Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, Blackberry Smoke, Molly Tuttle, Ketch Secor and More
Old Crow Medicine Show to Host Late Night Jam Saturday Night
From left to right: Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, Blackberry Smoke
November 11, 2025 (Wilkesboro, NC) –– MerleFest, presented by Window World, has unveiled lineup details for its 2026 event, taking place over four unforgettable days from April 23–26 on the campus of Wilkes Community College. 14-time GRAMMY winners Alison Krauss & Union Station will mark their long-awaited return to the MerleFest stage since their Sunday night closing appearance at the festival’s 25th celebration. Also making a comeback are 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 revelrous string ensemble will also play host to this year’s Late Night Jam –– a beloved MerleFest tradition that was 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, decorated flatpicker and vocalist Molly Tuttle, along with Old Crow Medicine Show frontman Ketch Secor, Steep Canyon Rangers, The Creekers, Trey Hensley, and more. View the complete lineup below.
Each year, MerleFest honors the legacy of North Carolina music legend Doc Watson 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 welcome Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charles Wesley Godwin, Blackberry Smoke, 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, 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 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.
