Blue Highway Fest

05/30/2026

THE FULL LINEUP IS HERE!

The artist rollout for Blue Highway Fest is officially complete and this year’s lineup is one you do NOT want to miss!

Now is the time to lock in your tickets at the BEST price of the season before prices increase on June 22. Don’t wait until it’s too late to secure your spot with the Blue Highway Fest family in beautiful Big Stone Gap, VA!

• Incredible music
• Camping & festival fun
• Craft beer & food vendors
• Artisan village
• Late-night jam sessions

This is shaping up to be our biggest celebration yet, and we want YOU there when the music starts rolling through the mountains.

Get your tickets now before prices go up on June 22! https://loom.ly/DcozcDk

05/29/2026

We’re excited to share that The Boxcars are reuniting for a special set only at Blue Highway Fest! For the first time in awhile, this performance will bring together five of the most respected players in modern bluegrass for a can’t-miss music moment.

Boxcars to reunite for Blue Highway Fest 2026
https://bluegrasstoday.com/boxcars-to-reunite-for-blue-highway-fest-2026/

05/29/2026

If you love the tradition of bluegrass music, the award winning Blue Highway Fest is where you need to be.
Four days of world-class bluegrass music in Big Stone Gap, Virginia: October 8 through 11, 2026.
Joining Blue Highway this year are Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Cleverlys, and The Grascals plus many more of the biggest names in bluegrass.
Catch your favorite artists while enjoying the fall splendor of the mountains in Big Stone Gap, VA.
Get your tickets now: https://bluehighwayfest.com/

05/28/2026

You don’t know what we’re going through trying to keep this secret! We’ve been waiting, and hesitating… but we’re finally ready to spill the beans.

We’re excited to share that The Boxcars are reuniting for a special set only at Blue Highway Fest! For the first time in awhile, this performance will bring together five of the most respected players in modern bluegrass for a can’t-miss music moment.

Founded in late 2009 by mandolinist Adam Steffey, banjoist/fiddler Ron Stewart, guitarist Keith Garrett, fiddler John Bowman, and bassist Harold Nixon - with collective resumes spanning Alison Krauss & Union Station, J.D. Crowe & The New South, Lonesome River Band, and Blue Moon Rising - the group quickly rose to the top of the genre, taking home Instrumental Group of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2011 IBMA Awards. Across four acclaimed albums on Mountain Home Music Company, they earned a Grammy nomination and built a reputation as one of the finest exemplars of the Flatt & Scruggs tradition since the Bluegrass Album Band. After disbanding in 2017, this Blue Highway Fest reunion is a rare chance to see these legends back on stage together.

05/27/2026

We’ve hidden some hints about our last artist announcement in this word search. Think you have the answer? Let us know in the comments!

05/26/2026

We have one more artist to announce for this year’s festival… who could it be? Leave your guesses in the comments below!

05/25/2026

Join us as we celebrate the Stanley Brothers’ induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame with a special performance by Ralph Stanley II - only at Blue Highway Fest!

Ralph Stanley has a storied history in our area: the majority of his recordings were done at Maggard Sound, right here in Big Stone Gap. Don’t miss this heartfelt tribute to these artists from Southwest Virginia who went on to change the music world.

05/23/2026

Don't miss your chance to see at Blue Highway Fest this year!

https://bluehighwayfest.com/tickets/

05/21/2026

Our Thursday night kickoff event is always a memorable way to start the festival - and this year will be particularly special. We are excited to welcome The Cannons - Buddy, Marla and Melonie - for a momentous writers’ round event. Hosted by Tim Stafford, Wayne Taylor, and Shawn Lane, this set will be a celebration of the songs and stories that shape the music we love, and will also pay tribute to the great Ronnie Bowman.

05/20/2026

🔥 JUST ANNOUNCED: Balsam Range at Blue Highway Fest! 🔥

For nearly 20 years, Balsam Range has been one of the most celebrated and beloved bands in bluegrass music. Formed during a kitchen jam in the mountains of Western North Carolina, the group has grown into a powerhouse known for unforgettable harmonies, top-tier musicianship, and songs that deeply connect with audiences.

With multiple IBMA honors including Entertainer of the Year, Album of the Year, and Vocal Group of the Year, Balsam Range continues to set the standard in modern bluegrass. In 2026, the band also welcomes Stephen Hudson on fiddle and vocals, bringing fresh energy while honoring the traditional high lonesome sound fans love.

🎶 Whether on a grand theater stage or at a mountain festival, Balsam Range always delivers a performance that feels personal, powerful, and unforgettable.

👉 What’s your favorite Balsam Range song or live performance memory?