MerleFest has released the full, spectacular lineup for its 2026 roots conclave, joining previously announced headliners like Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Blackberry Smoke for the event running April 23-26. A massive highlight will be Old Crow Medicine Show, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their quintessential album ‘Big Iron World’ by performing that album and its predecessor ‘O.C.M.S.’ in full on the legendary Watson Stage. Furthermore, Old Crow Medicine Show will act as ring leaders for the must-see Saturday night Late Night Jam, an event that is deeply intertwined with MerleFest’s history since Doc Watson found the band busking in downtown Boone in 2000. In addition to the headliners, the festival welcomes a huge roster of talent including Molly Tuttle, Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Sam Bush, The Jerry Douglas Band, Jake Shimabukuro, Jim Lauderdale, and the Kruger Brothers, among many others.
The festival, founded in memory of North Carolina music legend Doc Watson’s late son Eddy Merle Watson, is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, having expanded from classic country, bluegrass, folk, and gospel to include Americana and classic rock. MerleFest 2026 will feature appearances by Maggie Rose, The Steep Canyon Rangers, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires, Scythian, Donna the Buffalo, and The Waybacks. As MerleFest Artist Relations Manager Lindsay Craven pointed out, Ketch Secor and the Old Crow Medicine Show boys never fail to put on a rowdy, foot-stomping show, and they will bring that collaborative jam spirit to the exciting event with the help of talented guests like Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke.
The enormous lineup also includes Peter Rowan & The Walls of Time Band, The Castellows, Sister Sadie, Lamont Landers, Hogslop String Band, Blue Highway, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Liam St. John, Melissa Carper, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, Broken Compass Bluegrass, Corey Harris, and dozens more stellar musicians. MerleFest, presented by Window World, is the primary fundraiser for the Wilkes Community College Foundation, providing crucial funding for scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs on campus. Tickets for the general admission passes, reserved seating, camping, and the Late Night Jam are available now.
Headliners and Key Performances
- Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas
- Old Crow Medicine Show (Performing ‘Big Iron World’ and ‘O.C.M.S.’ in full)
- Charles Wesley Godwin
- Blackberry Smoke
- Molly Tuttle
- Railroad Earth
- The Infamous Stringdusters
- Joy Oladokun
- Sam Bush
- The Jerry Douglas Band
- The Steep Canyon Rangers
- Peter Rowan & The Walls of Time Band
- Jake Shimabukuro
- Jim Lauderdale
- Kruger Brothers