Article Contributed by Victory Lap PR
Published on 2026-04-27
Old Crow Medicine Show brought a high-octane, crowd-commanding set to MerleFest’s Friday night stage. (Chris Noble)
MerleFest, presented by Window World, concluded its 38th annual gathering this weekend, bringing a true feast for the senses to Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC. Featuring world-class live music, bountiful food and craft vendors, and a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere, MerleFest continues to affirm its place as one of the most anticipated events of the year. Over four unforgettable days, artists, devoted fans, and first-timers alike united for an uplifting celebration of its namesake, Doc and Merle Watson, all while supporting the enduring mission of Wilkes Community College and expanding access to education across the region.
This year brought a number of long-awaited reunions, notably, the return of bluegrass supergroup Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, whose last appearance at MerleFest dates back to 2012, plus Old Crow Medicine Show, whose longstanding ties to the festival can be traced to Doc Watson discovering them busking in nearby-downtown Boone.
Reflecting on this year’s event, Festival Director Wes Whitson shared, “A weekend like this really puts things into perspective. You’ve got artists coming back after more than a decade, and you realize MerleFest has been part of their story for a long time, and they’ve been part of ours. We’ve grown together. But what matters just as much is who’s coming up next. From the beginning, one of Doc’s core goals was making sure this festival created meaningful support for Wilkes Community College, and you see that impact not just during the weekend, but year-round. At the same time, there’s no telling where the next great artist will come from –– whether it’s the Little Pickers Stage or the band competition. That’s what makes MerleFest special. It’s a true confluence of opportunity, where education, community, and the future of the music all meet.”
See below for a day-by-day highlight reel of MerleFest 2026’s noteworthy moments:
Thursday: MerleFest weekend kicked off with local favorite Presley Barker, who opened the Watson Stage with his impressive guitar acumen and passionate vocals. GRAMMY-nominated Jontavious Willis followed on the Cabin Stage with a masterclass in the blues, tracing a path through Piedmont, Delta, Texas, and Gospel traditions before sister trio The Castellows brought their foot-stomping energy to the late afternoon crowd. Pete Wernick then invited his latest class of jam campers to demonstrate their fine-tuned skills, making way for festival staple Peter Rowan & The Walls of Time Band. The Banknotes then delivered a moving tribute to MerleFest co-founder Bill Young before back-to-back sets from two bluegrass powerhouses, The Infamous Stringdusters and Sister Sadie. Headliner Charles Wesley Godwin closed out the main stage with a jam-packed alt-country performance, passing the torch to a raucous Donna the Buffalo, whose late night Dance Stage set is always a festival favorite.
Friday: Jim Lauderdale and The Gamechangers opened the day with a soulful set on the Creekside Stage, paving the way for an eclectic afternoon of rock, blues, reggae, country, and traditional varieties from the likes of West Texas Exiles, Corey Harris, The Band Loula, and The Kruger Brothers. The evening saw plenty of bluegrass action from genre mainstays like Molly Tuttle, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Fireside Collective, and a special Sunset Session from Steep Canyon Rangers before Lamont Landers and Old Crow Medicine Show brought down the house with their respective hard-hitting performances. MerleFest night owls then made their way to the Dance Stage for a nightcap from Hogslop String Band.
Saturday: Saturday started on a fierce note with Heartland roots rockers Jason Scott and the High Heat on the Hillside Stage, later followed by veteran bluegrass outfit Blue Highway and the announcement of Band Competition winner Pressley Layton. The Austin Stage saw a marathon of blues mastery with “The Greatest Acoustic Blues Show on Earth” featuring Charles Welch, Eleanor Ellis, Corey Harris, Nick Wade, and Jontavious Willis while The Waybacks’ always-anticipated Album Hour reimagined Bob Marley’s Legend. Evening set in, lighting the crowd in a golden glow as Old Crow Medicine Show frontman Ketch Secor delivered a special solo set, followed by an electrifying performance from Sam Bush Band. Ramping up into a rock-filled night, GRAMMY-nominated singer/songwriter Maggie Rose tore up the Cabin Stage and Blackberry Smoke brought their signature grit and Southern-rock edge to a swelling crowd. Scythian closed the night with a raucous, high-octane dance party on the Dance Stage before Ketch Secor and Old Crow Medicine Show hosted the beloved Late Night Jam, transforming the Walker Center into a mini Grand Ole Opry and welcoming a star-studded roster of special guests including Charlie Starr, Willie Watson, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, and Maggie Rose.
Sunday: The festival’s final day began with a family-friendly sing-along led by Jef Lambdin and Laura Boosinger, an old time-inspired set from Dom Flemons & The Traveling Wildfires, and a spellbinding performance by world renowned ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro. Joy Oladokun and AJ Lee & Blue Summit helped carry the Sunday afternoon into its final stretch with a welcome surge of energy before Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas wrapped the Watson Stage with their world-class talent, unparalleled chemistry and moving melodies, closing the curtains on an unforgettable weekend of music, moments and memories.
As MerleFest 2026 comes to a close, excitement already builds for next year’s return to Wilkes Community College, set for April 29-May 2, 2027. Stay tuned for ticket details and the full lineup announcement coming soon.
