Infamous Stringdusters, Railroad Earth, Joy Oladokun, Maggie Rose, and More Added
Old Crow Medicine Show to perform Big Iron World and O.C.M.S. albums in their entirety for 20th anniversary set
Late Night Jam guest list taking shape with artists Charlie Starr, AJ Lee & Blue Summit added
December 8, 2025 (Wilkesboro, NC) –– MerleFest, presented by Window World, has added Railroad Earth, The Infamous Stringdusters, Joy Oladokun, Maggie Rose, The Castellows, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, and more to its 2026 lineup. Taking place April 23-26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College, the annual celebration of North Carolina music legends, Doc and Merle Watson, is set to showcase some of today’s leading voices, including previously announced headliners Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, and Blackberry Smoke, plus newcomers The Jack Wharff Band, Blue Highway, Fireside Collective, and over twenty additions. View the complete 2026 lineup below.
In 2026, Old Crow Medicine Show will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their quintessential album, Big Iron World. To mark this milestone, the band will perform the albums Big Iron World and its predecessor O.C.M.S. in full Friday night on MerleFest’s legendary Watson Stage –– a meaningful homecoming to the festival that helped propel their early ascent.
Returning to the MerleFest experience in 2026 is the beloved Saturday night Late Night Jam –– this year hosted by Old Crow Medicine Show and featuring a growing list of guest collaborators including Blackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr and AJ Lee & Blue Summit. Stay tuned for more guest announcements coming soon.
“The Late Night Jam is a long standing, must-see event at MerleFest, and we couldn’t think of a better host than Ketch and Old Crow Medicine Show to act as our ring leaders this year,” said Lindsay Craven, MerleFest Artist Relations Manager. “Old Crow’s and MerleFest’s history are so intertwined over the last 26 years, since Doc found them busking in downtown Boone in 2000, to now when they’re headlining the Watson Stage. Ketch and the boys never fail to put on a rowdy, foot-stomping show –– and with the help of some very talented friends, they’ll bring that fun energy and collaborative jam spirit to this exciting event.” Tickets for the highly anticipated Late Night Jam with Old Crow Medicine Show and Friends are on sale now.
MerleFest 2026 welcomes 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 Walls of Time Band, The Castellows, The Creekers, 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, Buffalo Traffic Jam, Fireside Collective, Blue Highway, Jason Scott & The High Heat, Trey Hensley, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Liam St. John, Melissa Carper, The Wilder Blue, Hayde Bluegrass Orchestra, The Band Loula, Broken Compass Bluegrass, Amelia Day, Andy May, B. Townes, Banknotes, Carbon Harry, Carol Rifkin, Carolina Detour, Cathy & Marcy’s Old Time Coalition, Charles Welch, Compton & Newberry, Corey Harris, Denim & Plaid, DownRiver Collective, DUG, Eleanor Ellis, Flattop, Full Steam Bluegrass Band, Gravity Check Juggling, The InterACTive Theatre of Jef, Jack Lawrence, Jeff Little Trio, Joe Smothers, Ken Crouse, The Knackered Ramblers, Laura Boosinger, Leon Timbo & The Family Band, The Local Boys, Mark Bumgarner, Mitch Greenhill & Mitch’s Kitchen, Mo-Grass, Myles Gee, Nick Wade, Pete & Joan Wernick, Presley Barker, Reid West, Roy Book Binder, Seth Mulder & Midnight Run, Shelby Means, Smitty & The Jumpstarters, T. Michael Coleman, Tony Williamson, Valley Flower, Wayne Henderson, West Texas Exiles, Wyatt Ellis, and Zoe & Cloyd. For artist performance dates, visit merlefest.org/lineup.
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. 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.
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.
