Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on November 25, 2025
Beloved Virginia festival returns May 21-24, 2026 with 45+ artists, immersive experiences, and a national roster of talent
Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival unveiled the final wave of artists for its 16th annual event today, adding 26 new acts — including powerhouse headliner St. Paul & The Broken Bones — to complete a 45+ band lineup for the four-day festival taking place May 21–24, 2026 at Pop’s Farm in Martinsville, Va.
The newly announced artists span genres from soul to progressive bluegrass to jam and funk, further cementing Rooster Walk Music & Arts Festival as one of the most eclectic and high-quality music festivals in the Mid-Atlantic.
Progressive bluegrass standouts Kitchen Dwellers (Bozeman, MT), ShadowGrass (VA/NC) and Magoo (Denver, CO) join funk/jam favorites Dumpstaphunk (New Orleans, LA) and Dizgo (Bloomington, IN), while Keller Williams (Fredericksburg, VA) returns with his acoustic dance music.
Additional acts announced today include: Maggie Rose (Grammy-nominated rock/soul powerhouse, MD), Clay Street Unit (Roots Music – Denver, CO), the Rooster Walk House Band, Sol Driven Train (Rock – Charleston, S.C.), Florencia & The Feeling (Soul – Johnson City, TN), Hustle Souls (R&B/Soul – Asheville, NC), Wolph (Rock – Richmond, VA), Music Road Co. (world-groove, VA), Courtney Lynn & Quinn (Americana – Wilmington, NC), Jules & The Agreeables (Rock – Loudon Co., VA), Loose Connection (Rock – Graham, NC), DJ What?! (DJ – Martinsville, VA), and Hunter Rhodes (Magic – Richmond, VA).
Artists at Large, who will make up the Rooster Walk House Band, will include Josh Shilling (keys/vocals – Nashville, TN), Jeff Sipe (drums – Black Mountain, NC), Caitlin Krisko (vocals – Asheville, NC), Isaac Hadden (guitar – Asheville, NC), Florencia Rusinol (vocals – Johnson City, TN), Wallace Mullinax (guitar – Charleston, SC) and Jake Dempsey (bass – Roanoke, VA). Keller Williams will also join the Rooster Walk House Band for one full set.
Previously announced bands included: moe. (Jam/Rock – Buffalo, NY); Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country (Jam/Rock – Nashville, TN); Eggy (Jam/Rock – New Haven, Conn.); John Brown’s Body (Reggae/Dub – Ithaca, N.Y.); Yarn (Americana/Alt-Country – New York City); Holy Roller (Southern Rock – Richmond, Va.); Caitlin Krisko & The Broadcast (Soul/Rock – Asheville, NC); Tan & Sober Gentlemen (Celtic Punk/Folk – Chatham County, NC); Isaac Hadden (Jam/Funk – Asheville, NC); Kindred Valley (Indie Folk – Huntington, WV); Paul McDonald and The Mourning Doves (Southern Roots Rock – Auburn, Ala.); The Ain’t Sisters (Folk Rock – Atlanta, GA); Jacoozy (Funk/Jam – Boone, NC); Moga Family Band (Rock/Soul – Nashville, TN); Big Fat Gap (Bluegrass – Chapel Hill, NC); Mountain Walrus (Psychedelic Rock – Roanoke, VA); Jayce Turley (Alt Country – Greenup County, KY); FeelFree (Reggae/Rock – Alexandria, VA); and Gabriel Van (Bluegrass Roots – Danville, VA).
“With this fan-fueled band lineup locked in place, Rooster Walk will once again offer one of the best festival experiences and values in Virginia — and far beyond,” said Johnny Buck, executive director of the nonprofit Rooster Walk Inc. “The mix of incredible music, a gorgeous venue, and the unmatched sense of community and family in the RW fanbase truly sets this event apart. We can’t wait to welcome everyone home to Pop’s Farm this May.”
Rooster Walk is known for its welcoming, community-driven atmosphere and stunning natural setting. The festival features:
A limited number of Full Strut VIP packages offer elevated amenities including:
These packages traditionally sell out before spring.
Tickets and camping passes are available now at www.roosterwalk.com, with discounted pricing through January. Several ticket options have already sold out or are in limited supply.
Rooster Walk is produced by Rooster Walk Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in memory of Martinsville natives Edwin “The Rooster” Penn and Walker Shank. The festival combines world-class music with community purpose. Since 2009, the organization has donated more than $378,000 to local and regional charities, including the Penn-Shank Memorial Endowment Scholarship Fund and the Rooster Walk Music Instrument Program benefiting area schools.
Rooster Walk has been recognized as one of Virginia’s Top 5 festivals by the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. In addition, Rooster Walk has been named the region’s Most Creative Charitable Event by readers of Virginia Living Magazine for three consecutive years.
