MerleFest Unveils 2026 Lineup

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Pictured (clockwise): Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Blackberry Smoke and Charles Wesley Godwin.

MerleFest, taking place April 23-26 at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC, has revealed its initial lineup for the four-day event.

Alison Krauss & Union Station feat. Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin and Blackberry Smoke will serve as the event headliners. Additional performers include Molly Tuttle, Ketch Secor, Sam Bush, The Jerry Douglas Band, Peter Rowan & The Walls of Time Band, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Creekers, Trey Hensley, Sister Sadie, Jake Shimabukuro, Hogslop String Band, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Melissa Carper, Leon Timbo & The Family Band, DUG, Scythian, Donna The Buffalo, Jim Lauderdale, Kruger Brothers, The Waybacks, Amelia Day, Andy May, Banknotes, Carol Rifkin, Charles Welch, The InterACTive Theatre of Jef, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Joe Smothers, The Knackered Ramblers, Laura Boosinger, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Pete & Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, Roy Book Binder, T. Michael Coleman, Tony Williamson and Wayne Henderson. Additional artists will be announced in December.

MerleFest is designed the pay tribute to North Carolina music legend Doc Watson, as well as uplift rising voices across musical genres. During the festival, Old Crow Medicine Show will host the Saturday Night Late Night Jam. This event is ticketed separately from festival passes, and will include special collaborations.

Also during MerleFest will be the annual Silent Auction, hosted by The WCC Foundation. Online bidding will be permitted with the chance to view items on the event grounds. Proceeds will go towards the SAGE (Supporting Academic Goals for Education) First Year Experience program, empowering students to start strong and achieve their goals.

MerleFest 2026 tickets are available here.

Madison Hahnen
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