LUDLOW, Vt. – The Phoenix and Divided Sky Foundation announce Divided Sky’s Big Weekend, a three-day, family-friendly destination mountain experience uniting live music, movement, recovery, and community in the heart of Vermont, taking place May 15-17, 2026.
The weekend is anchored by The Phoenix’s annual Music on the Mountain (MOTM) festival, with performances by Eggy, LaMP, Karina Rykman, Anders Osborne, Jackie Greene, Daniel Donato, and more; and the Divided Sky Fun(d) Run, with additional special events scheduled throughout the weekend, including alumni gatherings curated by Divided Sky Foundation.
Tickets for the full weekend are available at www.bigweekend.org or www.musiconthemtn.com. Ludlow, Vt., residents will receive a discount.
The weekend is family-friendly and open to all, offering a full slate of live music, a 5K run/walk, wellness activities, kids zone fun, recovery meetings, local arts vendors, food trucks, and community moments set against the backdrop of one of New England’s most iconic Green Mountain resorts.
The festivities all take place at Okemo Mountain Resort’s Jackson Gore Village in Ludlow, Vt., just 1 mile from Divided Sky’s 46-bed residential recovery program, where individuals struggling with addiction receive compassionate care through a unique, affordable, and multifaceted approach including the 12 steps, mindfulness, embodied activities, and more.
Music on the Mountain
The third annual Music on the Mountain festival will take place on Saturday, May 16, from 12-8 p.m., with the genre-blending four-piece rock band Eggy, and groove-driven, organ-forward trio LaMP, featuring Scott Metzger (JRAD) joining returning artists Ray Paczkowski and Russ Lawton (Trey Anastasio Band, Soule Monde).
Electric bassist and songwriter Karina Rykman returns with her vibrant stage presence and infectious sound. MOTM veteran Anders Osborne joins Jackie Greene for a special duo set, and Daniel Donato and Natalie Cressman are back as artists-at-large, joined by Jennifer Hartswick, appearing for the first time.
New this year is 2ŁØT, blending electronic production, jazz fusion, and high-energy improvisation, plus a special appearance by The Trombone Shorty Foundation Band, which brings a dynamic ensemble of emerging New Orleans musicians, showcasing bold brass, funk, and soul while representing the next generation of the city’s rich musical tradition. Saturday’s music will be emceed by Dave Manheim of the Dopey Podcast.
As the sun sets, the celebration continues with the Big Weekend All-Stars After Party, bringing together a rotating cast of weekend artists for an evening of improvisation-driven collaboration. Participating musicians include Karina Rykman, Brian Murray, Jimmy Law, Daniel Donato, Scott Metzger, Ray Paczkowski, Dezron Douglas, Joe Dyson, Jennifer Hartswick, and Natalie Cressman, forming a one-of-a-kind all-stars ensemble.
Divided Sky Fun(d) Run
2021 marked the first Divided Sky Fun(d) Run, making it the weekend’s longest-standing event. Launched before the Divided Sky Residential Recovery Program opened its doors, the race is produced in partnership with Antelope Running Club as a means to raise funds for the Divided Sky Foundation while encouraging individuals in early sobriety to incorporate physical activity into their recovery. Virtual registration is also available.
The fun-focused walk/run has grown into a destination event, drawing the local Ludlow community and supporters from beyond. With Music on the Mountain joining in year three, the weekend expanded into something larger – a multiday celebration of recovery, music, and connection now known as Divided Sky’s Big Weekend.
“This is a gathering where friends, family, and Divided Sky alumni can connect in a sober space, take on a 5K run, and listen to incredible music. It embodies the true spirit of what happens when recovery, celebration, and connection coexist,” said Divided Sky cofounder and Residential Recovery Program Director Melanie Gulde.
A full-mountain experience
The Big Weekend kicks off on Friday evening with Divided Sky Foundation hosting “Minstrels and Mocktails,” an intimate dinner concert gathering of friends and supporters, featuring special alumni musical guests Sean Leahy and Kate Gaffney. Tickets for this event are very limited.
Immediately following the dinner, The Phoenix will welcome guests with the “Campfire Jam,” an acoustic, in-the-round concert, where Anders Osborne and Daniel Donato will be joined by Jackie Greene.
On Sunday, the weekend concludes with a relaxed acoustic brunch, featuring Murray’s Law (Brian Murray and Jimmy Law) and Vermont guitarist Evan Jennison, offering a reflective and communal close to three days of music and mountain connection.
Beyond the stage, the Big Weekend offers immersive, all-ages programming throughout the resort. The Phoenix will host daily hikes; yoga sessions; gratitude meetups; a screening of “Sober,” The Phoenix documentary; and a large-scale volunteer convening that helps power the weekend. Set breaks will feature presentations from Divided Sky Foundation staff and alumni, and interactive community moments, including the largest gathering of Yellow Balloon groups.
Families are welcome throughout the weekend, with a dedicated family area, scenic chairlift rides to the summit, the Okemo Mountain coaster, and mini golf, transforming the festival into a true mountain adventure. All events are family-friendly, and guests are encouraged to bring chairs, picnic blankets, and refillable water bottles, and to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Big Weekend.
“The Big Weekend reflects what Divided Sky is all about: creating spaces where recovery is celebrated, connection is real, and people can experience the joy of music and community without barriers,” said Seth Dolinsky, executive director of Divided Sky Foundation. “By expanding this weekend alongside Music on the Mountain, we’re welcoming people into a recovery-centered experience that feels expansive, inspiring, and deeply human.”
Substance-free fun
In an environment where substance use has long been normalized, recovery- and sobriety-centered spaces in the music world are increasingly vital. Creating environments where artists and fans can gather without alcohol or drugs fosters deeper connection, sustainability, and access, particularly for those in recovery, those choosing sobriety, and families often excluded from traditional music settings. The Big Weekend demonstrates that vibrant live music culture, movement, and substance-free experiences not only coexist, but strengthen one another.
“We’re building something that truly stands out – stand-out music, stand-out people, and the kind of weekend that has you thinking about next year the moment you get home,” said Jacki Hillios, cofounder of The Phoenix. “When you put the music first and create an environment where everyone belongs, something powerful happens. That’s the Phoenix way.”