Drop everything—the wait is officially over! The 2026 Ann Arbor Sonic Lunch has launched, and Liberty Plaza is rocking!
Each summer the Sonic Lunch series of lunchtime concerts are held on Thursdays. The Bank of Ann Arbor Sonic Lunch Concerts start on June 4th and run through August 27. The concerts are designed to bring together all of Ann Arbor from people on their lunch break to tourists, from senior citizens to children.
Sonic Lunch is sponsored by Bank of Ann Arbor. Martin Bandyke, the morning host on ann arbor’s 107one, hosts each event.
Ann Arbor Sonic Lunch Logistics
Sonic Lunch Concerts are held on Thursdays in Liberty Plaza. Seating is available but very limited.
Local Vendors typically are there offering lunch. Learn more about Sonic Lunch on their website.
Sonic Lunch Schedule
The series starts on June 54h and runs through August 27th. Concerts are held every week except for the week of Art Fair (July 16). Each concert start at 11:30a and features an opening act.
Opening Acts were announced on April 29. Headliners will be announced on Wednesday, May 6
- June 4 – Lindsay Lou, opener Kate Peterson
- June 11 – The Accidentals with Emma Zinck, opener Ember & Ash
- June 18 – Grace Potter, opener Jetty Rae
- June 25 -Rid Kosta, opener Shane MauX
- July 2 – Laith Al-Saadi, opener Chris Buhalis
- July 9 – Theo Katzman, opener The Rebel Eves
- July 23 – Devon Glfillian, opener Al Bettis
- July 30 – Joe Hertler & the Raindow Seekers, opener Young Ritual
- August 6 – Michigander, opener Metal Bubble Trio
- August 13 – Racing Mount Pleasant, opener Lost Mary
- August 20 – Ax and the Hatchetmen, opener Ohly
- August 27 – Mavis Staples, opener Mei Semones
🎤 June 11, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 June 18, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 June 25, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 July 2, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 July 9, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 July 16, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 July 23, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 July 30, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 August 6, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 August 13, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 August 20, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
🎤 August 27, 2026 – Sonic Lunch
6 Tips for Taking Kids to Sonic Lunch 2026
This year I joined Brightworks CoWorking which has 3 locations around Ann Arbor. Their Liberty location is just a block from Liberty Plaza, so I made sure to work there for the first Sonic Lunch of 2026 and take a lunch break to head to Sonic Lunch. These are my tips for Sonic Lunch with Kids.
1 – Getting to Sonic Lunch
This year getting to Sonic Lunch is more difficult with downtown construction. Fourth St is closed and bus routes at the Blake Transit Center have been relocated.
Even with the bus stop relocations, I recommend the bus or walking from outside the downtown area.
2 – Arrive on Time
Make sure you verify the time. I had noon in my head and forgot to check (Yes its on our calendar for 11:30a).
I arrived a few minutes after noon between the special guest and the headliner who came on about 12:15p. Liberty Plaza was already pretty crowded and I missed the opening act.
3 – What to Bring
There is some seating on concrete planter beds and benches, but Liberty Plaza is mostly open with plenty of room to setup camp chairs.
If you have toddlers and preschoolers, you can consider a wagon or stroller. But, there is still some construction in Liberty Plaza so it may be difficult to access parts of the park.
Many parts of Liberty Plaza are sunny, so we recommend bringing (or pre-applying) sunscreen.
Of course don’t forget water bottles, and a lunch plan (bring a cooler either way)
4- Have Lunch
It’s called Sonic Lunch for a reason! Make plans to eat your lunch while listening to music.
On opening day, there were plenty of food vendors:
- Ginger Deli
- BTB
- WanderBowls
- Funk It Up Fries food truck
- Washtenaw Dairy (ice cream and donuts)
You can also pack your lunch – or mix it up and bring parts of your lunch and buy parts of the lunch.
If you don’t plan to go home right after Sonic Lunch, you may want to bring a cooler for leftovers. I purposely did not order from Funk it up Fries since they were in my neighborhood last month and I got two generous servings from my dish. Even so, I only ate half my burrito from BTB. Of course, I saved room for ice cream from Washtenaw Dairy).
5 – Keep the Kids Entertained
For a fun outing, have a plan to keep the kids entertained beyond listening to the music epsecially if you’re in an area tightly packed with camp chairs. Find room for them to move to the music. Take them to the areas with the bubble maker. Feed them lunch. Bring chalk for the sidewalks.
6 – Bathroom Breaks
When planning any outing with kids, the availability of bathrooms is always a prime consideration. We’ve got you covered with those details. There is a FREE Throne bathroom right outside Liberty Plaza. You’ll need your phone to unlock it.
You can also choose to walk to a bathroom. The Downtown Branch of Ann Arbor District Library is a short walk through the Plaza and across the parking structure. There you will find bathrooms, changing tables, and a couple of minutes break in air conditioning.
You can also choose another activity or food location nearby. For example, take a break at Pinball Pete’s to play a couple of games and use the bathroom. Or pickup takeout at a nearby restaurant and use their restrooms while grabbing your food.
Find more Summer Concerts near Ann Arbor
If Sonic Lunch doesn’t fit your schedule each week – or you just want more live music, we’ve got a list of other summer concert series around Washtenaw County.
Other Activities Near Liberty Park
While downtown, check out some of these other activities within walking distance. With their recently opened new location, Pinball Pete’s is now much closer to Sonic Lunch. It is also a short walk to the Downtown Branch of Ann Arbor District Library.
Unlock Adventures: The Secret to Tubing at Argo Cascades
2 Thrilling River Trips: Kayaking to Gallup Park
Introduce the Kids to Retro 80s Fun At Pinball Pete’s
Lights, Camera, Action: The Best Movie Theaters in Ann Arbor
Visiting the UM Museum of Natural History – Activity Review
Kelsey Museum of Archaeology- Wednesday Activity Review
Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum – Wednesday Activity Review
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