Article Contributed by Ariel Rosemberg
Published on January 27, 2026
DelFest Taps Toy Factory Project, Blackberry Smoke and more to Join Del McCoury Band at 18th Annual
Del McCoury Band and the Travelin’ McCourys welcome Alison Krauss & Union Station ft Jerry Douglas, Toy Factory Project, Blackberry Smoke, Marty Stuart and a deep lineup of roots music favorites. For over 18 years, DelFest has established itself as a premier, nationally-acclaimed roots music festival. Founded by bluegrass icon and his family, DelFest returns to the Allegany County Fairgrounds in Cumberland, MD over Memorial Day Weekend. And once again with a music experience that proves that there is truly no place on earth like it.
At its heart are the hosts who started it all: the Del McCoury Band and the Travelin’ McCourys. And around them, a world where legends, trailblazers and rising stars share the stage, spirit and belief that music is meant to be played together, and for everyone.
Leading the 2026 bill are Alison Krauss & Union Station ft. Jerry Douglas, Toy Factory Project (a Southern rock supergroup formed by original Marshall Tucker Band drummer Paul T. Riddle featuring Marcus King, Oteil Burbridge, Charlie Starr and Josh Shilling) Blackberry Smoke, Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives and Punch Brothers.
Joining them is a stacked lineup that brings together longtime DelFest favorites with some of the most exciting new voices in American roots music, including:
The Infamous Stringdusters
Sierra Hull
Peter Rowan with Sam Grisman Project
Gaelic Storm
Maggie Rose
Sam Grisman Quintet
Mountain Grass Unit
Southern Avenue
Jason Carter & Michael Cleveland
Shadowgrass
Sister Sadie
Chris Knight
Magoo
The Creekers
The Band Loula
Wood Box Heroes
The Malpass Brothers
Driftwood
Laurie Lewis & the Right Hands
Nicholas Jamerson & the Morning Jays
Dre Anders
The Plate Scrapers
Returning once again as emcee for the weekend is the beloved Joe Craven.
“DelFest is home to me and my family,” said Del McCoury. “It’s where the music and the fans and the musicians all come together. Every year something happens that you couldn’t plan for if you tried, and that’s the magic of it.”
In addition to the festival lineup, DelFest is pleased to share the Travelin’ McCourys and Sister Sadie, along with Heaven McCoury, will lead this year’s DelFest Academy. DelFest Academy is designed in the spirit of the McCoury Family, bringing together amateur pickers in an intimate setting with leading instrumentalists in bluegrass music. Limited spots remain for this year’s DelFest Academy.
Fans of DelFest can expect late night announcements, KidZone programming, yoga and the vendor announcements in the coming months. Tickets and camping, as well as info for the DelFest Academy, for DelFest 2026 are available now at delfest.com.
