Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on January 21, 2026
In a time when community and music feel more essential than ever, the Kerrville Folk Festival returns for its 54th consecutive year, once again transforming Texas Hill Country into a living, breathing village of songs, stories, and shared experience.
Running May 21 through June 7, 2026, the festival makes its home at the beloved Quiet Valley Ranch, just nine miles south of Kerrville, Texas. For nearly three weeks, the ranch becomes an oasis where songwriters, families, and music lovers gather for a tradition many simply call “Kerrville.”
Founded in 1972 by Rod Kennedy, the Kerrville Folk Festival stands as the oldest continuously running music festival in Texas and one of the most respected songwriting gatherings in the world. Over the decades, more than 1,500 singer-songwriters have appeared on its stages, helping define Kerrville as a true mecca for the craft of songwriting.
The festival celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, but its spirit remains timeless — rooted in deep listening, artistic risk-taking, and a sense of belonging that welcomes newcomers as warmly as returning family.
The 2026 lineup spans generations and genres, unified by a devotion to strong songs and authentic storytelling. This year’s artists include James McMurtry, Brandy Clark, S.G. Goodman, The Vandoliers, Lilly Hiatt, Jon Muq, The East Pointers, Lucy Wainwright Roche, Jason Ricci, Amanda Anne Platt & The Honeycutters, and dozens more performing across multiple stages.
From intimate daytime sets to powerful evening performances under the stars, Kerrville offers a listening experience that always puts the song first.
While the stages host remarkable performances throughout the day and night, many longtime attendees will tell you the true heart of the festival lives in the campground. This is where impromptu jam sessions unfold around campfires, friendships form overnight, and music flows freely at all hours.
During the festival’s run, Kerrville effectively becomes the second-largest community in Kerr County, welcoming approximately 30,000 attendees from around the world. The words most often used to describe the experience are “magic” and “transformational.”
One of Kerrville’s most cherished traditions returns during the festival’s first weekend: the legendary Grassy Hill New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters.
Since 1973, New Folk has been central to Kerrville’s mission, serving as a launchpad for songwriters early in their careers. Past participants include Lyle Lovett, Nanci Griffith, Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Anaïs Mitchell, and many others who went on to shape American music.
More than a competition, New Folk is where the future of songwriting comes into focus — a tradition that continues to define Kerrville’s legacy.
Tickets are available in a wide range of options, from single-day passes to full-festival passes, with onsite camping available at Quiet Valley Ranch.
Learn more and secure tickets:
www.KerrvilleFolkFestival.org
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth, Kerrville remains a place to reconnect — with music, with community, and with something timeless that keeps people coming back year after year.
