opening set for GRiZ at Red Rocks, the production maestro and multi-talented instrumentalist known as Thought Process is back with a fresh Liquid DnB set to get people’s night started. He’s another dominating force in the experimental bass world that really needs to be on your radar, whether you are attending Yahn Dawn or not. Not to mention his ever-impressive live band, which is a rarity to catch. This set will be even more special, with him bringing soothing Liquid DnB to a crowd full of Pretty Lights fam on the Prismatic Playa, curating the perfect vibe.

Thought Process and Pheel will also be throwing down a late night b2b set, playing the Holographic Soiree.

Emancipator

For those of you who love creative and fluid ambiance that gets your body moving with the wind, Emancipator will be just the set for you.

Doug Appling, often accompanied by an ensemble of instruments and musicians, creates something genuinely magical onstage. He is truly a live performer. His sets are so fluid that it can feel like an ongoing jam session. I am especially excited to hear his most recent release, “Koda,” on the big stage. The flute and violin get me amped up in this song. This track is one of three singles from his upcoming album “Chrysalis.”  I am beyond stoked to see this performed live and hopefully he gives us a taste of some unreleased songs from this forthcoming album. 

Emancipator is an icon in the electronic music world and catching him play right into pretty Lights is going to be truly legendary.

TheBusiness.

Michael Barry out of Delaware has been crafting funky beats as TheBusiness. for over a decade. We love seeing real recognize real with Pretty Lights putting on TheBusiness to thousands of festival goers. TheBusiness. also has a ton of fire Pretty Lights remixes, ranging from “More Important Than Michael Jordan” to “Hot Like Sauce.”

TheBusiness. has collided with fellow pillars of the underground on collaborations in the past, like MIDIcinal, Choppy Oppy, Bass Temple, and the way he merges instrumentation and electronic beats stirs the soul. This is an official CAN’T MISS set Friday Night after LP Giobbi and Pretty Lights.

Beyond the Music

Beyond the music, there is so much more happening at Yahn Dawn 2026. Colorado’s natural spirit shines bright at Yahn Dawn, with holistic and wellness inspired workshops spread throughout the weekend. Workshops span from yoga, cacao ceremonies, breathwork, meditation, and sound healing.

Lace up your kicks on Saturday for Yahn Dawn’s Horizon 5K Sprint. With 400 attendees last year, it is apparent how the Pretty Lights universe and community align with prioritizing physical health. This year’s proceeds will go toward supporting the Buena Vista Pride Coalition.

As a music lover and regular festival goer, I truly believe in and have felt the healing powers of sound. Based on the somatic sound healing offerings for Yahn Dawn 2026, Pretty Lights’ understanding of this is prevalent.

For those who love yoga and music, Quantum Yin may be the workshop for you. This workshop integrates sound and movement, coupling Yin yoga with live music. Lisa Parent brings us The RM Method™, along with Sierra Dawn leading us through the closing festival portal with sound healing and a Reiki ceremony. It is truly a pleasure to have the network of healers involved with Yahn Dawn 2026.

There Is Something Special About Yahn Dawn

Based on how thoughtfully Yahn Dawn has been curated and planned out, from the musical acts to the workshops, this is a  weekend that will be hard to put into words.

There is something more than special about this festival…

Maybe it is the music…

Maybe it is the mountains…

Maybe it is the incredible Pretty Lights fandom….

Or maybe it is the feeling of being surrounded by people who showed up looking for the same thing, a weekend to disconnect from the everyday and interact with something a little deeper and more connected to nature.

Whatever it is, Yahn Dawn and Pretty Lights are ready to take us on A Trip Thru Time.

Which act on Yahn Dawn 2026’s lineup are you most excited to see? Let us know in the comment and on socials below.

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