Tickets on Sale Now for April 23-26, 2026 Festival

11th Annual Band Competition Finalists Announced

Acoustic Kids Showcases Return – Pre-Registration Open Now Through March 15

February 9, 2026 (Wilkesboro, NC) –– MerleFest, presented by Window World, has revealed a star-studded roster joining its highly anticipated Late Night Jam hosted by Old Crow Medicine Show. The beloved MerleFest tradition promises unforgettable collaborations between special guests including Charlie Starr (of Blackberry Smoke), Maggie Rose, The Creekers, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, DUG, Donna the Buffalo, and more to be announced.

This year’s festival also marks its 11th Annual Band Competition, where eight talented finalists will compete for the opportunity to perform on MerleFest’s iconic Hillside Stage. The competition performances will take place on Saturday, April 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with the winner announced at 4:30 p.m. The victorious band will then perform on Sunday, April 26, at 11:00 a.m. on the Hillside Stage in front of thousands of attendees.

The 2026 band competition will feature:

  • Crystal Fountains (Charlotte, NC)
  • Fancy & The Gentlemen (Asheville, NC)
  • The Ghosts of Liberty (Oak Ridge, NC)
  • Honey Magpie (Chapel Hill, NC)
  • Kyle Horton (Banner Elk, NC)
  • Nick & Brew (Asheville, NC)
  • Pressley Laton (Boone, NC)
  • Stone & Snow (Cincinnati, Ohio)

MerleFest is proud to once again welcome our 2026 Acoustic Kids Showcases with Andy May. Since 2001, the Acoustic Kids program has given young musicians of any skill level the opportunity to perform on festival stages in a supportive environment. Beginner through pro, all musicians 18 or younger are welcome to participate and share their music with the MerleFest audience. Each year, we host three 1.5-hour showcases and a half-hour Acoustic Kids Ambassadors set.

Pre-registration is required to participate in Acoustic Kids and is open from February 1 through March 15 (or until all showcases are full, whichever comes first). Register early to hold your spot! Online registration, showcase schedules, and FAQs are available at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/acoustic-kids-merlefest/, and detailed registration instructions are at https://andymay.com/acoustic-kids/registration-instructions/.

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 SAGE (Supporting Academic Goals for Education) 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, including the highly anticipated Late Night Jam. For general admission passes, reserved seating, camping, parking, and more, please visitt merlefest.org/purchase.

For media inquiries, contact Danielle Dror (danielle@teamvictorylap.com) or Karaline Bailey (karaline@teamvictorylap.com) at Victory Lap Media.

To apply for media credentials to MerleFest 2026, please click here.

About MerleFest

MerleFest, presented by Window World, was founded in 1988 as a fundraiser for the Garden of the Senses at Wilkes Community College to memorialize world-renowned flatpicker Doc Watson’s late son, Eddy Merle Watson. MerleFest is a celebration of “traditional plus” music, a unique mix of traditional, roots-oriented sounds of the Appalachian region, including old-time, classic country, bluegrass, folk and gospel, and blues, and expanded to include Americana, classic rock, and many other styles. The festival hosts a diverse mix of artists on its 12 stages during the course of the multi-day event. MerleFest is the primary fundraiser for the WCC Foundation, funding scholarships, capital projects, and other educational needs.

About Window World®

Window World®, headquartered in North Wilkesboro, N.C., is America’s largest replacement window and exterior remodeling company, with more than 225 locally owned franchises nationwide. Founded in 1995, the company sells and installs windows, siding, doors, and other exterior products, with over 23 million windows sold and installed to date. Window World is an ENERGY STAR® partner and its windows, vinyl siding and entry doors have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. Through its charitable foundation, Window World Cares®, Window World and its franchisees provide funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. Since its inception in 2008, the foundation has raised over $19 million for St. Jude. Window World also supports veterans through its Window World Military Initiative (WWMI). WWMI defines Window World’s commitment to honor and serve America’s veterans, active military, and military families across the entire franchise system by focusing on three pillars: Careers, Community Outreach and Partnerships. The Veterans Airlift Command has been a partner since 2008. During that time, Window World has contributed over $3.0 million in flights and donations to the organization. For more information, visit WindowWorld.com or call 1-800 WINDOWWORLD. For home improvement and energy efficiency tips, décor ideas, and more, follow Window World on Facebook and Instagram.