Article Contributed by Rainwater Poster Co.
Published on 2026-06-22
BIG STONE GAP, Virginia — Blue Highway Fest, the IBMA’s 2023 Industry Event of the Year, has released its full daily schedule for the 2026 festival and announced that single-day tickets are now on sale at bluehighwayfest.com. The fifth annual edition runs October 8–11 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
Each day of the 2026 festival tells its own story. Thursday evening opens on the intimate downtown 3rd Street stage with a star-studded writers’ round tribute to Ronnie Bowman, the beloved singer, songwriter, and multiple IBMA Male Vocalist of the Year who was set to perform at this year’s festival before his passing in March. Thursday also features a special performance by Ralph Stanley II honoring the Stanley Brothers’ induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Friday brings the highly anticipated Boxcars reunion set, reuniting five celebrated players for the first time in years, alongside Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, The Seldom Scene, The Cleverlys, and a Blue Highway set built entirely from fan votes.
Saturday is a full day of bluegrass anchored by Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Dailey & Vincent, The Grascals, and Blue Highway themselves. Sunday rounds out the weekend with The Cox Family, Kenny & Amanda Smith, High Fidelity, and Shawn Lane & the Lane Brothers.
“We are celebrating our fifth year of Blue Highway Fest,” says festival director George Roat, “and this year our lineup is packed with legendary bluegrass greats, including a celebration of an honor richly deserved and a tribute to a beloved artist we lost too soon.”
2026 Schedule by Day
Thursday, October 8
Balsam Range
Writers’ Round Tribute to Ronnie Bowman, hosted by Blue Highway and The Cannons (Buddy, Marla, and Melanie)
Celebration of the Stanley Brothers’ Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, performed by Ralph Stanley II
Gathering in the Gap Songwriting Contest Winner: Nathan Adams
Friday, October 9
Rhonda Vincent & the Rage
The Boxcars Reunion
The Seldom Scene
The Cleverlys
Fan-Voted Blue Highway Set
Authentic Unlimited
Earl Scruggs Fest Contest Winner: Battle of the Banjos
Saturday, October 10
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Dailey & Vincent
Blue Highway
The Grascals
Junior Sisk & Ramblers Choice
NewFound Road
Carolina Detour, Rising Stars Challenge Winner
Sunday, October 11
The Cox Family
Kenny & Amanda Smith
High Fidelity
Shawn Lane & the Lane Brothers
You’re Building the Setlist
For the first time in Blue Highway Fest history, fans are helping write the show. Over 10 weeks, the festival’s Facebook community is voting on which Blue Highway songs make the official setlist for the 2026 performance. One song category goes up each week, and the results are determined entirely by fan comments.
Voting is already underway and will continue weekly on the Blue Highway Fest Facebook page. The songs with the most votes in each category will be performed live at the festival. Whether you’ve been a Blue Highway fan since the beginning or you’re just finding them now, this is your chance to be part of the show.
“We are truly looking forward to dusting off some of the tunes fans have chosen as their favorites for this set,” says Tim Stafford of Blue Highway. “It’ll be a challenge... but a fun one.”
Follow Blue Highway Fest on Facebook to cast your votes each Monday.
WDVX Joins as Media Sponsor
Blue Highway Fest is proud to welcome East Tennessee’s WDVX as an official media sponsor for 2026. A cornerstone of the regional roots music community, WDVX has been a champion of the music this festival was built on.
“East Tennessee’s Own WDVX is very proud to partner with Blue Highway Fest, and to help spread awareness and excitement all over East Tennessee and elsewhere about one of the finest bluegrass festivals in the world! I’m especially excited to help bring some of these amazing acts on stage, as well. See you in October!” says Benny Smith, Director of Marketing and Community Relations for WDVX.
October in the Mountains
Big Stone Gap sits in the heart of the Appalachian highlands, and October is the finest month to be there. Peak fall foliage typically arrives right alongside the festival, wrapping the town in vivid reds, oranges, and golds. RV parking and tent camping are available on-site, along with food vendors and craft brews. Whether you’re making a short drive or crossing the country to get here, this corner of the mountains is worth the trip.
Single-Day Tickets On Sale Now
Single-day tickets, full-weekend passes, camping, and RV parking for Blue Highway Fest 2026 are all on sale now at bluehighwayfest.com. Choose your day, or stay for all four. Additional schedule details will be announced in the coming weeks.
About Blue Highway Fest
Blue Highway Fest is an annual bluegrass music festival held in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, hosted by the town of Big Stone Gap and the band Blue Highway. The festival was named the 2023 IBMA Industry Event of the Year and has become one of the premier roots music events in the Southeast. Blue Highway Fest is presented in partnership with the town of Big Stone Gap, Virginia is for Music Lovers, Friends of Southwest Virginia, The Slemp Foundation, and The Crooked Road.
