November 11, 2025 (Wilkesboro, NC) –– MerleFest, presented by Window World, released the initial lineup for its 2026 event, to be held April 23–26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College. Fourteen-time GRAMMY winners Alison Krauss & Union Station, featuring Jerry Douglas, will return to the MerleFest stage for the first time since their Sunday night closing appearance at the festival’s 25th celebration. Also returning is Old Crow Medicine Show, a longtime festival favorite whose ties to its founding legend Doc Watson trace back to the turn of the millennium. The high-energy groupe will also play host to this year’s Late Night Jam –– a favorite MerleFest tradition revived last year after a brief hiatus. Also on the bill are golden-voiced West Virginia singer/songwriter Charles Wesley Godwin, hard-driving Southern rock stalwarts Blackberry Smoke, the all-female bluegrass powerhouse band Sister Sadie, decorated flatpicker and vocalist Molly Tuttle, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Creekers, Trey Hensley, and more. (View the complete lineup below.)
Regular MerleFest attendees can expect their regular favorites: Peter Rowan, Sam Bush, T. Michael Coleman, Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks (hosting the annual Hillside Album Hour), Jim Lauderdale, Jack Lawrence, Laura Boosinger, Donna the Buffalo, Scythian, Mark Bumgarner, and more.
Each year, MerleFest honors the legacy of North Carolina music legend Doc Watson and his son Merle, while celebrating and uplifting the next generation of talent. Its “traditional plus” framework invites curiosity and exploration among performers and attendees alike, creating a festival experience that is always fresh while preserving the soul of what makes MerleFest such a cherished annual tradition. One can’t-miss experience this year is the Saturday night Late Night Jam, hosted by Old Crow Medicine Show. This separately-ticketed, after-hours event is the ideal nightcap for those looking to witness a night of groundbreaking, “only at MerleFest” collaborations. Visit merlefest.org/purchase for details and to stay tuned for guest announcements.
MerleFest 2026 will also welcome The Jerry Douglas Band, Peter Rowan & The Walls of Time Band, The Creekers, Jake Shimabukuro, Hogslop String Band, Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Melissa Carper, Leon Timbo & The Family Band, DUG, Amelia Day, Andy May, Banknotes, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, The InterACTive Theatre of Jef, Jeff Little Trio, Joe Smothers, The Knackered Ramblers, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Pete & Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, Roy Book Binder, Tony Williamson and Wayne Henderson, with additional artists to be announced in the coming weeks.
The WCC Foundation is thrilled to continue the Silent Auction this year, featuring the convenience of online bidding and the chance to view items in person throughout the festival. You can browse and place bids before and during the festival — all without missing a beat of the music. This year’s auction will showcase an even greater variety of distinctive, high-quality items, and the 50/50 Raffle is back for another exciting year. Proceeds support the Supporting Academic Goals for Education (SAGE) First Year Experience program, empowering students to start strong and achieve their goals. Stay tuned for more details at merlefest.org/silent-auction.
MerleFest 2026 tickets are available now. For general admission passes, as well as covered patio seating, reserved seating, camping, parking, and more, please visit merlefest.org/purchase.
For media inquiries, contact Danielle Dror (danielle@teamvictorylap.com) or Karaline Bailey (karaline@teamvictorylap.com) at Victory Lap Media.
