Avett Brothers, Greensky Bluegrass Lead Earl Scruggs Music Festival Lineup
(VLM) Earl Scruggs Music Festival returns to Mill Spring, NC on September 4-6, 2026 for its fifth annual Labor Day Weekend celebration at Tryon International Equestrian Center (Tryon International).
In honor of its namesake, three-finger banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs, this year's festival features headliners who encapsulate the past, present, and future of American roots music. North Carolina's own The Avett Brothers, revered jamgrass ensemble Greensky Bluegrass, and legacy outfit The Del McCoury Band will lead the lineup along with Bela Fleck: My Bluegrass Heart, The Earls of Leicester, artist-in-residence Alison Brown, Rhonda Vincent & The Rage, Mountain Grass Unit, Lindsay Lou, and many more.
In just a few short years, the festival has quickly risen to premier status -- most recently earning the 2025 International Bluegrass Music Association Event of the Year honor. As it approaches its fifth anniversary, the festival debuts the Louise Scruggs Stage, commemorating the groundbreaking achievements of Earl's beloved wife and manager, a leading force in breaking down barriers for women in the music industry. The new stage will be located inside one of Tryon's world-class equestrian arenas, offering an immersive experience that reflects the festival's distinct setting. Meanwhile, all Legends workshop programming will move to the centrally located Foggy Mountain stage, which will also host performances throughout the weekend, giving attendees continuous access to both intimate and engaging live music experiences.
With expanded on-site amenities, including the recently-opened Overmountain Lodge, numerous restaurants, shops, and elevated facilities, Earl Scruggs Music Festival is the only event of its kind that combines comfort and convenience with top-tier performances from leading artists on the scene.
Earl Scruggs Music Festival maintains deep ties with regional organizations WNCW 88.7 and Isothermal Community College in Spindale, NC, and the Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, NC. Since its inaugural event in 2022, a portion of proceeds has gone toward supporting these beneficiaries who are actively working to preserve Scruggs' legacy, promote musical education, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of North Carolina through their respective programming initiatives.
Earl Scruggs Music Festival will return September 4-6, 2026 in Mill Spring, NC. Advance-price tickets are currently on sale, with a variety of both three-day and one-day general admission and upgraded packages available. For more details and to stay up-to-date on all things Earl Scruggs Music Festival, visit EarlScruggsMusicFest.com.
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