Article Contributed by IVPR
Published on 2026-04-09
Photo: Courtesy of Planet Bluegrass
Attendees of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival love the all-day dance of string wizardry on the hand-hewn stage in Telluride, Colorado’s Town Park, but a time-honored tradition for dyed-in-the-wool Festivarians brings folks into town and down Colorado Avenue each evening for after-hours bonus jams: NightGrass.
From June 17th to 21st, taking place across four venues in Telluride—and on Wednesday evening, FirstGrass in Mountain Village—NightGrass shows are separately ticketed late-night performances for fans who didn’t get their fill of string-band wizardry throughout each day of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Often guest-filled sets ring aloud indoors from some of the festival’s most beloved mainstays as well as talented performers on the rise. If you can stay up for it and have procured a ticket, come squeeze out every bit of magic that Telluride Bluegrass has to offer at the Palm Theatre, Sheridan Opera House, and The Alibi.
Today, the fine folks at Planet Bluegrass, the promoters behind Telluride Bluegrass Festival, have announced the lineup for 2026’s NightGrass festivities. Acts like Greensky Bluegrass and The Infamous Stringdusters return for more sure-to-be-memorable NightGrass sets at the Palm, while first-timers like Jake Shimabukuro and Boy Golden take over local favorite, The Alibi. Sunday evening remains bare save for a very intimate performance at the Sheridan Opera House with Telluride’s prodigal daughter and sons, Punch Brothers. The full NightGrass lineup can be found below or at bluegrass.com/telluride/lineup/nightgrass.
FirstGrass, taking place on Sunset Plaza in Mountain Village on Wednesday, June 17th (Telluride Bluegrass Festival Eve), is a free show featuring sets from Telluride Bluegrass 2026 performers Noeline Hoffman and East Nash Grass. Later that evening, join fellow festivarians at Telluride Conference Center for Members of Leftover Salmon & Friends All-Star Jam.
Tickets for NightGrass shows will go on sale for those who have signed up for the pre-sale on Wednesday, April 22nd, and to the general public on Thursday, April 23rd. And as a friendly reminder for local-ish Western Slopers—looking at you, Montrose and Durango—NightGrass tickets are available even if you aren’t attending the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. To sign up for the pre-sale text NIGHTGRASS to 1-844-326-3296 or click here. For more information on ticketing, please visit bluegrass.com/telluride/lineup/nightgrass.
Are you a first-time Festivarian? Welcome! We made a how-to Telluride guide just for you.
Telluride Bluegrass Festival NightGrass Lineup:
Wednesday, June 17:
Noeline Hoffman and East Nash Grass at FirstGrass at Sunset Plaza in Mtn. Village (free)
Members of Leftover Salmon & Friends All-Star Jam at Club Red in Mtn. Village
Thursday, June 18:
Greensky Bluegrass at the Palm Theatre
AJ Lee & Blue Summit at the Sheridan Opera House
Dallahan at The Alibi
Friday, June 19:
Clay Street Unit at the Palm Theatre
*All ages, doors open at 8:30 PM with showtime at 9:30 PM*
Andrew Marlin & Friends at the Sheridan Opera House
Jake Shimabukuro at The Alibi
Saturday, June 20:
The Infamous Stringdusters at the Palm Theatre
Sierra Hull at the Sheridan Opera House
Boy Golden at The Alibi
Sunday, June 21:
Punch Brothers at the Sheridan Opera House
About Telluride Bluegrass Festival:
Founded in 1974 and occurring annually during the summer solstice, Telluride Bluegrass has been inviting music fans to the historic mining town in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado for four days of adventurous acoustic music in the stunning Telluride box canyon for 50 years.
Since its early years, the unique genre of “Telluride Bluegrass” has embraced a diverse family of artists including Sam Bush, Robert Plant, Mumford & Sons, Brandi Carlile, Norah Jones, Janelle Monáe, Greensky Bluegrass, Emmylou Harris, and many of the world’s most virtuosic acoustic instrumentalists—the majority of whom have returned to the festival for 25+ years. With music on the main stage, intimate workshop performances at Elks Park, late-night indoor NightGrass concerts, and pickin’ in campgrounds and condos ‘til dawn, Telluride Bluegrass is the “granddaddy of the modern festival circuit” (Relix). Telluride Bluegrass is presented and produced by Planet Bluegrass.
About Planet Bluegrass:
For over 30 years, Planet Bluegrass has been redefining the musical festival by creating exceptional experiences that protect the planet through environmental leadership and a strong community.
Fiercely and decidedly independent, their three festivals make a unique musical mark: each takes place in breathtaking natural Colorado environments, each features the world’s finest musicians and songwriters, and each embraces a “Leave No Trace” ethic that defines Planet Bluegrass as a leader in sustainable festivation. Planet Bluegrass presents Telluride Bluegrass, Rockygrass, and Rocky Mountain Folks Festival.
