MerleFest is coming back strong in 2026, and this year’s lineup might be one of the most stacked in the festival’s long history. The iconic North Carolina roots and Americana gathering returns April 23–26 to the campus of Wilkes Community College, and organizers just dropped the full roster of performers. Spoiler alert: if you love bluegrass, folk, alt-country, southern rock, or anything in between, this year’s ticket is a no-brainer.
New additions include Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Joy Oladokun, Maggie Rose, The Castellows, and AJ Lee & Blue Summit, joining previously announced headliners Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Blackberry Smoke. More than 100 acts will take the stage across the four-day festival.
Old Crow Medicine Show Celebrates 20 Years
One of the biggest highlights of 2026 will be Old Crow Medicine Show performing their albums Big Iron World and O.C.M.S. in their entirety on the Watson Stage Friday night. This is a full-circle moment, returning to the festival where Doc Watson first discovered the band busking in Boone back in 2000.
Late Night Jam Returns
The beloved Saturday Late Night Jam is also back, hosted by Old Crow Medicine Show with help from special guests including Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke and AJ Lee & Blue Summit. More guests will be announced as the festival gets closer. Tickets for the Late Night Jam are already on sale.
Full 2026 Artist Lineup Includes
Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, Blackberry Smoke, Molly Tuttle, Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Joy Oladokun, Ketch Secor, Maggie Rose, Sam Bush, The Jerry Douglas Band, The Steep Canyon Rangers, Peter Rowan, The Castellows, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, The Jack Wharff Band, Sister Sadie, Jake Shimabukuro, Lamont Landers, Hogslop String Band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, Blue Highway, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Fireside Collective, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Trey Hensley, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, The Wilder Blue, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, Melissa Carper, Liam St. John, Amelia Day, West Texas Exiles, Wyatt Ellis, Zoe & Cloyd and dozens more.
Fans can view daily schedules and performance times at merlefest.org/lineup.
Extras and Festival Favorites
MerleFest 2026 will once again host its popular Silent Auction and 50/50 Raffle, with online bidding available throughout the weekend. Proceeds support the WCC Foundation’s SAGE program, which helps first-year students succeed.
Tickets
Tickets for MerleFest 2026 are on sale now, including GA passes, reserved seating, covered patios, camping, and parking options. Get passes at merlefest.org/purchase and start planning your April pilgrimage to Wilkesboro.