Noah Kahan reflects on a year of 'change;' as he rings in 2026 on his 29th birthday

"28 was change and adaptation and understanding and growing and god I hope 29 teaches me even half as much,” he wrote

Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan celebrated the start of 2026 and his 29th birthday with a heartfelt reflection on the past year, calling it a period of transformation, gratitude and personal growth.

On January 1, 2026, Kahan — known for his breakout hit “Stick Season” — shared a thoughtful message on Instagram looking back on his 28th year. In the caption, he described the last twelve months as a time of “change, adaptation, understanding and growing,” and said he learned valuable lessons from both the hard moments and the moments of joy.

“28 was change and adaptation and understanding and growing… and god I hope 29 teaches me even half as much,” Kahan wrote, capturing a mix of vulnerability and optimism. He also shared a photo of himself raising a glass of champagne with the sun setting behind him, visibly showing off his wedding ring.

 

 

 

 

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Kahan’s personal life has been filled with milestone moments. In August 2025, he married longtime partner Brenna Nolan in an intimate Vermont ceremony, something he celebrated alongside his year-end reflections. In a separate birthday post, Kahan thanked Nolan for his birthday cake and shared appreciation for his close circle of friends who sent well-wishes.

The folk-pop artist, who rose to prominence with “Stick Season” and its introspective lyrics about small-town life, has also hinted at exciting creative developments on the horizon. In late 2025, Kahan began teasing a new album, unveiling a new TikTok account where he shared a snippet of a banjo-infused track and a handwritten note saying he feels like he’s “coming out of hibernation” as he heads into 2026.

Since his mainstream breakthrough, Kahan has collaborated with a wide range of artists, expanding his musical footprint with contributions alongside talents such as Hozier, Brandi Carlile and Post Malone. His willingness to share both personal milestones and artistic ambitions continues to resonate with fans around the world.

As Kahan steps into his 29th year, his reflections paint a portrait of an artist who is grateful for the lessons of his past, excited about the creative paths ahead, and grounded in the personal relationships that have supported him through both challenge and success.