By Mark H. Stowers, For The Oakland Press
Organizers for Arts, Beats & Eats announced on Wednesday that the Labor Day weekend festival raised a record-breaking $403,689 for charities and community organizations in 2026 andthat attendance had climbed 6% to 365,000.
The amount was the largest in the festival’s 29-year history and marked the second consecutive year that a fundraising record had been broken. With the latest results, organizers said total charitable giving since 1998 had surpassed $8.5 million.
Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter said the back-to-back fundraising records validated the festival’s continued growth.
“The festival itself just keeps growing and getting better and getting more prosperous,” Coulter said. “In this day and age, that is not an easy feat to pull off.”
“This year’s Arts, Beats & Eats exceeded expectations on every level,” festival producer Jon Witz said. “With increased attendance, record-setting contributions to local nonprofits and our Fine Art Fair being ranked No. 7 in the U.S., 2026 marked a standout chapter in the festival’s history.”
More than $117,000 of this year’s fundraising will support Royal Oak-based charities and organizations. Since the festival moved to Royal Oak in 2010, it has generated nearly $2 million for organizations in the city, according to organizers.
Witz credited the festival’s sponsors, volunteers, community partners and visitors for the results.
“I want to thank the Michigan Lottery, Flagstar Bank, The City of Royal Oak, and our stakeholders and sponsors for their support, and our nonprofit and community partners for the volunteers and collaboration,” Witz said. “Most importantly, I want to thank our patrons who brought such positive energy and spirit in making the 2026 festival one of our best ever.”
Organizers announced the fundraising results during a media event at Flagstar Bank’s regional headquarters in Troy. Flagstar was a presenting sponsor in 2026 and supported cultural programming during the tfestival hrough its Flagstar Culture on 4th initiative.
The money was generated through festival admission, beverage sales and community initiatives, and will be distributed among dozens of charitable, cultural and community organizations.
Core charities shared $87,000 and included the Children’s Center of Wayne County, Corewell Health Foundation Southeast Michigan, Coalition on Temporary Shelter, Detroit Public Theatre, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Forgotten Harvest, Metro Detroit Youth Clubs, South Oakland Shelter, Stagecrafters, The Rainbow Connection, Redford Jaycees and Volunteers of America Michigan.
Another $177,525.24 from beverage sales went to 21 participating groups including Almost Home Animal Rescue, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and school groups, athletic boosters and community organizations from Royal Oak, Clawson, Ferndale, Berkley and among other communities.
Cultural entertainment organizations received $22,450, including ArtLabJ, Detroit School of Rock & Pop and the Live The Music Foundation, DSA Sankofa Children of Drum, Michigan Science Center, Mosaic Youth Theatre, Motor City Street Dance Academy and the Motown Museum.
More than two dozen other charitable organizations and community groups shared $116,714.73, including the American Cancer Society, Autism Alliance, Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Dutton Farm, Fern Care, Judson Center, Royal Oak Fire Department Charities, Royal Oak Civic Foundation, Royal Oak Historical Society, Royal Oak Youth Assistance and South Oakland Citizens for the Homeless.