Where Can You Find North America’s Largest Piano Festival?

North America’s largest piano festival will take place in Kalamazoo, Michigan, April 27–May 9, 2027.

Irving S. Gilmore International Piano Festival is just one aspect of the work overseen by The Gilmore, an institution named after businessman and philanthropist Irving S. Gilmore and dedicated to piano artistry. Since its conception in 1989, The Gilmore has hosted more than a dozen such piano festivals, commissioned 45-plus works and awarded more than $3 million across its programs supporting pianists and their work.

© Courtesy of The Gilmore

This year’s festival will include headliners such as global piano star Yuja Wang; 11-time Grammy winner Christian McBride; and multi-platinum, Emmy-nominated Ben Folds. Otherwise, the festival will include more than 60 concerts in total, as well as classes, lectures and community events.

“We are beyond moved by the energy that music fans brought to last year’s festival. To see record numbers both on the ground in Michigan and joining us from across the world via livestream proves that The Gilmore has become a premier global destination for music lovers,” said Dr. Pierre van der Westhuizen, executive and artistic director, The Gilmore. “We are so thankful to our sponsors, donors and grantors for their continued support and join them in counting down the days to April 2027!”